While most of the media attention was focused on the presidential, U.S. Senate and congressional races this year, the entire Minnesota House of Representatives was up for re-election. And though the overall makeup of the body did not change significantly, there are still 23 new members - 12 Republicans and 11 DFLers. The DFL had a net gain of two seats, increasing its majority to 87 seats. The Republicans will have 47 seats.
What do these changes mean for the 2009 legislative session? Look for some changes in committee make-up in the House, but no major changes in committee chairs. Gov. Tim Pawlenty will also still have leverage with his veto pen as the DFL fell three seats short of a 90-member veto-override majority.
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