The House and Senate GOP Caucuses have gone in opposite ideological directions with their leadership picks as they prepare to enter the minority in the 2013 legislative session. In the aftermath of Tuesday’s election that swept DFLers into control of both the House and Senate, the Republicans have spent the last two days behind closed doors to choose leaders who will try to steer their respective caucuses in picking up the pieces and articulating the opposition to the DFL legislative majorities and Gov. Mark Dayton.

Linda Cohen said she has been investigating the issue with university General Counsel Mark Rotenberg and believes the dual roles present a conflict of interest -- but the university is still investigating the issue.

Matzek has been serving as interim chief of staff since November, when Cullen Sheehan departed from the position for a lobbying job with Lockridge Grindal Nauen. Matzek previously served as legislative director to the Senate Republican caucus.

Julianne Ortman, a three-term senator from Chanhassen, will serves as Senjem's number two as deputy majority leader. Bill Ingebrigtsen, a two-term senator from Alexandria, will take a remaining assistant majority leader slot.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk weighed in on the state of affairs in the Minnesota Senate as he implored newly elected Majority Leader Dave Senjem to meet with him “as soon as possible.” He also told PIM Senjem should inquire into Sen. Geoff Michel's actions after being told of an inappropriate relationship between former leader Amy Koch and a male Senate staffer.

Senate Republicans have elected David Senjem to lead them into the 2012 session and election year following the sudden resignation of former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch.

Cullen Sheehan is stepping down as state Senate GOP chief of staff to lobby for Minneapolis-based Lockridge Grindal Nauen. The Senate majority's legislative director Kevin Matzek will assume the chief of staff's role.

GOP leaders of the Legislature - flanked by a majority of both the House and Senate GOP caucuses - reiterated their refusal to increase taxes to help solve the $ 5 billion budget deficit following Gov. Mark Dayton's move to slice his proposed tax increases nearly in half.

Yet another April snowstorm is fouling up legislative leaders' plans to tour the state in support of their agenda. House and Senate Republicans have postponed their fly-around until Monday.

See video of Sens. Mike Parry and Bill Ingebrigtsen refusing to yield to questions during Thursday's floor session -- and the GOP's response.