Want to get the latest gossip and happenings from the state capitol? Tune in every Friday night at 7:00 p.m. to Twin Cities Public Television- Channel 2 and watch "Almanac." Almanac always has exciting guests from state government and an exciting political panel. In addition, TPT political reporter, Mary Lahammer, has her own show, Almanac at the Capitol, which is a weekly series that is shown during legislative sessions on Channel 17 on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. or Channel 2, Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m.

Did you know?

Did you know that the Capitol building is the third home of Minnesota state government in the state's 145-year history? The first Capitol opened in 1853 and was destroyed by a fire on March 1, 1881. After the fire, legislators met in a market house until the second Capitol was built on land now occupied by the St. Paul Arts and Science Centre. IT served the Capitol until the current building opened in 1905. The current Capitol building of Minnesota opened on January 3, 1905 and has housed the state legislator and governor's office ever since. The Minnesota Capitol also has the world's largest self-supported marble dome!

Where did the word lobbyist originate?

Legend has it that the word "lobbyist" comes from President Ulysses S. Grant. While he was President, he would stay at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each day he would go to the lobby and smoke a cigar and drink a cognac. Anyone who wished to speak with the President would gather in the lobby of the hotel and he coined the term "lobbyist" for all of the people in the lobby trying to bend his ear!

Visit the Minnesota Legislature Website

The Minnesota Legislature has an award-winning website where you can find your legislator, access bills and committees, find out how bills become law, and even take a virtual tour. To access this site simply click on the follwing link and begin to explore! Minnesota Legislature Website

Minnesota State Symbols

State bird: Loon
State drink: Milk
State fish: Walleye
State flower: Lady slipper
State gemstone: Lake Superior agate
State grain: Wild rice
State motto: L'etoile du Nord ("Star of the North")
State muffin: Blueberry
State mushroom: Morel
State picture: "Grace"
State tree: Red or Norway pine

Facts

The Minnesota Legislature has 201 members. The State of Minnesota is divided into 67 legislative districts, with about 73,425 people in each district. Voters elect one senator from each of those districts. Each Senate district is divided into two sections. Voters elect one House member, or representative, from each section, making a total of 134 representatives. These districts, which are made up of about 36,713 people each, are identified with an "A" or a "B."

The Legislature convenes in regular session each odd numbered year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. In the even numbered years, it convenes on a date set by joint agreement of both bodies. The state constitution limits the Legislature to meeting 120 legislative days during each biennium. In addition, the Legislature may not meet in regular session after the first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year (for constitutional provisions concerning the length of session and special sessions, see Minnesota Constitution, Article IV).

How many votes are required in order for a bill to become law?

A bill must receive a majority of the votes in both houses - 68 in the House and 34 in the Senate. Bonding bills require a three-fifths majority vote - 41 Senators and 81 Representatives.

Not sure who represents you?

Visit http://maps.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/website/districts/ and type in your zip code and address and you can get a list of your representatives and contact information. To find out where you vote go to the Secretary of State's website at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/.

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Home > Practice Areas > Government Relations-State and Federal > Political Tips
Lockridge Grindal Nauen Our People Government Relations- State and Federal Practice Areas Events Endorsements Media Community Summer Associate Program Contact Us Map & Directions Government Relations CURRENT EVENTS LGN 2008 Session Wrap-Up Legislative Alerts Legislative Updates Current Political News Political Tips Helpful Links Clients Grassroots Action Center About Grassroots From the Field Login	Political Tips Watch "Almanac." Want to get the latest gossip and happenings from the state capitol? Tune in every Friday night at 7:00 p.m. to Twin Cities Public Television- Channel 2 and watch "Almanac." Almanac always has exciting guests from state government and an exciting political panel. In addition, TPT political reporter, Mary Lahammer, has her own show, Almanac at the Capitol, which is a weekly series that is shown during legislative sessions on Channel 17 on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. or Channel 2, Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. Did you know? Did you know that the Capitol building is the third home of Minnesota state government in the state's 145-year history? The first Capitol opened in 1853 and was destroyed by a fire on March 1, 1881. After the fire, legislators met in a market house until the second Capitol was built on land now occupied by the St. Paul Arts and Science Centre. IT served the Capitol until the current building opened in 1905. The current Capitol building of Minnesota opened on January 3, 1905 and has housed the state legislator and governor's office ever since. The Minnesota Capitol also has the world's largest self-supported marble dome! Where did the word lobbyist originate? Legend has it that the word "lobbyist" comes from President Ulysses S. Grant. While he was President, he would stay at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each day he would go to the lobby and smoke a cigar and drink a cognac. Anyone who wished to speak with the President would gather in the lobby of the hotel and he coined the term "lobbyist" for all of the people in the lobby trying to bend his ear! Visit the Minnesota Legislature Website The Minnesota Legislature has an award-winning website where you can find your legislator, access bills and committees, find out how bills become law, and even take a virtual tour. To access this site simply click on the follwing link and begin to explore! Minnesota Legislature Website Minnesota State Symbols State bird: Loon State drink: Milk State fish: Walleye State flower: Lady slipper State gemstone: Lake Superior agate State grain: Wild rice State motto: L'etoile du Nord ("Star of the North") State muffin: Blueberry State mushroom: Morel State picture: "Grace" State tree: Red or Norway pine Facts The Minnesota Legislature has 201 members. The State of Minnesota is divided into 67 legislative districts, with about 73,425 people in each district. Voters elect one senator from each of those districts. Each Senate district is divided into two sections. Voters elect one House member, or representative, from each section, making a total of 134 representatives. These districts, which are made up of about 36,713 people each, are identified with an "A" or a "B." The Legislature convenes in regular session each odd numbered year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. In the even numbered years, it convenes on a date set by joint agreement of both bodies. The state constitution limits the Legislature to meeting 120 legislative days during each biennium. In addition, the Legislature may not meet in regular session after the first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year (for constitutional provisions concerning the length of session and special sessions, see Minnesota Constitution, Article IV). How many votes are required in order for a bill to become law? A bill must receive a majority of the votes in both houses - 68 in the House and 34 in the Senate. Bonding bills require a three-fifths majority vote - 41 Senators and 81 Representatives. Not sure who represents you? Visit http://maps.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/website/districts/ and type in your zip code and address and you can get a list of your representatives and contact information. To find out where you vote go to the Secretary of State's website at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/.
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