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Senators
versus
Gridlockers
Current
Score:
Senators
4,
Gridlockers
7,
SIXTH
INNING
The
Gridlockers
came
to
bat
in
the
top
of
the
sixth
inning
feeling
good
about
their
lead,
but
too
many
amendments
on
too
many
omnibus
bills
proved
too
taxing,
and
their
bats
were
quieted. They
went
down
one,
two,
three,
and
took
the
field.
The
Senators
caucused
to
dissect
the
issues
and
share
convictions.
They
understood
the
workload
in
the
coming
innings
would
be
arduous
and
might
well
define
their
legacy. "Crunch
time"
had
arrived,
and
it
was
time
to
"git
'er
done."
Paul
Gazelka
(R-Nisswa)
started
things
out
by
hitting
a
hard
shot
to
left
for
a
double
as
he
laid
out
financial
targets.
Jeremy
Miller
(R-Winona)
defined
the
omnibus
bill
process
and
then
surprised
everybody
by
laying
down
a
perfect
bunt
single,
and
Gazelka
dashed
to
third. Scott
Newman
(R-Hutchinson)
put
in
play
a
much-needed
strategy
for
increasing
dollars
to
improve
roads
and
bridges,
and
slapped
a
double
to
the
right
field
corner
scoring
Gazelka.
With
Miller
on
third
and
Newman
on
second,
Michelle
Fischbach
(R-Paynesville)
temporarily
handed
her
umpiring
duties
over
to
Andrew
Mathews
(R-Milaca)
and
pinch-hit
for
the
Senators.
She
worked
some
magic
in
the
higher
education
arena
by
advancing
solid
initiatives,
despite
working
with
a
small
financial
target. Her
no-nonsense
manner
sprinkled
with
humor
got
the
job
done,
and
she
singled
to
centerfield
scoring
both
her
colleagues
tying
the
score
at
7
–
7.
Gary
Dahms
(R-Redwood
Falls),
Jim
Abeler
(R-Anoka),
and
Bill
Ingebrigtsen
(R-Alexandria)
each
hit
solid
base
hits
as
they
helped
commerce,
human
services,
and
environment
committees
get
their
omnibus
bills
done
by
deadline.
Roger
Chamberlain
(R-Lino
Lakes)
strode
to
the
plate
and
confidently
drove
home
a
tax
relief
message
slamming
a
double
off
the
center
field
wall
clearing
the
bases,
and
the
Senators’
lead
ballooned
to
11
to
7.
Warren
Limmer
(R-Maple
Grove)
gave
everybody
a
scare
when
he
was
hit
in
the
chest
with
a
wild
pitch,
and
the
next
batter,
the
diligent
Ann
Rest
(DFL-New
Hope),
worked
the
pitcher
to
a
full
count
before
stepping
out
on
a
called
third
strike.
Tony
Lourey
(DFL-Kerrick)
went
to
bat
for
the
Governor’s
modified
MinnesotaCare
buy-in
bill,
but
his
efforts
were
for
naught
when
his
line
shot
back
at
the
pitcher
was
snagged
for
an
out.
Next
up
was
Scott
Jensen
(R-Chaska),
who
struck
out
when
his
effort
to
disallow
per
diem
payments
during
special
sessions
was
snuffed
out
in
committee. Jensen
pitched
his
bill
by
listing
typical
legislator
income
sources: $45,000
salary,
$12,000
per
diem
allowance,
$4000
communication
reimbursement,
and
a
$15,000
medical
benefit. Total
package
was
more
than
$75,000
without
even
considering
mileage,
meeting
perks,
and
retirement
benefits.
The
sixth
inning
was
history
as
omnibus
bills
whizzed
through
the
strike
zone,
and
the
senators
regained
the
lead,
11
to
7.
Proud
to
be
serving
as
your
State
Senator,
Senator
Scott
Jensen
Miss
the
fifth
inning?
Read
it
here.
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