Fireworks on The Floor

Ohhhhh boy - things got testy on the House floor today during a debate on HF3477 today. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) was complaining that HF 3477 - a bill that relates to lending practices and regulation on the Manufactured Housing industry - had not been in seen by the Housing Committee. In the course of his remarks, he snarked (ok all of them were very snarky today but I digress) about how the reason for the Housing Committees involvement in bills like this was for transparency and how the majority had been less than transparent in this or any other bill and at that point in time he mentioned the gas tax increase that went into effect today. After Rep. Emmer made a motion to refer the bill back to the Housing Committee, Chair Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis) asked:

"Before you make your motion, Rep. Emmer, Happy April Fools Day. Rep. Emmer, a question of fact, how big is your gas tank?" After about 15 seconds of silence, she repeated..."Rep. Emmer how big is the gas tank on that hockey mobile you drive around?" After another 5 seconds of stunned silence, Rep. Emmer replied "Madame Speaker, forgive me, I realize it is April Fools Day but the question is confusing me because I...I'm scared that someone might want to tax me MORE if I tell 'em how big my gas tank is..." Rep. Kelliher persisted..."Rep. Emmer - what do you drive?" After some muted comments and laughter, Rep. Emmer replied "the motion has been made Madame Speaker..." Over the laughter of the audience, Speaker Kelliher continued "Rep. Emmer, I am presiding..." There was more laughter and then Rep. Emmer said "Where is Rep. Pelowski when you need him?" to which the Speaker said "sitting at his desk.....Rep. Emmer, I believe that you drive something with a 28 gallon tank, right?" To which Rep. Emmer replied "Well Madame Speaker, if you must know I take the BUS! Since I can't afford the gas, I take the bus...I pick it up in Wayzata and there is 1 change over in Minneapolis..."

Hmmm.....I wonder what Rep. Kelliher drives into work every day and how big a gas tank SHE has.....

The exchange starts at about the 1 hour 54 minute mark.