Another move is afoot to halve the legislative schedule. Backers say it will make lawmakers more efficient, and help hasten the return of the citizen-legislator.
Opponents say the idea went out with the horse and buggy.
Opponents view the session limit as a power grab by Ventura, and say state government, the economy and constituents' needs have grown too complex to be dealt with on a schedule more appropriate for farmer-legislators coming to St. Paul on horseback. This debate is not new to Minnesota. Annual meetings were allowed during this era. An 1888 amendment extended the sessions from 60 to 90 days, which was extended to 120 days in 1962. Minnesota still has a part-time Legislature.