We already thought today's Minnesota House floor session was like nothing we'd ever seen before--and that was before Clearbrook Republican state representative and retired sheriff's deputy Matt Grossell started getting caught by the open microphone suggesting that a cattle prod was needed to maintain social distance.
It's clear from the Minnesota House seating chart and the images in the screengrab above and the MNHouse Info channel YouTube below that even with an unorthodox seating pattern intended to enforce "social distance" for the pandemic, that loud fellow is Grossell.
Indeed, a key GOP House caucus staffer calls him out by name for having a "hot" microphone.
Grossell first drew statewide last May when he was arrested after incidents at hotel bar, Regions Hospital. Later, the Star Tribune reported State Rep. Matt Grossell demoted for drunken arrest, implied threat to officers.
Or as City Pages put it: Minnesota state rep keeps paying for one very hammered night in St. Paul.
Given that history, one might understand why the second term lawmaker's banter--less than appropriate given that the House was working in advance of a coronavirus pandemic prompted four-week recess--drew a warning from Gavin Hanson, Legislative Director to Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, that his microphone was on and that Hanson was receiving messages about Grossell's chatter.
A source at the House identified Hanson for us.
Here's the video of the incident (the YouTube will scroll to a point where it's possible to hear Grossell carrying on and end as Grossell tests his mic after Hanson walks away).
Around the 20 minute mark, Grossell turns around and begins talking to the state representatives behind him (Sondra Erickson and Bob Vogel).
Jerry Hertaus walks between Vogel and Grossell and one of them says hello.
Someone says, "Keep moving through, keep moving through, . . .a bunch of cattle." It's unclear whether it's Grossell speaking, though the voice seems to be his--and he's the one with the open microphone.
Grossell speaks to a colleague about possibly signing on to a bill, but the man says he hasn't had time to read it. Next, Grossell says "Hey Nels, 60, 60" to Rochester Republican Rep. Pierson, who turns away.
Then he flags a woman over to his desk, speaks her name (Anne? Maybe this Anne) and says, ". . .you need a cattle prod, to keep moving out the door," while making a prodding gesture, "keep poking..." Some of the moments following that are unintelligible, until Grossell says, "Everybody keeps their distance from me anyway, that's no change for me."
There's more chatter, until Hanson strides forward and at the 23:52 mark, touches Grossell's microphone and says, "Hey, Grossell, stop that! Your mic's hot and I don't want that. I just got a text that [unclear].
Grossell says, "It's also. we're in the echo chamber here too." There's bit bit more exchange and Hanson walks away, while Grossell continues to count into his still hot microphone. After a bit Hanson returns and gives Grossell the thumbs up.
We tweeted at the time:
Open mic (I think it's Matt Grossell) was turned off by staffer. Not quite open argument. Sheesh. That moment preserved for the archives #crocs #mnleg
— Sally Jo Sorensen (@sallyjos) March 16, 2020
Minnesota is under a state of emergency, and it may be for Grossell's benefit that Governor Walz ordered temporary closures of restaurants, bars and other 'places of public amusement' in fight against COVID-19 beginning 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Related posts:
- In more sober moments than Saturday morning, lawmaker has more respect for hospital staff
- Minnesota state representative Matt Grossell may not want any more Muslim colleagues elected
- MN2A GOP candidate shares views of Pope, LGBT & black people & Muslims on Facebook
- Republican tells Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey 'Don't touch me' [VIDEO] [City Pages]
Screengrab: Gavin Hanson, Legislative Director to Minority Leader Kurt Daudt,(standing, center front) tells Matt Grossell, (center front before the staff desk and Speaker's podium) that his microphone was hot. As always when the House is in session, the cameras were rolling as well.
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