SESSION WEEKLY A NONPARTISAN PUBLICATION MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES VOLUME 24, NUMBER 4 • JANUARY 26, 2007

Click it or ticket Budget reactions Bills on the move

HF228- HF366 SESSION WEEKLY

Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. During the 2007-2008 Legislative Session, each issue reports House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and provides other information. No fee. To subscribe, contact: Minnesota House of Representatives contents Public Information Services 175 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. HIGHLIGHTS St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Budget • 5 Elections • 7 Local Government • 10 (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550 or the Minnesota Relay service at 711 or Business • 5 Environment • 7 Military • 11 (800) 627-3529 (TTY) Crime • 6 Health • 9 Retirement • 11 www.house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp Education • 6 Housing • 10 Taxes • 12

Director Barry LaGrave Editor/Assistant Director Lee Ann Schutz BILL INTRODUCTIONS (HF228-HF366) • 19-21 Assistant Editor Mike Cook Art & Production Coordinator FEATURES Paul Battaglia Writers First Reading: Members react to governor’s budget proposal • 3-4 Nick Busse, Craig Green, At Issue: Will there be enough in the coffers to pay the pensions? • 13 Stephen Harding, Sonja Hegman, Patty Ostberg, Mia Simpson At Issue: Bill calls for mandatory seat belt usage • 14 Chief Photographer Tom Olmscheid People: New members profiled: Bunn, Gottwalt, Madore, Murphy, Olin, Tillberry, Ward, Wollschlager • 15-18 Photographers Andrew VonBank, Sarah Stacke Resources: House and Senate members by district • 23 Staff Assistants Minnesota Index: Minnesota teachers • 24 Christy Novak, Joan Bosard

Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is published weekly during the legislative session by Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services, 175 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid at Minneapolis, Minn. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Session Weekly, House Public Information Services, 175 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298.

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content. On the cover: From left: Reps. Erik Paulsen, Dean Simpson, Kurt Zellers, Joe Mullery, Paul Marquart, Denise Dittrich, Diane Loeffler and Lyle Koenen listen to a presentation of the property tax portion of the governor’s budget proposal during a Jan. 24 joint hearing of the House Taxes Committee and its Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Tax Division. ­—Photo by: Tom Olmscheid FIRST READING

By Nick Busse Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled his budget proposal Jan. 22, calling for a record $34.4 billion in state spending over the next two years — a nearly $3 billion increase, with the bulk of the new money going to education, health care and tax relief.

Pawlenty’s proposal would take advantage of a projected $2.2 billion A bigger budget budget surplus to beef up spending without raising taxes. In addition, the governor said his budget would emphasize pay-for-performance initiatives Pawlenty calls for a $3 billion spending in key areas, especially education. “Minnesota should stop paying for good intentions and start paying for increase — but no new taxes better performance,” Pawlenty said. “We want to measure the results; we want to measure not just how much we’re spending, but what are we getting for it.” In brief, Pawlenty’s plan would provide an extra $714 million for K-12 education, $414 million for higher education, $281 million for tax relief, $274 million for health care reforms, $213 million for new investments in technology, and $40 million for the governor’s “Next Generation Energy Plan,” which focuses on renewable energy sources. Also included is a $75 million veterans and military package that would exempt military pay and pensions from the state income tax, and also provide new education benefits and funding for veterans’ programs.

Cautious reaction Reaction to the governor’s recommendations by the new DFL majority in the House has been cautious for the most part, with House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls) praising his proposals as “a good starting point,” but also making it clear that Democrats disagree with the governor on a number of key issues. “We were disappointed that there’s no plan to implement an all-day, every day kindergarten. … There’s no plan in this budget for covering all Minnesota children with health care, nor is there really leadership on the transportation issue,” Kelliher said. House Republicans, meanwhile, offered their own critical take on Pawlenty’s budget proposals. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) called for more tax relief and less spending, asking the governor to “put the taxpayer first.” What follows are select highlights of the governor’s Fiscal Year 2008-09 budget recommendations and policy initiatives, along with some responses from House leadership and committee chairs.

K-12 education In the K-12 arena, Pawlenty’s budget recommendations focus on pay-for- performance incentives. In addition to a one-time, 2 percent per year basic revenue increase for all schools, the governor’s “Successful Schools” initiative would give an extra 2 percent per year to schools that achieve a three-star rating or better in reading or math on their state school report cards. Other initiatives include expanded funding for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, expansion of the Q-Comp performance pay for educators program, and $75 million for the governor’s “3R” (rigor, relevance and results) high schools program, in which participating schools would agree to provide students access to college-level courses and work internships. photo by tom olmscheid DFL leaders expressed skepticism about the governor’s overall approach to Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his proposed budget at the education funding. Department of Revenue Jan. 22 . First Reading continued on page 4

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly  First Reading continued from page 3 FY 2008-09 General Fund Budget “What I heard in the governor’s State of the Spending by Area State speech last week was a commitment to put more money into education and into funding our classrooms,” said House Majority Leader State Government (1.9%) Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm). “So far, what Military & Veterans A airs (.2%) Debt Service & Other (2.9%) I’ve seen in [the governor’s budget], the numbers don’t add up to what he said last week.” Health & Human Services (27.7%) K-12 Education (39.9%) Early childhood For early childhood education, Pawlenty proposes a $28.9 million scholarship program to provide “at-risk” pre-kindergarteners the opportunity to attend approved early childhood programs, as well as an additional $9 million to help improve early childhood Public Safety (5.4%) education quality. Transportation (1.0%) Higher education Economic Development (1.1%) The governor’s budget adds $153 million in Environment & Agriculture (1.4%) new funding for the University of Minnesota, Property Tax Aids/Credits (9.2%) Higher Education (9.3%) primarily for research purposes. Funding for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Source: Department of Finance System could increase by $123 million. In Democrats. Pawlenty proposes a property also indicated that her committee would addition, both the university and MnSCU tax cap on cities and counties that receive carefully scrutinize the governor’s proposal. could be eligible for an additional $25 million more than a third of their total general fund Other tax cuts recommended in Pawlenty’s each, providing that they achieve certain revenues from the state; also, for cities with budget include targeted income tax relief for “performance measurements.” populations greater than 100,000, he proposes veterans, educators, college students and those Pawlenty’s proposed budget would also that any new local government aid money be without access to employer-provided health create two new financial aid programs: the used for public safety purposes. insurance; as well as targeted business tax so-called “Minnesota GI Bill,” which would “We’ve heard the concern about public exemptions designed to increase job growth provide up to $2,000 per year in postsecondary safety being such a priority, and they always in the state. education benefits to eligible veterans and entangle the [local government assistance] their dependents; and ACHIEVE II, which debate with, ‘Well, we can’t do what we want would grant scholarships to certain high Health and human services to do in public safety because we’re not getting school students who take rigorous courses. Noting that the state’s health and human more LGA money,’” Pawlenty said. “Well, Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia), services spending is set to increase by more now we’re giving them LGA money, and we’re chairman of the Higher Education and Work than $1 billion this biennium “on autopilot,” challenging them to put it where they said it Force Development Policy and Finance Pawlenty urged lawmakers to “get some was most important.” Division of the House Finance Committee, reasonable control” over that portion of the Although she stopped short of discussing said he is pleased that the governor is proposing budget. the individual provisions of the governor’s new money for higher education, but warned “The appetite and growth in this area is budget, Kelliher said that House Democrats that “whether or not that money ends up in going to have severe implications for the state “certainly will have some other ways to this budget where the governor proposed, it 10 or 15 years out if we don’t get some better put together a property tax package for is a different story altogether.” He added that control over it,” Pawlenty said. Minnesotans.” he would like to see more money set aside for Nevertheless, the governor’s Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington), keeping down tuition rates. recommendations include a number of new chairwoman of the House Taxes Committee, initiatives, encompassing such diverse issues as Taxes health care access, flu pandemic preparedness, mental health and the implementation of Property tax relief, one of the main issues in This article highlights only a few key items of electronic medical record systems. last year’s election, is addressed in the governor’s Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget recommendations One of the governor’s key recommendations budget recommendations with a $150 million for Fiscal Year 2008-09. A full summary, as well as a press release and PowerPoint presentation, — a proposal to modernize and expand package that would grant homestead market can be found on the Minnesota Department of MinnesotaCare and extend health coverage value credits, increase local government aid Finance Web site at http://www.finance.state. to 13,000 additional children in the state and the state’s share of public school operating mn.us. Streaming video of the governor’s press — is already drawing criticism from levies, and distribute property tax refunds. conference and the responses by DFL legisla- House Democrats. Rep. Thomas Huntley The local government aid portion of tive leaders and Republican Senate leaders can the package is likely to become a point be found through the Minnesota Senate Web site at http://www.senate.mn. of contention between Republicans and Budget continued on page 22

 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 HIGHLIGHTS January 18 - 25, 2007

creating endowments for scholarships to help Editor’s note: The following Highlights are bring down the cost of higher education. Committees take to the road coverage of select bills heard in House com- The House Ways and Means Committee, mittees held Jan. 18-25 and other House which is responsible for setting spending tar- activity. To track the progress of a bill, go to gets in the House, is scheduled to hold a meet- www.leg.state.mn and click Bill Search, Status Business ing in Isanti, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at Spectacular and MyBills. Celebrations, 1001 County Road 5 NE. A joint meeting of the House E-12 Education Small pharm, big issues Committee and the K-12 Division of the House Laws and regulations aimed at corralling Finance Committee is scheduled for 7 p.m., Budget big pharmaceutical companies could hurt Jan. 30, at the Glover-Suddeth Center, 2100 smaller ones, representatives of a local Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis. Alternative budgeting biopharmaceutical company told a House Minnesotans are willing to pay about $16.50 committee. for every $100 in their pocket for state and Ray Frost, director of government relations to-consumer) drug advertising legislation as local government spending. This amount has for MGI Pharma, a Minnesota-based three examples of policy initiatives that are not varied much over time. biopharmaceutical business, said that because hurtful to small pharmaceutical companies. “Call it a citizen’s fiscal thermostat on the of negative perceptions of the pharmaceutical David Melin, MGI Pharma’s senior director price of government,” Peter Hutchinson, industry as a whole, recent state and federal for corporate and government affairs, said former finance commissioner and legislation has hurt smaller pharmaceutical small pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical gubernatorial candidate, told the House companies that tend to focus on treatments companies face inherent challenges in terms Ways and Means Committee on Jan. 22. If the for less common, less profitable diseases. of achieving profitability. MGI Pharma started price of government goes too far above that “Republicans and Democrats — it’s not in 1979 as a “spin off” of research begun at mark, people start demanding cuts, he said. a partisan issue — have come across many the University of Minnesota, is only now “on If it goes too low, Minnesotans look for more policy initiatives in recent years … many of the cusp” of becoming a profitable company government spending. which have been hurtful or have had adverse after 27 years of research and development, For example, in 2000 the so-called “set effects more to the smaller companies,” Frost he said. point” was $17, and “we were actively looking told members of the House Biosciences and According to Melin, the company has for ways to reduce the price of government,” Emerging Technology Committee, which took successfully developed and marketed a he said. Then the “set point” dropped to no action. number of drugs that treat conditions $15.40, before rising to $16.50 in 2006 due Testifying Jan. 23, Frost mentioned peripheral to cancer, but it has not yet become to increased fees, tuition and property taxes. additional regulations on clinical trials, profitable because its products are oriented Hutchinson said that Minnesota might be the legislation restricting sales and marketing towards small groups of patients. only state to track the price of government techniques. He proposed anti-DTC (direct- “The drugs that we’re developing — many from the perspective of “set point.” A report is available at: www.budget.state.mn.us/budget/ Spreading the word summary/pog/070109_pog.pdf. Hutchinson challenged legislators to view budgeting by taking into consideration the “set point,” and all taxpayer revenue the state receives, including federal money, before defining how best to leverage the funds to produce better results. He said the current budgeting challenge is the reality that the rising cost of health care to government affects its ability to increase funding on other priorities. His research shows that while the price of government has stayed stable, the cost of health care has tripled. The projected $2.2 billion surplus puts lawmakers in a unique position to make policy decisions that could have a long-term effect on the state, Hutchinson said. photo by sarah stacke He reminded legislators that the surplus Susan Noll of St. Paul works independently in the Capitol Rotunda to “spread the word” locally is one-time money, and should be used to about two bills that are currently before Congress. The bills, designed to expand lobbying create an asset that will deliver over time, he regulation, would affect groups and individuals that encourage the public involvement by said. His suggestions include paying down classifying them as “grassroots lobbying firms.” The new classification would require indi- outstanding highway debt, changing our viduals to register as lobbyists, and they would be subject to penalties for not complying with health care system so it costs less later and requirements.

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly  of them are orphan drugs, smaller disease also have several specialized units, including said it was good background information. states — but they have an impact on patient domestic assault, sex offender and juvenile “By 2010, 90 percent of engineers and lives, and that’s really what our focus is,” supervision. scientists in the world will be living in Asia,” Melin said. said Bill Linder, executive director of the ADC Among the laws that Frost said hinder his Foundation business: a recently enacted Minnesota statute Sentence fits the crime Asian countries are closing the technology that forbids drug companies from spending An underlying goal to an offender’s sentence gap and children there have a different focus more than $49.99 per year to pay for meals is to ensure that no Minnesotan will again be than American children. “In China, Bill Gates or other accommodations for a given doctor, victimized by the felon. is Britney Spears; in America, Britney Spears nurse or other health care practitioner. “All sentencing in Minnesota is supposed to is Britney Spears,” he said. protect public safety,” Isabel Gomez told the A student’s high school education in Public Safety Division of the House Finance the areas of science, math and technology Crime Committee Jan. 23. The committee took no engineering is more predictive of success than action. family income or race, he said, adding that Gomez, executive director of the Minnesota the strongest predictor of college completion Preparing for release Sentencing Guidelines Commission, said that is the highest level of math completed in high Statistics show that most crimes are since 1980 the commission has maintained school. committed by people who have previously a database that keeps track of every element Nancy Nutting, executive director of spent time in jail. of every felony conviction in the state. SciMathMN added that completing math The best safeguard against this is a re-entry This bank of information allows courts to beyond advanced algebra more than doubles and supervised release system, said Rep. Joe determine an appropriate sentence for an the chance that a student entering college Mullery (DFL-Mpls), chairman of the House offender based on two factors: the offender’s will complete a degree. SciMathMN is a non- Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee. criminal background and the seriousness of profit organization that collaborates with K-12 At a Jan. 23 hearing, Gary Johnson, director the crime. education, higher education and business of re-entry services for the Department of In addition to being a “gold mine” of partners. Corrections, said that efforts to prepare material, Gomez said that governments She also said that a Michigan State University prisoners for re-entry into the outside world throughout the world want to examine and study found that 51 percent of eighth-graders begin as soon as they arrive at the state learn how they can implement a similar could not solve a normal fraction problem. facilities. Along with orientation, several system. Additionally, she said the system and Rep. Lynn Wardlow (R-Eagan), a retired services are provided, including helping the data are invaluable tools for Minnesota to math teacher, said that his students had to grab obtain personal identification, resolving analyze how to spend its resources. a calculator to figure out how much 16 x 12 is. outstanding warrants and handling child Rep. Larry Haws (DFL-St. Cloud) pointed “I’ve been toying with the idea of writing support issues. out that state funding has decreased for legislation of banning calculators in the This “continuum of support” may even county jails, where many short-term felons continue once they have left correctional are housed, while the cost of running the jails supervision, he said. continues to rise. “I think it’s a wonderful Timothy Lanz, re-entry program manager, program that relieves the state of a burden,” said the department also addresses alcohol Haws said. “I just think that the state ought and drug abuse, and medical conditions. to pay better than $9 on a $60 bill. Or at least Ninety percent of those who enter the prison say ‘Thank you.’” system have alcohol and/or drug abuse Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder) problems. That is where the problem lies. spoke about the continuing need for adequate “The reality is we have finite resources funding for public safety projects. within the department. We try to prioritize He said that members, while thinking about treatment and deliver it to as many as we can,” comprehensive health care coverage, don’t Lanz said. show much concern about the cost. However, “I find it ironic that the government has when it comes to prisons, where there are also treated these addictions as criminal justice heath care concerns, cost becomes a factor. issues. Yet when we get these people in the criminal justice system, we start to define the addiction as more of a health issue,” said Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover). Education Working together with Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL-St. Paul), chairman of the Public Safety More math needed Division of the House Finance Committee, American children are falling behind their Mullery said he is committed to finding counterparts around the world — not in a photo by sarah stacke solutions. The committee took no action. foot race, but in a race for math and science Arthur Reynolds, a professor at the University of Craig Vos, program manager for Hennepin proficiency. Minnesota Institute of Child Development, and County Community Corrections, said that on Science, math and technology were the Darlyne Bailey, dean of the university’s College a given day, the county provides services to focus of a presentation before the Jan. 18 of Education and Human Development, testify at more than 40,000 clients, 85 percent of which House E-12 Education Committee. the Jan. 18 meeting of the Early Childhood Learn- ing Division of the House Finance Committee. are adults. Because of the size of county, they The committee took no action, but members

 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 classroom until the sixth grade,” he said, while that improves teaching and learning, proper Finlayson), HF160 would allow unused acknowledging that it probably would never funding for schools and mandates, services for appropriations designated for specific HAVA pass. special education students, and making global purposes to be transferred to other HAVA “Calculators should be a tool, not a citizenship a core academic subject. purposes. Previous allocation amounts are substitute for learning, I hope you don’t write Extending the length of the school year is defined in statute for detailed purposes, said that legislation,” Nutting said. also part of the plan. Hilty. “We live in an information age with school For example, $120,000 that was designated based on an agrarian calendar. Minnesota’s to process election complaints received by the Minnesota’s Promise average number of school days is 172; China’s office that went unused could be transferred More than two dozen past and present is 230,” Leedom said. for the purpose of maintaining the Statewide superintendents from around the state want According to the report, “Minnesota is the Voter Registration System and to develop the to take Minnesota education from being one only state with neither a minimum number of capacity to handle registration and election of the best in the nation to being one of the days nor a minimum number of instructional transactions at the polling place. best in the world. hours.” It also indicates the majority of other The $1.1 million allocated for maintaining “Minnesota’s Promise,” the product of their U.S. states require 180 days for students. the system has been used entirely, and combined efforts, lays out the plan to improve the A 45-15 calendar would be implemented implementing the bill would allow funds to state’s education.“The U.S. has an achievement with 45 days of school followed by 15 days of be placed in needed areas, said Beth Fraser, gap compared with the rest of the world among vacation. Proponents say that long summer director of governmental affairs for the office. the developed nations,” Kathy Leedom, Willmar vacations translate into lost information and The funds are to be used by the end of June Public Schools superintendent, told the House teachers must review material from the year this year, she added. E-12 Education Committee Jan. 23. “U.S. before at the beginning of the next school There was no opposition to the bill, which 15 year olds ranked 24th out of 29 (countries) year. now goes to the House Finance Committee. in math, 24th out of 29 in problem-solving and A Senate companion, SF103, sponsored by 15th out of 29 in reading.” Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), awaits action Shortages in numbers of doctors, nurses, Elections by the Senate Finance Committee. pharmacists and clinical laboratory scientists are a chronic problem in Minnesota, and high- tech industry demands for new workers will Transfer of monies Environment not be met at our current pace, she said. With The Office of the Secretary of State would “Minnesota’s Promise” rigorous standards, be able to reallocate federal Help America these gaps in employment would be closed. Vote Act (HAVA) appropriations, under a bill Contamination concerns To ensure the world-class system, the plan approved Jan. 24 by the House Governmental A recent water contamination scare proposes rigorous education that will lead to Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections dominated discussion during the Housing higher education, investing in pre-kindergarten, Committee. Policy and Finance and Public Health supporting educators, data and research Sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL- Division of the House Finance Committee Jan. 23, four days after a Department of Health press release reported that low levels of a toxin had been detected in city wells in several communities south and east of St. Paul. John Stine, director of the department’s Environmental Health Division, who is mediating the issue, told committee members that there were “no acute health risks” related to the toxin, known as perfluorobutanoic acid, or PFBA. Representatives were not assuaged, however, and challenged Stine about the department’s assessment of the situation and recommendations to the public. “For the Department of Health to come and say, ‘Well, you know, residents, if you caught this press release and you saw it on the news, you may want to take steps to drink bottled water’ … Do you understand my frustration?” said Sen. Katie Sieben (DFL-Newport), who worried how the chemicals may affect young children and pregnant women. The release did not strongly advise anyone photo by tom olmscheid to limit their intake of public water. Roger Giroux, second from right, superintendent of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, presents PFBA is a cousin of two compounds — a portion of the “Minnesota’s Promise” education report to the House E-12 Education Committee PFOA and PFOS — previously found in water Jan. 23. Other testifiers included,from left, Charlie Kyte executive director of Minnesota Association sources in Oakdale and Lake Elmo. PFOA and of School Administrators, Kathy Leedom, Willmar Public Schools superintendent, and Kent Pekel, PFOS, which have been found to affect liver executive director of the Consortium for Post-Secondary Academic Success.

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly  and thyroid functions in laboratory rats, are more toxic and reside in the body longer than Grave protection PFBA, according to Stine, although he said too little information is known to say definitely how PFBA affects humans. According to the press release, the toxins are believed to derive from waste dumped by the 3M Company, which manufactures a number of popular cleaning and office supply products. Several disposal sites and a chemical plant are located throughout the contaminated area. Committee members also complained about the department’s reliance on 3M for testing information on PFBA toxicity, and its reputed poor communication with several affected communities. “All that you mentioned was 3M-based research and effort on that,” said Rep. Julie Bunn (DFL-Lake Elmo). “Obviously, while we have a lot of admiration for 3M’s efforts, given they are the source as well for these pollutants, I would think we would have to have third parties doing this biomedical research going forward.”

Minnesota Forest Legacy easement photo by sarah stacke In an effort to stop the fragmentation Jim Jones, cultural director of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, of forest land, the Department of Natural explains the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to the Minnesota Heritage Division of the House Finance Committee Resources has the opportunity to buy the Jan. 22. Annamarie Hill, executive director of the council, is seated development rights of 51,000 acres. next to Jones. The estimated cost of the land, located in and adjacent to the George Washington State Forest in northern Itasca County and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and Forest Relief for timber industry the Koochiching State Forest in southern Capital Partners, a real estate company, A bill approved by a House division aims to Koochiching County, is $15 million. signed the agreement. Once completed, the bring some much-needed relief to Minnesota’s DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten and agreement — called a conservation easement troubled timber industry. Tom Landwehr, assistant state director of — will prevent development, provide public HF299, sponsored by Rep. David Dill (DFL- The Nature Conservancy, presented this access and ensure continued sustainable forest Crane Lake), would allow for the renegotiation opportunity to the Capital Investment management to provide raw materials, natural of timber contracts by the Department of Division of the House Finance Committee resource protection and jobs for the area’s Natural Resources — a move Dill said would Jan. 23. resource-based economy. help stem a recent tide of layoffs and economic The Minnesota Forest Legacy Partnership In addition to the state bonding money, stagnation in the industry. received $7 million in bonding receipts from Holsten said the partnership secured another “The bill before you today is in response to the Legislature last year, but Holsten said the $12 million — $6 million from The Blandin the precipitous decline in the timber market,” proposal he presented then has significantly Foundation and a $6 million match from private Dill told members of the division, which he changed. foundations. He anticipated $2 million from chairs. “We aren’t looking for any money this year the Federal Forest Legacy Program, but didn’t Dill explained that plummeting timber or any new language,” he said. receive the money because the partnership prices have caused companies that have Not anticipating the 51,000 acres to come up couldn’t guarantee there would be no mining logging contracts with the DNR to halt logging when they did, Holsten said the department on the land. The state is constitutionally operations in hopes of a future upturn in the anticipated using the bonding dollars for obligated to manage the mineral rights for land market. That, in turn, has caused hundreds several projects over the next two years. in the School Trust Fund. of layoffs and “spin-off layoffs” in peripheral Instead, the money will be used to purchase “We are evaluating other opportunities that industries, as well as decreasing revenues to the 51,000 acres. are available,” Holsten said. “We can make the the state and to local governments, which According to its Web site, the partnership $15 million target. We just wanted to tell you depend on income provided by the logging “has established a three-year, $26 million goal to it’s not quite the deal we told you it was going contracts. conserve these forests … around Itasca County, to be.” In essence, the bill would grant Gov. Tim one of the areas hardest hit by changes in the Pawlenty’s Executive Council permission to forest products industry.” Once purchased, the instruct the DNR to renegotiate the contracts, lands are to be transferred to the DNR. which were made at a time when timber prices

 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 were at an all-time high, to reflect the current Health timber prices. Dill said this would provide a “safety net” so that if a similar crisis happens in the future, the industry would not have to Mental health issues to the forefront wait for the Legislature to convene to receive Called a “history-making committee” help. by one of its members, the Mental Health “If we do give the executive council the Division of the House Health and Human authority to do this in the future, should Services Committee convened for the first this come up in the [legislative] interim, as it time Jan. 19. did this time, we can react to it a little more “I’m happy that the speaker has made mental readily,” Dill said. health a division,” said Rep. Neva Walker A few committee members expressed (DFL-Mpls), the division’s chairwoman. reservations about granting the governor’s She promised a broad look at mental health council powers that traditionally belong to issues, and will likely hold hearings on how the Legislature. mental health specifically affects housing “This bill goes much too far,” said Rep. Tom and employment; suicide and mental health Hackbarth (R-Cedar), who added that he is illnesses and treatment; mental health system very supportive of the state’s loggers. weaknesses and case management work; and The bill was approved by the Game, Fish and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and victims Forestry Division of the House Environment of torture. and Natural Resources Committee. The bill “I think mental health is an issue almost now goes to the Environment and Natural everyone can relate to because, in one way or Resources Division of the House Finance another, it impacts our immediate families or Committee. It has no Senate companion. our extended families … and we have to start meeting it at the forefront,” Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. Joseph) said. Intersex fish photo by andrew vonbank Walker said she expects two “mega-bills” A new kind of water pollution that causes Heiko Schoenfuss, associate professor in the relating to mental health issues to be heard fish to acquire both male and female sexual Department of Biological Sciences at St. Cloud during this session, one from Rep. Mindy State University, presents testimony Jan. 23 to characteristics is prevalent in Minnesota’s the Environment and Natural Resources Division Greiling (DFL-Roseville) and the other from rivers and streams, an expert told a House of the House Finance Committee on endocrine Gov. Tim Pawlenty. division. disrupters and their effect on the Mississippi Heiko Schoenfuss, director of St. Cloud State River. University’s Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Prevention incentives likely enter the ecosystem via water treatment said that endocrine disrupters, also known A bill to limit health savings account tax plants, which typically are not equipped as “emerging contaminants,” negatively incentives to people whose high-deductible to eliminate the chemical compounds in impact the health of fish by disrupting their insurance plan includes preventative care was question, and which pump treated water back estrogen levels, causing male fish to exhibit approved by the House Health and Human into the environment. “intersex” — a combination of male and Services Committee Jan.23, and awaits action He said that because research on the female reproductive traits. on the House floor. It has no companion in phenomenon is difficult and still in its Schoenfuss, who added that intersex the Senate. early stages, the human health risks are not fish have not been reported as widely in Sponsored by Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL- completely known, but some of the pollutants Minnesota as in other U.S. states, Europe and Mpls), HF111 is intended to “save lives, while involved have previously been linked to Asia, presented his testimony Jan. 23 to the still controlling health care costs.” everything from low sperm density in men Environment and Natural Resources Division Health saving accounts currently enjoy a to developmental retardation and cancer. of the House Finance Committee, which took tax-free status with few restrictions, meaning To help stop proliferation of emerging no immediate action. money invested and interest incurred are not contaminants, Schoenfuss emphasized “Intersex is a condition that has really raised subject to state or federal taxes, and anyone actively promoting research, fostering some eyebrows, and we’re finding it more younger than 65 years old cannot be penalized communication between researchers and and more,” Schoenfuss said. “What you see for pulling funds as long as their use is health- agencies, and educating the public on the is truly an intersex structure, where you have related. proper disposal of pharmaceuticals and other both male sperm and female eggs in the same Loeffler’s bill would impose a condition that household items. structure. Obviously, that’s something that we an individual must purchase preventative care Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls), don’t necessarily consider advantageous.” coverage, which could include screening for chairwoman of the division, called The culprits, chemical pollutants that derive cancer, heart and vascular disease, infectious Schoenfuss’s testimony “very sobering.” from such everyday items as pharmaceuticals, diseases and mental health and substance antimicrobial soaps, pesticides, fragrances abuse, with their health insurance to be eligible for a tax-free health savings account. and perfluorochemicals, have been found in a If you have Internet access, visit the Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) proposed an number of “hot spots” in places like Bemidji, Legislature’s Web page at: amendment to strike a clause from the bill. Grand Rapids and St. Cloud, Schoenfuss http://www.leg.mn explained. The change, which didn’t pass, absolved those Schoenfuss said many of the pollutants most purchasing high-deductible insurance plans

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly  they are penalized through funding. Penalties could cost the program $13 million a year, and could increase if the state does not meet the work participation rate.

Housing

Information not for sale Homebuyers would have assurance that their mortgage information would not be sold to third parties, under a bill approved Jan. 23 by the House Commerce and Labor Committee. Sponsored by Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove), HF211 would prohibit the sale of information obtained from credit reporting agencies and mortgage lenders to a third party. The change would not apply to information provided by the mortgage originator or servicer to a third party when the third party has been retained to perform a service photo by andrew vonbank in connection with the origination or the As Rep. Diane Loeffler, the bill’s sponsor, listens, John Tyler, president of Health Savings Account Inc., mortgage loan. testifies Jan 23 before the House Health and Human Services Committee in opposition to a bill that Zellers said the issue arose in his own would promote preventive health care by requiring high-deductible health plans used with a health savings account to cover preventive care with no deductible, as permitted by federal law. family when he received a letter from another mortgage company detailing his house from including preventative care coverage not guaranteed to work. payments, albeit with a fake account number, without paying deductibles, co-payments or The federal government has required that and attempting to lure him from his current cost-sharing measures. 50 percent of people receiving federal welfare mortgage provider. Zellers said the only Loeffler argued removing that language dollars through the state are to be employed. information needed from him to refinance, would have rendered the bill meaningless. However, Congress, in an effort to reduce according to the letter, was his signature. Emmer argued leaving it as written made the deficit, redefined work activities and Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls) raised the the legislation “a mandate, and mandates monitoring systems, therefore making it more issue of receiving junk mail from affiliates typically limit options.” difficult for the state to reach the 50 percent of a person’s mortgage lender. Consumer John Tyler, a licensed insurance agent and rate. reporting agencies or any other business president of Health Savings Account Inc., said Previously, a state could reduce its obligation entity would still be able to give information that the addition of preventive care coverage by factoring in the difference in the number to affiliates, under the legislation. could increase premiums. of people receiving MFIP since 1996. Major The bill, which has no Senate companion, “There is a segment of the marketplace that welfare reform took place in the mid-1990s, now goes to the House Public Safety and Civil is extremely premium sensitive,” he said. “The which permitted Minnesota to deduct a heavy Justice Committee. reason they don’t purchase (preventative care), percentage. Congress reset the year to 2005, is because they are on the fence about whether making it more difficult for states to meet the they can afford the premium, period.” threshold. It also narrowed the definition of Local Government “work activities.” Johnson covered six proposals that expand Work rules change how work is defined statewide, re-navigates Study a new municipality Chuck Johnson, director of Children and federal funds to a portion of the state’s Northeastern Minnesota may get a new Family Services in the Department of Human approximately 40,000 MFIP recipients or municipality. Services, told the Health Care and Human impose tougher sanctions on those who do Approved Jan. 24 by the House Local Services Division of the House Finance not meet work requirements. The agency Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee Jan. 24 that new federal mandates proposes to add two employees to handle the Committee, HF119 proposes the creation for Minnesota Family Investment Program new monitoring process, as well. of a 15-member committee to study and (MFIP) clients’ work obligations are forcing Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls) worries that recommend to the Legislature whether to the agency to revamp its program support. additional responsibilities may also burden establish a “South St. Louis Municipality.” “We really don’t know where we’re starting county staff, who currently administrate most The new municipality would be within the from because the regulations are new, and we MFIP services. area of the Western Lake Superior Sanitary only have our history to work from,” Johnson The agency expects the cost to total about District, and include an area roughly 500 said. $1.4 million in 2008, when the policies would square miles around Duluth and several In other words, the proposal, which will be be implemented. surrounding cities and townships, such as introduced as legislation later this session, is If states do not meet federal requirements, Carlton, Cloquet, Hermantown and Proctor. Rep. Mike Jaros (DFL-Duluth), the bill’s

10 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 sponsor, said the new municipality could would support the proposal with more on- “eliminate duplication of public services and campus veterans assistance offices. Figures show reduce costs.” that 30 percent of veterans entering college drop Though committee members understood out during the first year of school, Dyrud said. the bill’s purpose, some questioned whether To help veterans, especially those who had been it is necessary. in combat, succeed in school, the number of Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead) spoke offices would increase from six to 18. of how local communities have gathered to The budget would also fund county share resources and reduce redundancies, veterans service offices. and how that might be appropriate in this While all 87 counties provide this service, it situation. was an unfunded state mandate until $200,000 Echoing this sentiment and stressing that was budgeted last year. Dyrud proposes it is a local matter, Rep. Mary Liz Holberg $3.3 million for the upcoming biennium. (R-Lakeville) said, “I think you can do this He said returning veterans largely “trickle in without legislation.” unnoticed,” and his proposal would expand Lanning asked Jaros if there are any resolutions services to help combat veterans reintegrate or statements from the local communities and make them aware of veteran programs supporting the bill, because without them, “The and services. state is telling them what to do.” The expanded programming proposals Jaros said the bill is not intended to force raised a concern with Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL- anyone to do anything, but simply asking that Willmar), chairman of the committee. the local communities discuss whether the “We want to make sure, as we move municipality plan is a good idea. forward, that the budget not only addresses The bill, which has no Senate companion, programming, but staffing needs. We don’t next goes to the House Governmental want things to fall through the cracks because photo by tom olmscheid Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections there aren’t enough bodies,” he said. James Grathwol, center, director of government Committee. relations for the Minneapolis Public Schools, holds a graph showing the effect of property Retirement taxes and school funding for the district. Scott Croonquist, left, executive director of the Asso- Military ciation of Metropolitan School Districts, and Brad Duluth retiree benefits Lundell, right, executive director of Schools for Veterans issues seen as priority A bill that attempts to curb the impending Equity in Education, also testified on education and property tax issues during a Jan. 19 meeting The nearly 3,000 Minnesota military $300 million health care liability for retired of the Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Tax personnel currently seeing active duty Duluth city employees was approved Jan. 24 by Division of the House Taxes Committee. represent more than 580 communities. the House Governmental Operations, Reform, When the troops return, likely in August, Technology and Elections Committee. Rep. Neil W. Peterson (R-Bloomington) it will be the greatest contingent of returning Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL- asked if the move would be create a state veterans, en masse, in the state’s history. Clark Duluth), HF163 would allow the Public fiduciary responsibility through PERA. Dyrud, commissioner of the Department of Employees Retirement Association (PERA) PERA Executive Director Mary Most Vanek Veterans Affairs, wants to make sure that to establish an irrevocable fund for the city said the legislation allows the organization to each receives the benefits to which she or he to help pay for post-employment benefits simply be “a record keeper” by establishing is entitled. promised to retirees. The Minnesota State rules and procedures for irrevocable accounts. Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget proposal to Board of Investment would invest money for “We don’t view this as us being liable for substantially increase funding for veterans the fund with earnings credited to the city. benefits to be paid out of the Duluth account,” services will help meet these needs, Dyrud The investment board could do a much she added. told the Agriculture, Rural Economies and better job of investment returns than the city The bill addresses only the city of Duluth, and Veterans Affairs Division of the House on its own, Huntley said. not others that are in the same predicament. Finance Committee Jan. 23. The bill, which now goes to the House Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr. (DFL-Winona), the He said that only about 50 percent of Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs committee chairman, said the committee will veterans apply for the benefits they have Committee, comes on the heels of a Jan. 22 revisit the issue, but should allow the Duluth coming; therefore, several outreach programs report issued by the Office of the Legislative bill to move forward setting a precedent. are proposed, along with expanded benefits. Auditor that expresses serious concerns A companion bill, SF60, sponsored by The cornerstone of the governor’s veterans with post-employment benefits by local Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), support package is the Minnesota GI Bill jurisdictions that are not adequately funded. awaits action in the Senate State and Local for Veterans, which would supplement the In 1983, the state auditor told Duluth Government Operations and Oversight federal GI Bill by providing eligible veterans city officials to be more thorough in their Committee. and dependents up to $1,000 per semester to a accounting practices after learning employees total of $10,000 for up to five years for higher were retiring with large amounts of sick leave education. time. Negotiations with the unions resulted While this package is proposed in the higher in free health care for retirees in exchange for education slice of the budget, the department giving up the sick leave, Huntley said.

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly 11 Taxes Employer education break Employers whose pocketbook helps employees further their education could get NOTES

Spending government aid a tax break. Heritage celebration Telling cities how to spend their local Sponsored by Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls), Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn government aid was just one of many things HF40 would provide a state income tax credit Park) was sporting a green, white and legislators took issue with during a joint tax for employers who help pay undergraduate red button during the Jan. 18 meeting of committee meeting Jan. 24. tuition and fees for specific employees. the Higher Education and Work Force “How do you justify this precedent of Approved Jan. 18 by the Higher Education Development Policy and Division of the telling cities how to spend their LGA?” Work Force Development Policy and Division House Finance Committee. Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL-St. Paul) asked of the House Finance Committee, the bill next “Nice button, Rep. Hortman,” said Rep. Revenue Commissioner Ward Einess during goes to the committee’s Education Finance Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia), the division a gathering of the House Taxes Committee and Economic Competitiveness Finance chairman. and its Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Division. “I thought it was [kiss] up to the chair day,” Tax Division. “We all have an interest in improving the Hortman responded. A provision in Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget educational attainment of all Minnesotans, “Members, notice our Italian flag there,” proposal states that cities with more than including older folks and people who are said Rukavina. “[House Majority Leader 100,000 — only Minneapolis and St. Paul not traditional students, people who went Tony] Sertich, [Sen. David] Tomassoni and I — residents would have to use increases in to work right after high school and want to are all of Italian heritage.” He explained that LGA funding for public safety. pursue a higher education later,” Thissen said. years ago Tomassoni had the buttons made up. “It seems clear to me that this is a political “Employers have an interest in that because “It was one good idea that Sen. Tomassoni has poke in the eye by the governor,” Paymar said. it makes employees more productive, and had. Those were our buttons, and they became “I just think you’re setting a bad precedent employees have an obvious interest in improving collector’s items.” here. It’s very transparent here to see what you their wages and educational attainment. But as “I think he was also the one who told me, or he is doing.” a state, we do too because the more productive ‘Stick with the rangers and you’re never in Einess said the idea of dedicating the funds our folks are, the better off all of us are.” danger,’” responded Hortman. “For new to public safety came from a bill sponsored by To qualify for the credit, the employee members, you might want to adopt that as Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls) that said LGA would need to work at least 30 hours per week your motto.” should be dedicated to safety in cities with and earn less than $20 per hour. more than 100,000 residents. The credit against state individual or “That is totally false,” Mullery said. corporate income taxes would maximize During that same meeting, talk turned to He added that in his bill it said a separate pot at 30 percent of the permissible costs, to a landlords who don’t properly maintain living of money would go to the anti-crime efforts. maximum of $2,000 per employee per year. quarters they rent to students. “It was never my intention to have LGA be The original hourly pay rate would have “I know that Rep. (Al) Juhnke and I were dedicated to anything,” he said. “It was never been less than $12, but the amount was without heat in our apartment, and it was intended that way and was never stated that successfully amended upward by Rep. Melissa tempting not to have to snuggle up just to keep way.” Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park). “At our warm,” Rukavina said. “We complained for a Einess said the language of the bill made it company, the people that are making $20 an week straight. I threatened to bring firewood clear that there was a dedicated portion that hour aren’t exactly living high on the hog, and down from the Range and burn it on the living would go to public safety. would really benefit from this,” she said. room floor. They finally got it fixed.” “Whether this comes out of the LGA “If he does $16 (an hour) we qualify,” noted Some Greater Minnesota legislators share formula or another dedicated source - a Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia), division an apartment when they are in St. Paul during dollar is a dollar is a dollar,” he said. “One chairman. Legislators are paid $31,140 the week. dollar spent in LGA is equal to $1 spent in any annually. other dedicated source. If I misquoted you, I “It’s presumptive to think that we’d qualify; apologize.” first we’d have to get accepted into college,” Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington), joked Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Back to basics tax committee chairwoman, said there are Heights). With his duties as speaker of the House cities, like Rochester and Bloomington, which No fiscal note was provided, but Rukavina behind him, Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) are nearing 100,000 in population. indicated a similar bill last year would have has found time to go back to his classroom “There are a lot of large cities that don’t cost about $5 million at the $12 hourly rate. roots. Every Tuesday night you can find him want to dedicate this money for certain A companion bill, SF153, sponsored by Sen. tutoring inner-city St. Paul students. things,” she said. “We need to think about Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action by the “I have to tell you, there is simply nothing who we’re talking about 5 and 10 years out.” Higher Education Budget and Policy Division more rewarding then helping others succeed. Einess said the governor has been hearing of the Senate Finance Committee. As a former teacher, it is fun to get back to my crime has been a problem because of the LGA classroom roots, and I truly enjoy watching cuts that have occurred over the last couple of and helping these students learn. Who knows, someday one of these kids may become years. To find out who represents speaker of the House,” he writes in his e-mail “He thought dedicating LGA money to you at the Capitol . . . those purposes was warranted,” Einess said. Call House Public Information Services at newsletter. (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550

12 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 AT ISSUE: Pensions

Greg Bergstrom, executive director of the state retirement system. State pension plans In the 1970s, a change didn’t yield a single Will there be enough in the coffers? increase in benefit. An increase was attempted in the 1980s by moving everything into bonds as a long-term investment, but that didn’t work either. The current mechanism was put By Patty Ostberg depending on the year in which you retired, in place without knowing of an impending Thousands of retired public employees benefits were wide-ranging. For example, large increase followed by a sharp decline in may be sitting on the edge of their seats as those who retired before July 1, 2001, received the market from 1998 to 2003, causing the legislators formulate solutions to recover the on average a 9.2 percent annual increase formula to fail. Had the market continued to state’s public employees pension plans that from 1996 to 2001. Those after 2001 received have mild ups and downs, the current formula currently have deficits. Between actuarial increases of 2.5 percent or less. would have worked, he said. formulas and decreased market values, the Therefore, the post-retirement fund did not In 1998 funding ratios for the plans were at current prospects for plans are concerning. retain enough money in good years to offset 134 percent. The following year the planning A $4 billion deficit looms over the the lean years, said Jody Hauer, program boards were sitting on a large pot of money Public Employees Retirement Plan; evaluator principal with the auditor’s office. and suggested to several groups to spread the $1.6 billion shortfall for the Teachers increases over several years. “We made a very Retirement Association plan; and $332 Past changes big mistake, we did not do our legwork selling million insufficiency in the Minnesota State Since the post-retirement fund was created, it to the various groups,” and other changes Retirement System. there have been three formula changes, said occurred instead, Bergstrom said. According to a report released Jan. 22 by In 2005, the Legislature made several the Office of the Legislative Auditor, unless changes, although none will offer a remedy benefit formulas change to reflect the increase for the post-retirement fund deficit, Hauer and decrease of the market value of plans, said. among other solutions, there won’t be enough Last year a 5 percent cap was placed on in state coffers in future years to meet pension retirees’ benefits and will go into effect in needs. 2010 and will help avoid future deficits, Hauer said. Additionally contribution increases The problem were made, but those will only help active The actuarial calculations for state employees in the basic funds and not the pension plans, determined by the Legislative retirees with money coming from the post- Commission on Pensions and Retirement, retirement fund, she noted. uses a funding ratio of assets being equal to liabilities without factoring the ups and downs Solutions of the market. Therefore pension plans appear The state planning boards are examining 6 percent to 10 percent better funded than the suggestions made by the state auditor for they actually are, according to the report. future changes as well as developing some of There is a logic behind the decision their own, said Bergstrom. to calculate this way, Legislative Auditor One option the boards are considering is James Nobles told the House Governmental to combine the active fund with the post- Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections retirement fund, and then change the formula Committee Jan. 23. mechanism, he said. Another is to set up Currently, when a person retires, enough contingency funding or make no changes and assets are removed from the active fund and rely on investment returns to eliminate the put into the post-retirement fund to support deficit in a reasonable time period. the person’s annuity. By this calculation, at Hauer said that as the Legislature addresses some point in time, this person could say they the deficit it should also change the benefit are fully funded. But market influences go up photo by andrew vonbank formula by replacing the investment and down, and in the past, retiree benefits Legislative Auditor James Nobles and Jody component with an enhanced inflation increased as the market gained, but when the Hauer, program evaluator with the legislative component instead. auditor’s office, discuss pensions for volunteer market decreased the high benefit percentages firefighters and post-employee benefits for For example, retirees would be giving up the stayed the same. The result: when the assets public employees during the Jan. 23 meeting of investment-based increase part of the formula, go down a deficit incurs. the House Governmental Operations, Reform, At odds are employee cohorts because Technology and Elections Committee. Pensions continued on page 22

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly 13 AT ISSUE: Seat belts

million to our state government over the next eight years.” Click it or get a ticket Public Safety Commissioner Michael Bill calls for mandatory seat belt usage Campion said it is his understanding that the governor, who supported similar legislation in the past as a House member, would sign this bill if it reaches his desk. “This legislation, By Mike Cook with its outcomes, doesn’t cost anything,” he r. Merle Hillman remembers the day said. clearly. But it could earn the state $15 million in D Hillman, an emergency physician federal funds, which would in part be used and president-elect of the state chapter of the for roadway safety improvements. American College of Emergency Physicians, Katherine Burke Moore, deputy director of recalls responding to a traffic incident one the Office of Traffic Safety in the Department Sunday morning. of Public Safety, said 83 percent of Minnesotans A car containing a family of four crossed the wear their seat belt. However, she noted that median on Highway 212 and struck another 60 percent of people who died in Minnesota vehicle. The 32-year-old father was declared crashes last year were from the 17 percent of dead at the scene, and the 35-year-old mother those unbuckled. was ejected from the car. Dying in a vehicle crash is unexpected and “Despite all of our efforts, I remember violent, she said. “We don’t accept homicides declaring her dead and having to tell her as something that is acceptable, yet we have children, ages 6 and 8, that their mom and four times as many traffic fatalities. We want dad had died in this horrible traffic accident,” that number to go down. … The ultimate he said. “That vision remains with me to this price is a family who loses someone in a day.” crash.” Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls) does not Loni Kjos of Alexandria knows that all too want any family to have to experience a well. Her 17-year-old daughter, Kelsey, was motor vehicle fatality because of failure to killed in a crash on Nov. 8, 2004. buckle up. He is sponsoring HF106 to improve “School was out at 2:30 and she caught a Minnesota’s rate of buckled-up passengers. ride home with a girlfriend,” she said. “The The bill would make failure to wear a seat driver lost control of the car and it rolled. The belt a primary offense, meaning a violator driver was belted, and she had only a simple could be stopped solely for this purpose. hand injury. Our Kelsey was not wearing her Under current law, a citation can be issued seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle.” only if a motorist is stopped for another She died en route to the hospital. offense. The incident left her parents wondering photo by andrew vonbank why she wasn’t belted in, because she always It also requires that everyone in a passenger Loni Kjos of Alexandria shares the story of losing or commercial vehicle be buckled up. Present her daughter in a car crash with the Transporta- wore her seat belt when driving and always law requires seat belt use for any front-seat tion and Transit Policy Subcommittee of the wore it when riding with her mother. “Did she passenger and “a passenger riding in any seat Transportation Division of the House Finance unfasten it to reach for something or did she of a passenger vehicle who is older than 3 but Committee Jan. 24. She supports a bill that would just plain forget? We will never know,” Kjos younger than 11 years of age.” make seat belt violations a primary offense. said. “Just that one click would have made all Approved nearly unanimously by the the difference in the world to everyone who Transportation and Transit Policy other states have increased usage by 11 percent loved her.” Subcommittee of the Transportation Division and decreased traffic fatalities by 10 percent. Conversely, her son, Grant, was wearing of the House Finance Committee Jan. 24, the Plus, this would help rein in health care a seat belt when he was involved in a crash bill now goes to the committee’s Public Safety costs. seven years ago. Although he sustained a brain Finance Division. “The health costs for an unbelted driver in injury, he has made a full recovery. “We can take a concrete step toward saving a crash are 50 percent higher than the medical “Every community has their own Kelsey lives — 40 lives a year is the estimate — and costs for a belted driver,” Thissen said. “Those story,” she said. “It’s time to make a difference. avoiding 400 serious injuries,” said Thissen, are dollars we could otherwise spend reducing It’s time to stop the loss.” who noted that 71 percent of Minnesotans people’s premiums or expanding access to support mandatory seat belt usage. It is health care or doing any number of other Seat belts continued on page 22 estimated that primary seat belt laws in 25 things. The estimates are that we’ll save $85

14 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 PEOPLE

Wanting coverage for all DISTRICT 56A Bunn makes health care reform her top priority 2002 population: 36,812 Largest city: Woodbury By Stephen Harding assignments are the House Health and County: Washington Between Election Day and the first day of Human Services Committee and the Health Top concerns: Health care costs and session, Rep. Julie Bunn (DFL-Lake Elmo) was Care and Human Services Division of the education funding able to take a vacation that included relaxing House Finance Committee. on a beach with a good “Even though Washington County is one book. of the wealthiest counties in the state, there to maintain current educational levels. The Opting against a light, are still gaps in [medical] coverage,” she said. governor’s budget proposal still comes up easy read, she paged “From layoffs, divorces and 20-somethings short, she said. “Four percent a year may not through “Transforming going off their parent’s health coverage, people meet the needs, even though we should try to Public Policy,” a book are struggling to pay for insurance.” reform schools.” about the strategic use of Health care, in her opinion, is equivalent to Bunn believes that middle- and policy entrepreneurship the Cold War issue of a previous era. “If we lower-income families should not pay a a nd i n novat ion i n don’t solve the problem of skyrocketing health disproportionate share of taxes, and that a Rep. Julie Bunn d e ve lopi ng pu bl ic care costs, there will not be enough funds for fair state tax policy includes closing foreign policy. “It was the most exciting book I have our schools, transportation systems or clean operating corporation loopholes and going recently read. It was so good.” water.” after tax cheaters that cost the state an Bunn, who spent four years on the Lake Bunn, who has a Ph.D in economics from estimated $1 billion annually. Elmo Planning Commission, said that Stanford University, is also troubled with how When Bunn is able to grab a moment of free health care coverage and cost were the most the state has fulfilled its budgetary needs using time, she enjoys five-mile outdoor walks and important issues that came up while talking one-time funds or accounting shifts. cooking while listening to novels on tape or to constituents when she went door-to-door She is also concerned with schools not on her MP3 player. through her district. Among her committee receiving a stable source of funding, or enough

New but experienced DISTRICT 15A Gottwalt brings nine years of city council experience 2002 population: 36,702 Largest city: St. Cloud By Stephen Harding commuter rail line as vital link from his area County: Stearns Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) sees being to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Top concerns: Education and business in politics as an extension of giving back to the “From St. Cloud to Rochester, it is one of the community. fastest growing parts of the Midwest, if not the And he’s done just whole country,” he said, adding that this link have been lost, and this is negatively affecting that for a decade. is vital to the long-term growth of St. Cloud. today’s youth and their ability to learn.” With Having served on the Gottwalt is serving on two education more and more single parents raising children St. Cloud City Council committees. He plans to introduce a bill alone, generations of children are going for nine years, Gottwalt forcing mandated programs to be fully without fathers who would normally be there is now starting his first funded. “If we’re going to have mandated to help and raise their young, he said. term at the Capitol. “I’m programs, we need to be told up front on how Gottwalt wants to see best practices being not one to sit on the it is going to be paid,” he said. implemented in schools, instead of more sidelines and criticize,” “It’s not about dollars, it’s about excellence. money “being thrown at a problem.” Rep. Steve Gottwalt he said. Teachers need to be accountable for their “We should take ideas from around the state Gottwalt offers a message to the people performance,” said Gottwalt, who also and try to implement what works in other of the state, “I believe we live in a land of believes that parents must also be held schools, he said.” opportunity, not entitlement. I believe accountable for their student’s academic A communications director for a grocery government has an important but limited role achievement or failure. store chain, Gottwalt’s other priorities are to play in addressing our needs and wants.” “Parent involvement is the number-one ensuring that cities and the state live within A main issue facing his district is indicator for success in school,” Gottwalt their means, and seeing marketplace reforms transportation. Gottwalt sees the Northstar said. “Two generations of parenting skills in areas that need it.

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly 15 PEOPLE

Activism in a new place DISTRICT 37A In St. Paul, Madore to fight for familiar issues 2002 population: 36,915 Largest city: Burnsville By Mike Cook experience, and maybe working through a County: Dakota Like many parents with school-aged mentorship program with the businesses will Top concerns: Transportation, property children, Rep. Shelley Madore (DFL-Apple help them to learn there is a reason to stay in tax relief and education Valley) has purchased enough wrapping paper school,” she said, noting that for every regular to last for a few years. education student that drops out of school, “I’d really like to see three special education students leave. “These Madore represents two communities for my families not have to kids are already having a tough enough time which transit is a key issue. Cedar Avenue is on have another fundraiser without a high school diploma.” the west side of her district; Interstate 35W is next year to pay for a Madore started the first Cub Scout pack in on the east. Commuters often face congestion teacher,” she said. the country for boys with autism. Although on both roadways. One of her goals this the pack has since disbanded, she is proud “We need to look at the cost-effectiveness year is to increase special that four boys earned the “Arrow of Light,” between (bus rapid transit) and (light-rail education funding, an the highest rank in Cub Scouts. transit) to bring down Cedar,” said Madore, Rep. Shelley Madore issue that is especially “I was a Girl Scout leader for seven years, who serves on the Transportation Division important to her family. Her 16-year-old and then I wanted my son to have that of the House Finance Committee, and is vice daughter, Erica, has spina bifida and her 13- experience,” she said. chairwoman of the Transportation and Transit year-old son, Jason, has autism. After years as a community activist, Policy Subcommittee. Additionally, she would She also hopes to work on ways for including stints with city and school also like to see funding available to increase businesses to partner with schools for special committees, Madore knew it was time to be routes for the Minnesota Valley Transit needs students, such as through mentoring of assistance on a larger stage. “I just said, Authority, which serves both communities. programs. ‘You know, I can really make an impact at the “A lot of our kids need pre-employment Legislature given my knowledge base.’”

Fixing health care DISTRICT 64A Murphy mixes passions for health care, politics 2002 population: 36,752 Largest city: St. Paul By Nick Busse going to lose their coverage,” Murphy said. County: Ramsey Ask Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) why “That lack of security is really worrisome to Top concern: Health care she ran for office, and you’re likely to get a people.” very specific answer: “to fix health care.” Born and raised in a working-class To be sure, Murphy Wisconsin household, Murphy said she nurse … is limited by policy.” has other issues on her inherited her politics from her parents. She spent several years lobbying on behalf agenda: education, the “I grew up in a family that talked politics,” of the nurses association, and when her environment, global she said, adding that she worked on her first predecessor, Rep. Matt Entenza, announced warming, renewable political campaign while she was in the he was stepping down to run for attorney energy, mass transit and eighth grade. (Her candidate won a seat in general last year, she knew the time was right civil rights, to name a the Wisconsin State Senate.) to run for office. few. But the idea of entering politics didn’t occur Murphy said her No. 1 priority is to work But for Murphy, a to her until much later in life, when she saw toward universal health care coverage for all Rep. Erin Murphy registered nurse and how great a role public policy played in her Minnesotans — a step she believes is necessary current executive director of the Minnesota chosen profession. to help control the rising cost of health care. Nurses Association, health care is her bread “When I started studying nursing, I was “If we were able, through policymaking, to and butter. very content with the idea of working in a put more order to it and stretch the dollars so “When I door-knocked this summer, what hospital and for a few years, didn’t even think more people could get covered, then I think I heard from people was that health care was about politics,” Murphy said. “But it doesn’t we would actually have the leverage to be able getting so expensive they’re worried they’re take long to see that the reach of a practicing to ratchet down costs,” she said.

16 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 PEOPLE

Making a move DISTRICT 1A After 32 years in one role, Olin moves to House 2002 population: 36,485 Largest city: Thief River Falls By Craig Green Penas decided not to run for re-election, Olin Counties: Kittson, Marshall, After Rep. Dave Olin (DFL-Thief River saw this as another opportunity to use his Pennington, Roseau Falls) graduated from the University of experience to serve his constituents. Top concerns: Property taxes and Minnesota Law School, he moved to Thief “I had been concerned about what had education River Falls to work as an been going on in the public sector and local attorney. government aid, and the fact that property When he was elected taxes have been going up significantly and and programs that give youth positive and Penning ton Count y costing citizens in my district money,” said nurturing role models. attorney two years later, Olin. “I thought that maybe by running for Olin’s district is also home to many parks Olin thought he would the Legislature, I could [work to] reverse the and forests, and residents who love to ride hold the position four trend of local property taxes going up.” snowmobiles and ATVs. Olin will not only to eight years, at the Education, another central point for Olin, work to protect the environment, but also to most, before building is a common theme in his family. His mother ensure that his constituents are free to fully Rep. Dave Olin his private practice. and his sister taught, and one of his daughters enjoy their environment, without unnecessary “Lo and behold, I started to enjoy public is a teacher. government restrictions, he said. service,” said Olin. “I enjoy doing things for Olin is concerned “that there hasn’t been Continuing his years of service in his new the public. I never got the itch to leave the job.” enough emphasis put on things like early role at the House, Olin said, “I represent all He stayed for the next 32 years. education.” the constituents in my district. Whether they When Olin finally left his position, he again Reflecting on his years of experience dealing are Republican, Democrat, independent, thought that he would return to his private with youth as a county attorney, Olin believes or whatever party they may be, I am their law practice. But when former Rep. Maxine that there is a need for after-school programs, legislator.”

Passion for education DISTRICT 51B Tillberry goes from school board to statehouse 2002 population: 36,686 Largest city: Blaine By Mia Simpson He decided to run for state office after Counties: Anoka, Ramsey Rep. Tom Tillberry (DFL-Fridley) knows he was approached by former Rep. Connie Top concerns: Education, health care the issues he wants to affect, and they all have Bernardy, who announced last July that she and property taxes something to do with young people. would not seek re-election. As a hig h school “She asked me if I would do it,” he said. counselor, he’s seen “I’ve always been a supporter of hers. The He simulated the political process for and helped treat many support that I got from her campaign was students at Roseville Area High School in an problems facing youth: wonderful.” attempt to engage them in politics. In one drugs, academics, mental He remembers nights during the campaign case, Tillberry showed video of floor debate illness, homelessness, when dozens of students gathered in his on a bill, and asked students whether they college and career. He’s family’s basement to stuff literature and thought it deserved passage. They didn’t. also been a school board prepare other campaign materials. He has Tillberry said it’s important to make issues member and a teacher’s deep respect for his young supporters, and and governmental process real for young Rep. Tom Tillberry union organizer. a concern for making sure they get the best people, especially as education funding “I think the times, the way they are right from their schools. drops. now, I have to get involved,” he said. “I’m just “I can talk education all over the place,” he “Eventually, our pride in our state is falling asking for fairness. Life is hard enough. Can’t said. apart,” he said. “I’m seeing it in student we help each other?” Tillberry has traveled to several South apathy.” His first stint in public service was 2005, American countries on medical missions and Tillberry sits on the House Commerce and when he was elected as a write-in candidate music tours – he plays trumpet in his church Labor, E-12 Education and Taxes committees, for the Fridley School Board. For a half-decade orchestra – and to visit foreign classrooms. and the House Education Finance and prior, he was a negotiator and representative “I’ve seen students there eager to learn,” Economic Competitiveness Division of the for Education Minnesota in Roseville, the city he said. “A lot of them don’t even have a fair House Finance Committee. where he’s worked as a school counselor for 11 opportunity.” years.

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly 17 PEOPLE

Not slowing down DISTRICT 12A Ward continues his public service in St. Paul 2002 population: 36,813 Largest city: Brainerd By Mike Cook Now, as a House member, he serves on the County: Crow Wing As they tearfully drove away from their House E-12 Education Committee and two Top concerns: Education, health care hometown of Proctor 20 years ago, Rep. education divisions of the House Finance access and equitable property taxes John Ward (DFL-Brainerd) was asked by his Committee. wife, Sally, not to get so “I taught for 33 years and coached for 25 involved in the teachers’ of those years,” he said. “I worked in many union and never run for different educational areas, everything from was knowing it was students and parents that office again. an elementary school to a middle school to nominated him. He agreed, but not for a junior high to a senior high. I started an His work ethic is something that was long. alternative education program and directed ingrained early in life. “She h a s a lw ay s that, and I even worked in a prison. I also “Being taught lessons about hard work, allowed John Ward to be have a broad base of curricula that I taught: caring about people and giving back are all John Ward,” he said. “I’ve phy. ed, driver’s ed, health and I coached. For really important lessons,” he said. “I did that Rep. John Ward always been so actively most of my career I was a special ed teacher as a mayor and an educator, now I’m hoping involved in my community, in my church, but with learning disabled children and emotional to do that as a state legislator. I’m just a plain, I’ve never been this busy and this active. But behavior disorder children.” ordinary person that wants to do what’s best it’s really exciting, it’s a great opportunity.” Ward, who retired last May, received many for everybody.” A class president in high school, he spent awards during his education and coaching Other areas he hopes to work on include two years on the Proctor City Council careers, culminating with being named the access to quality health care and property tax and three more as mayor, before a career Wal-Mart State Teacher of the Year in 2006. reform. opportunity necessitated his move to the Proud of the $10,000 to his district that Central Lakes Area. came with the award, Ward said the best part

Keepin’ it together DISTRICT 28A Wollschlager brings work ethic to State Capitol 2002 population: 36,636 Largest city: Red Wing By Patty Ostberg Property tax increases are a frequent Counties: Wabasha, Goodhue The office of Rep. Sandy Wollschlager concern voiced by her constituents. As vice Top concern: Property tax reform (DFL-Cannon Falls) feels like a nature hike chairwoman of the House Taxes Committee, through her district. Local artists’ works line she will have firsthand knowledge of ways to the walls with framed reduce these rates, which she said is her top At Harvard, she met several former sketches, watercolors, priority on the committee. When “property Minnesota legislators who told her, “business and mixed media of taxes go up $100, it hurts,” particularly for the is easy for you, we need people to do public local creeks and dams. working class, she said. service,” she said. A run for the local school T h e c o l o r f u l Observing and collecting those constituent board upon her return set her on course to the landscapes will “remind concerns are her responsibility as a legislator, Legislature. me of the people, the Wollschlager said. “If you’re in the working She is proud of being able to keep her family things I love,” and the class … you don’t have time for politics.” intact while driving forward in her career. land her constituents After graduating from high school, “Sometimes it’s not about outright brilliance, Rep. want her to protect, Wollschlager worked as a boxer at a turkey it’s about keeping it all together,” she said. Sandy Wollschlager she said. They will also factory. Adding up the turkey-weight per Wollschlager also serves on the House remind her of why she ran for office during box was not something she saw as a lifelong Governmental Operations, Reform, late night meetings, she added with a laugh. career. Technology and Elections Committee, and Wollschlager said she hopes to have the Instead, Wollschlager, a senior regulatory the Veterans Affairs Division of the House opportunity to use her House committee affairs specialist at 3M, earned a chemistry Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans assignments to foster outdoor funding for degree from Augsburg College and a master’s Affairs Committee. habitats, but other issues in her district will degree in public administration from Harvard be her focus as well. University, both while raising two children with her husband.

18 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 BILL INTRODUCTIONS J a n u a r y 22 - 25, 2007 House files 228 - 366

Monday, January 22 HF238-Jaros (DFL) HF250-Peterson, A. (DFL) HF262-Greiling (DFL) E-12 Education Health & Human Services Finance HF228-Paymar (DFL) Legislative Commission on High Ambulance service and inter-hospital Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Min- Governmental Operations, School Reform established. transfer provisions modified. nesota funding provided, bonds issued Reform, Technology & Elections and money appropriated. Independent School District No. HF239-Lesch (DFL) HF251-Brod (R) 625, St. Paul, prior uncovered ser- Public Safety & Civil Justice Taxes HF263-Paulsen (R) vice purchase authorized relating to Sexual assault counselor testimonial Tax reform action commission estab- Taxes retirement. confidentiality provided, mistake of lished, appointments provided, report Education credit income tax inflation age defense eliminated for certain to Legislature required and money adjustment provided. HF229-Howes (R) sexual assault offenders and penalties appropriated. Finance enhanced for non-consensual sexual HF264-Ruth (R) Accelerated highway construction offenses committed by massage or HF252-Anzelc (DFL) Finance projects funding provided and money bodywork professionals. Public Safety & Civil Justice Trunk Highway 14 between Dodge appropriated. Part-time peace officer restrictions Center and Owatonna reconstruc- HF240-Lesch (DFL) repealed. tion funding provided and money HF230-Mullery (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice appropriated. Public Safety & Civil Justice Sheriff, deputy sheriff and coro- HF253-Buesgens (R) Predatory offender registration law ner prohibition on practicing law E-12 Education HF265-Severson (R) expanded to include offenders under repealed. Election to detach land for a new Agriculture, Rural Economies & the domestic assault by strangulation school district provided. Veterans Affairs statute. HF241-Erickson (R) Minnesota GI Bill program for veter- Governmental Operations, HF254-Mahoney (DFL) ans established to provide postsecond- HF231-Moe (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections Finance ary education assistance, eligibility Finance English designated as the official state Job training program grants provided and assistance amount determined Greater Minnesota Business Develop- language. and money appropriated. and money appropriated. ment Investment Fund established and money appropriated. HF242-Eken (DFL) HF255-Sviggum (R) HF266-Paulsen (R) Taxes Agriculture, Rural Economies & Governmental Operations, HF232-Hilstrom (DFL) Mahnomen County tax jurisdic- Veterans Affairs Reform, Technology & Elections E-12 Education tion temporary aid payments made Plant hazards to livestock and con- Legislature; House and Senate mem- School district integration revenue permanent. sumers evaluation and report re- bership reduced. formula modified. quired. HF243-Walker (DFL) HF267-Olson (R) HF233-Hilstrom (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice HF256-Peppin (R) Local Government & E-12 Education Ombudsman for corrections reestab- Finance Metropolitan Affairs International Baccalaureate pi- lished and money appropriated. Anoka County; Highway 101 and I-94 Municipal boundary adjustment lot program established across all interchanges funding provided, bonds advisory task force extended. grades of a school district and money HF244-Ozment (R) issued and money appropriated. appropriated. Finance HF268-Howes (R) Clean Water Legacy account General HF257-Peppin (R) Public Safety & Civil Justice HF234-Benson (DFL) Fund transfer provided. Health & Human Services Driver’s license reinstatement fee E-12 Education Council on Disability sunset and surcharge imposed for certain School district reserve fund require- HF245-Anzelc (DFL) delayed. driving offenses, proceeds deposited ments and reports eliminated and Health & Human Services for state patrol funding and money school district primary elections Adult foster care licensing require- HF258-Greiling (DFL) appropriated. required only after adoption of a ments modified. E-12 Education resolution. Congress memorialized, by reso- HF269-Howes (R) HF246-Hortman (DFL) lution, to offer greater flexibil- Local Government & HF235-Murphy, E. (DFL) Finance ity to states and fully fund the No Metropolitan Affairs Finance Metropolitan Council required to Child Left Behind Act as part of its County office appointment and con- Developmental screening aid funding study and report on light rail and reauthorization. solidation provided subject to notice, increased. commuter rail feasibility for the I-394 hearing and reverse referendum. corridor, and feasibility of combin- HF259-Mullery (DFL) HF236-Greiling (DFL) ing I-394 and Southwest rail transit Public Safety & Civil Justice HF270-Howes (R) E-12 Education corridors, and money appropriated. Grandparent visitation rights provid- Public Safety & Civil Justice School districts authorized to delay ed on behalf of the child, grandparent Habitual truant termination of juris- the implementation of special educa- HF247-Kranz (DFL) visitation rights expanded, procedures diction provision removed. tion tuition billing for an additional Environment & Natural Resources specified and mediation required. two years. Wild animal removal from urban HF271-Haws (DFL) areas provided. HF260-Kalin (DFL) Commerce & Labor HF237-Morgan (DFL) Agriculture, Rural Economies & Lawful purpose gambling expendi- Governmental Operations, HF248-Solberg (DFL) Veterans Affairs tures modified to include licensed Reform, Technology & Elections Finance Veterans exempted from the require- fraternal organizations. Pre-election reports required of Canisteo Mine Outflow Project ment of a firearm safety certificate. certain contributions to political funding provided, bonds issued and HF272-Haws (DFL) committees, funds and party units; money appropriated. HF261-Brod (R) Agriculture, Rural Economies & reporting requirements modified; Governmental Operations, Veterans Affairs and contribution limits increased for HF249-Kranz (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections Firearms safety and usage training secretary of state and state auditor Finance Reapportionment procedures certificates continuation provided candidates. Independent School District No. 16, established. while soldiers and essential employ- Spring Lake Park, lease levy require- ees are engaged in active military ments exception authorized. service.

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly 19 HF273-Howes (R) HF285-Severson (R) HF297-Huntley (DFL) HF307-Hilstrom (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Environment & Natural Resources Health & Human Services E-12 Education Fireworks sale and personal use Soldiers, veterans and peace officers Health care premiums restricted, Independent School District No. 286, authorized. exempted from requirements relating universal health care plan required, Brooklyn Center, innovation district to state firearms safety certificate as a MinnesotaCare provisions modi- program grant provided and money HF274-Juhnke (DFL) prerequisite to purchasing a hunting fied, residents right to affordable appropriated. Finance license. health care stated, money appropri- Rural Finance Authority agricultural ated and constitutional amendment HF308-Olin (DFL) loan funding provided, bonds issued HF286-Abeler (R) proposed. Finance and money appropriated. Finance Bovine tuberculosis control funding Soldiers, veterans and peace officers HF298-Huntley (DFL) provided and money appropriated. HF275-Brod (R) exempted from requirements relat- Finance Health & Human Services ing to firearms safety certificate as a Family planning access increased HF309-Gottwalt (R) MinnesotaCare contingent reduction prerequisite to purchasing a hunting to prevent unintended pregnancies, Health & Human Services in tax rates provided. license. nurses authorized to dispense oral Long-term care insurance income tax contraceptives at clinics, reim- credit adjusted. HF276-Otremba (DFL) HF287-Holberg (R) bursement rates increased, grant Health & Human Services Commerce & Labor reductions eliminated and money HF310-Dill (DFL) MinnesotaCare self-employed farm- Employers required to give notice of appropriated. Commerce & Labor ers income definition modified. employee rights relating to personnel Off-sales by brewpubs and small brew- record review and access. HF299-Dill (DFL) ers regulations modified. HF277-Clark (DFL) Game, Fish & Forestry Division Housing Policy & Finance & HF288-Lesch (DFL) Timber permit extension, cancellation HF311-Hornstein (DFL) Public Health Finance Division Public Safety & Civil Justice and terminations provided. Finance Window screens in new residential Crime victim support grant funding Cell phones; moving violation fines dwellings required to comply with provided and money appropriated. HF300-Haws (DFL) doubled when committed while op- safety standards. Taxes erating mobile phone. HF289-Kalin (DFL) Military pay tax deduction expanded HF278-Hansen (DFL) Minnesota Heritage and military pension subtraction in- HF312-Hornstein (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Division cluding survivor benefits created. Local Government & Deer license surcharge imposed for deer State Capitol tour fee charges Metropolitan Affairs management and reimbursing the cost prohibited. HF301-Davnie (DFL) Metropolitan Council elections of processing deer donated for charitable Finance provided. purposes, and money appropriated. HF290-Mahoney (DFL) Blighted housing rehabilitation Biosciences & program established and nuisance HF313-Fritz (DFL) HF279-Haws (DFL) Emerging Technology properties transferred to nonprofit Health & Human Services Agriculture, Rural Economies & University Enterprise Laboratories housing organizations. Home care tax credit established and Veterans Affairs Inc. funding provided for bioscience money appropriated. War Orphans Act educational benefits business development and money eligibility clarified and extended for sur- appropriated. Thursday, January 25 HF314-Buesgens (R) viving military spouses and children. Governmental Operations, HF291-Dominguez (DFL) HF302-Peterson, S. (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections Agriculture, Rural Economies & HF280-Dill (DFL) E-12 Education Senate living, per diem and mileage Finance Veterans Affairs Early childhood and pre-kindergarten expense amounts determined by Lake County tax-forfeited lands Veterans home employees granted grant programs established, kinder- resolution of the full Senate. proceeds temporary suspension of commissary privileges when working garten developmental assessment apportionment provided. double shifts. expanded and money appropriated. HF315-Otremba (DFL) Finance HF281-Moe (DFL) HF292-Ozment (R) HF303-Paymar (DFL) Suicide prevention grants restored and Local Government & Environment & Natural Resources Finance money appropriated. Metropolitan Affairs Video display devices collection, trans- Youth intervention program grants Local governmental planning assis- portation and recycling provided. provided and money appropriated. HF316-Thao (DFL) tance provided, regional development Finance commissions required to submit HF293-Tingelstad (R) HF304-Simpson (R) Refugees and those seeking asylum annual work programs and money Finance Taxes exempted from participating in the appropriated. Environment and Natural Resources Budget reserves provided, property tax diversionary work program. funding provided, Legislative-Citizen and levy provisions modified, federal HF282-Atkins (DFL) Commission on Minnesota Resources tax conformity provided, military in- HF317-DeLaForest (R) Commerce & Labor meeting requirements modified and come and pension exclusion provided, Health & Human Services Pharmaceutical products exception money appropriated. and sales tax exemptions specified. MinnesotaCare provider taxes re- provided where competition exists pealed. relating to law prohibiting sales HF294-Mullery (DFL) HF305-Huntley (DFL) below cost. Environment & Natural Resources Health & Human Services HF318-Jaros (DFL) Pollution Control Agency structure Freedom to Breathe Act of 2007 Finance HF283-Ruth (R) modified. adopted establishing public policy Commission on Minnesota Ethnic Taxes to protect employees and the public Heritage established and money ap- Cities, counties and townships ex- HF295-Welti (DFL) from hazards of secondhand smoke propriated. empted from sales tax. Energy Finance & Policy Division and prohibiting people from smoking State employee energy savings sugges- in specified areas. HF319-Kelliher (DFL) HF284-Ruth (R) tions incentives provided. Finance Agriculture, Rural Economies & HF306-Greiling (DFL) Regional library basic system support Veterans Affairs HF296-Solberg (DFL) Health & Human Services and multi-county, multi-type library Special assessment deferments autho- Transportation Finance Division Youth mental health screening and systems funding provided and money rized for members of the armed forces, Special paper products vehicle permit suicide prevention funding provided appropriated. and grants from the Support Our Troops effective date modified. and money appropriated. account authorized for eligible individu- als to pay special assessments.

20 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 HF320-Anzelc (DFL) HF332-Hosch (DFL) HF344-Demmer (R) HF356-Kalin (DFL) Health & Human Services Health & Human Services Finance Taxes Public Employees Retirement Associa- People with life-threatening medical Olmsted County municipal solid Taylors Falls border city development tion nursing facilities cost reimburse- conditions allowed to spend down ex- waste combustor expansion au- zone powers authorized. ment methods established and money cess income under MinnesotaCare. thorized, bonds issued and money appropriated. appropriated. HF357-Dill (DFL) HF333-Lillie (DFL) Finance HF321-Peppin (R) Governmental Operations, HF345-Severson (R) Lake County tax-forfeited land sale Health & Human Services Reform, Technology & Elections Public Safety & Civil Justice authorized. Health benefit mandates moratorium State employees compensated for time All-electric single family dwellings imposed. they were not able to work due to the exempted from carbon monoxide HF358-Dill (DFL) 2005 partial government shutdown. alarm installation requirement. Finance HF322-Rukavina (DFL) Cook County higher education Governmental Operations, HF334-Hosch (DFL) HF346-Severson (R) project funding provided and money Reform, Technology & Elections Health & Human Services Taxes appropriated. Judicial branch prohibited from MinnesotaCare income exclusions al- City aid local government aid base imposing restrictions on political lowed for certain medical expenses. increased for certain cities. HF359-Hansen (DFL) activities of represented employees Local Government & unless provided by contract. HF335-Hosch (DFL) HF347-Gardner (DFL) Metropolitan Affairs Finance Environment & Metropolitan Airports Commission HF323-Mullery (DFL) Stearns County grant provided to Natural Resources expanded to include mayors. Housing Policy & Finance & Public purchase property for Kraemer Lake Yard waste bags required to be Health Finance Division Park, bonds issued and money ap- compostable. HF360-Ruud (DFL) Tenant applicant screening fees provi- propriated. Finance sions modified. HF348-Haws (DFL) Intermediate school district member HF336-Abeler (R) Finance districts authorized to levy for school HF324-Holberg (R) Health & Human Services St. Cloud State University National safety activities at facilities operated E-12 Education Speech-language pathologist and au- Hockey Center improvements fund- by the intermediate district. Public school employees prohibited diologist master’s or doctoral degree ing provided, bonds issued and money from using public funds and resources requirement imposed. appropriated. HF361-Welti (DFL) to advocate, to pass, elect or defeat a Taxes political candidate, ballot question or HF337-Mahoney (DFL) HF349-Solberg (DFL) Regional investment income and pending legislation. Finance Finance franchise tax credit provided. Small business growth acceleration Independent School District No. 4, HF325-Demmer (R) program established, and money McGregor, declining enrollment grant HF362-Hortman (DFL) Finance appropriated. authorized and money appropriated. Taxes Lake Zumbro restoration funding Anoka County deed and mortgage provided and money appropriated. HF338-Seifert (R) HF350-Zellers (R) tax authorized, and environmental Taxes Finance response fund created. HF326-Westrom (R) Adoption income tax credit Highway 610 four-lane freeway project Finance authorized. completion matching funds provided HF363-Mullery (DFL) Gold Star Family special license plates and money appropriated. Commerce & Labor authorized for family members of HF339-Haws (DFL) Employee organization provided ac- military personnel who have died in Environment & HF351-Kohls (R) cess to employees at certain meetings, active military service, and plate fee Natural Resources Public Safety & Civil Justice card-check procedures provided for and registration tax exempted for Soldiers, veterans and peace officers Life sentence imposed for people certifying an exclusive representa- certain survivors. exempted from requirements relating convicted of three or more violent tive, and tax treatment of employer to state firearms safety certificate as a felonies. expenditures in opposing unioniza- HF327-Hortman (DFL) prerequisite to purchasing a hunting tion efforts specified. Finance license. HF352-Simon (DFL) School readiness programs state aid Governmental Operations, HF364-Olin (DFL) increased and money appropriated. HF340-Slawik (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections Finance Governmental Operations, Legislators, constitutional officers Appropriating money for bovine HF328-Hosch (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections and commissioners prohibited from tuberculosis disease transmission Finance Candidates and campaign workers lobbying for one year after termina- prevention. Stearns County grant provided to authorized to have access to multiple tion of office. purchase land for Kraemer Lake Park unit residences for campaign and HF365-Greiling (DFL) and money appropriated. election purposes. HF353-Bigham (DFL) E-12 Education Governmental Operations, Modifying the alternative teacher pay HF329-Carlson (DFL) HF341-Gottwalt (R) Reform, Technology & Elections calculation for intermediate school Finance Health & Human Services Legislators, constitutional officers, districts. Intermediate school districts autho- Stearns and St. Louis counties group agency heads and certain legislative rized to engage in short-term bor- residential housing provider morato- employees prohibited from lobbying for HF366-Benson (DFL) rowing in anticipation of incoming rium exceptions provided. one year after termination of office. Finance funds. Increasing equity revenue for districts HF342-Paymar (DFL) HF354-Anzelc (DFL) above the 95th percentile. HF330-Anderson, S. (R) Public Safety & Civil Justice Environment & Taxes Mentoring grant for children of in- Natural Resources Telecommuting income tax credit carcerated parents authorized, and Timber harvesting local economic provided. money appropriated. impact statement required.

HF331-Westrom (R) HF343-Cornish (R) HF355-Nornes (R) Public Safety & Civil Justice Environment & Finance Sex offender tracking and monitor- Natural Resources Academic competitiveness highlight- ing bracelets required upon release Remote-controlled animal noise ing individual excellence and valuing from prison, penalties prescribed and callers exempted from the general education grant program established money appropriated. prohibition on using radios to take and money appropriated. game animals. January 26, 2007 Session Weekly 21 Budget continued from page 4 Affairs’ budget allows for a substantial information system and the Allied Radio increase in programming, but some question Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) (DFL-Duluth), chairman of the Health Care whether the current staffing level has the communications system, among other things. and Human Services Division of the House capabilities of “taking it all on.” But some House DFLers say it’s not enough. Finance Committee, asked why the governor’s “We want to make sure, as we move “There’s not enough going into drug and proposal stops at that particular number. forward, that the budget not only addresses mental health rehabilitation,” said Rep. Joe “Sixty-five thousand are already eligible. programming, but staffing needs. We don’t Mullery (DFL-Mpls), chairman of the House Why aren’t we pushing for them, too? We can want things to fall through the cracks because Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee. really do more,” Huntley said. there aren’t enough bodies,” said Rep. Al “There are a lot of people going into the prison Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls), chairman Juhnke (DFL-Willmar), chairman of the system who abuse drugs or have mental of the House Health and Human Services Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans problems. If we don’t start addressing these Committee, offered a more general critique Affairs Division of the House Finance problems now, we’re going to have problems of the governor’s health care proposals. Committee. later.” “The thing I think we have to focus on is not just the expansion of coverage, but making Energy Transportation it more meaningful. And I don’t think the Pawlenty’s budget proposals include his Some of Democrats’ harshest criticism of governor’s plan goes far enough in making “Next Generation Energy Plan,” a $40 million Pawlenty’s budget proposals came in the area sure that health care coverage is meaningful,” package that would fund new research in of transportation. Thissen said. renewable energy, and help establish 1,500 “I think that the Legislature will take new E-85 ethanol fueling stations throughout the leadership role in terms of having the Veterans Minnesota. conversation with Minnesotans about what Pawlenty put forth a veterans and Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson), chairman they need in the transportation area,” Kelliher military package that more than doubles the of the Energy Finance and Policy Division of said, citing the governor’s recommendation Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget and the House Finance Committee, declined to of $100 million in trunk highway bonding as phases out the state income tax on military discuss specifics, but said he was skeptical inadequate. pay and pensions over a four-year period. It about the sources of the new funding. Kelliher mentioned a “bipartisan” bill, also provides college tuition assistance for “I think the goals that the governor has sponsored by Rep. Ron Erhardt (R-Edina) eligible veterans and their dependents and expressed in his budget are good, but I want and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), additional funds for a number of veterans to make sure before we go too far with this that would raise the gas tax, as a proposal the support and outreach programs, including that it’s not at the expense of something else,” House will likely be bringing forth. new money for veterans assistance offices on Hilty said. college campuses. — Craig Green, Sonja Hegman, Patty Ostberg, Mia Simpson, Mike Cook and Lee Ann Schutz “We better have, as a state — as a priority Public safety for this legislative session — a generous and all contributed to this article. The governor’s budget recommendations robust veterans package, and we’ve outlined include new funding for state troopers, one that I think is aggressive but suitable and correctional institutions, offender sustainable,” Pawlenty said. supervision, the CriMNet criminal justice Doubling the Department of Veterans

Pensions continued from page 13 Hauer noted. Employers would contribute meet legal standards rather than a straight but in exchange they’d have the enhanced additional funds upfront for a reduced risk reduction in benefits by itself. security of a fully funded fund and improved of future deficits. “There will be a bill before us at some benefit increases for the near term. The report notes this sort of change could point,” said Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr. (DFL- Right now, under the formula, the most result in court battles, although a package that Winona), the committee chairman. they can receive is a 2.5 percent increase, would include tradeoffs would more likely

Seatbelts continued from page 14 “I would just as soon have them protect me disparities that already exist in our criminal from those drivers, than to have them protect justice system. At a minimum, this bill should Not all in agreement me from myself,” he said. include provisions to address racial profiling Among those not supporting the bill In a statement shared with the committee, before granting law enforcement even more are Gary Fincel from Prior Lake and Samuelson expressed concern about the power to inflict justice on motorists based on Charles Samuelson, the executive director violation of constitutional rights, especially their race.” of the American Civil Liberties Union of for minority residents. A companion, SF16, sponsored by Sen. Steve Minnesota. He wrote, “It will likely result in increased Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), has been approved Fincel said law enforcement personnel incidences of racial profiling on Minnesota by two committees, and awaits action by the should focus on other problematic drivers, highways, thereby magnifying the racial Senate Finance Committee. such as those who are intoxicated or driving recklessly.

22 Session Weekly January 26, 2007 2007-08 Minnesota Senate Phone Phone District Member/Party Room* (651) 296- District Member/Party Room* (651) 296- 66 Anderson, Ellen R. (DFL)...... 120 Cap...... 5537 39 Metzen, James P. (DFL)...... 322 Cap...... 4370 6 Bakk, Thomas M. (DFL)...... 226 Cap...... 8881 41 Michel, Geoff (R)...... 133 SOB...... 6238 61 Berglin, Linda (DFL)...... 309 Cap...... 4261 67 Moua, Mee (DFL)...... 120 Cap...... 5285 51 Betzold, Don (DFL)...... 111 Cap...... 2556 28 Murphy, Steve (DFL)...... 325 Cap...... 4264 43 Bonoff, Terri E. (DFL)...... 325 Cap...... 4314 25 Neuville, Thomas M. (R)...... 123 SOB...... 1279 38 Carlson, Jim (DFL)...... G-9 Cap...... 7-8073 17 Olseen, Rick E. (DFL)...... G-24 Cap...... 5419 50 Chaudhary, Satveer S. (DFL)...... 205 Cap...... 4334 33 Olson, Gen (R)...... 119 SOB...... 1282 15 Clark, Tarryl (DFL)...... 208 Cap...... 6455 4 Olson, Mary A. (DFL)...... 124 Cap...... 4913 64 Cohen, Richard J. (DFL)...... 121 Cap...... 5931 34 Ortman, Julianne E. (R)...... 125 SOB...... 4837 26 Day, Dick (R)...... 113 SOB...... 9457 65 Pappas, Sandra L. (DFL)...... 120 Cap...... 1802 60 Dibble, D. Scott (DFL)...... 111 Cap...... 4191 36 Pariseau, Pat (R)...... 117 SOB...... 5252 18 Dille, Steve (R)...... 103 SOB...... 4131 59 Pogemiller, Lawrence J. (DFL)...... 235 Cap...... 7809 40 Doll, John (DFL)...... G-9 Cap...... 5975 7 Prettner Solon, Yvonne (DFL)...... G-9 Cap...... 4188 31 Erickson Ropes, Sharon L. (DFL)...... G-24 Cap...... 5649 45 Rest, Ann H. (DFL)...... 205 Cap...... 2889 14 Fischbach, Michelle L. (R)...... 153 SOB...... 2084 35 Robling, Claire A. (R)...... 143 SOB...... 4123 47 Foley, Leo T. (DFL)...... G-24 Cap...... 4154 24 Rosen, Julie A. (R)...... 109 SOB...... 5713 21 Frederickson, Dennis R. (R)...... 139 SOB...... 8138 53 Rummel, Sandy (DFL)...... 323 Cap...... 1253 37 Gerlach, Chris (R)...... 129 SOB...... 4120 56 Saltzman, Kathy L. (DFL)...... 306 Cap...... 4166 13 Gimse, Joe (R)...... 105 SOB...... 3826 3 Saxhaug, Tom (DFL)...... 124 Cap...... 4136 42 Hann, David W. (R)...... 127 SOB...... 1749 46 Scheid, Linda (DFL)...... G-9 Cap...... 8869 58 Higgins, Linda (DFL)...... 328 Cap...... 9246 29 Senjem, David H. (R)...... 147 SOB...... 3903 11 Ingebrigtsen, Bill G. (R)...... 132D SOB...... 7-8063 23 Sheran, Kathy (DFL)...... G-24 Cap...... 6153 49 Johnson, Debbie J. (R)...... 135 SOB...... 3219 57 Sieben, Katie (DFL)...... 321 Cap...... 7-8060 48 Jungbauer, Michael J. (R)...... 121 SOB...... 3733 2 Skoe, Rod (DFL)...... 303 Cap...... 4196 19 Koch, Amy T. (R)...... 115 SOB...... 5981 10 Skogen, Dan (DFL)...... 303 Cap...... 5655 12 Koering, Paul E. (R)...... 131 SOB...... 4875 27 Sparks, Dan (DFL)...... 317 Cap...... 9248 20 Kubly, Gary W. (DFL)...... 301 Cap...... 5094 1 Stumpf, LeRoy A. (DFL)...... 208 Cap...... 8660 9 Langseth, Keith (DFL)...... 122 Cap...... 3205 5 Tomassoni, David J. (DFL)...... 317 Cap...... 8017 63 Larson, Dan (DFL)...... 303 Cap...... 7-8061 62 Torres Ray, Patricia (DFL)...... 124 Cap...... 4274 44 Latz, Ron (DFL)...... 306 Cap...... 7-8065 52 Vandeveer, Ray (R)...... 107 SOB...... 4351 32 Limmer, Warren (R)...... 141 SOB...... 2159 22 Vickerman, Jim (DFL)...... 226 Cap...... 5650 8 Lourey, Tony (DFL)...... 205 Cap...... 0293 16 Wergin, Betsy L. (R)...... 145 SOB...... 8075 30 Lynch, Ann (DFL)...... G-24Cap...... 4848 55 Wiger, Charles W. (DFL)...... 323 Cap...... 6820 54 Marty, John (DFL)...... 328 Cap...... 5645 *Capitol or State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 Minnesota House and Senate

A Rep. Dave Olin-(DFL) A Rep. Steve Gottwalt-(R) A Rep. Randy Demmer-(R) A Rep. Sarah Anderson-(R) A Rep. Karla Bigham -(DFL) B Rep. Bernie Lieder-(DFL) B Rep. Larry Haws-(DFL) B Rep. Kim Norton-(DFL) B Rep. John Benson-(DFL) B Rep. Denny McNamara-(R) 1 Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf-(DFL) 15 Sen. Tarryl Clark-(DFL) 29 Sen. David H. Senjem-(R) 43 Sen. Terri E. Bonoff-(DFL) 57 Sen. Katie Sieben-(DFL) A Rep. Kent Eken-(DFL) A Rep. Sondra Erickson-(R) A Rep. Tina Liebling-(DFL) A Rep. Steve Simon-(DFL) A Rep. Joe Mullery-(DFL) B Rep. Brita Sailer-(DFL) B Rep. Mark Olson-(R) B Rep. Andy Welti-(DFL) B Rep. Ryan Winkler-(DFL) B Rep. Augustine “Willie” Dominguez-(DFL) 2 Sen. Rod Skoe-(DFL) 16 Sen. Betsy L. Wergin-(R) 30 Sen. Ann Lynch-(DFL) 44 Sen. Ron Latz-(DFL) 58 Sen. Linda Higgins-(DFL) A Rep. Tom Anzelc-(DFL) A Rep. Rob Eastlund-(R) A Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr.-(DFL) A Rep. Sandra Peterson-(DFL) A Rep. Diane Loeffler-(DFL) B Rep. Loren A. Solberg-(DFL) B Rep. Jeremy Kalin-(DFL) B Rep. Ken Tschumper-(DFL) B Rep. Lyndon Carlson-(DFL) B Rep. Phyllis Kahn-(DFL) 3 Sen. Tom Saxhaug-(DFL) 17 Sen. Rick E. Olseen-(DFL) 31 Sen. Sharon L. Erickson Ropes-(DFL) 45 Sen. Ann H. Rest-(DFL) 59 Sen. Lawrence J. Pogemiller-(DFL) A Rep. Frank Moe-(DFL) A Rep. Ron Shimanski-(R) A Rep. Joyce Peppin-(R) A Rep. Michael V. Nelson-(DFL) A Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher-(DFL) B Rep. Larry Howes-(R) B Rep. Dean Urdahl-(R) B Rep. Kurt Zellers-(R) B Rep. Debra Hilstrom-(DFL) B Rep. Frank Hornstein-(DFL) 4 Sen. Mary A. Olson-(DFL) 18 Sen. Steve Dille-(R) 32 Sen. Warren Limmer-(R) 46 Sen. Linda Scheid-(DFL) 60 Sen. D. Scott Dibble-(DFL) A Rep. Tom Rukavina-(DFL) A Rep. Bruce Anderson-(R) A Rep. Steve Smith-(R) A Rep. Denise Dittrich-(DFL) A Rep. Karen Clark-(DFL) B Rep. Anthony “Tony” Sertich-(DFL) B Rep. Tom Emmer-(R) B Rep. John Berns-(R) B Rep. Melissa Hortman-(DFL) B Rep. Neva Walker-(DFL) 5 Sen. David J. Tomassoni-(DFL) 19 Sen. Amy T. Koch-(R) 33 Sen. Gen Olson-(R) 47 Sen. Leo T. Foley-(DFL) 61 Sen. Linda Berglin-(DFL) A Rep. David Dill-(DFL) A Rep. Aaron Peterson-(DFL) A Rep. Paul Kohls-(R) A Rep. Tom Hackbarth-(R) A Rep. Jim Davnie-(DFL) B Rep. Mary Murphy-(DFL) B Rep. Lyle Koenen-(DFL) B Rep. Joe Hoppe-(R) B Rep. Jim Abeler-(R) B Rep. Jean Wagenius-(DFL) 6 Sen. Thomas M. Bakk-(DFL) 20 Sen. Gary W. Kubly-(DFL) 34 Sen. Julianne E. Ortman-(R) 48 Sen. Michael J. Jungbauer-(R) 62 Sen. Patricia Torres Ray-(DFL) A Rep. Thomas Huntley-(DFL) A Rep. Marty Seifert-(R) A Rep. Michael Beard-(R) A Rep. Chris DeLaForest-(R) A Rep. Paul Thissen-(DFL) B Rep. Mike Jaros-(DFL) B Rep. Brad Finstad-(R) B Rep. Mark Buesgens-(R) B Rep. Kathy Tingelstad-(R) B Rep. Linda Slocum-(DFL) 7 Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon-(DFL) 21 Sen. Dennis R. Frederickson-(R) 35 Sen. Claire A. Robling-(R) 49 Sen. Debbie J. Johnson-(R) 63 Sen. Dan Larson-(DFL) A Rep. Bill Hilty-(DFL) A Rep. Doug Magnus-(R) A Rep. Mary Liz Holberg-(R) A Rep. Carolyn Laine-(DFL) A Rep. Erin Murphy-(DFL) B Rep. Tim Faust-(DFL) B Rep. Rod Hamilton-(R) B Rep. Pat Garofalo-(R) B Rep. Kate Knuth-(DFL) B Rep. Michael Paymar-(DFL) 8 Sen. Tony Lourey-(DFL) 22 Sen. Jim Vickerman-(DFL) 36 Sen. Pat Pariseau-(R) 50 Sen. Satveer S. Chaudhary-(DFL) 64 Sen. Richard J. Cohen-(DFL) A Rep. Morrie Lanning-(R) A Rep. Terry Morrow-(DFL) A Rep. Shelley Madore-(DFL) A Rep. Scott Kranz-(DFL) A Rep. Cy Thao-(DFL) B Rep. Paul Marquart-(DFL) B Rep. Kathy Brynaert-(DFL) B Rep. Dennis Ozment-(R) B Rep. Tom Tillberry-(DFL) B Rep. Carlos Mariani-(DFL) 9 Sen. Keith Langseth-(DFL) 23 Sen. Kathy Sheran-(DFL) 37 Sen. Chris Gerlach-(R) 51 Sen. Don Betzold-(DFL) 65 Sen. Sandra L. Pappas-(DFL) A Rep. Bud Nornes-(R) A Rep. Bob Gunther-(R) A Rep. Sandra Masin-(DFL) A Rep. Bob Dettmer-(R) A Rep. John Lesch-(DFL) B Rep. Dean Simpson-(R) B Rep. Tony Cornish-(R) B Rep. Lynn Wardlow-(R) B Rep. Matt Dean-(R) B Rep. Alice Hausman-(DFL) 10 Sen. Dan Skogen-(DFL) 24 Sen. Julie A. Rosen-(R) 38 Sen. Jim Carlson-(DFL) 52 Sen. Ray Vandeveer-(R) 66 Sen. Ellen R. Anderson-(DFL) A Rep. Torrey Westrom-(R) A Rep. Laura Brod-(R) A Rep. Rick Hansen-(DFL) A Rep. Paul Gardner-(DFL) A Rep. Tim Mahoney-(DFL) B Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba-(DFL) B Rep. David Bly-(DFL) B Rep. Joseph Atkins-(DFL) B Rep. Carol McFarlane-(R) B Rep. Sheldon Johnson-(DFL) 11 Sen. Bill G. Ingebrigtsen-(R) 25 Sen. Thomas M. Neuville-(R) 39 Sen. James P. Metzen-(DFL) 53 Sen. Sandy Rummel-(DFL) 67 Sen. Mee Moua-(DFL) A Rep. John Ward-(DFL) A Rep. Connie Ruth-(R) A Rep. Will Morgan-(DFL) A Rep. Mindy Greiling-(DFL) B Rep. Al Doty-(DFL) B Rep. Patti Fritz-(DFL) B Rep. Ann Lenczewski-(DFL) B Rep. Bev Scalze-(DFL) 12 Sen. Paul E. Koering-(R) 26 Sen. Dick Day-(R) 40 Sen. John Doll-(DFL) 54 Sen. John Marty-(DFL) A Rep. Bud Heidgerken-(R) A Rep. Robin Brown-(DFL) A Rep. Ron Erhardt-(R) A Rep. Leon Lillie-(DFL) B Rep. Al Juhnke-(DFL) B Rep. Jeanne Poppe-(DFL) B Rep. Neil W. Peterson-(R) B Rep. Nora Slawik-(DFL) 13 Sen. Joe Gimse-(R) 27 Sen. Dan Sparks-(DFL) 41 Sen. Geoff Michel-(R) 55 Sen. Charles W. Wiger-(DFL) A Rep. Daniel Severson-(R) A Rep. Sandy Wollschlager-(DFL) A Rep. Maria Ruud-(DFL) A Rep. Julie Bunn-(DFL) B Rep. Larry Hosch-(DFL) B Rep. Steve Sviggum-(R) B Rep. Erik Paulsen-(R) B Rep. Marsha Swails-(DFL) 14 Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach-(R) 28 Sen. Steve Murphy-(DFL) 42 Sen. David W. Hann-(R) 56 Sen. Kathy L. Saltzman-(DFL)

January 26, 2007 Session Weekly 23 Minnesota House of Representatives

Public Information Services

175 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155-1298

Speaker of the House: Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Majority Leader: Anthony “Tony” Sertich

Minority Leader: Marty Seifert

For More Information Minnesota Index For general information, call House Public Information Services at Minnesota teachers (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550. To have a copy of Session Weekly Number of teachers in state in 2006...... 55,237 mailed to you, subscribe online at: www. In 2003...... 56,142 house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp or call: Percent of employed teachers who retired in 2006...... 2.5 (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550. Average percent of teachers retiring in last five years...... 2.3 If you enjoy Session Weekly, please consider Licensure candidates prepared by Minnesota colleges and universities in 2006...... 5,169 helping to defray production and mailing Number of undergraduate programs in which these people were enrolled...... 70 costs with a biennial voluntary subscription Number of graduate programs...... 77 of $20 or more. Between 2002 and 2006, percent decrease in the number of teachers Make your check payable to Minnesota prepared outside Minnesota...... 30 House of Representatives, and mail it to: Percent increase of teachers prepared in-state...... 7 House Public Information Services: Percent decrease in overall teachers granted initial teaching licenses...... 8 175 State Office Building New teachers hired in Minnesota in 2001...... 2,728 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Percent who left their teaching assignment after one year...... 26 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Percent who left after their second year...... 13 Percent teaching in the same district five years after being hired...... 48 Session Weekly online is available at: www.house.mn. Approximate percent of new teachers hired in 2000 who were still teaching five years after being hired in a Minnesota district...... 69 Subscribe to Session Daily e-mail alerts at: Temporary limited licenses granted by the Board of Teaching from 2002 to 2006 www.house.mn/list/join.asp?listname=sess allowing someone to teach in subject content areas for which they may iondaily. not be fully licensed when a school district has attempted, but is unable to To obtain a copy of a bill, call the hire a fully licensed teacher...... 5,494 Chief Clerk’s Office at (651) 296-2314. Number of National Teachers of the Year to come from Minnesota since the program began in 1952...... 4 To find out about bill introductions or State rank...... 2 the status of a specific bill, call the House Index Office at (651) 296-6646. Percentage of public school secondary teachers who majored in the core academic subjects they teach...... 86 The House of Representatives can be found on U.S. average, as percent...... 64 the Web at: www.house.mn. Average Minnesota teacher salary in 2004-05...... $46,906 People who are deaf and hard of hearing National average ...... $47,808 may ask questions or leave messages by Wage growth, as percent, for average Minnesota wage earner in last 11 years...... 49 calling the Minnesota Relay service at 711 Average teacher wage growth, as percent...... 28 or (800) 627-3529 (TTY). Student-teacher ratio in public K-12 schools in 2005...... 16:1 Check your local listings to watch televi- Sources: Teacher Supply and Demand, Department of Education, January 2007; Council of Chief sion coverage of House committees, floor State School Officers; Education Minnesota; National Education Association. sessions and select press conferences.