WILLMAR -- During the 2007 session of the Minnesota Legislature, Rep. Al Juhnke will be at the House podium pounding the gavel.
Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, was one of four legislators selected this week to serve as speaker pro tempore. The appointment was made by House Speaker-designate Margaret Anderson Kelliher.
"We're the people who'll be holding the gavel when the Speaker isn't at her desk," said Juhnke in an interview Friday. "It's a serious position."
Reps. Alice Hausman of St. Paul, Paul Thissen of Minneapolis and Gene Pelowski of Winona, were also chosen.
The group includes two rural legislators, who tend to be a bit more conservative than the two metro legislators. "It's a good mix," said Juhnke.
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Calling himself a "stickler for the rules," Juhnke said he's wanted to serve as speaker pro tempore ever since he was first elected in 1996. "I enjoy the technicalities of the House."
He said he or one of the other three will take over conducting the day-to-day business of the House, coordinate debate on the House floor and recognize speakers whenever Kelliher is not in the House chamber. The job could last for 15 minutes or three hours, depending on how long Kelliher is gone, said Juhnke.
Whoever is holding the gavel at the time runs the show but is not allowed to participate in the debate or make amendments to legislation.
"People expect a lot of you when you're up there," he said. "You're expected to be fair and forthright in all the rulings, and I think I'm up to that."
"It is a high honor to be asked to preside over the largest legislative body in the state," Kelliher said in a prepared statement. "I chose these four representatives because I am confident they will rule with civility, fairness and respect for all members of the House."
The 2007 legislative session begins Jan. 3
