When the Minnesota House met in session on Thursday, Rep. Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids) moved to suspend the rules and bring HF564 to the floor for a vote.
The bill, authored by Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) would modify intermediate care facility reimbursement rates for persons with developmental disabilities and home and community-based service providers.
It's estimated that the measure--which would give workers caring for the disabled a 5 percent raise--will cost over $300 million; as we wrote in When GOP catchphrases go wrong: Dahms, nursing homes and "one size fits all", the bill to improve funding for nursing homes, HF316, will require $200 million in additional funding.
The goal? To get Republicans, who are talking publicly about improving HHS care in Greater Minnesota, to commit to funding increases for workers and facilities for the disabled-- or to look like fools next week when the majority caucus leadership sets budget targets that would not begin to fund the Republican wishlist.
As one might expect, the motion was defeated.
What happened next was unexpected. Representative Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud) made a motion to adjourn; a request was made for a roll call, but Daudt ignored the request and subsequent calls and shouts, including one that called him a dictator.
Here's the messy close:
A temporary lapse of reason on Speaker Daudt's part--or a harbinger for the rest of the session as bills come out of committee and on to the floor?
Photo: Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) can't look the chamber in the eye as he ignores requests for a roll call vote on the motion to adjourn.
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I remember a couple recent occasions where the DFL Majority at the time realized it had trampled on the rights of minority by ending debate before some GOP members had a chance to speak. It happened in both chambers.Speaker Thissen and Majority Leader Bakk along with the DFL voted to reopen debate so all members could be heard.
There is a history of open debate in Minnesota politics. Even if debate takes until 4:00 in the morning, Minnesota politicians are normally cordial and admit when they violate a process.
The GOP proved they were more interested in power plays than governing during 2011-12. It appears they are still not ready for prime time.
Posted by: Watkinthegrass | Mar 21, 2015 at 09:06 AM
It's the Axis of Weasels.
Posted by: Phoenix Woman | Mar 24, 2015 at 08:02 PM