New MN GOP Leader Promises Continuity

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - New Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem says he's planning to push the legislative agenda championed by his ousted predecessor, including a focus on creating jobs.

The 69-year-old Republican from Rochester was elected majority leader on Tuesday to replace Sen. Amy Koch. She resigned amid revelations she had an inappropriate relationship with a Senate staffer.

Senjem says in an interview Wednesday that he plans to pursue the same goals as Koch, including reducing taxes on Minnesota businesses and corporations and making the state's regulatory system simpler.

Senjem says he wouldn't have done anything differently than Koch during the previous session, which led to a government shutdown after Republicans and DFL Gov. Mark Dayton couldn't reach a budget deal.

The next legislative session opens on Jan. 24.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)