A NONPARTISAN PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 9, 2001 ESSION VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 Weekly SMINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

In this issue:

TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM PLAN

FEEDLOT AUTHORITY, REACTION TO TAX PLAN, AND MORE

HF551-HF744 ESSION S Weekly Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the House of Representatives Public Information Office. During the 2001-2002 Legislative Session, each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming committee meeting schedules, and provides other information. The publication is a service of the Minnesota House. No fee. CONTENTS To subscribe, contact: IGHLIGHTS Minnesota House of Representatives H Public Information Office Bonding • 5 Energy • 8 Law • 10 175 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Crime • 5 Environmnet • 8 Local Government • 10 (651) 296-2146 or Development • 6 Health • 8 Safety • 10 1-800-657-3550 Education • 6 Higher Education • 9 Taxes • 11 TTY (651) 296-9896 Elections • 7 Housing • 9 Transportation • 12

Director LeClair G. Lambert FEATURES Editor/Assistant Director At Issue: Agriculture — Farmers and legislators express concern regarding a Michelle Kibiger proposal to move oversight of feedlots from the Pollution Control Agency to the Department of Agriculture. • 13 Assistant Editor Mike Cook At Issue: Family — An aggressive action plan for early childcare and education in Art & Production Coordinator Minnesota grabs the attention of legislators at a House committee hearing. • 14 Paul Battaglia At Issue: Taxes — The public gets its first chance to comment on Gov. Jesse Writers Ventura’s tax plan, including its expansion of the sales tax to many services. • 15 David Maeda, Theresa Stahl, Jonas M. Walker, Mary Kay Watson People — Rep. D. Scott Dibble turns love for Minnesota and career as community activist into new role as state legislator. • 16 Chief Photographer Tom Olmscheid People — Rep. Ruth Johnson returns to the House after two-year hiatus with renewed commitment to education and the environment. • 17 Photographers Andrew Von Bank, Sara Kirk People— Rep. Connie Ruth draws from all the pieces of her life in the path that Office Manager led her to the state Legislature. • 18 Nicole Wood People— Rep. takes a new role as House Minority Whip after two Staff Assistants years as assistant minority leader. • 19 Christy Novak, Michelle Sorvari Late action — House members take up Senate bill to provide $30 million in emer- Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is published gency heat assistance to school districts, but amend it to provide a sales tax rebate. • 20 weekly during the legislative session by the Min- nesota House of Representatives Public Information Office, 100 Constitution Ave., St. DEPARTMENTS/RESOURCES Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. It’s A Fact: Perks of the Job 4 What’s on the Web: Streaming video 27 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The 50 States: Retaining Committee Schedule (Feb. 12-16) 28 Session Weekly, Public Information Office, IT professionals 12 Reflections: The Sandager farm 31 Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., Resources: Come to the Capitol 21 Minnesota Index: Minnesota vs. St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Bill Introductions (HF551 -HF744) 23 Top States in Education 32

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content. On the cover: The moon rises over the Capitol Quadriga Feb. 6.

—Photo by Tom Olmscheid

2 February 9, 2001 IRST READING F

because the cost of service is much higher in non-metro areas. Telecommunication reform Under the new plan, consumers above the Legislators hear a revised plan for lower costs, better average rate, generally rural consumers, would receive a subsidy to bring the cost down to the technology, and improved service average rate consumers in the state are paying. BY THERESA STAHL The subsidy would come from a “universal telecommunications reform proposal from the Ventura Administration service fund,” which collects a 5 percent ex- cise tax on any telecommunications service — promises better rates and more services for Minnesota consumers including long distance calls and wireless ser- A — residential and business, urban and rural. vices. The fund would be created by the bill. The bill (HF510), presented to the House Regulated Industries Commit- Mendoza said the excise tax would be added tee Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, is a revision of a telecommunications plan introduced after the hidden subsidies were removed, and consumers would benefit in the end. last year. Since then, Department of Commerce representatives have listened “It is more money in the pockets of con- to consumers across the state, met with tele- in the state, and for consumers to be able to sumers and less money in the pockets of phone companies and legislators, and used choose their own provider. monopoly carriers,” he said. that input in creating a plan for new telecom- “Telecommunications would be driven not The universal service fund will also pay for munications laws. by the whims of a monopoly, but by a vibrant a list of “essential services,” some that consum- The new bill, sponsored by Committee competitive marketplace,” said Anthony ers currently receive, and others that will be Chair Rep. Ken Wolf (R-Burnsville), calls for Mendoza, deputy commissioner of commerce. needed more and more as technology changes. standard statewide service, affordable local Most Minnesotans receive service by mo- They include: phone service, advanced services to anywhere nopoly carriers. Under the new plan phone • low-income assistance; companies would be deregulated, creating • Telecommunications Access for Communi- competition in the marketplace. cations Impaired Persons; The main initiative of the bill requires local • touch-tone; service providers to adhere to “universal ser- • 911 and E911 (“Enhanced 911,” i.e., tracing vice,” or meet certain standards of telecom- calls); munications service. With universal service, • access to operator services; hidden subsidies — access charges and rate • access to directory assistance; averaging — that currently exist in phone bills • toll-free Internet access; and would be erased. • a capital investment loan fund. Some small phone companies currently During the presentation to the committee, charge basic services below cost while mak- Wolf asked if the list, which includes about a ing up the revenue in access charges which are dozen services, seemed long. not regulated by the state. Access charges are “We’re trying to maintain what we have to- entrance and exit fees paid by long distance day at much less cost to ratepayers,” Mendoza companies to local service providers to origi- explained. nate and terminate long distance calls. The low The capital investment loan fund included costs for basic services make it impossible for in the list of essential services would provide a new company wanting to enter the market start-up funds for telecommunications com- to compete with them. panies wanting to begin business in Minne- For the benefit of small telephone compa- sota. The money, at low interest to borrowers, nies that have relied on these access charges, would help deploy advanced communications the new plan takes a “soft landing” by reduc- services such as high-speed Internet, especially ing the charges slowly over a five-year period. in rural parts of the state. Reduced access charges will also decrease the Communities that don’t have access to tech- cost of long-distance calls. nologies, notably high-speed Internet, are be- Rate averaging is the second hidden subsidy ing left behind, Mendoza said. “The loan is to PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW VON BANK to be eliminated. When rates are averaged provide infrastructure so Greater Minnesota A telecommunications reform bill intended to sim- under a monopolistic market, urban consum- is not always last in line for services.” plify the complicated telecommunications system Even with a low-interest loan incentive, in Minnesota, awaits action in the House ers help ease the cost to rural consumers, Regulated Industries Committee.

Session Weekly 3 competitors could be intimidated from enter- ing the market. But the plan takes measures to protect new companies. Removing the rate averaging system, also called “deaveraging” by the department, would be completed by the end of 2002. Immediately after the deaveraging, rate caps would be set Perks of the job on basic voice services for two years to give 1919 speaker given “unusually lavish” gift the market time to adjust to the new prices. Following the release of the rate caps, the plan Rank definitely has its privileges in the Nolan’s political affiliations, including sup- calls for complaint-based regulation. House of Representatives. But the 1919 ses- port from Republican Gov. J.A.A. Burnquist, “There’s never been a real standard for when sion carried with it a special perk for then could have sabotaged his bid for speaker. In- a company is engaged in predatory pricing,” Speaker of the House William I. Nolan of stead, the five-term legislator and long-time Mendoza said. But now there would be. . member of the House Rules Committee was Predatory pricing occurs when a company At the end of the legislative session, the elected by an overwhelming majority of lowers their service or product prices below members of the House, along with several members. The vote was 105-23. other provider’s prices, thereby unfairly pric- staff members, gave In his book ing their competitors out of the market. Nolan a new, six- about the 1919 The Public Utilities Commission would cylinder touring car. Legislature, C. J. hear predatory pricing complaints and would Though literature Buell described have authority to order structural separation. about the 1919 ses- Nolan as a fair and The commission would also take consumer sion says Nolan was efficient speaker. complaints. This initiative addresses implica- very popular among “His actions tions of last year’s plan, which was accused of the House mem- were quick, and being over-regulatory, according to Mendoza. bers, no specific rea- his rulings were Cable companies, which are regulated by son explains the gift, never questioned local governments, would also be regulated by which was quite ex- Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society but once, and then the state under the new plan. Currently cable travagant for the Members of the 1919 Legislature presented this car the member rais- to House Speaker W.I. Nolan at the end of the ses- operators must obtain a franchise from every times. ing the question However, a few of sion. (Can you tell what kind of car it is? If you can, had no one sup- local government within the service territory. please send a letter or call House Information.) Telecommunications providers only need ap- the Legislature’s ac- porting him,” proval from the state. complishments that year might explain it. Buell wrote. Franchise application fees run as much as That was a big year for the state and the na- Nevertheless, controversy swirled $50,000. The new proposal would allow local tion, as the states were called to ratify Prohi- around the 1919 Legislature, as critics governments to continue to collect franchise bition and women’s suffrage amendments. hissed about laws the members were pass- fees; however, the fees can be credited against But there were other interesting politi- ing and issues that died. the excise fee paid to the state. Local govern- cal dynamics at the time that may have ex- New laws that year established a state ments would also have control over program- plained why the House chose to bestow “an Board of Education, a state Agriculture ming. The state would have ultimate authority unusually lavish gift” on the speaker. Department and a constitutional amend- to grant and enforce franchises. Back then, the Legislature only met dur- ment to establish a state highway system. Mendoza said the commerce plan for re- ing odd-numbered years and the constitu- About the only proposal attributed di- form isn’t trying to put telephone companies tion limited them to 90 legislative days. rectly to Nolan was the 1919 appropria- out of business, but instead intends to elimi- And from 1913 to 1973, the Legislature was tions law. However, the Legislature nate monopolies and allow people to choose non-partisan, meaning the members were designated the highest state budget up to their own provider. not elected by party affiliation. Members of that point — $31.78 milion — and that fig- The reason for the bill is to remove barriers the Non-partisan League, a driving political ure was a $7 million increase from the pre- to companies that want to enter the telecom- force in the state, were primarily rural farm- vious session. munications market, Mendoza said. ers who banded together to draw attention But many criticized the Legislature for “We need to look at the big picture, so that to issues dominant in the rural setting. They not funding certain needs deemed critical, rates are affordable for everyone,” he said. “We had been most powerful during the decade including unallocated funds to prevent for- need to make it a more fair and open market- from 1910 to 1920, exerting the most influ- est fires in northern parts of the state. place.” ence during the elections of 1918. Several bits of unfinished business drew The committee has taken no action on the The League was not a specific political members back to the Capitol that Septem- bill. party, and League members represented ber — ratifying the women’s suffrage many parties. amendment and to establishing a memo- As a result of the non-partisan atmo- rial to soldiers from the state who served sphere of the time, politicians were char- in World War I. To find out who represents you acterized more by their stands on pivotal Nolan served only one session as speaker, at the Capitol . . . issues, rather than party affiliation. saying he would not seek re-election in 1920. Call the House Public Information For example, people and communities Office at (651) 296-2146 on either side of the Prohibition issue were described as “dry” or “wet.” Continued on page 31

4 February 9, 2001 IGHLIGHTS F EBRUARY 1 - 8, 2001 H

distributes grants to law enforcement CriMNet funding approved BONDING agencies to curtail and prevent auto theft. A bill that would appropriate $41.5 million Since the program began in 1997, auto theft to continue development and utilization of Project dollars frozen in the state has been reduced about CriMNet, a statewide system to share crimi- State law requires bond money that is un- 33 percent. nal justice information among courts law en- spent or uncommitted be reported to the Leg- According to state law, the program is set forcement officials, cleared another hurdle. islature after four years. As of Feb. 1, almost to end Jan. 1, 2002. In his biennial budget, The House Civil Law Committee approved $149 million in bond proceeds were frozen in Ventura has not recommended continuing the HF260, sponsored by Rep. Rich Stanek accordance with this law. program, funded through a 50-cent surcharge (R-Maple Grove), Feb. 7 and referred it to the Peter Sausen of the Department of Finance per premium on auto insurance policies pro- House Judiciary Finance Committee. reported the bond proceeds cancellations to the viding comprehensive coverage. The bill would grant $20 million to the state House Capital Investment Committee Feb. 6. Each year, the surcharge provides about Supreme Court to continue redevelopment of He explained the report is both a bookkeep- $2.3 million to the program. However, exist- the court information system, intended to in- ing measure and a way of getting bond recipi- ing law caps spending for the program at tegrate criminal justice information from all ents to move ahead on their projects. $1.8 million, creating a balance in the fund. law enforcement agencies across the state. The There are several reasons why a project During the 2000 session, the Legislature al- system would be used in every county. might not go forward. Sometimes circum- located some of the previous fund balance for The Department of Public Safety would re- stances change. An example is the airport fa- other purposes, disbanded the board, and ceive $14 million, the majority of which pro- cilities authorization for more than eliminated all staff positions. vides grants to local agencies to actually $81 million that would have paid for a In his budget proposal, Ventura explained implement integration plans they have already Northwest Airlines maintenance base in his recommendation to let the program lapse developed. northern Minnesota. as of June 30, 2001, by saying once a state- The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Other projects need to meet other require- funded program is successful at the local level, would be granted $6 million, the majority of ments. For example, the public television the local communities should absorb the cost. which would be dedicated to processing in- transmitter grant of $975,000 for the city of Mary Ellison, whose office in the Depart- formation not yet entered into the bureau’s Austin needs approval from the Federal Com- ment of Public Safety now oversees the pro- existing computer system. The remaining munications Commission, which has not yet gram, explained that it simply wasn’t one of $1.5 million is earmarked for the Department been granted. the governor’s priorities. of Corrections to bolster statewide supervi- Sometimes the bond regulation criteria are Committee members and other officials sion systems and to prepare its records for simply too restrictive for the receiving agency, questioned the logic that this should be a lo- CriMNet’s inauguration. and they choose not to use the money. cally funded project. Don Gemborling, director of information Now that the cancellations have been re- “I don’t really understand the argument,” policy analysis for the Department of Admin- ported, recipients who still plan to use the said Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. istration, said it is important to keep crime- money must come forward and convince the She testified that the program has allowed her related information accurate and private. This Legislature their projects are still viable. department to concentrate on prosecuting data can “really have an extreme effect on The Legislature must then pass language to auto theft cases more vigorously and obtain people’s lives,” he said. “It can affect jobs and extend the bonding availability and the gov- convictions on “difficult cases,” such as those their ability to get housing.” ernor must sign off on it. Any appropriations where auto owners left their keys in a vehicle Stanek called the CriMNet system a vast that are not extended are automatically can- and it was stolen. improvement over the current system. “It does celled as of July 1. The unused money goes “It’s not taking state dollars to do this not change current law” regarding access to back into the debt service fund and is recycled project. It’s taking a user fee,” she said. “With- criminal records, he said. into paying off other bonds. out those additional dollars we will not pros- Rich Neumeister, a concerned citizen, told ecute as many of these cases. We will not the committee he was unsatisfied with offi- prosecute the difficult cases.” cials’ assurances that citizens’ right to privacy CRIME Other law enforcement and insurance in- would be sufficiently protected. “I support dustry representatives testified that the pro- CriMNet in principle,” he said. “But how do Prevention board sunset gram is an effective way to use resources and we make sure that the system’s rules corre- Members of the House Judiciary Finance prevent crime. spond” to appropriate principles of data Committee questioned Gov. Jesse Ventura’s Committee Chair Rep. Rich Stanek privacy? recommendation to allow the state’s auto theft (R-Maple Grove) said he expects more discus- Steve Correll, BCA director for criminal jus- prevention program to sunset at the beginning sion about the program as the committee tice information system, told the committee of 2002 during its meeting Feb. 6. weighs proposals for its overall spending that CriMNet will help prevent the Formerly the Auto Theft Prevention Board target. misidentification of people charged with and now under the authority of the Depart- crimes or applying for jobs or housing. ment of Public Safety’s office of Drug Policy “The intent is to facilitate communication,” and Violence Prevention, the program

Session Weekly 5 he said. CriMNet is not “a warehouse” of in- students’ performance outcomes, return on re- formation; it simply helps existing agencies sources, school district finances, student learn- legally share information. ing environment, and school district demographics. Representatives from Standard & Poor’s, a New York-based firm, shared what they have DEVELOPMENT done in Michigan and Pennsylvania and how Preservation aid possible they could do the same in Minnesota. They said it is best to do an analysis over a number Rep. (R-Anoka) presented two of years to see trends. bills relating to historic preservation at the William Cox, managing director for school Feb. 6 House Commerce, Jobs and Economic evaluation services, emphasized his company Development Committee meeting. Both were is not a ratings service. “We get contextual in- approved. formation for independent analysis. Our HF331 proposes to create a historic struc- analysis is diagnostic, not prescriptive.” ture preservation grant program that would “This way we can compare school districts award up to 20 percent of the costs of restora- using similar (numbers),” Pawlenty said, tion projects. something that does not currently exist. “What HF596 would allow a person to receive an we have now is a mess. We need to question if income tax credit for up to 25 percent of re- we want to improve.” habilitation costs. Under the proposal, the outside firm must Several members of state preservation submit its written report to the commissioner groups told legislators that historic buildings within 360 days of the date the contract is are resources for today’s communities. signed. The report must then be made avail- “This is for preserving our state’s heritage, able to the public immediately. It will also be which gets smaller every day,” said Bob Frame, available via the Internet. executive director of the Preservation Alliance Funding for this proposal would be appro- of Minnesota. He said the lack of financial priated from the state’s general fund. No costs resources is the most common reason build- were proposed, but Cox said programs in ings are not restored. Charles Nelson, historical architect with the Min- Michigan and Pennsylvania cost $2 million to Brenda Johnson, of the Southeast Minne- nesota State Historical Preservation Office, testi- $2.5 million per year. sota League of Cities, expressed a need for fies for a bill that would create a historical preservation grant program during a Feb. 6 hear- Information used by Standard & Poor’s public-private partnerships, saying they are ing of the House Commerce, Jobs and Economic would be data already provided by school dis- “an effective tool,” especially for maintaining Development Committee. tricts to the state. downtown areas. Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) ex- In response to a question regarding tax “Taxes will go up if you improve your prop- pressed concern about spending more money abatement, Johnson said it “hasn’t surfaced as erty anyway,” Abeler replied. for another way to analyze data when money a tool yet.” HF596 now moves to the House Taxes might best be spent elsewhere for education. Brian McMahon of the Preservation Alli- Committee. “We have the Office of Educational Account- ance said buildings they are interested in ability. Why not just beef them up?” working on are those that have retained their On the other hand, Rep. George Cassell architectural character. He stressed it was not (R-Alexandria), a former school superinten- a cosmetic program, and the buildings need EDUCATION dent, supports the idea. “We’ve had bits and maintenance that does not come cheap. Evaluation proposal examined pieces in the past, but never a broad, indepen- “These buildings are in need of assistance, A plan to have an outside agency create a dent analysis. If we had this it would allow us otherwise they wouldn’t get done,” McMahon consistent comparison of the financial and to make better decisions and then see how we said. academic achievements of school districts re- did.” HF331 calls for a $10 million appropriation ceived a mixed reception from members at a to the grant program, which would be admin- House committee meeting. istered by the Minnesota Historical Society. The House Education Policy Committee Rep. Arlon Lindner (R-Corcoran) asked if approved HF71, sponsored by House Major- Performance-based pay the amount would be enough. ity Leader (R-Eagan), Feb. 8 and Legislators showed skepticism toward a $15 “It’s a very good start,” Abeler replied. referred it to the House K-12 Finance million recommendation for performance- The bill now moves to the House Jobs and Committee. based teacher pay in the 2002-2003 governor’s Economic Development Finance Committee. Under HF71, the commissioner of the De- budget at the Feb. 6 meeting of the House Referring to HF596 that allows the income partment of Children Families and Learning Education Policy Committee. tax credit, Rep. Bill Haas (R-Champlin) said would contract with an independent school The plan was not being officially proposed the historical buildings in need of restoration evaluation service “to evaluate and report on in the committee, but members took the op- are currently valued low for property tax, and the academic and financial performance of the portunity to address it, while officials were once improved will be at a higher retail value. state’s independent school districts.” appearing to provide program overviews. The “You’re working against yourself if (prop- This would be accomplished using six core committee took no official action. erty) taxes (skyrocket) after restoration,” he categories: school district expenditures, The incentive moves away from the current said.

6 February 9, 2001 “steps and lanes” system by which teachers are Rep. (DFL-Mpls) suggested that International Falls School District, said the currently paid. “Steps” refers to the number by just looking at test results to measure stu- cost of bringing in people to conduct staff of years a person has been teaching, and dent achievement — therefore not examining training is too expensive, as he laid out the “lanes” refers to the degree or degrees a per- arts, music, and physical education — they costs for committee members. son has earned. would not be taking a “systems” look at Representatives suggested using interactive “We want to see teachers be awarded for schools. Davnie, a teacher, questioned the television as a cheaper means to receiving what they bring to the classroom,” and for how method by which student achievement would seminars, but Frederickson said the state’s ITV students perform, said Christine Jax, commis- be gauged, stating that an administrator can system is limited. Several people, including sioner of the Department of Children, Fami- have a negative effect on a school. Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville), ex- lies and Learning, the state’s education The department would use Minnesota plained it is much more beneficial to attend a department. Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) to see if conference in person. Some legislators questioned the small students are achieving, as well as “other meth- “Face to face interaction with peers is some- amount allocated for the incentive. Rose ods of progress” which they did not specify. thing you could never get from (interactive Hermodson of the department explained that Reps. (DFL-Dilworth) and television),” she said. few schools would be ready to restructure their John Dorn (DFL-Mankato) talked about de- The bill will be considered for inclusion in compensation plans, and the department only clining enrollment, rising class sizes, and less the K-12 education omnibus bill. expects the new pay method to cover funding for rural districts. “How are they sup- 5 percent of teachers in the state. Jax added posed to improve under these conditions?” the allocation represents the limited amount Marquart asked. There is some money, he said, Remedial instruction funding of money the governor wants to spend. but not enough. Citing that there are no funding sources to To apply for the Performance Incentive The funds aren’t sufficient to go statewide cover remedial courses for students who do Pool, as the program is called, districts or in the next biennium, Hermodson said; how- not pass a graduation standards test on their schools would create guidelines for their own ever, there not enough schools that would be first try, Rep. Irv Anderson (DFL-Int’l Falls) plans to compensate teachers according to ready anyway. Rep. Ken Wolf (R-Burnsville) introduced a bill (HF228) that would provide student’s classroom improvement. The role of commended the governor on the budget for revenue to pay for such instruction. the department would be to monitor program the incentive pool, and its plan for “slow The bill was heard by the House K-12 Edu- development and provide direction. growth.” cation Finance Committee Feb. 5. It will be Criteria for the Performance Incentive Pool considered for inclusion in the committee’s include: omnibus bill. • Implementation of graduation standards; Funds for teacher development One-third of students in the state fail the • Tools to measure student performance; More than 70 school districts would qualify Minnesota Graduation Standards Test their • Measures to show improved student for financial assistance for transportation ex- first time and would likely benefit from early attendance; penses associated with staff development, un- intervention with specialized instruction, sup- • Evidence of professional development; der a bill (HF226) sponsored by Rep. Irv porters of the bill say. • Measures of student, family, and commu- Anderson (DFL-Int’l Falls). HF228 would allow districts to use local levy nity involvement; The bill would allow teachers in school dis- funds for graduation standards remedial in- • A data system describing academic progress tricts that receive sparsity revenue — funds struction. The cost of one course of 30 stu- for parents and public; and for districts that are geographically isolated dents would cost districts an average $10,000 • A compensation structure for teachers that and have low enrollment — up to $200 per annually, which includes salary, benefits and eliminates pay increases tied to years of year for travel expenses related to seminars or course supplies. service. conferences for professional growth. Funds granted — between state aid and a district’s local levy — would total $686,000 statewide, if every teacher used the maximum amount ELECTIONS available. James Baschky, a science teacher of seven Type size in political ads years in the International Falls School District, State law requires that campaign literature testified in favor of the bill before the K-12 contain a disclaimer stating who produced the Education Finance Committee Feb. 5. material. In the past, he said, his school has sent the But that law does not require the disclaimer entire science department to Minnesota Sci- be legible. Rep. (R-Marshall) has ence Teachers Conference, but this year it can proposed a bill (HF486) that he says would only send one teacher. In previous years, attempt to address what many would consider Baschky said, he has used his own car and cov- a common sense issue by requiring that the ered some costs himself, but this year that isn’t disclaimer be at least a certain sized type. an option. Seifert presented the bill to the House Gov- Baschky’s district, like others in the state, is ernmental Operations and Veterans Affairs too far away from other school districts to have Policy Committee Feb. 5. He showed the com- the option of partnering and sharing the cost mittee a newspaper advertisement that ran in Christine Jax, commissioner of the Department of of seminars. the Marshall newspaper the day before the Children, Families and Learning, testifies before John Frederickson, superintendent of the election. He said the disclaimer to the ad was the House Education Policy Committee Feb. 6. Session Weekly 7 printed in a type size and font style that made Gillaspy said for census purposes the tradi- situation or have had their service discontin- it nearly impossible to read. tional seven-county metro area is now ex- ued or interrupted. Many people in the community were upset panded to include Chisago, Isanti, Sherburne, McElroy said the program has received with the particular advertisement, Seifert said, and Wright counties. That area minus the St. many more applications than in the past due and because the disclaimer was difficult to Paul/Minneapolis area saw the largest increase to high energy costs this winter. He said the read, it was nearly impossible for voters to in population (18.5 percent) during the past average grant is $400 to $500 per family. know who was responsible for producing the decade. By comparison, population in the two “This bill will serve a significant number of advertisement. core cities dropped by 2.4 percent. The rest of families,” McElroy said. He said that with the increasing negativity the state saw a 4.2 percent increase. HF421*/SF460/CH2 in local campaigns, knowing who is behind Using those numbers the suburban areas are an advertisement is becoming more and more likely to gain five representatives in the House, of a concern. while the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis “The disclaimer is almost of equal impor- are expected to lose two seats between them, ENVIRONMENT tance as the message that is going out,” he said. and Greater Minnesota would lose three seats, “If we have no idea who is sending the mes- Gillaspy said. MPCA reductions planned sage out there is no accountability.” Yet he cautioned those numbers are prelimi- Reduced funding is forcing the Minnesota Originally, HF486 would have required that nary, and that ultimately the redistricting pro- Pollution Control Agency to eliminate the the disclaimer be in at least 10-point type. But cess will determine the number of equivalent of 70 full-time jobs over the next the bill was amended to lower the type size to representatives from the different parts of the two years, a 9 percent reduction in staff. eight-points. state. “This has not been an easy task,” Lisa Rep. Steve Dehler (R-St. Joseph) said he The state’s undercount for the last census Thorvig, PCA deputy commissioner, told wasn’t convinced the bill was necessary and was 0.4 percent, the third lowest in the nation. members of the House Environment and was concerned about micromanaging the “art” Each time the government conducts a census Natural Resources Finance Committee Feb. 5, of advertising design. there can be a certain amount of underesti- during the agency’s budget presentation. Dehler said gamesmanship is part of the mating what the population will be, and that The governor has recommended about political process and the advertisement Seifert contributes to the undercount. Gillaspy said $25.2 million in spending from various funds brought with him from Marshall was for a that number can be partially attributed to the for the PCA. The agency has not yet completed candidate who lost the election. state being less diverse than the nation as a its presentation. The committee approved the bill and it was whole, as well. The agency intends to cut staffing through sent to the House floor. The official census figures to be used for attrition. Additionally, they have been hold- redistricting are expected to be released ing vacancies open in anticipation of this ac- sometime in March. tion. During the next two years, agency officials expect to meet the objective through State growth continues retirements and through employees leaving for The population of Minnesota grew by other reasons, Thorvig said. Programs are also being cut, and employ- 12.4 percent during the past decade, the state ENERGY demographer told the House Redistricting ees from those programs will be assigned to Committee Feb. 6. Heating help on the way other programs as positions open. Tom Gillaspy said that according to the pre- Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a new law Feb. 2 Most of the PCA programs being eliminated liminary United States 2000 Census figures that would allow low-income families to re- or reduced are those that deal with problems used for apportionment purposes, the popu- ceive heating assistance funds two weeks early. that are not a top priority, agency officials say. lation of the state is 4,925,670. That total in- The law, sponsored by Rep. Dan McElroy Some have already accomplished their goals, cludes a resident population of 4,919,479 with (R-Burnsville), passed in the House on a and others are somewhat duplicated by other 6,191 Minnesotans living overseas. 126-0 and 58-0 in the Senate. agencies such as the Department of Health. Apportionment is the federal process used Effective Feb. 3, the law releases $12.2 million Committee chair Mark Holsten (R- in determining the number of seats each state in federal money that would have otherwise not Stillwater) asked about staff morale in the face will have in Congress. been granted until Feb. 13. of these cuts. The percent increase was larger than both The Low-Income Heating Energy Assis- “Morale is not good,” Thorvig told the com- the decade of the 1980s, when the state’s popu- tance Program (LIHEAP), a program of the mittee. “People who work at our agency are lation increased by 7.3 percent, and in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser- there because they care about the environ- 1970s when there was a 7.1 percent increase. vices, provides services that help income- ment. It is especially difficult for people whose The decade of the 1950s saw an increase of eligible households keep their homes heated programs have been cut.” 14.5 percent but Gillaspy said there were dif- through the winter. Households meeting the ferences between that large increase and the income limits can receive a one-time grant, increase of the past decade. He said that in the which is usually paid to their heating vendor. HEALTH 1950s the growth came in large part to new Grant size is based on the number of people in the household, gross household income, births, while in the 1990s the state saw a large Removing a stigma fuel type, and fuel consumption from the pre- increase in the number of people who moved Words can hurt. vious winter. The households with the lowest here from other states or countries. “Labels discriminate,” Tom Peterson, execu- incomes and highest bills receive the largest According to census figures nearly one-half tive director for the Minnesota Consumer/ grants. of Minnesota’s population increase in the Survivor Network, told members of the House The program also provides emergency heat- 1990s was due to migration into the state. Health and Human Services Policy ing system repair for households in a no-heat 8 February 9, 2001 Committee Feb. 1 during a meeting on $3 million per biennium for the program. mental health. With the exception of some up front costs, no HOUSING With the goal of eliminating such discrimi- money has been spent. However, monies left nation, Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) intro- in the fund at the conclusion of each biennium Shelter funds sought duced a simple bill with far-reaching were transferred back into the state’s general A bill that would appropriate $10 million possibilities. fund. for transitional housing and emergency ser- HF97 would change the phrase “is mentally But those funds didn’t go unspent because vices from the state’s general fund was dis- ill” to “has a mental illness” in all Minnesota there was no interest in the program. Rather, cussed Feb. 5 in the House Family and Early statutes and rules. The bill was approved officials allowed the initial deadline for set- Childhood Education Finance Committee. unanimously by the committee and referred ting rules and guidelines for the program to HF272, sponsored by Rep. Bud Nornes (R- to the House Civil Law Committee. pass, thus the terms for granting the money Fergus Falls), will be considered for possible Stigmatization of people with mental illness were never established. inclusion in the committee’s omnibus spend- has occurred throughout history. One might The original 18-month provision for adopt- ing bill. think people are more enlightened now than ing rules expired in early 1999. Phil “Housing is one of the basic needs in life,” they were 50 years ago; however, the recent Lewenstein, from the Minnesota Higher Edu- Nornes said. “I feel strongly that people should U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental cation Services Office, said his organization have a place to rest after, hopefully, a day of Health reported that even though the Ameri- was working on the aspects of the program work.” can public has become more knowledgeable and simply overlooked the time for enactment “Transitional housing” is state-subsidized about mental illness, they are no less clause. Among the aspects he listed were: get- housing for people who are homeless or tem- prejudiced. ting the Internal Revenue Service to adopt the porarily displaced from their homes. Minne- People with mental illness are avoided, dis- regulations, identifying things in state law that sota has 64 transitional housing programs. trusted, stereotyped, and feared, the report need to be addressed with this program, and On an average night Minnesota shelters said. They have reduced access to jobs and data privacy issues. provide a place to sleep for 6,220 people; more housing; and they suffer from isolation, low “I assume they won’t be sleeping at the than 50 percent of those are children or unac- self-esteem, and hopelessness. switch next time,” said Rep. Lyndon Carlson companied youths, according to Michael Dahl, As a result of this stigma, almost two-thirds (DFL-Crystal). of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. of all people with mental illness do not seek Lewenstein said the office hopes to have the About 1,000 people are turned away each treatment, according to recent studies. program rules ready for adoption in advance night. “The stigma can be worse than the illness,” of the nine-month time frame, because much The number of people seeking emergency Peterson said. work has already been completed. shelter has been steadily rising, and has more The 1999 White House Conference on Men- Eastlund indicated that 2,000 to 3,000 than tripled since 1987. The number of chil- tal Health called for a national anti-stigma people have already expressed an interest in dren living in temporary housing grew more campaign, which falls in line with the spirit this program. It is anticipated the first appro- than sevenfold during that time period, ac- of Greiling’s proposal. priations will be made next year, for people cording to the Family Housing Fund. who enroll in the program by the end of 2001. “The crisis we’re seeing in affordable hous- ing is part of the reason for the crisis in shel- ter availability,” Dahl said. Until more HIGHER EDUCATION If you have Internet access, visit the affordable housing is made available, he said, Legislature’s web page at: “we’re going to see more people trying to use College funding aid okayed http://www.leg.state.mn.us shelters.” Financing help for those who will soon be enrolled in college might be on the way. On Feb. 7, the House Higher Education Fi- TINY DANCER nance Committee approved HF550, spon- sored by Rep. Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti). The bill now moves to the House Governmental Op- erations and Veterans Affairs Policy Commit- tee because it refers to rules. HF550 extends the time for adopting rules for the Edvest savings program for nine months. The program cannot begin operat- ing until rules are adopted. The Edvest program was enacted in 1997 as a way to save money for post-secondary schooling by providing tax benefits and state grants to match contributions. The program allows accounts to be created for a designated beneficiary who will attend college in the fu- ture. Families with income of $80,000 or less are eligible to receive back up to 15 percent (maximum $300) of their contributions in the PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Luke Verbout, 2, from Cottage Grove, plays on the “Star of the North” in the center of the form of a state grant. Rotunda at the conclusion of the Feb. 8 rally for early childhood and family education. When enacted, the Legislature appropriated

Session Weekly 9 Housing is “affordable” if it costs no more Castration law might be cut than 30 percent of household income, accord- LOCAL GOVERNMENT The House Local Government and Metro- ing to a report by the Department of Children, politan Affairs Committee approved a bill Shooting range protection Families and Learning. The goal of transitional Feb. 7 that might cause a collective sigh of re- The House Local Government and Metro- housing is to help people “obtain and main- lief from the head of town boards throughout politan Affairs Committee approved a bill tain stable housing.” the state, as well as certain roaming animals. Feb. 5 that would shield shooting ranges from Not all people seeking shelter are jobless. HF394 sponsored by Rep. Marty Seifert (R- new local government ordinances. Cathy ten Broeke, director of St. Stephen’s Marshall) repeals a law that requires the chair Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar), sponsor of Shelter in Minneapolis, said 60 percent of their of the town board to castrate a stallion, bull, HF209, said the bill is similar to one the House guests are working. Those individuals partici- boar, or ram running at large if the owner is passed in 1999. It requires local units of gov- pate in a program that requires them to set notified and continues to allow the animal to ernment to allow existing shooting ranges to aside 40 percent of their income for perma- roam free. Heads of boards refusing or continue operating even if local zoning ordi- nent housing. neglecting to perform the duties under this nances change. After discussion, committee members law are guilty of a misdemeanor. “A lot of shooting ranges in Minnesota are agreed they needed more information about Seifert said that bill is part of a ongoing ef- being shut down for frivolous reasons,” the type of emergency services to be provided fort he is working on with Rep. Dan McElroy Hackbarth said. before they could recommend the bill. Dahl (R-Burnsville) and Sen. Don Betzold (DFL- He said ranges are important for safety rea- agreed to provide them with that information. Fridley) to purge obsolete laws from the books. sons as they teach young hunters how to shoot. He said some thought was given to drafting a Without the ranges, Hackbarth said there large omnibus bill repealing a variety of ob- would be an increase in the number of “disas- solete laws but such a bill would be open to ters out in the woods.” LAW nearly any amendments since it would deal Currently, there are approximately 375 with so many different areas and statutes. Civil clarity sought shooting ranges in the state. Hackbarth said Therefore several specific bills will be intro- Legislators are considering a bill that would with the increase in urban development into duced this session repealing laws. correct a technical aspect of state law govern- rural areas of the state that noise complaints Established in 1947, the mandatory castra- ing civil actions brought against healthcare against the ranges have increased. tion statute is a section of the law establishing providers. Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls) asked regulation of stray animals and imposing pen- According to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Wes Hackbarth if he considered all noise com- alties to animal owners who allow their ani- Skoglund (DFL-Mpls), HF450 is intended to plaints against shooting ranges as being “frivo- mals to roam free off their property. clarify legislation, passed two years ago, which lous” and if it was the role of the state rather Seifert said this particular obsolete law was increased the statute of limitations on wrong- than local government to address the brought to his attention by his father, a former ful death actions brought against healthcare concerns. township official who had come across the law providers from two years to four years. Hackbarth said the complaints relate mostly more than 20 years ago and was surprised to Characterizing the bill as technical, he told to noise rather than any hazards caused by see it still on the books. the House Civil Law Committee Feb. 5 the users of the ranges. He believes it is the state’s Rep. Sharon Marko (DFL-Cottage Grove) same legislation “is on the consent calendar role to become involved because it is a state- said she ironically learned about Seifert’s bill in the Senate.” wide issue being addressed. last week when there was heavy news cover- However, Richard Thomas, chair of the The bill would require the commissioner of age of three wandering cows that escaped on Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Law the Department of Natural Resources to de- Interstate 694 and eluded capture for a Improvement Committee, wrote HF450 velop voluntary guidelines for shooting number of hours. should be scrapped in favor of a uniform sys- ranges. It also stipulates that shooting ranges Referring to Seifert’s bill with a smile, Marko tem of wrongful death regulation. “The stat- could only be closed or relocated because of a said, “We definitely need to do it. It is ute of limitations against physicians had been new development if the range becomes a critical.” two years for many years in Minnesota,” he “clear, immediate, and proven safety hazard” The bill now goes to the House wrote in a letter submitted to the committee. to the development. Transportation Policy Committee. “What has been lost in the debate is the fun- If a range were found to be a hazard but damental question of whether there should be can be made safe, the DNR or the local unit a four-year statute of limitations against of government would be required to pay for physicians and other healthcare providers in the improvements, under the bill. SAFETY wrongful death actions when every other party Remi Stone from the League of Minnesota is subject to a three-year period.” Cities and Dave Weirens from the Association Safer smokes The committee unanimously approved the of Minnesota Counties both spoke against the Legislators are considering a bill that could bill and referred it to the House Health and bill saying it would severely limit local con- decrease the likelihood that cigarettes would Human Services Committee. trol and give shooting ranges unequaled pref- start fires. erential treatment. HF175, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount), would require cigarettes Moving? Please save postage costs The bill now goes to the House Environ- ment and Natural Resources Policy made or sold in Minnesota to meet fire retar- by keeping us informed of address Committee. dant standards established by the state fire changes. Call (651) 296-2146 or marshal. (800) 657-3550. The House Crime Prevention Committee re- referred the bill to the House Governmental

10 February 9, 2001 TAXES Social Security break proposed As Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar) was campaigning last fall, one of the issues he heard a lot about was Minnesota’s policy of taxing Social Security benefits. He became convinced that he should offer legislation exempting those benefits and thus was pleased to learn that last session Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) had already offered such a bill. This session Hackbarth and Paulsen have both sponsored bills (HF148 and HF186) that would allow taxpayers to subtract Social Security benefits from their Minnesota tax- able income. Both bills were presented Feb. 5 to the House Taxes Committee Sales and In- Members of the House Crime Prevention Committee take a closer look at a less flammable cigarette come Tax Division. during a Feb. 6 hearing. Members were discussing a bill that would make fire resistant cigarettes the The Department of Revenue estimates the only type sold in Minnesota. cost of allowing the exemptions would be Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Commit- Dangerous dog bill advances around $285 million during the next bien- tee without recommendation during a Feb. 6 The House Civil Law Committee approved nium. Currently, 35 states and the District of meeting. Members expressed concern that the a bill Feb. 5 that would put tougher regula- Columbia do not tax Social Security benefits. Crime Prevention committee was an inappro- tions on dangerous dog owners. Under current law, for income tax purposes priate venue because HF175 includes no crimi- The bill (HF130), in the words of its spon- single filers are required to include Social Se- nal penalties for violating the standards provided sor, Rep. Andy Dawkins (DFL-St. Paul), would curity benefits on income over $25,000 while in the bill. “get tough on dangerous dogs.” the threshold for married couples filing jointly Citing his experience as a firefighter, Specifically, the proposal would require is $32,000. Ozment said, “Having an opportunity to work owners of dogs deemed dangerous by local Up to 50 percent of the benefits are included on this issue has been really exciting for me.” animal control officers to pay for the manda- in taxable income for single filers with income He explained that cigarette manufacturer tory insertion of a microchip into their ca- greater than $25,000 but less than $34,000. Up Merit has developed a paper that resists burn- nines’ backs. A dog would be considered to 85 percent of benefits are included in ing unless the smoker is actually drawing oxy- dangerous based on its behavior, not its breed. gen through the cigarette. Small threadlike The assessment would be made by local ani- fire-retardant filaments are wound around the mal control authorities. tobacco, surrounding the cigarette in a tight, Dawkins agreed to a number of changes af- cylindrical pattern. ter several members suggested the original bill Members expressed a variety of concerns made too many changes to existing law. ranging from the safety of inhaling fumes Committee members approved several from the burned filaments to the legality and amendments, including one that nullified the commercial impact of requiring the entire to- bill’s original provision barring dog owners bacco industry to follow the lead of one from appealing the decisions of animal con- manufacturer. trol authorities to any court higher than the In response, Ozment said there is no sig- district court level. nificant cost impact to consumers for A second amendment voided the provision cigarettes using the special paper. that would have required dangerous dog own- Ozment told the committee that Minnesota ers to take out an insurance policy worth at was the first state to require that tents sold in least $300,000. The updated version sets that the state be flame-retardant. The result was figure at $50,000. that all manufacturers chose to make only The bill now moves to the House Crime flame-retardant tents. Thus, Minnesota essen- Prevention Committee, which will focus on tially provided protection for consumers ev- penalties provided in the bill, for violations erywhere by leading the charge for protective including the removal of a tracking microchip legislation, and could do so again. from a dangerous dog’s skin and for having a No other state has established a mandate on dog that harms a service dog. the papers, Ozment said. However, the state of New York is also considering such an Merle Genzlinger testifies in favor of a bill that action. would exempt Social Security benefits from being taxed as income during the Feb. 5 hearing of the Sales and Income Tax Division of the House Taxes Committee.

Session Weekly 11 taxable income for single filers with income queue length at ramp meters.” of more than $34,000. He added the ramp meters were an “imper- For married couples the 50 percent thresh- fect” attempt to maximize the efficiency of the old applies to income between $32,000 and metro freeways, which should be understood $44,000, and the 85 percent threshold kicks as only a component of a more comprehen- in on income of more than $44,000. sive metro transit system. Paulsen said the state’s decision to tax So- The study showed that accidents increased cial Security benefits was an effort to conform and travel times became longer and less pre- to federal tax law. dictable, although fewer drivers overall used Merle Genzlinger, a retired Honeywell em- the freeways when meters were turned off. ployee, said that the policy is “ill-advised” and Furthermore, the average commute increased “unfair.” by seven minutes of freeway driving time, “I understand that the U.S. government’s while time spent on entrance ramps decreased primary reason for taxing Social Security is to by only 2.5 minutes. replenish the Social Security fund,” Genzlinger Committee Chair Rep. Tom Workman (R- said. “The state of Minnesota does not have a Chanhassen) suggested that one mechanism dog in that fight.” for improving metropolitan area transit could The division took no action on the bills, but be to limit the type of travel permitted during both will be considered further for possible rush hours. “Who’s on the freeway that doesn’t inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. need to be there?” he asked rhetorically. Rep. Henry Kalis (DFL-Wells) expressed his approval for the study’s methodology, but cau- tioned against additional efforts to influence TRANSPORTATION Vassili Alexiadia, a consultant with Cambridge Sys- transportation policies by commissioning fur- tematics, discusses the Twin Cities ramp-meter ther research. “We can’t micromanage,” he Ramp meter study study with members of the House Transportation Policy Committee Feb. 6. said. “It’s time to move forward.” Minnesota Department of Transportation Rep. (DFL-St. Paul) noted Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg told law- Tinklenberg said the study “thoroughly docu- the study’s results showed a correlation be- makers the recent Twin Cities ramp meter mented the benefits resulting from ramp me- tween commute length and public attitudes study demonstrated that the meters provide tering to traffic operations and related factors toward meters. “This is a question of values,” “clear benefits” to the metro area. such as air quality in the Twin Cities metro re- she said, referring to the study’s conclusion Addressing a Feb. 6 meeting of the House gion. The study also demonstrates the need to that people with longer commutes were more Transportation Policy Committee, balance the efficiency of moving as much traffic likely to look favorably upon the continued Tinklenberg spoke of results from the six-week during the rush hours as possible, consistent with use of ramp meters. study, mandated by the Legislature and con- safety concerns and public consensus regarding ducted by an independent consulting firm.

Retaining IT professionals States’ strategies may be solution to reduce employee turnover For years the state of Kansas had difficulty bonus for state employees who successfully Shortly after the state implemented its ver- competing with the private sector for em- recruit information technology workers sion of the program, more than 150 new ployees with computer programming and from the private sector. employees were hired. technical skills. In 1997 the state decided to Making sure employees are provided with A recruiting and retaining program in try a new approach to attract and retain up-to-date equipment, such as laptop com- Missouri has government managers work- those employees. puters, and the latest software is also a pro- ing with officials from the state’s colleges Instead of relying on traditional methods to gram priority. and universities to develop class work de- attract employees, the state developed a task The changes are working. signed to meet specific skills needed for force, made up of human resources and infor- In 1997 turnover in state information state government jobs. mation technology professionals from various technology jobs was around 15 percent. By State officials have targeted two groups state agencies, to define the scope of the prob- 1999 that number had dropped to approxi- as potential employees. The first are under- lem and develop a strategy to address it. mately 4.5 percent. employed workers seeking a job change. The task force developed an IT Retention It’s not just Kansas that has successfully The second are middle and high school stu- Program, which includes a pay plan that al- devised plans to retain workers. dents. By designing a specific curriculum lows signing bonuses of up to $3,000 for A similar approach in Wisconsin has aimed directly at these groups, the state potential employees with specific computer helped that state address its shortage of in- hopes to develop a lasting relationship with skills. The program also provides a $500 formation technology skilled employees. a pool of potential employees. (D. MAEDA)

12 February 9, 2001 T ISSUE: AGRICULTURE A

As evidence, Booth presented department data that showed rural water had become Power struggle more clear between 1989 and 1999, while wa- Proposed change in regulatory authority angers ter in more urban and suburban counties had become less transparent. Discounting the rel- some farmers, legislators evance of PCA regulations in contributing to that change, Booth said rural areas “are being BY JONAS M. WALKER interest (within the relevant regulatory force-fed a bunch of superfluous rules and oping to alleviate the administrative agency). I don’t want an adversarial relation- regulations.” burden upon Minnesota farmers, ship (between farmers and regulatory agen- He described PCA rules as “vague,” which Hrepresentatives are considering transfer- cies). I want to help family farmers.” he said contributed to “mistrust and confu- ring certain regulatory authority from the Osskopp denied that pollution control ac- sion” among farmers. He suggested produc- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to the tivities could be compromised if left up to the ers “would be more willing to enforce Minnesota Department of Agriculture. same officials who (pollution control Existing state law instructs the PCA to “pro- promote farming. rules) if they under- tect Minnesota’s environment through moni- “I’m not looking for stood them.” toring environmental quality and enforcing someone to look the Booth denied feed- environmental regulations.” other way,” he said. lots were causing Among the regulations promulgated and However, he admits problems that PCA enforced by the agency are those governing the Agriculture regulations intend to feedlots, defined as an area “where the con- Department’s “atti- prevent. “In my heart centration of animals is such that a vegetative tude and policies of hearts, we don’t cover cannot be maintained within the enclo- would be different” have the problem of sure.” Feedlots can become environmentally from those promoted liquid manure.” problematic if animal manure is improperly by the PCA. Rep. Bob Ness allowed to enter groundwater or streams. Although HF495 (R-Dassel) endorsed HF495, sponsored by Rep. Tim Finseth does make a few adjust- county-level pollution (R-Angus), would remove the PCA’s author- ments to the actual control mechanisms, ity to regulate feedlots and place rulemaking rules governing feed- explaining average and enforcement responsibility in the state lots, Osskopp explained farmers suffer when Department of Agriculture. the bill is perhaps best PCA regulations “The Department of Agriculture is an ad- understood as a state- overzealously target vocate for family farms. The (PCA) is an ad- ment of frustration on smaller farms. “One versary of family farms. Advocates would have the part of farmers and size does not fit all,” he a more compassionate, helpful touch,” said their representatives in said. Rep. Mike Osskopp (R-Lake City), co- St. Paul. A PCA regulation requiring farmers to sponsor of the bill. “Maybe this is a mes- PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK The bill has been referred to the House sage to the PCA that we John Peterson, who raises beef cattle in Pinewood, register the number Agriculture Policy Committee. However the would like to see who- testifies before the House Agriculture Policy Com- and location of their idea of moving feedlot oversight from the PCA ever is in charge of mittee Feb. 7 during an overview of the new feed- animals proved espe- to the Agriculture Department dominated the (feedlots) be a little lot rules that are being implemented. cially controversial. Feb. 7 committee meeting, though they took more farmer-friendly,” he said. “If you won’t be, Rod Massey, PCA south district director, no action on it. we will find someone else who will.” said the rule’s intent was to easily identify The bill comes a year after the Legislature The bill would allow the Agriculture Depart- farmers who have feedlots and would need passed a law loosening some of the feedlot ment to burden county officials with the respon- additional assistance meeting federal and state regulations proposed by the agency in 2000. sibility of enforcing feedlot regulations. Some of feedlot requirements. He said farmers were Typically, the agency sets its own rules gov- those officials, though, are reluctant to assume asked to fill out a form that was crafted “so erning feedlot regulation, but the legislation that responsibility. that (farmers) will not be subjected” to un- superceded those. Beltrami County Commissioner Steve Booth necessary inspections. Asked whether the department would be testified that he and other county officials were Instead, farmers felt assailed. Osskopp said hamstrung if charged with the responsibili- not thrilled at the prospect of enforcing envi- farmers “never thought the day would come ties of both promoting agriculture and regu- ronmental regulations. “We would be happy to that they would have to register like sex lating agricultural pollution, as his proposal tell (the state) to do it. We don’t think we have a offenders.” dictates, Osskopp said he wants “a conflict of problem with feedlot pollution.” Continued on page 20

Session Weekly 13 T ISSUE: FAMILY A

families with children under age 5. Another is a program that would offer volun- Group seeks reform tary paid parental leave. This would be a limited Commission presents aggressive plan to re-evaluate subsidy, shared equally by employers and the state, for a period of time up to 26 weeks. Minnesota’s priorities for early child care and education The quality of available childcare in Min- nesota is inconsistent, according to experts. BY MARY KAY WATSON The commission’s comprehensive report, In addition, wages for childcare profession- blue-ribbon commission has produced Action Plan for Early Care and Education als are dismal — Minnesota ranks 48th out a “bold” plan to reorder Minnesota’s pri in Minnesota, addresses these issues and of 50 states. A orities in early childcare and education. more. Rather than scrapping current pro- “More than 60 percent of what’s out there The plan has an equally bold price tag: grams, the plan would build on, and up- is not good child care because they do not have $480.7 million annually. grade, those that are successful, while filling enough resources,” said Nancy Johnson, ex- “What happens to children in the first five in the gaps to produce a comprehensive ecutive director of the Minnesota Childhood years of life lays the foundation for their suc- system. Resource and Referral Network. cess in K-12,” said former Minneapolis The commission’s recommendations fall The plan recommends integrating all early Mayor Don Fraser, co-chair of the Early into three categories: childhood programs, including before and after Care and Education Finance Commission, • Give more power and resources to parents school programs, at the local level. This would in a presentation to the House Family and to raise their children. include upgrading existing programs and ex- Early Childhood Education Finance • Increase the quality of early care and panding School Readiness programs. Committee Feb. 7. education. In addition, Head Start would be funded for Fraser and other commissioners said the • Retool and integrate early care and birth to age 3, and funding for 3- to 5-year-olds return would be greater than the investment, education to enable Minnesota’s children would be increased. Among the Head Start com- with a net savings to the public over time. to be kindergarten-ready. ponents being given priority are home visitor A decade ago the National Education “We want to create time for parents to spend and parent education programs. Goals Panel set a goal for the year 2000 that with their children,” said Jim Koppel, “It’s rare that we see such a broad cross-sec- all children would start school “ready to executive director of the Children’s Defense tion of ideologies come together and agree on learn.” But current studies estimate that Fund of Minnesota. an issue,” said Rep. Gregory Gray (DFL-Mpls). 40 percent of the nation’s kindergarten-aged One of the recommendations that would sup- Not everyone was so enthusiastic. children do not meet that goal. Estimates put port parents in this way would create a $500 per “I think it misses the mark,” said Tom Minnesota at 30 percent. child refundable, indexed state tax credit for Continued on page 31 “We are spending a lot of money on reme- dial care because people don’t get the right start,” said commission member Dr. Blanton Bessinger, director for child advocacy and child policy for Children’s Hospitals and Clinics in St. Paul. “A lot of what is in our report is preventive medicine.” Citing such threats to children as poverty, lack of development, lack of stimulation, and violence, Bessinger said, “These threats have to be addressed by public policy.” The commission, established in 1998, ac- knowledged a “new reality” in the challenges facing parents, and set a goal to “ensure that Minnesota’s children receive early care and education that provides a safe, nurturing, educational, and culturally affirming environment.” The House committee has heard a lot about PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID early childhood education in Minnesota this Former Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser holds up a copy of the “Action Plan for Early Care and Education year. Some problems of the current system in- in Minnesota” during a Feb. 7 presentation to the House Family and Early Childhood Education Finance clude fragmentation, inconsistency, and lack of Committee. The report was produced by the Early Care and Education Finance Commission. Other mem- bers of the commission include Chuck Slocum, Dr. Blanton Bessinger, Steve Young, Margaret Boyer, Jim availability to some children. Koppel and Nancy Johnson.

14 February 9, 2001 T ISSUE: TAXES A

A fit for all? Expanding the sales tax to more services Legislators seek clarification, others voice concern as Current untaxed services that would be hearings begin regarding Ventura’s tax plan subject to the sales tax under HF511: Legal Services Computer and Data Processing Services BY DAVID MAEDA Real Estate/Property Management Service ov. Jesse Ventura likens his tax proposal to a sweater. He asked the Commissions Engineering, Architecture and Surveying Legislature to consider the package as a whole rather than pick out Services pieces causing the entire thing to unravel. Motor Vehicle Repair Services G Construction- Special Trades Yet as lawmakers closely examine the details, bits of the whole have Accounting Services already come under question. The House Taxes Committee held several Management, Consulting and Public Relations Services hearings the past two weeks devoted to diving Project, attempting to design a more univer- Intrastate Transportation Services Advertising Services into the many provisions of the bill (HF511) sal sales and use tax system by simplifying the Investment Counseling Services/Brokerage sponsored by House Speaker calculation, reporting, and payment require- Fees (R-Kenyon). ments for vendors. Smith said the complexity Personnel Services The committee has scheduled more hear- of the current system has meant less overall General Repair Services ings over the next several weeks throughout compliance. Personal Services (Beauty and Barber) Sewer Services Greater Minnesota to take public testimony He said one of the important principles of Research and Development/Testing on the bill. HF511 is adopting the project’s recommen- Services Matt Smith, commissioner of the Depart- dation for sourcing, or the rules for deciding Funeral Services ment of Revenue, said HF511 combines sev- which state has the right to impose and col- Misc. Business Services (Veterinary, sound eral goals — both saving taxpayers money and lect its tax on a transaction. recording, claims adjusting, etc.) also developing a fair, balanced, and under- According to existing law, Minnesota sales Source: Department of Revenue standable system. tax is based on where the greater part of the “While distinct unto themselves they work production or performance occurred. The The department estimates the bill would better in combination,” Smith said. proposal would base the tax on where the ser- increase by about 30 percent the number of He said permanent tax relief proposed in the vice is consumed or provided. businesses in the state that would become sales bill is designed to make the growth in govern- Under the change a Minnesota company that tax collectors, and the department would need ment spending less than it would otherwise be. ships a product to an out-of-state customer around 40 to 50 staff to administer the Tax reform in the bill sets out to determine what would not charge sales tax to that person. changes. Abrams questioned whether the state the best mix of taxes should be. The concept, in order to work, would require would effectively enforce compliance consid- At the heart of the proposal is an attempt other states to adopt a similar standard. The ering the growth of remote sales even with the to shift the state’s reliance on property taxes project proposed sample legislation for each state additional staff. to sales taxes. HF511 proposes to remove the to enter into a compact governing all the states Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls) and Rep. Dan state determined general education levy mak- involved in the program. Several states are con- McElroy (R-Burnsville) questioned how the ing the property tax more local and more sidering the proposal, which would bind them expansion to services would affect the build- accountable. to an agreement, but without it nothing com- ing of homes. To make up for that lost revenue the gover- pels any of the states to comply. Under the measure, a construction firm nor is proposing to lower the sales tax rate Smith said one goal of the reform is to tax employing its own electricians and plumbers from 6.5 percent to 6 percent but expand that consumption of all goods sold and services would not pay sales tax on those services but tax to more services. provided in the state unless there was a good a company contracting out for those services Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka), the policy principle for why an exemption should now would be subject to the tax. committee chair, questioned whether it is be allowed. Smith said the sales tax on a home valued good public policy to make the state more “The overall thrust of the governor’s pro- at $150,000 would amount to approximately dependent on sales tax during a time the tax posals as they affect Minnesota businesses is $1,872, but, under Ventura’s plan, the same is facing challenges from the proliferation of to try to make sure that we keep and make house would see a property tax reduction of Internet sales. Minnesota a good place from which to do about $496 a year. During the past year the department, along business and that we don’t disadvantage Min- Rep. Tim Wilkin (R-Eagan) raised a similar with 37 other states, participated in a national nesota firms as they try to compete in other concern about the equity of the bill on effort, known as the Streamlined Sales Tax markets,” Smith said. Continued on page 20

Session Weekly 15 EOPLE P

Valley High School where he was a classmate of Rep. Chris Gerlach (R-Apple Valley). He Taking the next step said he learned that the state’s traits are like Dibble moves from being a neighborhood activist to working no other. “There is a unique character of the com- on issues of more state impact at the Capitol munity,” he said. “It’s almost like living in a small town. I’m well connected with all my BY DAVID MAEDA When longtime state Sen. Allan Spear de- neighbors. We know each other and are in- It was a natural career progression from his cided not to run for another term Dibble said volved in each other’s lives.” community activism. That’s how Rep. D. Scott Spear encouraged him to run for office. Then For the most part he said the focus during Dibble (DFL-Mpls) viewed his decision to run when Sen. Myron Orfield (DFL-Mpls) an- the campaign was on the issues concerning his for a seat in the nounced he was running for Spear’s seat in constituents and not on him being a gay can- Legislature. the Senate, Dibble said the time felt right to didate. He was proud of his district and of the Long active in his take his community activism to the next level. people of the state because he received no hate southwest Minneapolis His run for office turned out to be quite a mail during the campaign. neighborhood as an or- rewarding experience. “It was a really dynamic “I’ve been very forthright about (my identity). ganizer and coalition campaign that brought in a lot of people who It’s an important part of who I am,” he said. builder, Dibble had al- never had been involved with working on a Dibble said he occasionally would run ready spent much time campaign,” he said. across someone who seemed a bit hostile, but at the Capitol working Dibble said the efforts of those that without exception in the end the exchange Rep. D. Scott Dibble with his legislators. “People would ask me ‘When are you going to run for office?’ and my stock response was, “There is a unique character of the community, It’s almost like living in ‘I don’t know,’” he said, since the idea was not a small town. I’m well connected with all my neighbors. We know at the forefront of his mind. each other and are involved in each other’s lives.” Dibble’s interest in politics began when he attended the University of St. Thomas in the —Rep. D. Scott Dibble mid-1980s. At the time the HIV/AIDS crisis was just entering the public consciousness and supported him did not end with his election turned out positive. Dibble joined others in trying to help shape to office, but that he will continue to work with “I was able to engage people in a conversa- an effective public policy for “one our most many of them firsthand in St. Paul to address tion, the kind I’m sure they never had before. complex social issues.” issues. I would say I’m gay and this is how I feel about Along with health issues and trying to find After his first month in office, Dibble said an issue,” he said. “I probably didn’t change a cure and stop the spread of the disease, he has been “extraordinarily busy getting up their mind but it gave them something to Dibble, who is openly gay, said issues like per- to speed” on the issues and developing rela- think about.” sonal privacy, returning to the workplace, tionships with other lawmakers. housing access, class, race, and homophobia “What has surprised me is the astonishing are also important to him. amount of paper flow around here,” he said. DISTRICT 60B As a neighborhood activist he worked “I’ve been ruthless about keeping on top of it against the expansion of I-35W and for a re- but there is a tidal wave of paperwork.” duction of airport noise. He said developing He has been trying to read all the informa- 1998 population (estimate): 32,144 a statewide comprehensive transportation tion sent to him from various groups outside Largest city: Minneapolis County: Hennepin plan and affordable housing issues were other the Capitol because he wants to learn about Location: south central Minneapolis areas he worked on. the variety of issues across the state. Top concern: “To help develop a com- Dibble said he and the other neighborhood Although he has always viewed Minnesota leaders soon learned their grassroots efforts were prehensive holistic solution to our trans- as home, Dibble spent much of his youth in portation challenges on a statewide greatly helped by reaching out to all sectors of various parts of the world. Born in New York the community, and building partnerships with basis.” City, he also lived in Bermuda, Italy, Portugal, — Rep. D. Scott Dibble different groups, including the DFL party. Texas, and Alabama. He served six years as an aide for Minne- “I was the typical Air Force brat,” he said. apolis City Council Member Dore Mead and Still he always looked forward to spending currently holds the part-time position as the time in Minnesota. He graduated from Apple Loring Park executive coordinator.

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Johnson says much of that work involves con- necting residents with community resources and Staying connected with one another. This is especially important, Legislator returning after two-year hiatus plans to she says, in Greater Minnesota as it becomes more culturally diverse. stay close to her roots One success story Johnson tells is the Lyndale Neighborhood Association effort to bring in eco- BY MICHELLE KIBIGER teaching, where there is the most need, but not nomic opportunity. Businesses have begun com- When Rep. Ruth Johnson (DFL-St. Peter) necessarily the promise of a high salary. ing in to the Minneapolis area, homeowners have left the House in 1998 to campaign for lieu- “I have been ashamed of the level of debt begun fixing up their houses, and the commu- tenant governor with gubernatorial candidate that young people have had to assume to do nity is revitalizing itself. Mike Freeman, she the jobs that we require them to do,” she said. “People start to see each other as neighbors didn’t realize the move “But we definitely need committed, compas- and not as strangers,” she said. “Businesses are would actually bring her sionate, and caring people” in those jobs. finding it a new opportunity, and that only back home to the place When Johnson was first elected in 1996, she adds to the economic base.” she always wanted to be was assigned to education, environment, and Though Johnson says she plans to devote most anyway — a kindergar- health and human services committees. This of her time now to being a legislator, she hopes ten classroom. time around, she serves on the agriculture she can stay connected to campuses and class- Freeman lost the DFL policy and finance committees, as well as the rooms, where she has spent most of her career. primary in 1998, and House Environment and Natural Resources She said she enjoys returning to classrooms Rep. Ruth Johnson Johnson returned to Policy Committee. and sharing the importance of government St. Peter where she worked as a Title I teach- Johnson says that gives her the opportunity with students. ing assistant at South Elementary School. She spent her time in the spring of 1999 working with kindergarten, first-, and second-grade “We have to recognize that funding for education did not keep students on their reading skills. pace with inflation in the early 90s. We’re still playing catch up.” Johnson, who has a bachelor’s degree in re- —Rep. Ruth Johnson ligion from Gustavus Adolphus College and a master’s degree in college administration from to focus on “stewardship of the land, air and “Public service is a wonderful way for them Indiana University, said she initially went to water resources,” which bring her back to her to give back to their communities,” she said. college to become a kindergarten teacher. rural/agrarian roots. That’s one of the significant lessons she took The experience taught her the importance The daughter of a Lutheran pastor, Johnson with her from the campaign for lieutenant of preparing young children to start school spent most of her formative years in the pre- governor — that people do care about gov- and how teachers are succeeding even though dominantly rural communities of central and ernment and want to be involved. But she takes their task is difficult in some cases. northeastern Nebraska. She said as a child she her responsibility to communicate with con- “The teachers have to help them be pre- could walk out her front door and see the town stituents and promote the government as an pared,” she said. “They need more than the dairy and walk a few steps into a cornfield institution for the people very seriously. three R’s. I got to see that for myself.” nearby. “We are the government and it can work Johnson says education is her top priority Today, her office in the Capitol complex is better,” Johnson said. “But it works best when in her return to the Legislature. She hopes to filled with paintings and photos of farm life, people are connected.” provide the necessary resources and rewards including the painting of a hog shed. to schools and parents so students can be She says she supports loan programs and equipped to succeed. other plans to encourage farmers. In addition, DISTRICT 24B Several proposals she supports that would she notes the importance of using alternative accomplish that goal include loan forgiveness means to produce sources of energy, includ- 1998 population (estimate): 34,729 programs, alternative compensation plans, ing ethanol, biodiesel, and biomass as fuel. Largest city: St. Peter and other support for schools — K-12 or “We have forgotten as a nation that we need Counties: Blue Earth, Nicollet, LeSueur higher education — including infrastructure. to conserve our energy,” she said. Location: south central Minnesota “We have to recognize that funding for edu- During her absence from the Legislature, Top concern: “Education — What I hear cation did not keep pace with inflation in the Johnson also worked with a leadership pro- from people is their concern about our early 90s,” Johnson said. “We’re still playing gram for low-income neighborhoods schools. Education plays an extremely important role in the success of our catch up.” throughout the state to prevent crime and children.” Johnson said it’s important to encourage violence. students to enter professions, not just — Rep. Ruth Johnson

Session Weekly 17 EOPLE P

order of business is to get the U.S. Highway 14 expansion completed. The highway, which Preparation pays off runs through downtown Waseca, carries more Varied background in business, management, and than 10,000 cars a day on two lanes and is both inadequate and dangerous, according to Ruth. education leads Ruth to St. Paul “When I was door-knocking at people’s homes along the highway, I had to shout to be BY MARY KAY WATSON Ruth, a 32-year resident of Owatonna, said heard,” she said. Until last year, Rep. Connie Ruth friends told her, “It’s a perfect fit for you.” She The highway is important for farmers be- (R-Owatonna) had never considered running wore red throughout her campaign, and her cause they haul their grain on it and impor- for public office. But she says she’s not sur- red campaign signs read “Connie!” with a large tant to the area’s economic growth, Ruth said. prised to find herself at exclamation point. After she won the election However, it is not included in the governor’s the Legislature. with 54 percent of the vote, her husband had budget. “We might have to reappropriate some “Everything I’ve ever a pin made for her in the shape of an excla- dollars for it,” Ruth said. done has prepared me mation point to “capture my personality, Education also has a role to play in eco- for this,” said Ruth who whatever that means,” she said with a laugh. nomic growth, she said. She is concerned represents District 28A. Ruth’s St. Paul office reflects her energy. The about declining enrollment in Waseca, and the “Sometimes I feel like walls glow with close-up photos of vivid flow- district’s inability to pass a bond issue. my life has just been laid ers, all taken by her husband Doug, who is a “To have a quality workforce, we have to out for me.” county attorney. A photo of her family in- have quality education,” she said. Rep. Connie Ruth Ruth’s background cludes the family dog along with daughter, Ruth is energized by the promise of her new looks like a Midwestern sampler: agriculture, health, communication, education, voluntarism, church, and family. “It’s imperative we lower taxes. I’d love to see the surplus go back She grew up on a farm, worked in radiology, to the constituents. They know best how to use those dollars.” stayed home to care for her young children, worked as general manager for a cable televi- —Rep. Connie Ruth sion firm, went back to school for a master’s degree in organizational management, and now works as the distance learning coordina- Kirsten, sons, Jonathan and Greg, and Greg’s job. “I love a good challenge, I love to learn,” tor for Southwest State University’s Riverland wife Christine. she said. “I’m so honored and humbled by the campuses. All this, Ruth said, has been in- A plaque that defines integrity, a gift from response I’ve had. It has been overwhelming.” formed by her faith. the cable TV firm she worked for, represents Last year, she received an unexpected phone her philosophy. She said she is an adherent of ISTRICT call from House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R- the idea of servant leadership and tries to treat D 28A Kenyon), who represents District 28B, asking all people with respect. her to consider running for the seat formerly The importance of improving economic 1998 population (estimate): 34,268 held by Republican-turned-Independent Rep. growth and development in her area is an Largest city: Owatonna Doug Reuter, who moved to Texas. Her first overriding issue for Ruth. She wants to see new Counties: Steele and Waseca reaction was negative. But after meeting with businesses move in and is concerned that busi- Location: southeastern Minnesota legislators from the Republican Caucus, she nesses have already been lost due to high cor- Top concern: “I believe in an open flow of communication. I want to bring gov- came away saying “Yes.” porate taxes. ernment to our community. I want “I was so impressed by their commitment, “It’s imperative we lower taxes,” she said. “I’d love to see the surplus go back to the constitu- people to feel a part of government.” dedication, and enthusiasm,” Ruth said. “Sev- — Rep. Connie Ruth eral of them shared their faith with me, and ents. They know best how to use those dollars.” they didn’t even know me. I felt called, I really The issues at the top of her list for this year did.” are transportation and education. Her first

18 February 9, 2001 EOPLE P

debate, using the example of the “Patients Bill of Rights.” Whip squared “I think the floor debates tend to touch on House now has two Whips as Entenza ascends to Minority broader topics,” he said. “We’re going to want to send a strong message, not just on the de- Whip after term as assistant minority leader tails of the (bill) but that we also support the concept.” BY MICHELLE KIBIGER Entenza will continue in his position as as- Entenza also looks forward to further in- ep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul), now in sistant minority leader, which he has held since volvement with leaders in the Republican cau- his fourth term in the Minnesota House 1999. He said he has already been performing cus. He calls both Pawlenty and Seifert fair and Rof Representatives, will fill a new role a number of the minority whip duties as an competent leaders, and he enjoys working during the 82nd session of the Legislature — assistant leader, so he feels comfortable with them. Minority Whip. assuming the new role. The 2001-2002 session marks the first time “I was certainly involved in floor strategy the House has had any “Whip” positions in its before, but now I have to take the lead,” HOUSE LEADERSHIP leadership structure. The Republican caucus Entenza said. Steve Sviggum-R named Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) as That also involves working with Pugh to de- Speaker of the House Majority Whip to assist Majority Leader Tim velop caucus positions and strategies on specific Tim Pawlenty-R Pawlenty (R-Eagan). Likewise, Entenza will aid issues. Entenza says he enjoys good, spirited floor Majority Leader Minority Leader (DFL-South St. debates and looks forward to discussing several Paul) in his duties. issues, including privacy and taxes, as well as Thomas W. Pugh-DFL Minority Leader In government terms “whip” was first used education and health care funding. in the English Parliament. It comes from fox When he was first elected to the Legislature, Mary Liz Holberg-R Assistant Majority Leader hunting where the “whipper in” is the person Entenza said, he was primarily focused on responsible for keeping the hounds together education issues. In fact, he has served on the Tony Kielkucki-R and working as a team. Therefore, in the Leg- House K-12 Education Finance Committee Assistant Majority Leader islature, the term can be applied to a caucus since his first term. Jim Knoblach-R leader who keeps members informed about But being a caucus leader allows him to ex- Assistant Majority Leader topics and keeps members of the same party plore other issues and look at legislation from William Kuisle-R together in voting on specific key issues. a broader perspective. And floor debates re- Assistant Majority Leader Both Seifert and Entenza will specifically quire a slight departure from the specific de- Dan McElroy-R assist their respective caucus leaders with floor tails of legislation. Assistant Majority Leader debate, motions, parliamentary procedures Entenza described the difference between Carol L. Molnau-R and help coordinate floor activity, including committee hearing discussions and floor Assistant Majority Leader amendments, speeches, Marty Seifert-R establishing the order of Majority Whip speakers and defending Lyndon Carlson-DFL caucus policies. Assistant Minority Leader In an interview ear- Matt Entenza-DFL lier this session, Seifert Assistant Minority Leader/Minority Whip said his position is a way to reach out to the cau- Al Juhnke-DFL Assistant Minority Leader cus membership and provide better commu- Margaret Anderson Kelliher-DFL nication. Entenza Assistant Minority Leader agreed. Sharon Marko-DFL “We’re working to Assistant Minority Leader make sure our members -DFL are informed,” Entenza Assistant Minority Leader said. “It was part of Mary Ellen Otremba-DFL (Pugh’s) strategy for PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Assistant Minority Leader making sure the DFL Minority Whip, Rep. Matt Entenza, left, talks with Rep. Mary Jo McGuire, right, on the House floor earlier in the session. Loren Solberg-DFL position is Assistant Minority Leader communicated.”

Session Weekly 19 ATE ACTION L

restore the complete text of SF228. Rep. (DFL-St. Paul) spoke Emergency heat assistance in favor of Pugh’s amendment. “The Davnie language is the responsible thing to do. It was Senate bill providing $30 million to schools amended on what Minnesotans understand. It recognizes House floor to give sales tax rebate the mutual responsibility we have to one another.” Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal) offered The House took the uncommon step Feb. 8 and transportation costs. There would be a cap another amendment that would have included of suspending both the constitution and the of $30 million for statewide spending on the higher educational institutions among those House rules to allow the second and third measure. schools to be reimbursed for higher heating reading of a bill that would allocate $30 mil- Shortly after the debate began, Rep. Ron costs. Some members remained skeptical of lion to school districts for emergency heating Abrams (R-Minnetonka) proposed an amend- any spending which could be appropriated to and transportation costs. ment that deleted the entirety of SF228 and in- the . Carlson’s House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty troduced a bill to spend the projected amendment was defeated. (R-Eagan) made the motions for the suspen- $925 million budget surplus for the current bi- Members’ opinions regarding amendments sions, which allowed the full House to con- ennium in the form of a sales tax rebate, based generally fell along party lines, with Republi- sider SF228*/HF378, sponsored in the House on 1999 receipts. The amendment provides re- cans favoring an unmitigated rebate and by Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls). bate recipients with the opportunity to return DFLers favoring a modified rebate, which The bill was originally passed by the Senate the money to the state for one of six appropria- would funnel some funds toward energy costs Feb. 5 by a vote of 40 to 23, and senators ex- tions ranging from K-12 education to transpor- for schools. pressed urgency, hoping the House would act tation spending. “We have bills that are due now. We don’t on the bill so the aid could go to schools soon. Rep. (R-Elbow Lake) pro- have a surplus until the bills are paid,” said However, members amended the bill on the posed an amendment adding nursing homes to Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls). “You have floor, which will require the approval of the that list. The House approved the amendment. missed the point,” countered Rep. John Tuma Senate before it can move forward. Davnie resisted measures to amend his bill. (R-Northfield). “It’s my money for my Davnie told the House, “We are experienc- “If we don’t pass a clean, uncluttered bill,” he family. It’s not your money.” ing some of the highest energy costs ever.” His warned, “school districts will have to lay off The House passed Abrams’ amendment bill would require the commissioner of the teachers, cut extracurricular programs, and and also passed the bill on an 82-42 vote. It Department of Children, Families and Learn- reduce course offerings.” must now return to the Senate for that body ing to reimburse school districts for Minority Leader Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. to concur with the amendments. 97 percent of the difference between any given Paul) offered an unsuccessful verbal amend- (J. WALKER) school district’s anticipated and actual energy ment to the Abrams amendment that would

Continued from page 13 Continued from page 15 certain nonprofit organizations for public Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long Prai- delivery services. The proposal would charge safety services. rie) sought to differentiate between what she sales tax on private services such as Federal It is the last two measures that have many saw as aggressive enforcement and helpful as- Express or United Parcel Service but not on concerned. sistance in meeting necessary environmental the United States Postal Service, since the state Pat Lynch, representing the YMCAs of Min- protections. “We have a good feedlot officer; cannot tax the federal government. nesota, said increasing taxes on the organiza- he helps people come into compliance.” Smith said the shift in tax burden should tion would mean a cut back in services Rep. George Cassell (R-Alexandria) echoed be considered in the context of the entire provided. Otremba’s comment. “The PCA ought to be a proposal and businesses will benefit from “Every dollar that is redirected is a dollar helping agency and not an agency which other parts of the bill such as the reduction in that won’t be directed back to our programs,” throws up barriers.” the commercial industrial tax rate. she said. Massey said the PCA relocated a majority During the first public testimony on the bill Lori Fritz, the vice president of the Minne- of its staff outside the Twin Cities metropoli- Feb. 7, individuals representing nonprofit apolis Jewish Federation said her organization tan area so they are closer to the farms they groups expressed concern with the bill’s pro- is already struggling to maintain its level of regulate. He also said the agency identified a visions that affect their organizations. services, and any added tax burden would number of counties that could serve as clear- Under HF511 more nonprofits would mean a cutback in programs. inghouses for farm-regulation information qualify for sales tax exemptions on their pur- “Those that need help would suffer the and assistance for farmers wishing to comply chases and more types of goods would be most,” she said. “And the government would with environmental rules. exempt. But the bill would also make more have to come in and help those in need.” “We are never going to be best friends (with sales by nonprofits taxable and would create a the farmers we regulate),” said Massey, “but fee that local units of government could charge we can be a good source of information.”

20 February 9, 2001 Visiting the Minnesota State Capitol complex can be a rewarding and educational experience for everyone. There are buildings to explore and tours to take almost any time you choose to visit. And when the Legislature is in session during the first part of every year, there are floor sessions to observe, committee meetings to attend, and legislators to meet. Remember that this is your state Capitol, and you are always welcome.

Parking Office Building Ramp; and on the entry level of Public metered parking is available in the Administration Building Ramp (two stalls). Lot Q, north of the Capitol at Cedar Street and There are two handicapped entrances to the How to get here Sherburne Avenue; Lot D, next to the State Capitol. One is on the northeast side of the Location Office Building off Rice Street on Aurora Av- building, just off Lot O; the other is a drop-off The Capitol complex is north of I-94, just enue; Lot F, directly behind the Transporta- entrance under the south main steps at the minutes from downtown St. Paul. It is acces- tion Building; Lot K, across from the Armory front of the building. sible from the east and west on I-94, and from on Cedar Street (enter from 12th Street); and Since parking is limited during legislative the north and south on I-35E. on the orange level of the Centennial Office sessions, busing may be easier. Freeway ex- I-94 eastbound: Exit at Marion Street. Turn Building Ramp at Cedar Street and Constitu- press bus service is available. Bus number 94B left. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right. Go tion Avenue. All-day metered parking is avail- takes you to the Capitol and the State Office one block, cross Rice Street, and enter Parking able in Lot Q. Capitol Security personnel will Building. Call the Transit Information Center Lot D. issue tickets for expired meters. at (651) 349-7000 for schedule and route in- I-94 westbound: Exit at Marion Street. Turn All-day parking permits may be purchased formation. right. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right. Go for $3.50 from Plant Management on the third one block, cross Rice Street, and enter Parking floor of the Ford Building. Cash or checks are What to do Lot D. accepted and correct change is appreciated. I-35E northbound: Exit at Kellogg Boule- For more information, call (651) 297-3993. Tours vard. Turn left. Go to John Ireland Boulevard Outdoor handicapped parking is available Tours of the Capitol are offered through the and turn right. Metered parking spaces line in Lot O, which is on the northeast side of the Capitol Historic Site Program of the both sides of the boulevard. Capitol, and in Lot F. Minnesota Historical Society. I-35E southbound: Exit at University Av- Indoor handicapped parking is available on Tour guides lead the 45-minute tours on the enue. Turn right. Go to Rice Street and turn the lower level of the State Office Building hour Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. left. Go one block and turn left to enter Parking Ramp (use the call box at the ramp entrance to and 5 p.m. (last tour leaves at 4 p.m.); Satur- Lot D. gain entry); on the blue level of the Centennial days between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (last tour leaves at 3 p.m.); and Sundays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (last tour leaves at 3 p.m.). The tours Charles Ave. are free of charge and begin at the Capitol’s N information desk at the end of the corridor to Lot Q the right of the main entrance. Brochures in

Capitol Blvd. Capitol about 20 foreign languages also are available Sherburne Ave. LEGEND there. Admin. Tour participants may request customized Bldg. = public Ford parking Bldg. tours that emphasize either the building or

Rice St. University Ave. St. Cedar Marion state government. Lot N Lot O Historical society officials ask that groups of Capitol Judicial 10 or more call at least two weeks in advance to Lot D Ctr. Aurora Aurora Ave. reserve a tour time. The society offers “Voice of the People: Your State Ave. Constitution Ramp Office Role in Minnesota Government,” a half-day Fuller Ave. Bldg. Cedar St. session for students in grades 9-12. C . Cent. onst n Ave Lot F itutio CentennialRamp Also, special tour events are scheduled monthly throughout the year. Some of these Bldg. events entail admission fees; others are free. A Transportation Lot K Veterans Service special events guide is available upon request. John Ireland Blvd. 12th For more information about the tours or to reserve a time, call the Capitol Historic Site Program, (651) 296-2881. I-94

Center MN History Legislative sessions Marion St . Concordia Members of the House of Representatives exit Ave. Kellogg and the Senate debate bills when the Legisla- ture is in session. Session Weekly 21 At the beginning of a legislative session, the Dining pace of floor sessions is generally slow as new Cafeterias are located in most state build- Where to find bills are assigned to committees and non-con- ings. The small State Office Building cafeteria troversial items are discussed. At about the is usually open only when the Legislature is in information session’s midpoint, however, the legislative pace session. A large, year-round cafeteria also is quickens. available in the State Capitol and the Trans- House Public Information Office The House usually meets at 3 p.m. portation Building. 175 State Office Building Mondays and Thursdays, and the Senate meets Also, there are many restaurants within walk- (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 The House Public Information Office is a at 11:30 a.m. Mondays and at 9:30 a.m. ing distance. The Lagoon Vietnamese Restau- nonpartisan office that provides committee Thursdays during the first few weeks. House rant, White Castle, and El Bravo Mexican Res- floor sessions are scheduled for the afternoon meeting schedules; legislator information; taurant are on Rice Street. On University Av- and publications, including the Session Weekly because committees meet in the morning and enue, you will find McDonald’s, Burger King, newsmagazine, educational brochures for all early afternoon. As the session nears the end, Mai Village, and other restaurants. There also ages, and member directories. All informa- however, both bodies may meet several times a are dozens of restaurants only minutes away in tion is available at no charge. day, often into the night. downtown St. Paul. Bus rides downtown cost Most of what this office publishes can be All House and Senate floor sessions are open 25 cents. You can catch the bus on Constitu- viewed on the Legislature’s World Wide Web to the public. Visitors interested in observing tion Avenue. page. To connect, point your web browser at: these sessions may call the House Chief Clerk’s http://www.leg.state.mn.us Office, (651) 296-2314, or Senate Information, Group visits House Television Services (651) 296-0504, with questions. Spectators may Sometimes groups plan a “legislative day” at 216C State Capitol (651) 297-1338 sit in the galleries of either chamber. the Capitol in order to express a particular House Television Services is responsible viewpoint to legislators. Committee meetings for live coverage of House floor sessions and Rooms for special conferences or speakers some committee hearings. Such coverage is Visitors wanting to attend a committee meet- can be reserved by calling the State Office aired in the Twin Cities area on KTCI-TV, ing may call the committee hotlines for prere- Building room scheduler at (651) 296-5408 or Channel 17. The House also broadcasts via corded messages with the meeting times and the Capitol room scheduler at (651) 296-0866. satellite statewide. Outstate residents should agendas for each day: House, (651) 296-9283; If group members want to meet with their check with local cable operators for time and Senate, (651) 296-8088. Printed agendas for individual legislators or testify before a com- channel information or the office’s Web site at: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/htv/ the week also appear in each issue of the Session mittee (see “Committee meetings”), arrange- htv.ssi Weekly and the Senate Briefly. ments should be made at least a week in Committee meetings are open to the public. All televised floor sessions and committee advance. hearings are close-captioned for people with When a public hearing is scheduled, the com- Often such groups have members wear a hearing impairments. mittee may listen to comments from the audi- distinctive name tag or badge to indicate their ence (when time permits) in addition to the concern about a particular issue. Chief Clerk’s Office scheduled speakers. Committees have differ- Groups planning a trip to the Capitol should 211 State Capitol (651) 296-2314 ent policies on hearing testimony depending remember that seating is fairly limited in some The Chief Clerk’s Office provides copies of upon their size and workload. Informational committee rooms — particularly when the bills at no charge, all agendas for House ses- sions, and the Journal of the House. handouts that committee members receive dur- topic is controversial. ing meetings or hearings are considered public House Index Department information and are available to the audience 211 State Capitol (651) 296-6646 on a first-come, first-served basis. The House Index Department, a part of Major proposals often have several public the Chief Clerk’s Office, has a computerized hearings so committee members may listen to index available for public use. House Index all arguments for and against a bill. E-mail schedules lists bills by committee, topic, author, file Each committee has a chair, vice chair, Anyone with e-mail can receive both number, and other categories. The office can administrator, and legislative assistant. A list of House and Senate committee schedules. also give you the current status of legislation. committees and members is available in the To sign up to receive the House Senate Information Office House Public Information Office in Room committee schedule, you have two 231 State Capitol (651) 296-0504 175, State Office Building, or the Senate Infor- options. Send an e-mail message to The Senate Information Office is respon- mation Office in Room 231, State Capitol. [email protected] sible for all information about the Senate, Groups and individuals wishing to testify or direct your Web browser to http:// including the committee schedule, bill sta- before a committee should call the appropriate ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/scripts/ tus, legislator information, and the committee’s legislative assistant well in ad- lyris.pl?join=houseschedule and fill out distribution of bill copies. vance of the meeting and ask to be placed on the subscription form on the Senate Media Services the agenda. Committees prefer requests one Legislature’s Web site. week in advance but will accept later notifica- B-44 State Capitol (651) 296-0264 To receive the Senate schedule, send a Senate Media Services, a bipartisan office, tion when unexpected issues appear on the message to: produces television programs, multi-media committee schedule. A brochure containing [email protected] productions, scriptwriting, photography and tips on testifying at legislative committee hear- Leave the subject line blank, and in the graphics. It offers live coverage of the Senate ings is available from the House Public Infor- body of the message, enter: floor sessions and some committee hearings. mation Office. subscribe sen-schedules

22 February 9, 2001 ILL INTRODUCTIONS F EBRUARY 5 - 8, 2001 B HOUSE FILES 551 - 744

Monday, February 5 HF562—Goodno (R) HF572—Harder (R) HF582—Entenza (DFL) Taxes Agriculture & Commerce, Jobs & Border city enterprise zone alloca- Rural Development Finance Economic Development HF551—Finseth (R) tions authorized for western border Soybean diseases and genetics re- Telemarketing; written consumer Agriculture Policy zones. search provided and money authorization required for electronic Ethanol producer payments autho- appropriated. charges imposed by telemarketers. rized to expand regional ethanol de- HF563—Lieder (DFL) velopment and money appropriated. Agriculture & HF573—Finseth (R) HF583—Hackbarth (R) Rural Development Finance Taxes Taxes HF552—Abrams (R) Farm wrap network and rural help Land payments in lieu of taxation Diesel fuel used to operate commuter Taxes network grants provided and money provisions modified. rail systems sales tax exemption Sales tax rebate payments provided, appropriated. provided. automatic rebate enacted, and money HF574—Davids (R) appropriated. HF564—Rhodes (R) Commerce, Jobs & HF584—Hackbarth (R) Commerce, Jobs & Economic Development Taxes HF553—Ruth (R) Economic Development Public assistance eligibility irrevocable Commuter rail system construction Transportation Policy Neighborhood home improvement trust funds asset exclusion limits materials and equipment sales tax Obsolete and duplicative transporta- loan pilot project established and modified. exemption provided. tion laws repealed. money appropriated. HF575—Kuisle (R) HF585—Gleason (DFL) HF554—Dorman (R) HF565—Kubly (DFL) Taxes Civil Law Taxes Commerce, Jobs & Individual income tax education ex- ERA; equality of rights under the law Individual income tax rates reduced. Economic Development penses deduction expanded. for men and women provided, and Olivia Center for Agricultural Inno- constitutional amendment proposed. HF555—Finseth (R) vation established, bonds issued, and HF576—Thompson (DFL) K-12 Education Finance money appropriated. Health & Human Services Finance HF586—Seifert (R) Independent School District No. 628, Hennepin County nursing home rate Environment & Plummer, fund transfer authorized. HF566—Lenczewski (DFL) increase provided and money Natural Resources Finance Taxes appropriated. Minnesota River Basin Projects, Inc. HF556—Stanek (R) Income tax rate reduction plan floodwater control grant provided Crime Prevention required to limit growth in revenues. HF577—Lenczewski (DFL) and money appropriated. Federal law enforcement officers au- Taxes thorized to exercise powers of arrest HF567—Osskopp (R) Reverse referendum authorized to HF587—Huntley (DFL) in Minnesota under specified Governmental Operations & rescind state tax increases refund of Health & Human Services Policy circumstances. Veterans Affairs Policy rescinded revenues provided, money Detoxification services provided by Fair and clean elections act; increas- appropriated, and constitutional counties reimbursed by state funds. HF557—Haas (R) ing campaign contribution disclosure, amendment proposed. Governmental Operations & limiting contributions and expendi- HF588—Swapinski (DFL) Veterans Affairs Policy tures, increasing public subsidies, and HF578—Pugh (DFL) Taxes Osseo Volunteer Firefighters Relief appropriating money. K-12 Education Finance Western Lake Superior sanitary dis- Association increase in liabilities off- Special School District No. 6, South trict sales tax exemption provided. set and money appropriated. HF568—Jennings (DFL) St. Paul, full day kindergarten grant Regulated Industries authorized and money appropriated. HF589—Jaros (DFL) HF558—Swenson (R) Public Utilities Commission chair du- Commerce, Jobs & Agriculture Policy ties expanded, salary limit raised, and HF579—Larson (DFL) Economic Development Johne’s Disease (paratuberculosis) informal dispute resolution provided. Commerce, Jobs & Duluth aerial lift bridge lead paint testing program enhancement pro- Economic Development abatement and repainting provided, vided and money appropriated. HF569—Molnau (R) Consumer financial record privacy pro- bonds issued, and money Taxes vided, consumer authorization required appropriated. HF559—Goodno (R) County road and bridge maintenance for financial record disclosure, and Health & Human Services Policy equipment and vehicle tax exemp- remedies provided. HF590—Gunther (R) Nursing facility, intermediate care tions provided. Jobs & Economic facilities for persons with mental re- HF580—Entenza (DFL) Development Finance tardation (OCF/MR) and other pro- HF570—Hilstrom (DFL) Commerce, Jobs & Extended employment program gram rate increase provided and Crime Prevention Economic Development hourly reimbursement rates in- money appropriated. Peace officer license revocation, sus- Telecommunications consumer creased, welfare-to-work extended pension, and denial grounds pre- privacy act. employment partnership program HF560—Goodno (R) scribed; Peace Officer Standards and funding provided, and money Commerce, Jobs & Training Board minority recruiter re- HF581—Lenczewski (DFL) appropriated. Economic Development porting removed, and city council Ways & Means Patient protections provisions member peace officer empowerment State budget process increased public HF591—Slawik (DFL) modified. repealed. participation and notification Family & Early Childhood provided. Education Finance HF561—Harder (R) HF571—Rukavina (DFL) Early Childhood Family Education Taxes Health & Human Services Policy (ECFE) revenue modified, reserve Heron Lake watershed district in- Rehabilitation counselor qualification fund balances capped, and money creased levy authorized. requirements provided. appropriated.

Session Weekly 23 HF592—Dorman (R) HF603—Abeler (R) HF614—Huntley (DFL) HF625—Seagren (R) Taxes Governmental Operations & Higher Education Finance Transportation Policy Non-mixed-municipal solid waste tax Veterans Affairs Policy University of Minnesota-Duluth new Trunk Highway 62 in Minneapolis decreased, and specified accounting and Council on disability sunset extended. laboratory science building construc- and Richfield construction project recordkeeping requirements repealed. tion provided, bonds issued, and restrictions imposed. HF604—Sertich (DFL) money appropriated. HF593—Lenczewski (DFL) Commerce, Jobs & HF626—Walz (R) Taxes Economic Development HF615—Lenczewski (DFL) Jobs & Economic Income, corporate franchise, sales and Employee assistance records access Taxes Development Finance use, and motor vehicle sales tax in- provided to persons receiving services, Tax credit established for land do- Family homeless prevention and as- creases limited; and tax rate reduc- and employee assistance records re- nated for conservation purposes, and sistance program funding provided tions required to ensure revenues do quired to be kept separate from report to legislature required. and money appropriated. not exceed limits. personnel records. HF616—Marko (DFL) HF594—Westrom (R) HF605—Leighton (DFL) Taxes Thursday, February 8 Health & Human Services Policy K-12 Education Finance Local government aid paid to speci- Spinal cord injury research board and Independent School District No. 492, fied metropolitan cities increased. HF627—Holsten (R) trust account established, rulemaking Austin, authorized to carry an Taxes authorized, and money appropriated. operating capital account deficit. HF617—Jacobson (R) Hugo City Hall construction materi- Crime Prevention als sales tax exemption provided. HF595—Ozment (R) HF606—Larson (DFL) Ramsey County - St. Paul joint do- Transportation Policy Governmental Operations & mestic abuse prosecution unit con- HF628—Leppik (R) Railroads; local governments autho- Veterans Affairs Policy tinued, and money appropriated. Crime Prevention rized to establish quiet zones regulat- Term limits provided for state legisla- Apartment manager background ing or prohibiting locomotive tors and constitutional officers, and HF618—Kubly (DFL) checks required on individuals who warning devices. constitutional amendment proposed. Commerce, Jobs & have resided in the state less than 10 Economic Development years. HF596—Abeler (R) HF607—Skoe (DFL) Disaster relief provided for Yellow Commerce, Jobs & Taxes Medicine and Chippewa counties re- HF629—Dorman (R) Economic Development Stationary feed bunks and fencing sulting from July 25, 2000 tornado, Regulated Industries Historic structure rehabilitation used to contain beef or dairy cattle and money appropriated. Austin Municipal Utilities Commis- income tax credit provided. exempted from sales tax. sion joint ventures with Freeborn- HF619—Swapinski (DFL) Mower counties cooperative electric HF597—Evans (DFL) HF608—Harder (R) Governmental Operations & power association authorized. Governmental Operations & Commerce, Jobs & Veterans Affairs Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Economic Development Former military personnel service HF630—Swapinski (DFL) Joint and survivor annuity benefit Independent School District No. credit purchases authorized with Taxes selection required of specified retire- 2884, Red Rock Central, Internet ac- specified public pension plans for Sales to political subdivisions tax ex- ment plans, and terms clarified. cess grant provided and money uncredited military services. emption provided. appropriated. HF598—Slawik (DFL) HF620—Fuller (R) HF631—Skoglund (DFL) Taxes HF609—Anderson, I. (DFL) Transportation Finance Crime Prevention Dependent care income tax credit Commerce, Jobs & Akeley Highway 64 bridge construc- School trespass law clarified. expanded. Economic Development tion funded, and money appropriated. Koochiching County Big Bear Coun- HF632—Luther (DFL) HF599—Mulder (R) try education center construction HF621—Fuller (R) Commerce, Jobs & Governmental Operations & grant authorized, bonds issued, and K-12 Education Finance Economic Development Veterans Affairs Policy money appropriated. Independent School District No. 306, Organ donors; paid leave required Resolution memorializing Congress LaPorte, grant authorized for air qual- for organ donation. to propose a constitutional amend- HF610—Solberg (DFL) ity requirements construction costs, ment to allow states to apportion one Local Government & and money appropriated. HF633—Osskopp (R) chamber of their legislative bodies on Metropolitan Affairs Taxes the basis of area, not population. Local public officer’s conflict of HF622—Fuller (R) Tax refunds applied to pay child sup- interest law exception provided. Taxes port before any tax offsets. HF600—Harder (R) Bemidji Bureau of Criminal Appre- Agriculture & HF611—Sykora (R) hension satellite laboratory construc- HF634—Ozment (R) Rural Development Finance K-12 Education Finance tion materials and equipment sales Ways & Means Minnesota agriculture in the class- Education price index created, gen- tax exemption provided. Claims against the state paid, and room program educational specialist eral education formula allowance money appropriated. funding provided and money adjusted, and money appropriated. HF623—Fuller (R) appropriated. K-12 Education Finance HF635—Opatz (DFL) HF612—Nornes (R) Independent School District No. 306, Local Government & HF601—Johnson, R. (DFL) Taxes LaPorte, fund transfer authorized. Metropolitan Affairs K-12 Education Finance Licensed child care facilities educa- St. Cloud authorized to file notice Independent School District No. 508, tional materials sales tax exemption HF624—Seagren (R) regarding potential activity at regional St. Peter, declining pupil aid grant provided. Transportation Policy airport. authorized and money appropriated. Light rail; requiring route to be iden- HF613—Rukavina (DFL) tified before spending appropriations HF636—Smith (R) HF602—Leighton (DFL) Environment & to study light rail transit and Ways & Means K-12 Education Finance Natural Resources Policy commuter rail. State spending prohibited from in- Special education revenue base year Private easements across tax-forfeited creasing at a greater rate than the modified. land authorized. consumer price index, and constitu- tional amendment proposed.

24 February 9, 2001 HF637—Smith (R) HF648—Abeler (R) HF659—Wolf (R) HF670—Carlson (DFL) Environment & Health & Human Services Policy Regulated Industries K-12 Education Finance Natural Resources Policy Birth centers regulatory system study State energy plan established, energy Resolution memorializing the Presi- Water quality cooperative activities required. conservation promoted, and con- dent and Congress to carry through restricted. forming, technical and clarifying on their pledge to fund 40 percent of HF649—Fuller (R) changes provided. special education costs. HF638—Smith (R) Higher Education Finance Civil Law Bemidji State University fieldhouse HF660—Anderson, I. (DFL) HF671—Goodwin (DFL) World War II; statute of limitations addition planning provided and Health & Human Services Finance Regulated Industries waived on actions for compensation money appropriated. Medical assistance mileage reim- Public utilities commission required by persons forced to perform labor by bursement increased. to ensure accurate utility bills, public Germany or Japan between 1929 and HF650—Fuller (R) utilities required to offer budget plans 1945. Higher Education Finance HF661—Stang (R) subject to approval, billing practices Northwest Technical College - Bemidji Commerce, Jobs & investigated, penalties provided, and HF639—Nornes (R) State University colocation project Economic Development technical provisions modified. Health & Human Services Policy phase II funding provided, bonds is- Accountancy Act of 2001 established, Brain and spinal cord injury research sued, and money appropriated. rulemaking authorized, and penal- HF672—Hausman (DFL) board and trust account established, ties imposed. Transportation Policy provider reporting provisions modi- HF651—Peterson (DFL) Railroad bridge expansion financial fied, civil penalties imposed, sur- Environment & HF662—Rukavina (DFL) assistance authorized. charge applied to specified traffic Natural Resources Policy Local Government & fines, and money appropriated. Natural gas allowed as petroleum Metropolitan Affairs HF673—Stanek (R) component of E85 fuel. Aurora housing and redevelopment Crime Prevention HF640—Ness (R) tax increment financing district ex- Emergency 911 telephone services Agriculture Policy HF652—Anderson, B. (R) tended. maximum allowable fee increased, Farmer-lender mediation program Local Government & and specified local signage costs sunset extended. Metropolitan Affairs HF663—Biernat (DFL) authorized. Eminent domain proceedings owner Transportation Policy HF641—Ness (R) costs and fees provided. Traffic signal violation citations by HF674—Swapinski (DFL) K-12 Education Finance photographic evidence authorized, Family & Early Childhood Pupil unit reporting required for char- HF653—Evans (DFL) local programs requirements pro- Education Finance ter schools in initial years of Governmental Operations & vided, penalties imposed, and money Child advocacy center grants provided operation. Veterans Affairs Policy appropriated. and money appropriated. State building code terms defined, HF642—Kahn (DFL) building officials designated, and HF664—Anderson, I. (DFL) HF675—Swenson (R) Health & Human Services Policy advisory council extended. Commerce, Jobs & Commerce, Jobs & National health services corps state Economic Development Economic Development loan repayment program; disciplin- HF654—Hackbarth (R) Koochiching County regional cold West Newton reimbursed for costs of ary action grounds established for Governmental Operations & weather testing facility construction St. George community wastewater physicians failing to meet obligations Veterans Affairs Policy grant provided, bonds issued, and treatment system, and money or repay loans. State-run gaming facility authorized, money appropriated. appropriated. duties and powers prescribed, gam- HF643—Paulsen (R) ing revenue use specified, and money HF665—Kielkucki (R) HF676—Wenzel (DFL) Governmental Operations & appropriated. Local Government & Taxes Veterans Affairs Policy Metropolitan Affairs Medical care and health insurance Initiative and referendum provided HF655—Wolf (R) Regional development commissions expanded income tax deductions and constitutional amendment Commerce, Jobs & and other regional organization local authorized. proposed. Economic Development planning assistance funding provided Minnesota unemployment insurance and money appropriated. HF677—Mulder (R) HF644—Johnson, S. (DFL) program law; technical and miscella- Family & Early Childhood Education Policy neous substantive unemployment HF666—Clark, K. (DFL) Education Finance Technical career student loan forgive- provisions modified, procedures Commerce, Jobs & School readiness aid modified and ness program established and money clarified, and eligibility extended to Economic Development money appropriated. appropriated. specified victims of domestic abuse. Equal pay commission created, and study and report required. HF678—Bishop (R) HF645—Marko (DFL) HF656—Lipman (R) Judiciary Finance Transportation Policy Governmental Operations & HF667—Seifert (R) Community corrections; sex offender Local road improvement fund cre- Veterans Affairs Policy Governmental Operations & treatment corrections and produc- ated, uses specified, fund transfers Revisor’s bill correcting erroneous, Veterans Affairs Policy tive day initiative programs grants provided, advisory committee estab- ambiguous, and omitted text and Administrative rules procedures provided, and money appropriated. lished, and money appropriated. obsolete references; and making modified. miscellaneous technical corrections. HF679—Lindner (R) HF646—Sykora (R) HF668—Lenczewski (DFL) Commerce, Jobs & Family & Early Childhood HF657—Lipman (R) Taxes Economic Development Education Finance Health & Human Services Policy In-lieu property tax payments pro- Advocating Change Together, Inc. Youth programs in community edu- State funding of abortion services vided for state-owned property. (ACT); grant provided for training cation revenue provided, levy autho- prohibited, and constitutional for people with disabilities, and rized, and money appropriated. amendment proposed. HF669—Rhodes (R) money appropriated. Local Government & HF647—Westerberg (R) HF658—Murphy (DFL) Metropolitan Affairs HF680—Rhodes (R) Transportation Finance Education Policy St. Louis Park local contribution au- Family & Early Childhood East Bethel; Trunk Highway 65 Regent candidate advisory council thorized for specified tax increment Education Finance improvement bonds issued. abolished. financing districts. Perspective, Inc.; transitional hous- ing grant provided and money appropriated. Session Weekly 25 HF681—Rhodes (R) HF693—Goodno (R) HF704—Fuller (R) HF715—Molnau (R) Family & Early Childhood Health & Human Services Policy Crime Prevention Transportation Policy Education Finance Dentists loan forgiveness program Emergency medical services person- Operation of certain school buses St. Louis Park Meadowbrook collabo- established, donated dental services nel licensure provided exception from without a school bus endorsement rative housing project grant provided program created, dental services and criminal rehabilitation provisions. restricted. to enhance youth outreach services, provider requirements modified, re- and money appropriated. imbursement rates increased, immu- HF705—Opatz (DFL) HF716—Kielkucki (R) nities provided, and money Environment & K-12 Education Finance HF682—Gunther (R) appropriated. Natural Resources Policy Independent School District No. 111, Taxes Conservation easement matching Watertown-Mayer, fund transfer Sales tax rate reduced. HF694—Davids (R) grants provided and money authorized. Commerce, Jobs & appropriated. HF683—McGuire (DFL) Economic Development HF717—Gunther (R) Environment & No-fault auto insurance sale of in- HF706—Goodno (R) Commerce, Jobs & Natural Resources Policy come loss benefits coverage to senior Health & Human Services Policy Economic Development Chromated copper arsenate sale and citizens regulated. Breast and cervical cancer treatment Blue Earth County rural advanced use prohibited. medical assistance eligibility estab- business facilitation program pilot HF695—Osskopp (R) lished and money appropriated. project grant provided and money HF684—McGuire (DFL) Governmental Operations & appropriated. Governmental Operations & Veterans Affairs Policy HF707—Skoglund (DFL) Veterans Affairs Policy Health care reimbursement plan for Crime Prevention HF718—Skoe (DFL) Capitol area grounds vegetation re- state employees established, funds Carisoprodol classified as a controlled Civil Law moval and cleanup required. transferred, and money appropriated. substance upon federal ruling. Probate; medical assistance claim clearance provision limited. HF685—McGuire (DFL) HF696—Stanek (R) HF708—Workman (R) Commerce, Jobs & Crime Prevention Transportation Policy HF719—Lieder (DFL) Economic Development Correctional officers disciplinary pro- Well drilling machines and equip- Environment & Employment of unsupervised minors cedures established. ment registration tax exemption Natural Resources Finance prohibited. clarified. Crookston; Red Lake River Ottertail HF697—Holsten (R) dam reconstruction and modification HF686—Jaros (DFL) Taxes HF709—Opatz (DFL) grant provided, bonds issued, and Commerce, Jobs & Reduced property tax rate provided Environment & money appropriated. Economic Development for specified class 2c land bordering Natural Resources Finance Duluth technology village grant pro- public waters. St. Cloud area joint powers board parks HF720—Wasiluk (DFL) vided, and money appropriated. and trails grants provided, bonds is- Commerce, Jobs & HF698—Osskopp (R) sued, and money appropriated. Economic Development HF687—Kielkucki (R) Governmental Operations & Employee invention agreements K-12 Education Finance Veterans Affairs Policy HF710—Wolf (R) regulated. School lunch and breakfast funding Fire marshal investigators or inspec- Regulated Industries increased, school eligibility expanded tors defined as classified employees Minnesota retail electric competition HF721—Larson (DFL) for priority for a fast break for learn- included in the public employees po- act adopted and money appropriated. Commerce, Jobs & ing grant, and money appropriated. lice and fire fund. Economic Development HF711—Penas (R) Richfield redevelopment grants pro- HF688—Bakk (DFL) HF699—Sykora (R) Health & Human Services Policy vided and money appropriated. Environment & Crime Prevention Rural hospital grants provided and Natural Resources Policy Domestic abuse; omnibus domestic grant provisions modified, health care HF722—Leighton (DFL) St. Louis County tax-forfeited land abuse bill enhancing criminal and civil technician and rural hospital nurse Civil Law sale authorized. provisions and appropriating money. loan forgiveness programs estab- Civil remedy provided injured lished. telemedicine coverage sunset employees if employer willfully or HF689—Bakk (DFL) HF700—Lieder (DFL) repealed, and money appropriated. repeatedly violates safety laws. Taxes Commerce, Jobs & Beaver Bay sales and use tax autho- Economic Development HF712—Mares (R) HF723—Finseth (R) rized and revenue use specified. Ada 1997 flood recovery work bond Governmental Operations & Environment & interest reimbursement grant pro- Veterans Affairs Policy Natural Resources Finance HF690—Mahoney (DFL) vided and money appropriated. Local government correctional service Big Bog and Red River State Recre- Commerce, Jobs & plan contribution rates modified. ation Area operating costs funded, Economic Development HF701—Gunther (R) and money appropriated. Tattooing of minors prohibited. Commerce, Jobs & HF713—Boudreau (R) Economic Development Health & Human Services Policy HF724—Rhodes (R) HF691—Hackbarth (R) On-site employee drug and alcohol Day training and habilitation services Governmental Operations & Environment & testing permitted under certain medical assistance coverage provided. Veterans Affairs Policy Natural Resources Policy circumstances. State professional service contract Motor vehicle transfer fee eliminated. HF714—Tingelstad (R) procedures specified. HF702—Goodno (R) Commerce, Jobs & HF692—Sviggum (R) Health & Human Services Policy Economic Development HF725—Tingelstad (R) Crime Prevention Local intervention grants for self-suf- Plumber licensure required, inspec- Environment & Juvenile correctional facilities re- ficiency formula modified. tion requirements for plumbing in- Natural Resources Finance quired to allow residents to attend stallations established, fees and Metropolitan regional parks system religious services. HF703—Goodno (R) rulemaking authorized, and restricted operation and maintenance provided Health & Human Services Finance plumbing contractor licensure and money appropriated. Senior service corps volunteer pro- provided. grams; foster grandparent and senior companion program funding pro- vided and money appropriated.

26 February 9, 2001 HF726—Skoglund (DFL) HF731—Pugh (DFL) HF735—Leppik (R) HF740—Sertich (DFL) Governmental Operations & K-12 Education Finance Transportation Policy K-12 Education Finance Veterans Affairs Policy Debt service equalization aid fund- Seat belts; passenger restraint require- Districts with declining enrollment Prior service credit purchase autho- ing increased, property tax levy for ments for minors prescribed, booster funding increased. rized for a former Carlson School of new school buildings lowered, and seat requirements provided, seat belt Management, University of money appropriated. requirement extended to all passen- HF741—Goodwin (DFL) Minnesota, instructor. gers in vehicle, certain exemptions K-12 Education Finance HF732—Thompson (DFL) eliminated, and penalties increased. Alternative facilities program eligi- HF727—Clark, J. (R) Governmental Operations & bility expanded to districts with older Health & Human Services Policy Veterans Affairs Policy HF736—Carlson (DFL) facilities. Graves at regional treatment center Service credit purchase from the pub- Taxes cemeteries required to show names, lic employees retirement association Home heating fuels year-round sales HF742—Mulder (R) and money appropriated. authorized for a former Minneapolis and use tax exemption provided. Health & Human Services Policy park board employee. Prepaid medical assistance and pre- HF728—Sertich (DFL) HF737—Mariani (DFL) paid general assistance medical care K-12 Education Finance HF733—Gleason (DFL) Crime Prevention program capitation rates increased Declining pupil revenue calculated Health & Human Services Policy Racial profiling policies and report for non-metropolitan counties. using five-year average enrollment. Drug price control board established, required, independent expert re- maximum prices established, other tained, law enforcement training in HF743—Anderson, I. (DFL) HF729—Ozment (R) duties specified, penalties imposed, eliminating racial profile required, K-12 Education Finance Health & Human Services Policy and money appropriated. and money appropriated. Activity aid provided to school dis- Nursing grant program for persons tricts to fund extracurricular of color established, summer health HF734—Davnie (DFL) HF738—Opatz (DFL) activities. care interns and nursing loan for- K-12 Education Finance K-12 Education Finance giveness programs modified, nurs- School lunch and breakfast funding General education basic formula al- HF744—Anderson, I. (DFL) ing scholarship and health care increased, eligibility for a fast break lowance increased. K-12 Education Finance planning programs established, study to learning grant expanded, and General education revenue formula required, and money appropriated. money appropriated. HF739—Osskopp (R) and referendum allowance for the Commerce, Jobs & referendum revenue program HF730—Hausman (DFL) Economic Development modified. Local Government & Grand Excursion 2004 planning and Metropolitan Affairs promotion funded, and money St. Paul Park roads transit regulated. appropriated.

What’s on the Web Streaming video on the Internet

If you happen to be halfway around the can be accessed at http:// footage of committee and floor action so world and are dying to find out how a par- www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/general/ that when they see a news story about the ticular issue is being dealt with by the Min- avinfo.htm. All that is needed to stay in- event, they can find more information by nesota Legislature, you can now keep in- formed is access to the Internet and Win- viewing the event from start to finish. formed first-hand. dows Media Player, a free plug-in viewer. The site will provide an index, making it That’s because both the House and the The service is provided by House Televi- easy for users to find the specific bill or topic Senate offer Internet streaming video of floor sion Services. they wish to view, without having to weed sessions and select committee hearings. The As of January 2001, the public can also through hours and hours of coverage. service, which began during the 2000 ses- access all the recorded coverage through- For more information, contact House Tele- sion, offers unedited, live, and recorded cov- out the legislative session using an archive vision Services at (651) 297-1338. erage of the Legislature. on the Web site. The link to the House coverage can be The ultimate goal of the service is for found at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ each person to have access to the original htv/liveweb.htm and the Senate’s coverage

Frequently called numbers (Area code 651) Information, House TTY, House ...... 296-9896 Secretary of the Senate 175 State Office Building ...... 296-2146 Toll free ...... 1-800-657-3550 231 Capitol ...... 296-2343 Chief Clerk of the House Information, Senate Voice mail/order bills ...... 296-2343 211 Capitol ...... 296-2314 231 Capitol ...... 296-0504 Index, Senate Index, House TTY, Senate...... 296-0250 110 Capitol ...... 296-5560 211 Capitol ...... 296-6646 Toll free ...... 1-888-234-1112

Session Weekly 27 OMMITTEE SCHEDULE F EBRUARY 12 - 16, 2001 C

Minnesota Board of Architects, Engineering, Schedule is subject to change. K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, 5 State Office Building For information updates, call House Calls at (651) 296-9283. Geoscience and Interior Design; Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren All meetings are open to the public. Minnesota Public Utilities Commission; Agenda: HF43 (Abrams) Relating to education Sign language interpreter services: Minnesota Council on Chicano-Latino Affairs; finance; granting an inflationary increase in (651) 224-6548 v/tty. Minnesota Indian Affairs Council; operating referendum revenue allowances. To have the House committee schedule Minnesota Council on Black Minnesotans. HF168 (Folliard) Relating to education finance; delivered to your e-mail address, send an e- (Please note: The Council on Asian-Pacific including a growth factor in the referendum mail message to Minnesotans will present their budget overview revenue cap; restoring the original referendum [email protected] on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001.) revenue cap percentage. or direct your Web browser to http:// HF365 (Mares) Relating to education finance; ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/scripts/ TRANSPORTATION FINANCE authorizing a fund transfer for Intermediate School lyris.pl?join=houseschedule and fill out the 5 State Office Building District No. 916, Northeast Metro. subscription form on the Legislature’s Web Chr. Rep. Carol Molnau HF413 (Mulder) Relating to education finance; site. Agenda: Conclusion of state roads budget extending a planning grant. presentation: Randy Halvorson, Director of HF286 (Anderson, I.) Relating to education; MONDAY, Feb. 12 Program Delivery; Pat Hughes, Program Support modifying sparsity correction revenue. Director. HF549 (Solberg) Relating to education; 8:15 a.m. Road operations budget presentation: Mark modifying the general education revenue Wikelius, Maintenance Engineer. isolation index. Children’s Environmental Health Working Office of Electronic Communications Budget HF378 (Davnie) Relating to education; Group Presentation: Andy Terry, Director. appropriating money for school district energy 123 State Capitol General support budget presentation: Linda costs. Chrs. Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, Sen. Jane Krentz Bjornberg, Management Operations Director. Agenda: Health risk values. Buildings—operations and capital budget Property Tax Division/TAXES Analysis of data regarding the environmental presentation: Paul Jensen, Buildings Engineer. 200 State Office Building triggers of asthma, Marian Marbury, Department Chr. Rep. Ron Erhardt of Health. 9 a.m. Agenda: HF561 (Harder) Heron Lake watershed Department of Health report on the comparative district increased levy authorized. risks of multiple chemical exposures, Pam Shubat. Legislative Audit Commission HF462 (Howes) Residential buildings on “Danger in the Air,” Sierra Club report on 125 State Capitol temporary sites intended to be moved property particulates and air toxics in Minnesota. Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy tax exemption provided. Agenda: Release and review of program HF193 (Paulsen) Property taxes; area wide tax evaluation report on insurance for behavioral GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & base contributions limited. health care. VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY HF381 (Lenczewski) Metropolitan area fiscal Basement Hearing Room disparities program eliminated. State Office Building 10:15 a.m. HF158 (Gleason) Property Tax Refund - Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes continued from Feb. 5, 2001, committee meeting. Agenda: HF106 (Ness) Minnesota Agricultural CIVIL LAW Basement Hearing Room Education Leadership Council permanent or 12:30 p.m. State Office Building temporary replacement members authorized for Chr. Rep. Steve Smith specified ex officio seats. FAMILY & EARLY CHILDHOOD Agenda: HF415 (Knoblach) Job reference HF387 (Walker) Black Minnesotans council EDUCATION FINANCE information disclosure protection provided. membership increased. 5 State Office Building HF389 (Dempsey) Mississippi River Parkway Chr. Rep. Barb Sykora Commission extended and membership ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL Agenda: Governor’s Proposal to Consolidate modified. RESOURCES FINANCE Childcare, Cherie Kotilinek, Department of 10 State Office Building HF546 (Kubly) Administrative boards and Children, Families and Learning; Elizabeth Roe, Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten agencies provided proportional representation Department of Children, Families and Learning. Agenda: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency between metropolitan and outstate areas. Presentation on child care application and budget presentation: air and land. oversight in Hennepin County, Carol Miller, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency budget Hennepin County. HEALTH & HUMAN presentation: integrated environmental SERVICES FINANCE programs. 10 State Office Building LOCAL GOVERNMENT & Minnesota Pollution Control Agency budget Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS presentation: administrative support. Agenda: Department of Health overview of 200 State Office Building budget pages 315-390. Chr. Rep. Jerry Dempsey HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE Agenda: HF345 (Carlson) Robbinsdale Project 300S State Office Building 4 Tax Increment Financing District extended. JOBS & ECONOMIC Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik HF487 (Vandeveer) Townships; nonprofit DEVELOPMENT FINANCE Agenda: MnSCU budget request. 200 State Office Building organizations contract limit for health, social, Witnesses: Morris Anderson, Chancellor; Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy and recreational services increased. Laura King, Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Agenda: Budget review of: HF326 (Ozment) Local and state government Officer.

28 February 9, 2001 agency denial of requests for action clarified. CRIME PREVENTION HFXXXX (Seifert) Rules. Other business. Basement Hearing Room HF175 (Ozment) Cigarette fire retardant State Office Building standards required. REGULATED INDUSTRIES Chr. Rep. John Tuma 10 State Office Building Agenda: Public hearing on Racial Profiling. HEALTH & HUMAN Chr. Rep. Ken Wolf SERVICES FINANCE Agenda: HF492 (Wolf) Relating to energy; ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL 10 State Office Building enacting the Energy Reliability and Affordability RESOURCES POLICY Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno Act; making conforming and clarifying changes 10 State Office Building Agenda: Department of Health overview of (Power Initiative). Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment budget pages. HFXXXX (Wolf) Relating to utilities; Agenda: Commissioner Al Garber, Minnesota restructuring the regulation of electricity Department of Natural Resources - Forestry JOBS & ECONOMIC generation; providing for transition to a Initiative. DEVELOPMENT FINANCE competitive industry; requiring restructuring 200 State Office Building plans; providing for recovery of stranded costs, STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy etc. (Chamber’s Initiative). 300N State Office Building Agenda: Budget review of: HFXXXX (Wolf) Relating to energy; establishing Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie Minnesota Board of Accountancy; a state energy plan and promoting energy Agenda: HF218 (Krinkie) State Government Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans; conservation (Governor’s Initiative). Finance Bill. State Board of Electricity. Testimony on: Board of Government Innovation Minnesota Board of Barbers. 3 p.m. and Cooperation. Section 8, proposed budget for Campaign TRANSPORTATION FINANCE THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION. Finance and Public Disclosure Board. 5 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Carol Molnau TAXES Agenda: Presentation on Proposed MnDOT TUESDAY, Feb. 13 200 State Office Building Budget Cuts: Kevin Gray, Chief Financial Officer. Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams Highway Construction Industry Council Needs 8:15 a.m. Agenda: Continuation of HF511 (Sviggum) Assessment Study. Governor’s Tax Bill public testimony. EDUCATION POLICY 10:15 a.m. 200 State Office Building 12:30 p.m. Chr. Rep. Harry Mares CIVIL LAW Agenda: Report on facility use analysis of MnSCU AGRICULTURE & RURAL Basement Hearing Room and intermediate school districts. DEVELOPMENT FINANCE State Office Building Overview of policy and governor’s budget. 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Steve Smith Witness: Christine Jax, Commissioner, Chr. Rep. Bob Ness Agenda: HF369 (Bishop) Joint and several Department Children, Families and Learning. Agenda: Overview of the proposed budgets for liability apportionment regulated. the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute HEALTH & HUMAN (AURI), the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL SERVICES POLICY and the Minnesota Horticultural Society. RESOURCES FINANCE 10 State Office Building 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley CAPITAL INVESTMENT Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten Agenda: HF253 (Seifert) Health and human 5 State Office Building Agenda: Department of Trade & Economic services obsolete rules repealed. Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach Development overview of tourism in Minnesota Presentation on the Prescription Drug Program. Agenda: Overview of Department of as it pertains to natural resources and its HF13 (Abeler) Prescription drug program Transportation issues including trunk highway economic impact. income limit raised, enrollees required to satisfy bonds, bridges, light rail and the governor’s monthly deductibles, and money appropriated. recommendations. HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE HF222 (Koskinen) Prescription drug program 300S State Office Building income limit increased, timeline for enrollment 5 p.m. Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik of disabled individuals shortened, and higher Agenda: To be announced. burial exclusion provided. REDISTRICTING Brainerd City Council Chambers K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE JUDICIARY FINANCE 501 Laurel St. 5 State Office Building Basement Hearing Room Chr. Rep. Erik Paulsen Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren State Office Building Agenda: Greater Minnesota committee hearing. Agenda: HFXXXX (Kielkucki) Food service bill. Chr. Rep. Rich Stanek Note to members and staff: Van will leave from HF472 (Penas) A bill for an act relating to Agenda: Budget overview for the Department of front of State Office Building at education finance; authorizing a fund transfer Public Safety: Division of Emergency Services; 1:30 p.m. and return that evening. for Independent School District No. 2358, Tri- Office of Drug Policy & Violence Prevention; County schools. Fire Marshal. HF104 (Stang) Relating to education finance; WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14 authorizing fund transfer for Independent School TRANSPORTATION POLICY District No. 750, Rocori. 5 State Office Building 8:15 a.m. HF292 (Opatz) Relating to education; requiring Chr. Rep. Tom Workman the board of teaching to report annually on the Agenda: To be announced. GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & performance of teacher candidates on the VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY reading, writing, and math skills exam and on 10:15 a.m. Basement Hearing Room common core assessments. State Office Building HF516 (Carlson) Relating to education finance; Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes expanding the judgment levy authority to Agenda: HF70 (Seifert) Presidential electors intermediate school districts. designated and duties specified. Session Weekly 29 TAXES appropriated. Testimony on: Section 9, proposed budget for 200 State Office Building HF275 (Abeler) Nursing facility closure plans State Board of Investment. Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams savings procedure modified. Section 11, proposed budget for Office of Agenda: To be announced. HF332 (Nornes) Nursing facility case mix Strategic and Long-Range Planning. transition plan established and fine imposed for 12:30 p.m. noncompliance. 12:30 p.m.

AGRICULTURE POLICY JUDICIARY FINANCE AGRICULTURE & RURAL 10 State Office Building Basement Hearing Room DEVELOPMENT FINANCE Chr. Rep. Tim Finseth State Office Building 10 State Office Building Agenda: HF362 (Westrom) Requires that diesel Chr. Rep. Rich Stanek Chr. Rep. Bob Ness fuel sold in the state contain a minimum of five Agenda: Budget overview for the Department of Agenda: To be announced. percent biodiesel fuel oil by weight. Public Safety continued: Bureau of Criminal HF76 (Davids) Requires that diesel fuel sold in Apprehension; Minnesota Center for Crime CAPITAL INVESTMENT the state contain a minimum of five percent Victim Services; Alcohol & Gambling 5 State Office Building biodiesel fuel oil by weight. Enforcement. Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach Agenda: Overview of North Star Corridor issues. Economic Development and Tourism TRANSPORTATION POLICY Division/COMMERCE, JOBS & ECONOMIC 5 State Office Building COMMERCE, JOBS & DEVELOPMENT Chr. Rep. Tom Workman ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Basement Hearing Room Agenda: To be announced. 200 State Office Building State Office Building Chr. Rep. Chr. Rep. Arlon Lindner 10:15 a.m. Agenda: HFXXXX (Gunther) Relating to drug Agenda: HF618 (Kubly) Disaster relief provided testing in the workplace. for Yellow Medicine and Chippewa counties CRIME PREVENTION resulting from July 25, 2000 tornado, and money Basement Hearing Room 3 p.m. appropriated. State Office Building HF412 (Mulder) Housing Finance Agency Chr. Rep. John Tuma THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION. prohibited from excluding small-volume lenders Agenda: HF130 (Dawkins) Animal control - from loan programs. Dangerous Dogs (criminal penalties). HF564 (Rhodes) Neighborhood home HF205 (Nornes) Driver’s license suspension for FRIDAY, Feb. 16 improvement loan pilot project established and theft of gasoline. money appropriated. Other bills to be added. 8:15 a.m.

FAMILY & EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & FINANCE RESOURCES POLICY VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY 5 State Office Building 10 State Office Building Basement Hearing Room Chr. Rep. Barb Sykora Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment State Office Building Agenda: Child care topics to be announced. Agenda: HF274 (Dorman) Mercury Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes thermometer sales prohibited. Agenda: To be announced. LOCAL GOVERNMENT & METROPOLITAN HF455 (Ozment) Clean fuel (biodiesel) use AFFAIRS marketing and education program established, 10:15 a.m. 200 State Office Building and money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Jerry Dempsey ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL Agenda: Presentations: Metropolitan Airports Sales and Income Tax Division/TAXES RESOURCES FINANCE Commission (question and answer session, 200 State Office Building 10 State Office Building continued); Builders Association of Minnesota; Chr. Rep. Elaine Harder Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten Minnesota Association of Realtors. Agenda: HF270 (Murphy) Provides for the Agenda: Science Museum of Minnesota: budget Other business. application of the sales tax to sales of prefabricated presentation. homes. Board of Water and Soil Resources: budget HF107 (Cassell) Exempts sales to political presentation. THURSDAY, Feb. 15 subdivisions. Board of Water and Soil Resources: Conservation HF166 (Wasiluk) Exempts sales to political Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). 8:15 a.m. subdivisions. HF188 (Stanek) Exempts sales to political HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE EDUCATION POLICY subdivisions. 300S State Office Building Tour HF301 (Marquart) Exempts sales to political Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik Chr. Rep. Harry Mares subdivisions. Agenda: University of Minnesota Efforts to Spend Agenda: Tour of John A. Johnson Achievement HF314 (Kubly) Exempts sales to political Money Smarter. Plus Elementary School in St. Paul. subdivisions. Witness: Elizabeth Eull, Budget & Finance HF538 (Folliard) Exempts sales to political Officer, Office of Budget & Finance, University HEALTH & HUMAN subdivisions. of Minnesota. SERVICES POLICY HF468 (Erickson) Exempts materials and 10 State Office Building equipment used in the construction of a fire K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley station in Princeton from sales and use taxes. 5 State Office Building Agenda: HF127 (Mulder) Nursing assistants with Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren prior records expunged exempted from STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE Agenda: To be announced. disqualification. 300N State Office Building HF128 (Nornes) Nursing facility technology Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie room grant program established, and money Agenda: HF218 (Krinkie) State Government Finance Bill.

30 February 9, 2001 Continued from page 4

Instead, there was a buzz surrounding the presentation of the car, that the license num- ber “232323,” designated specifically for Nolan by Secretary of State Julius Schmahl, was an attempt to discourage Nolan from a guberna- Minnesota’s past and present conjoin maintain businesses that are moving out torial bid. with the future at the far southwest cor- of the state due to taxes, leaving its Though he was not on either the primary ner of the state. Out on the prairie, west consumers behind. or general election ballot in 1920, Nolan did of the incorporated town of Hills, sits a Another concern is that of many farm- seek and win a term in Congress, represent- 2,500-acre working farm located two miles ers regarding the issue of low prices in re- ing Minnesota’s Fifth District, in 1929. north of the Iowa border and two miles turn for farm products. It should be The car presentation, shortly after noon on east of South Dakota. understood that farmers — even in Rock the final day of the session in April 1919, cre- The fourth generation family farm was County — compete with a world market ated quite a scene. Reports suggest that the car homesteaded back in 1873 by the great- whose goods may be undersold to the was actually driven up the Capitol steps to the grandfather of its present owners, broth- United States through an outmoded rotunda where it was displayed for the gen- ers Gene and Mike Sandager and their national open-door policy. eral public to see. families. Other employees include a sister, In order to survive, many farm owners Whatever the reason for the gift — be it Jo Wulf, the bookkeeper, and Lee Westfall, must make tough decisions about diversi- Nolan’s popularity, leadership, or future po- the assistant manager. fying their livelihood. Others often decide litical aspirations — might be better explained Since 1950, the farm has used part-time to “sell the farm.” Such is the case for a by one legislative move. The Legislature passed international exchange students who dairyman who farmed near the Sandagers, a law in 1919 requiring state residents to reg- participate in the but recently ister automobile titles with the state, presum- University of auctioned his ably the Secretary of State. Minnesota pro- entire herd of (M. KIBIGER) gram, Minnesota cattle. Agricultural While the Student Trainees. Sandagers are Continued from page 14 They assist with weighing op- Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family the cropping of tions for their Council. “It deals with the symptoms of the corn, soybeans, beef cow/calf problem, not the cause. We need to restore a and alfalfa in the supplier busi- culture of marriage. Children need two par- spring, ness, already ents — a mother and a father.” summer, and fall. they and others “A lot of red flags are raised by this report,” Most of the nearby are in- said Karen Effrem, a physician staying home Sandager farm is vesting in the to raise her children. “It promotes in District 21B business of pro- multiculturalism and politically correct think- and Rock County, where Rep. Richard cessing fuel alternatives for motor vehicle ing.” She said the programs advocated are Mulder (R-Ivanhoe) is the legislator. Some and other uses. based on false assumptions, are intrusive, and separate acreage is actually farmed in Gene Sandager is fully aware of the ef- are not what parents want. South Dakota. fect of the global economy in his far cor- Rep. Mary Jo McGuire (DFL-Falcon A few miles north of the farm, the past ner of southwestern Minnesota. He Heights) said, “I don’t see these as programs, is ever present in Blue Mounds State Park, therefore is a major advocate among his I see them as opportunities. This is the di- where buffalo still roam amongst natural peers to get them more involved in the leg- rection we ought to be heading in if we want prairie resources. Also located here is a islative process, for herein lies one likely a good future for our kids.” more than 100-foot-high rock outcrop- solution to their well-being. Steve Young, president of the Minnesota ping of reddish-gray quartzite — the As for the future, Sandager notes that Min- Public Policy Forum, said the 42 members highest point in the area. nesotans — urban and rural — should ap- of the commission “focused on approaches The “mound” as it is known locally, is a preciate living in the state, should have a voice and values that reflect deep commonalties in leftover from the Cretaceous Period when in legislative policy, and should have the fore- human experience.” glaciers formed the Minnesota landscape. sight to be a step ahead of others locally, na- “I don’t always agree with Don Fraser, but It extends for more than two miles to the tionally, and internationally. we agree on this,” Young said. “These are rec- north and west, then drops off sharply on Good advice, for the past may be pre- ommendations we as Americans can come the south and east of the formation. served, the present beneficial, and the fu- together on.” In this small corner of the world, a con- ture may be worthwhile for everyone. In recognition of the complexity of the plan, tinued benefit for Minnesota residents will —LECLAIR GRIER LAMBERT commissioners agreed on a five-year action depend on work in the Legislature to help plan for “coalition building, grassroots orga- nizing, and ‘social marketing’” for implement- ing the recommendations.

Session Weekly 31 MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155-1298

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: STEVE SVIGGUM MAJORITY LEADER: TIM PAWLENTY MINORITY LEADER: THOMAS W. PUGH

INNESOTA M INDEX FOR MORE INFORMATION Minnesota vs. Top States in Education Minnesotans between ages 18 and 24 with a high school diploma or For general information, call: House Information Office equivalent, as percent ...... 90 (651) 296-2146 or Percentage for top ranking states ...... 93 1-800-657-3550 Minnesota ninth- through 12th-graders taking at least one upper level math course, as percent ...... 38 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: Top states...... 59 Chief Clerk’s Office Minnesota ninth- through 12th-graders taking at least one upper level science (651) 296-2314 course, as percent ...... 23 Top states...... 37 To find out about bill introductions or Scores in the top 20 percent nationally on SAT/ACT college entrance exams the status of a specific bill, call: per 1,000 high school graduates, in Minnesota ...... 189 House Index Office (651) 296-6646 Top states...... 192 Percentage of Minnesota high school freshman enrolling in college within For an up-to-date recorded message four years in any state ...... 46 giving committee meeting times and Top states...... 54 agendas, call: Percent of family income in Minnesota needed to pay for college expenses at a Committee Hotline community college minus financial aid ...... 19 (651) 296-9283 Top states...... 17 Expenses, minus financial aid, at a four-year public institution in Minnesota, as percentage of family income ...... 20 The House of Representatives can be reached on the World Wide Web at: Top states...... 19 http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us Expenses, minus financial aid, at a four-year private institution in Minnesota, as percentage of family income ...... 52 Top states...... 30 Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. Share of income that poorest families need to pay for tuition at lowest priced To ask questions or leave messages, colleges, in Minnesota, as percent ...... 19 call: Top states...... 9 TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or Average loan amount that Minnesota students borrow each year ...... $3,168 1-800-657-3550 Top states...... $3,094 First-time, full-time Minnesota students completing a bachelor’s degree within Check your local listings to watch five years, as percent ...... 50 House committee and floor sessions Top states...... 66 on TV. Certificates, degrees and diplomas awarded at all Minnesota colleges and universities per 100 undergraduate students ...... 19 Top states...... 20

This document can be made available in alternative Note: many averages are weighted. formats to individuals with disabilities by calling Source: Measuring Up 2000: The State-by-State Report Card For Higher Education. The entire report (651) 296-2146 voice, (651) 296-9896 TTY, or is available at www.highereducation.org. (800) 657-3550 toll free voice and TTY.