Mary Lahammer’s TPT blog captures further evidence that the Legislature and the governor are far enough apart that work might not be finished by the May 18 legislative deadline, less than two weeks away.

After a press conference Monday where Children’s Hospital leaders called on the governor and legislators to protect children’s health care, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said: “If the governor is unwilling to budge on his thinking on hospitals, nursing homes and schools, I think I’d rather take the case to the public.”

Lahammer notes:

“That sounds like the old ‘take it to the voters’ philosophy which around the Capitol can mean meltdown.  Kelliher again called Gov. Pawlenty ‘inflexible’ (probably meaning on revenue and taxes) and she blasted his cuts saying ‘he’s willing to cut so much that hospitals and nursing homes will close.’

“Later the House GOP met with the governor to talk about budget bills and again stave off any possible veto override.  Minority Leader Marty Seifert responded to Kelliher’s comments saying ‘I’m not sure what taking it to the people means, she’s taking it to the people with a club if she wants a special session over tax increases.’ “