WhoRunsTheStates Badge.png
Who Runs Your State Government?
Does your state lean blue or lean red? Check out our new report, highlighting partisan control of state government from 1992-2013.



Minnesota State Senate

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Minnesota State Senate

Seal of Minnesota.png
General Information
Type:   Upper house
Term limits:   None
2013 session start:   January 8, 2013
Website:   Official Senate Page
Leadership
Senate President:   Sandra Pappas, (D)
Majority Leader:   Thomas Bakk, (D)
Minority leader:   David Hann, (R)
Structure
Members:  67
   Democratic Party (39)
Republican Party (28)
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:   Art IV, Minnesota Constitution
Salary:   $31,140.90 + per diem
Elections
Last Election:  November 6, 2012 (67 seats)
Next election:  November 4, 2014 (67 seats)
Redistricting:  Minnesota Legislature subcommittee has control

Contents

The Minnesota Senate is the upper house of the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 Senatorial districts, indicated by number. Each member represents an average of 79,163 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[1] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 73,425 residents.[2] Senators generally serve four-year terms.[3] Terms are not limited in Minnesota.[4] The 2010 session convened on February 4th.

State senators are paid a salary of $31,140 per year. During the regular legislative session, legislators can be reimbursed up to $96 per day for travel and living expenses when away from home. Legislators can collect the "per diem" payments seven days a week during the legislative session, whether or not they are actually at the state house. The per diem payments are included toward the recipient's pension and can add more than forty percent to some members' income. [5] [6]

As of May 2013, Minnesota is one of 12 Democratic state government trifectas.

Sessions

Article IV of the Minnesota Constitution establishes when the Minnesota State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 12 of Article IV states that the Legislature is not to meet in regular session for more than 120 legislative days in each two-year period between legislative elections. Section 12 also does not allow the Legislature to meet in regular session after the first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year. Within these limits, Section 12 allows the Legislature to decide its meeting dates by law.

As such, MN Statute 3.011 establishes that on odd numbered years the legislature must convene on the first Monday in January, unless that lands on January 1, in which case the legislature must convene by the first Wednesday after the first Monday. The legislature is required to set its own date for even numbered years.

Section 12 of Article IV states that the Governor of Minnesota can call special sessions of the Legislature on extraordinary occasions.

2013

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the Legislature will be in session from January 8 through May 20.

Major issues

The most important issue facing lawmakers is passing a new two-year budget in the face of a $1.1 billion deficit. Leaders also seek to address education funding, making schools safer, legalizing gay marriage, and controlling health care costs.[7]

2012

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the Senate was in session from January 24 to May 10.

2011

In 2011, the Senate was in session from January 4 through May 23.

2010

In 2010, the Senate was in session from February 4th to March 17th.

Elections

2012

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Minnesota State Senate were held in Minnesota on November 6, 2012. A total of 67 seats were up for election.

Although Minnesota senators typically serve four-year terms, they are elected to a two-year term during the first election of the decade. This allows for legislative elections to fall shortly after redistricting is completed. Since Minnesota Senate terms are not staggered, all sitting members will be on the ballot in November.

The signature filing deadline was June 5, 2012 and the primary date was August 14, 2012.

The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.

2010

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Minnesota State Senate were held in Minnesota on November 2, 2010. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was June 1, 2010 and the primary election day was on September 14, 2010.

In 2010, the candidates for state house raised a total of $5,109,415 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were: [8]

Qualifications

To be eligible to run for the Minnesota State Senate in 2010, a candidate must be:[9]

  • Eligible to vote in Minnesota
  • Have not filed for more than one office for the upcoming primary or general election
  • At least 21 years old by January 3, 2011
  • A resident of Minnesota for a least one year
  • A resident of the legislative district for at least 6 months before November 2, 2010

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures
How Vacancies are filled in State Legislatures
NevadaMassachusettsColoradoNew MexicoWyomingArizonaMontanaCaliforniaOregonWashingtonIdahoTexasOklahomaKansasNebraskaSouth DakotaNorth DakotaMinnesotaIowaMissouriArkansasLouisianaMississippiAlabamaGeorgiaFloridaSouth CarolinaIllinoisWisconsinTennesseeNorth CarolinaIndianaOhioKentuckyPennsylvaniaNew JerseyNew YorkVermontVermontNew HampshireMaineWest VirginiaVirginiaMarylandMarylandConnecticutConnecticutDelawareDelawareRhode IslandRhode IslandMassachusettsNew HampshireMichiganMichiganAlaskaVacancy fulfillment map.png

In Minnesota, all vacancies in the Senate must be filled by a special election[10]. It is up to the appropriate elections authorities to schedule an election as soon as possible. The election must be held during the next general election if there is more than 150 days left in the term. If the Senate is in session, a special election must be called by the Governor no later than 35 days after the vacancy happened. If a vacancy happens when the Senate is out of session and less than 150 days are left in the term, a special election must called by the Governor as soon as possible. This is to allow the winner of the election to be sworn in when the Senate reconvenes[11].

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Minnesota

The Legislature handles redistricting, with the Governor holding veto power. Each chamber has its own redistricting committee, with a joint committee of two Republicans and two Democrats from each chamber.

2010 census

Minnesota received its local census data on March 16, 2011. The state's population increased 7.8 percent, even though four of the five most populated cities showed slight decreases in population; only Rochester (pop. 106,769, up 24.4 percent) showed growth.[12]

At the time of redistricting, Republicans controlled the Legislature, and Democrats the governorship; redistricting was expected to favor Republicans as Democrats held numerous underrepresented districts. Governor Mark Dayton vetoed the legislative plan on May 19, 2011. In June 2011, a panel created by the Minnesota Supreme Court took over the process when it heard lawsuits over the matter, even though the Legislature's deadline of February 2012 had not yet come up. On February 21, 2012, the panel released a final map, pairing 16 incumbents in the Senate.

Senators

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

As of 2013, members of the Minnesota legislature are paid $31,140.90/year. Senators receive $96/day per diem while representatives receive $66/day. The rates are set by the legislature.[13]

Partisan composition

See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Party As of May 2013
     Democratic Party 39
     Republican Party 27
Total 67


The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Minnesota State Senate from 1992-2013.
Partisan composition of the Minnesota State Senate.PNG

Leadership

In the Minnesota Senate, members of the majority caucus elect a leader, who directs the business of the Senate and is considered the leader of the Senate. The minority caucus elects its own leaders. The Senate President is elected on the opening day of each biennial session.[14][15]

Current leadership

Current Leadership, Minnesota State Senate
Office Representative Party
President of the Senate Sandra Pappas Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate President Pro Tempore Ann Rest Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Leader Thomas Bakk Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Hayden Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Katie Sieben Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Majority Whip Chris Eaton Electiondot.png Democratic
State Senate Minority Leader David Hann Ends.png Republican

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Minnesota legislators assume office the first day of biennial (2-year) session.[16] Minnesota law provides that: "The legislature shall meet at the seat of government on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each odd-numbered year. When the first Monday in January falls on January 1, it shall meet on the first Wednesday after the first Monday. It shall also meet when called by the governor to meet in special session." [17]

Current members

Current members, Minnesota State Senate
District Representative Party Assumed office
1 LeRoy Stumpf Electiondot.png Democratic 1983
2 Rod Skoe Electiondot.png Democratic 2003
3 Thomas Bakk Electiondot.png Democratic 2003
4 Kent Eken Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
5 Tom Saxhaug Electiondot.png Democratic 2003
6 David Tomassoni Electiondot.png Democratic 2001
7 Roger Reinert Electiondot.png Democratic 2011
8 Bill Ingebrigtsen Ends.png Republican 2007
9 Paul Gazelka Ends.png Republican 2011
10 Carrie Ruud Ends.png Republican 2013
11 Tony Lourey Electiondot.png Democratic 2007
12 Torrey Westrom Ends.png Republican 2013
13 Michelle Fischbach Ends.png Republican 1996
14 John Pederson Ends.png Republican 2011
15 Dave Brown Ends.png Republican 2011
16 Gary Dahms Ends.png Republican 2011
17 Lyle Koenen Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
18 Scott Newman Ends.png Republican 2011
19 Kathy Sheran Electiondot.png Democratic 2007
20 Kevin Dahle Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
21 Matt Schmit Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
22 Bill Weber Ends.png Republican 2013
23 Julie Rosen Ends.png Republican 2003
24 Vicki Jensen Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
25 David Senjem Ends.png Republican 2003
26 Carla Nelson Ends.png Republican 2011
27 Dan Sparks Electiondot.png Democratic 2003
28 Jeremy Miller Ends.png Republican 2011
29 Bruce Anderson Ends.png Republican 2013
30 Mary Kiffmeyer Ends.png Republican 2013
31 Michelle Benson Ends.png Republican 2011
32 Sean Nienow Ends.png Republican 2011
33 David Osmek Ends.png Republican 2013
34 Warren Limmer Ends.png Republican 1995
35 Branden Petersen Ends.png Republican 2013
36 John Hoffman Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
37 Alice M. Johnson Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
38 Roger Chamberlain Ends.png Republican 2011
39 Karin Housley Ends.png Republican 2013
40 Chris Eaton Electiondot.png Democratic 2011
41 Barbara Goodwin Electiondot.png Democratic 2011
42 Bev Scalze Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
43 Charles Wiger Electiondot.png Democratic 1997
44 Terri Bonoff Electiondot.png Democratic 2005
45 Ann Rest Electiondot.png Democratic 2001
46 Ron Latz Electiondot.png Democratic 2007
47 Julianne Ortman Ends.png Republican 2003
48 David Hann Ends.png Republican 2003
49 Melisa Franzen Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
50 Melissa Halvorson Wiklund Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
51 Jim Carlson Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
52 James Metzen Electiondot.png Democratic 1987
53 Susan Kent Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
54 Katie Sieben Electiondot.png Democratic 2007
55 Eric Pratt Ends.png Republican 2013
56 Dan Hall Ends.png Republican 2011
57 Greg Clausen Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
58 Dave Thompson Ends.png Republican 2011
59 Bobby Joe Champion Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
60 Kari Dziedzic Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
61 Scott Dibble Electiondot.png Democratic 2003
62 Jeff Hayden Electiondot.png Democratic 2011
63 Patricia Torres Ray Electiondot.png Democratic 2007
64 Dick Cohen Electiondot.png Democratic 1987
65 Sandra Pappas Electiondot.png Democratic 1991
66 John Marty Electiondot.png Democratic 1987
67 Foung Hawj Electiondot.png Democratic 2013

Standing committees

The Minnesota Senate has sixteen (13) standing committees:

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

Who Runs the States Project
See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Minnesota’’
Partisan breakdown of the Minnesota legislature from 1992-2013

From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Minnesota State Senate for 20 years while the Republicans were the majority for two years. The Minnesota State Senate is one of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. For the final year of the study Minnesota was under a Democratic trifecta.

Across the country, there were 544 Democratic and 517 Republican State Senates from 1992-2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states have divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1992-2013. Partisan composition of Minnesota state government(1992-2013).PNG

External links

References

  1. ↑ Population in 2010 of the American states
  2. ↑ Population in 2000 of the American states
  3. ↑ Minnesota term constraints
  4. ↑ Senator Demographics, Eighty-Sixth Legislature
  5. ↑ Minnesota State Legislature, "Frequently Asked Questions About the Minnesota Legislature"
  6. ↑ WCCO-TV, Reality Check: Who's Getting the Most Per Diem?,January 14, 2009
  7. ↑ Twin Cities, "Minnesota Legislature convenes for official start of session," January 9, 2013
  8. ↑ Follow the Money: "Minnesota Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
  9. ↑ 2010 Guide for Candidates
  10. ↑ Minnesota Revisor of Statutes "Minnesota Election Law"(Referenced Statute 351.055)
  11. ↑ Minnesota Revisor of Statutes "Minnesota Election Law"(Referenced Statute 204D.19 (1)-(3))
  12. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Minnesota's 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting," March 16, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  13. ↑ NCSL.org, "2012 State Legislator Compensation and Per Diem Table," accessed March 18, 2013
  14. ↑ Minnesota Legislature - "FAQ - How are leaders in the House and Senate chosen?"
  15. ↑ Minnesota Senate - 2009-2010 leadership list
  16. ↑ Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 3, Section 3.05
  17. ↑ Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 3, Section 3.011
v • d • e
Democrat majority Current members of the Minnesota State Senate
Senate Majority Leader: David Senjem (R) • Senate Minority Leader: Thomas Bakk (Democratic/Farmer/Labor)
   
Democratic (39) • Republican (28) • Minnesota State Senate • Minnesota House of Representatives
v • d • e
State legislatures
Legislatures
Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S)
SLP badge.jpg
2013
Historical elections
2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2007
Features of
state legislatures
State senates
State houses
Leadership positions
Retrieved from "http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Minnesota_State_Senate&oldid=1798318"
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Encyclopedia
Calendars
Get Involved
Donate
Toolbox