This is The Honorable Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon), Speaker of the Minnesota State House of Representatives. Farmer. Former math teacher. Graduate of St. Olaf College.
This is The Honorable Dean Johnson (DFL-Willmar), Majority Leader of the Minnesota State Senate. Chaplain – U.S. National Guard. Lutheran pastor. Graduate of St. Olaf College.
As you can see, these two fellows have at least one thing in common.
The Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary Club hosted both gentlemen this morning as our special guests. They each gave about a five minute address to the club and then stood for questions. The main issue they discussed this morning was sports stadiums, both college and professional. Both Rep. Sviggum and Sen. Johnson expressed support for another special session this year to address the stadium issue. They both expressed their concern that the special session agenda be worked out in advance of the Governor calling a special session. Sen. Johnson said that he wanted the pre-special session agenda agreement to be in writing. Maybe that’s not a bad idea, judging from the way the last special session turned out.
The Star Tribune online afternoon edition carried this report about Johnson and Sviggum’s comments.
Sen. Johnson and Rep. Sviggum both spent some time speaking with Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens.
Both of these gentlemen are in demand as speakers to groups like our Rotary Club. It was an honor to have them join us today. For all the power they hold in this state, they’re still just a couple of Ole’s trying to do the right thing for the people of Minnesota.
Thank you, gentlemen.
