DFL regains control of Legislature
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DFLers regained decisive majorities in the Minnesota House and Senate in an election that Gov. Mark Dayton and DFL leaders said will pave the way for “progress” in Minnesota.“The message coming out of this election is that people are interested in progress — in moving the state forward,” House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls) said at a press conference.Thissen and Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) promised an end to the kind of partisan gridlock that led to the 2011 state government shutdown.“Last night, Minnesota took a large step forward, and I think the message from Minnesotans was pretty clear,” Bakk said. “They want this rigidity and this unwillingness to compromise to be put on the shelf.”For the first time since 1990, DFLers will control the House, the Senate and the governor’s office at the same time. They are projected to hold a 73-61 majority in the House and a 39-28 majority in the Senate. Recounts are expected in one House and one Senate race (Districts 8B and 20, respectively).Just two years ago, Republicans took control of the House and Senate in their own historic victory. At the time, their 72-62 House and 37-30 Senate majorities marked the first time in 40 years that Republicans controlled both chambers.In spite of yesterday’s losses, Republican leaders said they would remain focused on their agenda of smaller government, lower taxes and business-friendly policies.“It wasn’t quite the election we’d hoped for last night,” said House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove). Continue Reading