ST. PAUL -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty, facing a Democrat-controlled Legislature, wasted no time after starting his second term Tuesday acknowledging that teamwork will be the name of the game in the legislative session that starts today.
After his inaugural speech at the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul on Tuesday morning, the governor invoked the late President Ford's legacy as a sign of what Pawlenty said will be needed to avoid forging a "common-denominator agenda."
"His life reflected a spirit of civility and reconciliation," he said of Ford, whose funeral services were Tuesday in Washington, D.C. "That kind of leadership works and it heals."
Pawlenty, a Republican, was among five constitutional officers taking their oaths of office. Joining Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau on the Fitzgerald stage were new Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Attorney General Lori Swanson and State Auditor Rebecca Otto. All three are Democrats.
He started his second four-year term by reaching out to all Minnesotans.
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"On this occasion and from this place, I'm calling on every Minnesotan, especially our political leaders, to walk down a new and better pathway -- a path of civility and positive change," he said to applause.
Pawlenty begins his new term without the Republican House control he enjoyed the past four years. Even before the Nov. 7 election, when Democrats took over the House and padded their majority in the Senate, he began talking about issues that normally are considered in the domain of Democrats - health care, education and lower property taxes.
In his inaugural speech, Pawlenty outlined major proposals for education and renewable energy that he called "mission critical" to the state's future.
Using a language reminiscent of a remark in President Bush's 2006 State of the Union speech, Pawlenty said the U.S. "remains addicted to oil" and should aggressively seek out ways to move away from foreign oil dependence.
Among the pillars of the governor's proposal is a requirement that 25 percent of the state's energy come from renewable sources by 2025.
Top lawmakers, including Speaker-elect Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, have expressed optimism that a renewable energy bill could be passed early in the session.
"We feel good about the governor's embracing of renewable energy," Kelliher said after the inauguration.
During his speech, Pawlenty called on the state's leaders to take risks to serve Minnesota.
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"We need to keep what works, change what doesn't and have the wisdom to know the difference," he said.
The 46-year-old governor's inaugural activities Tuesday were different than last term's week-long extravaganza. He and his wife, Mary, began the day by attending a morning service at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie.
"The state of Minnesota is unusually blessed," the Rev. Leith Anderson said during the service. "I believe that God called Tim Pawlenty to the office of governor."
Anderson said he read from the Bible's first book of Timothy at a service during Pawlenty's first inauguration in 2003. The pastor read from the second book of Timothy at Tuesday's service.
The governor's two daughters, Anna and Mara, joined their parents on stage while Pawlenty took the oath.
