The Minnesota Legislature Through Russian Eyes

by Dmitry Polyakov

[Ed. note: Guest author Dmitry Polyakov, from St. Petersburg, Russia, is a Legislative Education and Practice Program Fellow and an intern who splits time between the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Colorado Legislature.  Recently he had an opportunity to visit the Minnesota Legislature as part of his work on an NCSL project.]

Early morning freezing cold air in St. Paul made my nose run and reminded me of my home in St Petersburg, Russia.  But thoughts about "mother-Russia" weren't important for me that day: I was heading to the State Capitol to get acquainted with the Minnesota Legislature.

Having previously visited state capitols in Oregon, Maryland and Colorado, I knew something of how legislatures differ across America.  I was excited and looking forward to learning about the legislative process in Minnesota. 

And there it was: a beautiful capitol, just a little over one-hundred years old.  Looking out from a faded early 19th Century black-and-white photograph, a group of well-dressed gentlemen—members of the Minnesota State Capitol construction commission—welcomed me as I entered the building.  I was immediately struck by gorgeous stone work and wide hallways. The atmosphere was friendly and calm. There was no rushing about, no undue noise and disturbance. Everyone seemed to know where they were going and what they were doing.

As soon as I entered the Senate Information office directed by Scott Magnuson, handshakes, warm welcomes and introductions started to fire at me with a pace of M-16 automatic rifle.  It seemed like everyone at the Capitol knew that "a guy from Russia" had arrived and wanted to stop by and say "hi".

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I was immediately whisked off for a quick but fascinating capitol tour.  Within thirty minutes I had been to the Senate and House floors, learned about the stone used to decorate the chamber and hallways and found out where and when committees meet.  Public Information Specialist John Trombley gave me a quick update on the bills that were up before the legislature that day.

I rushed over to observe the Senate in session.  Real, live "made in Minnesota" state senators quickly dealt with two bills that were on the agenda that day.  The process appeared to be efficient and productive. The same was true when I went to the House chamber a little later, with one minor difference: the representatives seemed a little less formal than senators.  I was told it was always this way.  One representative proudly announced on the House floor that he had become a grandfather for the first time the previous day.

While I was observing the floor action, Scott Magnuson contacted colleagues in the Manitoba General Assembly in Canada who run a legislative fellowship program similar to the one I am currently on. I hope to connect with them and to explore the potential for developing further Russian-North American legislative internship programs.

It was lunch time, but no one seemed to care about food: legislators, staff, lobbyists, press and attentive citizens flooded public committee hearing rooms.  On my way to a committee hearing I stopped by the Minnesota Historical Society stand and asked where the gift shop was. "We don't have one in here," was the answer. "People come to the Capitol to make laws, not for souvenir shopping!"

A couple of hours later it was time to leave the Minnesota State Capitol.  I pushed open the heavy doors and met a blast of freezing air.  I had been impressed with how efficiently the Minnesota Legislature runs and how professional, open-minded and friendly the legislators and staffers who work there are.  I was very lucky to observe people who are so personally involved in making their state a better place to live.  Is it because the climate is so cold in Minnesota?  Then how come low temperatures never do any good for lawmakers back home in Russia?