A Nonpartisan Publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives ♦ January 15, 1999 ♦ Volume 16, Number 2

HF48-HF149 Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. During the 1999-2000 Legislative Minnesota House of Representatives • January 15, 1999 • Volume 16, Number 2 Session, each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming committee meeting schedules, and pro- Reflections vides other information. The publication A highly important official in state government is the speaker of the house, who is a service of the Minnesota House. presides over the largest legislative body. No fee. On Jan. 5 when Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) was elected speaker of the house, he To subscribe, contact: became the 60th person to hold the office since Minnesota’s territorial government Minnesota House of Representatives began in 1849. The last Republican speaker (then called an Independent-Republican) Public Information Office was David Jennings (IR-Truman), who presided from 1985 to 1987. 175 State Office Building As Minnesota prepares to celebrate its 150th year since becoming a territory and 141st St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 year as a state, Speaker Sviggum joins a historically unique and politically diverse cadre (651) 296-2146 or of elected officials. This group — 58 men and one woman — helped to shape, lead, and 1-800-657-3550 direct the passage of laws that now govern the state and its residents. TTY (651) 296-9896 Speakers have come to the Capitol from many political parties and all parts of the state. They’ve come from northern, north-central, southwestern, northwestern, and Director west-central parts of the state, including the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the LeClair G. Lambert metropolitan-area suburbs. In 1849, Joseph W. Furber (Cottage Grove) controlled the gavel as Minnesota’s first Acting Assistant Director/Editor speaker. He served in the House as a member of the Whig Party. Another Whig speaker, Nick Healy John Quincy Farmer of Spring Valley also served as a Republican. Unlike the political makeup of the 1999 Minnesota state government — there is a Acting Assistant Editor Republican-controlled House, a DFL-controlled Senate, and a Reform Party governor Sandy Donovan — many early speakers and Senate leaders were members of the same political party as the governor. One speaker, Ezra T. Champlin (Garden City) was a member of the lesser Art & Production Coordinator known Democratic Alliance Party. Others were the Conservative, Liberal, Conserva- Paul Battaglia tive/Republican, Independent, Liberal/Democrat, Farmer-Labor, Independent Repub- lican, and Democratic Farmer-Labor parties. Writers In 1913, when Henry Rines (Mora) was elected speaker, the Progressives controlled both Jonathan Fure, Sarah Hallonquist, houses. Speaker William I. Nolan (Minneapolis), a Conservative/Republican whose party Grant Martin, Paul Wahl gained control in 1919 from the Progressives, was elected with the endorsement of members of the Nonpartisan League and the Working People’s Nonpartisan Political League. Photographers Tom Olmscheid, Laura Phillips, Over the years, other rare activities took place. The speaker in 1859, Amos Coggswell Andrew Von Bank (Aurora), was in the Republican Constitutional Convention, then ran as the Democratic candidate for secretary of state in 1867. Lawrence M. Hall (St. Cloud) was elected to Office Manager serve as a Democrat in 1934, but he caucused with the Conservatives in 1939 to become Nicole Wood the youngest speaker. A very different election for speaker took place exactly 20 years ago in 1979 when the Staff Assistants House was evenly divided. Rod Searle (IR-Waseca) was elected as a compromise. When Ivan Weiss Jr., Jennifer Ridgeway changes in members necessitated elections that put the DFL in the majority by two members, and factions split the party, a coalition of 26 DFLers and 49 IRs elected Norton Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is pub- as speaker. lished weekly during the legislative session by Speaker Sviggum joins a unique group of officials who served their state in a most the Minnesota House of Representatives Pub- honorable manner. lic Information Office, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage —LeClair G. Lambert paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Session Weekly, Public Information Office, INSIDE Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Highlights ...... 5 Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., House Minority Leader ...... 13 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Feature: Youth In Government ...... 16 Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, Member name pronunciation guide ...... 18 20% post-consumer content. Bill Introductions (HF48 - HF149) ...... 19 Committee Schedule (Jan. 18-22)...... 22 t e d i n o r n P

r On the cover: A photo illustration depicts the 134 Minnesotans who serve in the House

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c e y p of Representatives. c a l e d p —Photo illustration by Andrew Von Bank

2 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 Giving it back . . . Tax rebate plans top the 1999 legislative agenda By Paul Wahl proposed rebate of much of the state’s budget sur- plus was a major topic of conversation in the House during the first full week of theA 1999 session. But the tone of the conversation changed as the week progressed. Monday, hearings were an- nounced on a House bill that would provide a rebate based on income tax paid. But by week’s end, a plan that would provide a refund based on sales tax paid appeared to have the upper hand. In a televised appearance Jan. 11, Gov. Jesse Ventura said he favors the sales tax proposal because he sees it as simpler to implement and he be- lieves it has a better chance of being exempt from federal taxes. A formal Tax bills being debated in the House would send money back to Minnesotans. One plan would provide an income tax rebate, and another proposal would send money to farmers. Photo illustration by Tom Olmscheid rebate plan was expected from Ventura before the week’s end. Meanwhile, the farm rebate language aims he asked for a distributive analysis of the House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) to give “true farmers” a boost, said Rep. Tim potential rebates. said he was “all ears” to the idea. However, the Finseth (R-Angus), chair of the House Agri- Orfield said it appears to him that large bill (HF1) that contains the House Republi- culture Policy Committee and an architect of farmers would get the most aid, and he won- cans’ rebate plan was heard in the House the legislation. dered whether they would be considered the Taxes Committee Jan. 12 and is expected to “Currently, farmers are in great need of on- most needy. come up for a vote in that committee after the hand cash to help pay their upcoming prop- But Finseth said that help would be chan- Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday Jan. 19. erty taxes or [to buy] farm supplies for the neled to every farmer “who’s taking the risk The rebate plan, sponsored by Rep. Ron spring,” Finseth said. out there.” He said it was unfair to say that Abrams (R-Minnetonka), would refund about The proposal is separated into aid for live- because a farmer owns 2,500 acres he is more $1.1 billion. Most taxpayers would receive a stock and for cropland-intensive farmers. Live- prosperous than a farmer with only 500 acres. rebate of about 20 percent of their 1997 state stock farmers with 160 acres or less would He added that three or four members of a income taxes. receive half their property tax payment, not family may be making their living from the A separate bill (HF8) would provide a including taxes due for their house, garage, larger acreage. mechanism for returning $80 million to Min- and one acre of land for their home. Rep. Rod Skoe (DFL-Clearbrook) was con- nesota farmers. Language from that bill was Farmers with more than 160 certifiable acres cerned that farmers who grow minor crops adopted as an amendment to HF1 in the Taxes for the 1998 crop year would receive $4 per that don’t require certification, including wild Committee Jan. 12. acre to apply toward their property taxes. rice growers like himself, wouldn’t benefit Under provisions of HF1, all individuals or Farmers would have to complete a simple from the legislation. couples who paid up to $150 or less in state form and send it to the Department of Rev- Under the proposal, only acres growing income taxes for 1997 would get the entire enue to receive the rebate. Rebates would be crops that are part of a federal program are amount back. Those who paid more than $150 capped at $10,000 per farmer. eligible for the per-acre payment. would get back the $150 plus 20 percent of all Both plans faced scrutiny in hearings before “If you’re trying to benefit all the farmers of taxes paid over that amount. the Taxes Committee Jan. 12 and before a the state, then you should benefit all the farm- The maximum rebate would be $7,600 for joint meeting of the Taxes Committee and the ers of the state,” Skoe said. married couples and $3,800 for all other taxpay- House Agricultural & Rural Development Fi- Finseth said 90 percent or more of the state’s ers. Taxpayers would receive their rebate checks nance Committee Jan. 11. 19.6 million acres are planted in certifiable 60 to 90 days after final passage of the bill. Rep. Myron Orfield (DFL-Mpls) said there crops. The average taxpayer would receive a $575 is no way of knowing whether the farm pro- “The attempt was to include the largest check, according to statistics supplied by posals would benefit those most in need, and number [of farmers] possible,” he said, Minnesota Department of Revenue. January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 3 adding that he hasn’t found a farmer yet that isn’t hurting. Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virgina) said he Amendments and the ‘extraordinary majority’ would like to see the state’s 4,800 loggers — You can’t sit on the fence The effects of the 1898 amendment can tree farmers, as he described them — included when it comes to constitu- be seen in the numbers. From 1858 to in the proposal. tional amendments in Min- 1898, voters approved 48 of 66 amend- “They’ve had three bad years in a row,” he nesota. If you’re not part of ments to the constitution, a 73 percent said. the solution, you’re part of approval rate. In contrast, from 1898 to Several legislators questioned why agricul- the problem. 1998, voters approved 71 of 145 amend- ture was being singled out for help when other In fact, it says so right on ments, slightly less than 50 percent. sectors of the economy are also in dire straits. the ballot: “Failure to vote on a constitu- Ironically, the 1898 amendment would Rep. Andy Dawkins (DFL-St. Paul) said he tional amendment will have the same ef- not have passed under its own terms. The represents an inner-city neighborhood where fect as voting no for the amendment.” change was approved by a majority of additional money for police protection is That’s because Minnesota’s constitu- voters who voted on that particular ballot needed because “families believe it’s too dan- tion requires that amendments be ap- question. However, the amendment fell gerous to let their children play outside. They’re proved by a “majority of all electors voting 55,866 votes short of a majority of all also in dire straits.” at said election.” For an amendment to voters who went to the polls that year. Finseth said there are probably thousands pass it must be approved by an extraordi- In effect, about 28 percent of Minne- of things the state should be doing, but added nary majority — a majority of all voters sota voters in the 1898 election decided that agriculture is 40 percent of the state’s voting in the election, not just those vot- that all future constitutional amendments economy and the agricultural rebate plan is ing on that particular question. would have to be ratified by over 50 per- targeted specifically at keeping that sector Prior to 1898, the process to amend the cent of all voters. healthy. Minnesota Constitution was one of the In 1974, legislators passed a proposed “This spring, you’re going to see more fore- easiest in the country. Amendments had constitutional amendment that would closures in agriculture than ever before,” to be approved by a simple majority of the have eased the extraordinary majority re- Finseth said. Legislature and a simple majority of vot- quirement. Under the proposal, an amend- Representatives from a handful of organi- ers voting on that question. ment would have become law upon zations whose members are concerned about Critics argued that the constitution receiving 55 percent of the votes on that taxes and state spending also testified on the could be amended particular ques- proposals, mostly lauding the effort to pro- too easily, subject- tion. vide the rebate immediately. ing the document Although the According to some, any dollars refunded to the whims of an 1974 amendment under both the farm rebate plan and the in- often-fickle elec- was approved by come tax rebate plan would be taxable under torate. almost 59 percent federal income tax statutes. That provides Minnesota’s first of voters voting impetus for the plan that Ventura and some governor, Henry on the question, DFLers have advanced to base rebates on es- Sibley, lambasted it failed to meet tablished estimates of sales tax paid, linked to the fact that the the 1898 extraor- income. state’s answer to dinary majority No one was prepared to say conclusively the Magna Carta requirement and that the sales tax based refund wouldn’t be could be so easily was not ap- taxable by the federal government, but most altered. proved. admitted chances were better than those of the In 1897, legisla- Constitutional rebate based on income taxes. tors sent an amendments Between $100 million and $200 million amendment to the have done well for would be paid in taxes to the federal govern- voters that put the themselves in the ment under the income tax rebate plan as it’s current extraordi- last 10 years. De- written, according to some estimates. nary majority re- spite the 1898 re- Hints that the rebate may grow even larger quirement in quirement, voters were also sounded by the revenue department place. Voters An 1898 amendment to the Minnesota have approved Jan. 12 when officials revealed that state rev- approved the Constitution made it more difficult to amend the nine out of 10 enues for November and December were $98 amendment in the constitution. amendments, in- million over projections. 1898 election. cluding the three amendments approved One plan to permanently reduce income That amendment is often referred to as in November 1998 — one giving constitu- tax rates is contained in another bill (HF2), the “brewers’ amendment” because the tional protection to hunting and fishing; sponsored by Rep. Dan Dorman (R-Albert proposal was allegedly pushed through one abolishing the state treasurer’s office; Lea), that has not yet received a hearing in a the Legislature by anti-prohibition forces and one extending state lottery proceeds House committee. who wanted to make it difficult to regulate to an environmental trust fund. liquor.

Photo of the Minnesota Constituion courtesy Minnesota Historical Society Photo illustration by Paul Battaglia 4 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 Week in Review . . . Jan. 7 - 14, 1999

accomplished by a bonding bill complying AGRICULTURE with the stated language of the constitution; and the bond counsel opinion standard would Turning waste to watts prevent us from approving bonds not autho- rized by such a bonding bill.” A British firm is considering building a The firm does not believe that a new bond- power plant in Minnesota that would turn ing bill would require the detail of the 1998 poultry manure into electricity and leave be- bonding law. hind a high-quality farm fertilizer. “As an aside, we note that bonding bills Rupert Fraser, who represents London- typically contain language amplifying and based Fibrowatt, outlined his plans before the describing projects already identified,” the let- House Agriculture Policy Committee Jan. 13. ter states. “We do not believe such provisions Fibrowatt has developed a high-tech system are constitutionally required here, so long as for burning poultry “litter” that Fraser said the purposes for the bonds and proceeds allo- would benefit growers as well as the state’s cated to those purposes are clearly set forth.” environment and economy. Wishing to free up surplus funds for poten- The company’s three operating power sta- tial tax rebates, House Republicans had ex- tions in the United Kingdom obtain poultry pressed interest in repealing the 1998 law which droppings from surrounding farms. The waste replaces the bonds with cash. is transported in tightly covered trucks to the With the ruling of the counsel, Republicans station’s fuel-receiving site and kept at nega- said that they won’t pursue the bond funds. tive pressure to prevent odors from escaping. Rupert Fraser, representing the British company House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) At the plant, a furnace burns the manure at Fibrowatt, testifies before the House Agriculture said that his caucus does not need the bond 1,500 degrees, heating water in a boiler to & Rural Development Policy Committee Jan. 13. funds because its $1.1 billion tax rebate plan produce steam, which drives a turbine linked Fibrowatt built the world’s first power station fueled by poultry “litter.” makes use of the first tobacco settlement pay- to an electricity generator. The ash is recov- ments. He said that the governor and the ered and sold as fertilizer. Fraser said he isn’t ready to ask the Legisla- Senate DFLers may need the bond money Fraser said the plan is deceptively simple. ture for anything specific at this time, but he because their rebate plans don’t call for using The idea drew mixed response from com- said federal subsidies were under consider- the settlement money. mittee members. ation. Langmo said it would be helpful to Last year’s $999 million capital projects law Responding to concerns of Rep. Gary Kubly include poultry manure in any renewable en- authorized the state to issue bonds and pay (DFL-Granite Falls) about emissions from the ergy language in existing renewable energy cash for a myriad of capital improvements plant, Fraser said the plants meet stringent programs. statewide. Under the law, the state was to bond U.K. limits for emissions and that officials of The committee took no action. for approximately half of the projects and pay the Environmental Protection Agency said cash for the other half. preliminarily that the plant would pass mus- BONDING A provision in last year’s tax law directed ter here. the Department of Finance to replace $400 Rep. Leslie Schumacher (DFL-Princeton) High hurdle awaits bond shift million of the bonded sum with a $400 million said she is skeptical of the plan because Min- cash payment if a sufficient budget surplus nesota is notorious for creating systems for Any proposal to repeal the 1998 law requir- was projected for the remainder of the 1998- environmental protection that end up being ing the state to pay $400 million in cash for 1999 biennium. costly. She pointed to the state’s refuse dried that year’s capital projects will require 81 House In November 1998, the Department of Fi- fuels program as an example. votes and 41 Senate votes, according to an nance announced a $1.56 billion projected She suggested the current method of spread- interpretation issued by the state’s bond surplus. Of that amount, $400 million is sched- ing poultry waste on fields might be adequate. counsel. uled to pay for the capital projects. Greg Langmo, a poultry farmer from In a letter provided to members of the House The law firm of Dorsey and Whitney in Litchfield, Minn., who accompanied Fraser to Capitol Investment Committee Jan. 14, the Minneapolis has acted as the state’s general the hearing, said the existing method of poul- counsel says that it will not certify the sale of obligation bond counsel since the 1960s. The try manure disposal is cumbersome. bonds unless they are authorized in the form firm was selected to certify and give opinions “In the spring, farmers don’t want you on of a bonding bill, which requires a three-fifths concerning state bonds by the attorney the fields, and in the fall, you may only have a majority under the state constitution. general. few days to spread because of the weather,” According to the letter, the 1998 law “has Peter Sausen, assistant commissioner with Langmo testified. “We can’t move enough of terminated the authority to issue bonds for the Department of Finance, provided the Jan. it far enough at the right time.” the projects in question and the appropriation 13 letter to members of the Capital Invest- He said more than 600,000 tons of poultry of funds necessary to pay the bonds; the au- ment Committee. waste is generated each year in Minnesota. thorization of bonds for such projects must be

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 5 Originally, the House version of the 1998 SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION omnibus education bill did not call for abol- ishing the nine-member board. A Senate pro- Job one: finding workers Disbanding the state board vision to eliminate the board was added in conference committee. But the process was Minnesota’s high employment rate has The nuts and bolts of dissolving the State left largely undefined. forced the Department of Trade and Eco- Board of Education were discussed at a meet- “Anything done in haste should be exam- nomic Development (DTED) to adjust priori- ing of the House Education Policy Committee ined later on,” Greiling said. ties, officials told legislators at the House Jobs Jan. 14. & Economic Development Finance Commit- A measure signed into law in 1998 by then- tee meeting Jan. 11. Gov. Arne Carlson included a provision to Gary Fields, deputy commissioner with the abolish the 80-year-old board effective Dec. EMPLOYMENT DTED Business and Community Develop- 31 of that year. ment Division, reported that the agency is Under the law, the board’s duties will be League offers labor solutions working hard to respond to the labor transferred to the commissioner of the De- The Minnesota Citizens League presented shortage. partment of Children, Families and Learning, its plan to address the state’s labor shortage to “Workforce availability is our greatest chal- unless the Legislature passes other recom- members of the House Jobs & Economic De- lenge,” he said. mendations this session. velopment Finance Committee Jan. 13. According to the department’s 1998 perfor- And it’s likely that lawmakers will come up The nonprofit public interest group released mance report, statewide employment in- with those additional recommendations partly “Help Wanted: More Opportunities than creased 16.9 percent from 1991 to 1997. based on a Dec. 15, 1998, report issued by the People” in November 1998. The report con- Nationally, employment increased only 12.1 Task Force on Transitional Issues. sists of a review of the state’s labor situation percent in that period. Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) and and policy recommendations. Fields told the committee that the depart- Rep. Len Biernat (DFL-Mpls), both members Janna King, a member of the Citizen ment is working on issues such as employee of the task force, briefed their fellow commit- League’s Twin Cities Labor Shortage Com- recruitment and affordable housing projects tee members on the report. mittee, said that policymakers have dealt with to attract and retain workers. He also said that While most of the duties will be handed labor surpluses for 63 of the last 68 years. She the department is concerned with the creation over to the commissioner, the report suggests said the switch to dealing with a shortage is of high-quality, livable-wage jobs. that some responsibilities be transferred else- difficult. “Such targeted job creation is important so where to prevent overload at the department. “This is such a huge shift,” she said. “I don’t that all regions have an adequate number of Suggestions include allowing school boards to think we have a clue how to act. It presents a well-paying jobs which will enhance future appeal commissioner decisions to adminis- lot of challenges.” career opportunities for all Minnesotans and trative law judges, and finding new home bases In its report, the Citizens League articulates fuel the state’s long-term economic prosper- for licensing administrators and for oversee- a new approach for economic development ity,” the performance report states. ing bilingual and English as a second language and labor policy. Recently-appointed DTED Commissioner teachers. “New paradigms, programs, and Jerry Carlson responded to questions during In addition, the report recommends that collaboratives should look to improve the pro- his first appearance before a committee of the advisory committees be set up to handle char- ductivity of the regional economy, making up Legislature. ter schools and rulemaking. through sheer innovation what it lacks in terms Rep. Mike Jaros (DFL-Duluth) asked the But some witnesses and legislators ques- of sheer numbers of workers,” the report says. Ventura appointee if he thought that it was tioned the need for advisory committees. They Here are some of the policy recommenda- fair for welfare recipients to have to prove the pointed out that if open meeting laws are tions made in the report. need for assistance when businesses often re- followed, members of those committees (who • Policy makers should move away from ge- ceive assistance without much scrutiny. often serve on other boards or committees neric job creation to improved productivity, “I think that it’s dangerous ground to try together) would be in danger of violating the including focusing on “industry clusters” and make some black-and-white comparison law if they happen to meet quorum some- over individual businesses. The report ad- between the human welfare side and what I where other than the actual meeting — at a vocates supporting strong niche industries, hesitate to call the business welfare side,” different committee meeting, for instance — such as computers and medical devices, that Carlson said. and happen to discuss relevant issues. can have long-term effects on quality job He told the committee that he feels business And creating a suitable organization for creation. results can often be quantified, while results licensing administrators drew fire from some • The Legislature should pass tax policies that for individuals should be qualified. witnesses, who advocated that the process be encourage technology-based investments. A kept separate from teacher licensing and also new economy based on a labor shortage will subject to peer review. rely heavily on technology. Need a copy of a bill? Representatives from the state academies • Education and training programs should Call the Chief Clerk’s Office at for the deaf and blind in Faribault, and the provide longer term assistance to entry-level (651) 296-2314 State Special Education Advisory Council also workers and those who are underemployed. testified at the committee. Both favored re- These programs should focus on meeting pealing the 1998 law and reinstating the board, the needs of employers, especially employ- citing benefits the board brings to their orga- ers identified in the industry clusters. Train- nizations. ing should also provide workers who are

6 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 underemployed with skills not only to get a Hackbarth said preventing future damage job, but to keep that job and advance. to trails could be addressed in a separate bill. Legislators were interested in recommen- “I think a lot of snowmobilers were not dations on how to make employment training aware that they couldn’t go on paved trails programs more effective. The report outlines (when using studs). But this has been a hot a “best practices” review process that would topic, and I would hope to see a decline,” give funding bodies the power to reward effec- Hackbarth said. tive programs and eliminate those which don’t The bill now goes to the House Environ- produce. ment & Natural Resources Finance The report also suggests introducing more Committee. competition by placing the funding power directly with the trainee. One suggestion is a voucher system, where a worker could choose GOVERNMENT the program that most suits his or her needs. State Demographer Tom Gillaspy also testi- The rules have changed fied before the committee. He said that Minnesota’s labor growth since World War II “Windbag” was the word of the day during was based on the natural aging of a young a Jan. 11 floor debate over proposed changes population and the entry of women in to the to the permanent rules of the House. work force. These factors have leveled off. Members adopted the permanent rules of He said that employment growth averaged the House on a 79-52 vote, but only after 1.6 percent annually over the last seven years, Doug Franzen, representing the Minnesota United nearly five hours of lengthy debate — or while the labor force only grew by an average Snowmobilers Association, testifies in favor of a “wind-bagging,” as some members called it. of 1.4 percent per year over the same period. bill that would repeal the 1998 snowmobile stud Much of the time was spent discussing ban. The bill was approved by the House Environment & Natural Resources Policy changes to the “previous question” motion, Committee Jan. 14. which allows excessive debate to be termi- ENVIRONMENT nated and an immediate vote to be taken on snowmobiling rules to revert to 1997 law. the proposal in question. Snowmobiling with studs would still be pro- New plan targets stud ban Approved changes call for minimum time hibited on paved trails, but it would be legal in limits before the previous question can be A statewide ban on the use of snowmobile other public areas. called, including a two-hour debate allowance studs would be removed under a proposal A 1998 law is set to ban the use of snowmo- for major finance or revenue bills, one hour approved Jan. 14 by the House Environment & bile studs on any public lands, roads, or trails for other bills, and 20 minutes for debate on Natural Resources Policy Committee. after July 1. In other words, this is the last amendments or motions. Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar), sponsor winter studs will be allowed in the state, except DFL members questioned the need to of the bill (HF6), said it would cause state on private lands and frozen lakes. change the previous question rule, which has Hackbarth’s plan also would eliminate the rarely been used. They said that creating time current $50 annual surcharge for snowmo- limits would encourage members to invoke biles with studs. The temporary surcharge, the rule and effectively impose censorship and mandated by the 1998 law to be in place until create artificial time limits on debate. the ban takes effect, is earmarked for the repair “I need to hear the debate,” said Rep. of paved state trails. Kris Hasskamp (DFL-Crosby). “I don’t make Greg Sorenson and Doug Franzen of the Min- up my mind before I get here.” nesota United Snowmobilers Association ap- Republican members countered that the peared in support of the bill. Sorenson said changes in fact provided for minimum debate banning the use of studs would be devastating to times, whereas the old rules allowed the previ- businesses in the tourism industry. And Franzen ous question to be called at any time. said studs improve snowmobile safety by en- “This is a modest, gentle reform that on its abling people to stop faster, especially on ice. face gives the minority more rights than they But Mark Hugunin, of the Minnesota currently have,” said Majority Leader Parks & Trails Council, said snowmobiles with Tim Pawlenty (R-Eagan). studs have caused tremendous damage to trails. In another rule change, members approved Repairing the damage on state-operated trails an amendment offered by Rep. Peggy Leppik would cost about $1 million, he said. Repair- (R-Golden Valley), that adds the word “non- ing trails that are maintained by counties or denominational” to the description of the type townships would increase the amount to of prayer allowed in the House chamber. (Each $3 million. floor session begins with a prayer by the House Hugunin recommended that any legisla- chaplain or, as is often the case, by a visiting Mark Hugunin, from the Minnesota Parks and Trails tion include establishing a fund to pay for Council, testifies against a bill that would repeal chaplain for the day.) The amendment also the snowmobile stud ban. Critics of the bill say repairs to trails and enforcement of the rules. added that the prayer must “respect the reli- that the ban is necessary because of damage to Money should also be designated for public gious diversity of the House.” the state’s paved trails. education efforts, he said.

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 7 Members also passed significant changes to tration — and funding — of those programs is the rules governing bills. handled primarily by county governments in TRANSPORTATION The General Orders calendar (once the list Minnesota. Approaches vary between coun- of bills awaiting floor action) is no more. It has ties, as do the costs of providing services in Growing transit demands been replaced by the General Register. The different counties. The state spends $225 mil- Committee of the Whole process that went lion annually on out-of-home placements. Officials from the Metropolitan Council along with General Orders bills also has been The auditor’s report involved interviews gave lawmakers a glimpse of their public tran- eliminated. and surveys of human services directors and sit budget request at a joint meeting of the The Special Orders calendar (the list of bills corrections supervisors who work with out- House Transportation Finance and House designated for floor action on a given day) is of-home placement throughout the state. Transportation Policy committees Jan. 12. gone, too. It has been replaced with the Calen- Among suggestions for improving “treatment The council’s $120.6 million request in- dar of Day. care” foster homes, group homes, and correc- cludes provisions for basic operations and There also is a new deadline on selecting tional, mental health, and chemical depen- investment packages to provide for future plan- bills for the Calendar of the Day. The House dency facilities are: ning. In addition, Metro Transit is asking for Rules and Legislative Administration Com- • Increase options for short-term placement. $52 million in bond revenue for capital mittee must set the Calendar of the Day by 5 (Some officials said “standard” programs projects. p.m. on the day before the floor session. But are longer — and more costly — than neces- Metro Transit officials and representatives that rule only applies until late April, allowing sary.); from the Suburban Transit Association briefed more flexibility in the weeks before adjourn- • Tailor programs to meet the needs of fami- lawmakers on their budgets and operations as ment. (Previously, Special Orders were often lies; part of the committees’ first meeting of the designated just minutes before the beginning • Preserve family ties by allowing more fre- legislative session. of a floor session, and critics said that pro- quent parental visits, especially in correc- The two organizations make up the major- vided too little notice for interested parties.) tional facilities and group homes; ity of public transit services in the metro area, There will no longer be “Rule 1.10” bills. • Provide more “aftercare” services for chil- with the Suburban Transit Association pro- The list of fiscal bills called up on the floor by dren who have returned home after com- viding small, suburban-based commuter the chair of the House Ways and Means Com- pleting programs; and routes and carpool programs in cities that are mittee will now be called the Fiscal Calendar. • Improve sensitivity to cultural and ethnic not part of the Metro Transit system, such as Also, the number of co-sponsors allowed for a differences in children served. The report Burnsville, Eagan, Shakopee, Rosemount, and bill has been increased from five to 35. showed disproportionate percentages of out- Prior Lake. Metro Transit runs the area’s pub- Other changes to the House rules require of-home placements involve children of eth- lic bus system and Metro Mobility, a transit recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at each nic minorities. service for people with disabilities. floor session (instead of weekly) and require Other major recommendations of the re- Jim Solem, a regional administrator with the process by which budget priorities are set port include a proposal to require courts to set the Metropolitan Council, told committee to be publicized. more specific placement goals and to require members that in order to keep up with the The new rules took effect immediately. state agencies to monitor and report on the growing traffic congestion in the Twin Cities success of those goals. metro area, the transit system will have to be The report also suggests that counties be doubled by 2020. HUMAN SERVICES required to establish juvenile screening teams Art Leahy, general manager for Metro Tran- and to develop community-based alternatives sit, said ridership is at its highest rate in five Report: programs need help to out-of-home placements. years and is exceeding service increases. Joel Alter, program evaluation coordinator To keep pace with that growth, Metro Tran- Some lawmakers have questioned whether with the Office of Legislative Auditor, said the sit would use the state funding to increase the state should build more facilities for juve- task that remains is determining how success- service by 8.3 percent and increase Metro nile out-of-home placements, but a Legisla- ful the programs are. Mobility service by 7.7 percent. tive Audit report recommends increasing the Most counties evaluate the success of pro- The package also would provide additional quality of services rather than the number of grams, but gathering statewide information is funding for the Hiawatha Avenue Corridor beds. just getting started, said Erin Sullivan Sutton, project, a planned light-rail transit line from Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles said out-of- Director of the Family & Children’s Services downtown Minneapolis to the Minneapolis- home placement is often associated with juve- Division of the Department of Human Ser- St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of nile crime, but the majority of such placements vices. She said her department will be releas- America. Funds also would be earmarked to are made because of the conduct of parents, ing reports that evaluate outcomes of child help with adjustments in property taxes as not children. welfare programs and other related areas. service increases. The report says placements are caused by a Sullivan Sutton said the reports, which were Metro Transit would use the $52 million in child’s behavior only 30 percent of the time. requested by the 1998 Legislature, will create a bond funds to replace 292 buses, construct Parents’ conduct, such as abusing or neglect- base of information that will make it easier to five new park-and-ride lots and nine transit ing a child, is the cause 46 percent of the time. continue gathering data in future years. hubs, and complete a garage in the eastern Other placements are ordered because chil- metropolitan area. The money also would dren have drug or alcohol problems or are cover matching funds for federal transporta- emotionally disturbed. If you have Internet access, visit the tion grants. The variety of reasons for placements makes Legislature’s web page at: it a challenge to design and administer appro- http://www.leg.state.mn.us priate programs, Nobles said. The adminis-

8 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 Minnesota House of Representatives 1999 Committee Assignments by Member

Abeler, Jim (R)-Anoka ...... 49A Carruthers, Phil (DFL)-Brooklyn Center... 47B Entenza, Matt (DFL)-St. Paul ...... 64A Education Policy Civil Law, DFL lead Commerce Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Capital Investment Education Policy Health & Human Services Policy Rules & Legislative Administration K-12 Education Finance K-12 Education Finance Taxes Ways & Means Abrams, Ron (R)-Minnetonka ...... 45A Cassell, George (R)-Alexandria...... 10B Erhardt, Ron (R)-Edina ...... 42A Taxes, chair Agriculture Policy Property Tax Division, chair Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Education Policy Commerce Property Tax Division Higher Education Finance Taxes Rules & Legislative Administration Jobs & Economic Development Policy Ways & Means Erickson, Sondra (R)-Princeton ...... 17A Chaudhary, Satveer (DFL)-Fridley ...... 52A Education Policy Anderson, Bruce (R)-Buffalo Township ... 19B Education Policy Governmental Operations & Crime Prevention, vice chair Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Veterans Affairs Policy Governmental Operations & Jobs & Economic Development Policy K-12 Education Finance Veterans Affairs Policy State Government Finance Clark, James T. (R)-Springfield ...... 23A Finseth, Tim (R)-Angus ...... 1B Transportation Policy, vice chair Agriculture Policy, chair Anderson, Irv (DFL)-International Falls ..... 3A Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Agriculture & Rural Development Finance Capital Investment Property Tax Division Environment & Natural Resources Finance Environment & Natural Resources Policy Taxes Environment & Natural Resources Policy Jobs & Economic Development Policy Ways & Means Clark, Karen (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 61A Bakk, Thomas “Tom” (DFL)-Cook ...... 6A Commerce Folliard, Betty (DFL)-Hopkins ...... 44A Commerce Jobs & Economic Development Finance Education Policy Environment & Natural Resources Finance Jobs & Economic Development Policy Governmental Operations & Environment & Natural Resources Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Daggett, Roxann (R)-Frazee ...... 11A Higher Education Finance Biernat, Len (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 59A Taxes, vice chair Education Policy Capital Investment Fuller, Doug (R)-Bemidji ...... 4A K-12 Education Finance Jobs & Economic Development Policy Capital Investment Transportation Policy Property Tax Division Crime Prevention Judiciary Finance Bishop, Dave (R)-Rochester ...... 30B Davids, Gregory M. (R)-Preston ...... 31B Ways & Means Ways & Means, chair Commerce, chair Capital Investment Agriculture Policy Gerlach, Chris (R)-Apple Valley ...... 36A Civil Law Ethics Commerce Crime Prevention Jobs & Economic Development Finance Governmental Operations & Transportation Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Boudreau, Lynda (R)-Faribault...... 25B State Government Finance Health & Human Services Policy, vice chair Dawkins, Andy (DFL)-St. Paul ...... 65A Civil Law Civil Law Gleason, Mark S. (DFL)-Richfield ...... 63B Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Jobs & Economic Development Policy Governmental Operations & Health & Human Services Finance Taxes Veterans Affairs Policy Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Bradley, Fran (R)-Rochester...... 30A Dehler, Steve (R)-St. Joseph ...... 14A State Government Finance Health & Human Services Policy, chair Higher Education Finance, vice chair Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Education Policy Goodno, Kevin (R)-Moorhead ...... 9A Health & Human Services Finance Governmental Operations & Health & Human Services Finance, chair Rules & Legislative Administration Veterans Affairs Policy Crime Prevention Health & Human Services Policy Broecker, Sherry (R)-Vadnais Heights ...... 53B Dempsey, Jerry (R)-Hastings...... 29A Judiciary Finance, chair Capital Investment, vice chair Gray, Gregory (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 58B Civil Law Education Policy Education Policy Crime Prevention K-12 Education Finance Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Jobs & Economic Development Policy Buesgens, Mark (R)-Jordan ...... 35B Dorman, Dan (R)-Albert Lea ...... 27A Education Policy Agriculture Policy Greenfield, Lee (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 62A K-12 Education Finance Jobs & Economic Development Policy Health & Human Services Finance, DFL lead Transportation Policy Property Tax Division Health & Human Services Policy Taxes Ways & Means Carlson, Lyndon R. (DFL)-Crystal ...... 46B Education Policy, DFL lead Dorn, John (DFL)-Mankato ...... 24A Greiling, Mindy (DFL)-Roseville ...... 54B Governmental Operations & Education Policy Education Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Health & Human Services Policy Governmental Operations & Higher Education Finance Higher Education Finance Veterans Affairs Policy Ways & Means K-12 Education Finance

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 9 Gunther, Bob (R)-Fairmont ...... 26A Jaros, Mike (DFL)-Duluth ...... 7B Kuisle, William (R)-Rochester...... 31A Jobs & Jobs & Property Tax Division, vice chair Economic Development Finance, vice chair Economic Development Policy, DFL lead Taxes Agriculture Policy Civil Law Transportation Finance Commerce Jobs & Economic Development Finance Transportation Policy Jobs & Economic Development Policy Jennings, Loren Geo (DFL)-Harris...... 18B Larsen, Peg (R)-Lakeland ...... 56B Haake, Barb (R)-Mounds View...... 52B Commerce, DFL lead Local Government & Crime Prevention Health & Human Services Policy Metropolitan Affairs, chair Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Crime Prevention Transportation Finance Taxes Judiciary Finance Transportation Policy Johnson, Alice M. (DFL)-Spring Lake Park .. 48B Larson, Dan (DFL)-Bloomington ...... 40A Haas, Bill (R)-Champlin ...... 48A K-12 Education Finance, DFL lead Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Ways & Means, vice chair Education Policy Transportation Finance Commerce Transportation Policy Transportation Policy Environment & Natural Resources Policy Ways & Means Health & Human Services Policy Leighton, Rob (DFL)-Austin...... 27B Juhnke, Al (DFL)-Willmar ...... 15A Civil Law Hackbarth, Tom (R)-Cedar ...... 50A Agriculture Policy Jobs & Economic Development Policy Environment & Transportation Finance Rules & Legislative Administration Natural Resources Finance, vice chair Transportation Policy Taxes Environment & Natural Resources Policy Jobs & Economic Development Policy Kahn, Phyllis (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 59B Lenczewski, Ann (DFL)-Bloomington ...... 40B Governmental Operations & Governmental Operations & Harder, Elaine (R)-Jackson ...... 22B Veterans Affairs Policy, DFL lead Veterans Affairs Policy Ethics, chair Commerce Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Agriculture Policy State Government Finance Property Tax Division Agriculture & Rural Development Finance Taxes Property Tax Division Kalis, Henry J. (DFL)-Walters ...... 26B Taxes Capital Investment, DFL lead Leppik, Peggy (R)-Golden Valley...... 45B Transportation Policy Higher Education Finance, chair Hasskamp, Kris (DFL)-Crosby ...... 12A Ways & Means Capital Investment Local Government & Education Policy Metropolitan Affairs, DFL lead Kelliher, Margaret Anderson (DFL)- Commerce Minneapolis ...... 60A Lieder, Bernie L. (DFL)-Crookston ...... 2A Property Tax Division Environment & Natural Resources Policy Transportation Finance, DFL lead Taxes Transportation Policy Commerce Ways & Means Transportation Policy Hausman, Alice (DFL)-St. Paul ...... 66B Transportation Policy, DFL lead Kielkucki, Tony (R)-Lester Prairie ...... 20B Lindner, Arlon (R)-Corcoran ...... 33A Environment & Natural Resources Policy Education Policy Jobs & Economic Development Policy, chair Transportation Finance Governmental Operations & Capital Investment Veterans Affairs Policy Jobs & Economic Development Finance Hilty, Bill (DFL)-Finlayson ...... 8B K-12 Education Finance State Government Finance, DFL lead Luther, Darlene (DFL)-Brooklyn Park ...... 47A Commerce Knoblach, Jim (R)-St. Cloud ...... 16B Capital Investment Governmental Operations & Capital Investment, chair Education Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Civil Law Health & Human Services Policy Rules & Legislative Administration Holberg, Mary Liz (R)-Lakeville ...... 37B Taxes Mahoney, Tim (DFL)-St. Paul ...... 67A Judiciary Finance, vice chair Ways & Means Civil Law Civil Law Crime Prevention Commerce Koskinen, Luanne (DFL)-Coon Rapids ..... 49B Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Health & Human Services Finance Health & Human Services Policy Mares, Harry (R)-White Bear Lake ...... 55A Holsten, Mark William (R)-Stillwater ...... 56A Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Education Policy, chair Environment & Governmental Operations & Natural Resources Finance, chair Krinkie, Philip (R)-Shoreview ...... 53A Veterans Affairs Policy Commerce State Government Finance, chair K-12 Education Finance Environment & Natural Resources Policy Capital Investment Ways & Means Governmental Operations & Mariani, Carlos (DFL)-St. Paul ...... 65B Veterans Affairs Policy Education Policy Howes, Larry (R)-Hackensack ...... 4B Ways & Means Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Commerce Health & Human Services Policy Environment & Natural Resources Finance Kubly, Gary W. (DFL)-Granite Falls ...... 15B Environment & Natural Resources Policy Agriculture Policy Marko, Sharon (DFL)-Cottage Grove ...... 57B Health & Human Services Policy Agriculture & Rural Development Finance Capital Investment Jobs & Economic Development Finance Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Huntley, Thomas (DFL)-Duluth ...... 6B Jobs & Economic Development Policy Transportation Policy Health & Human Services Policy, DFL lead Commerce Health & Human Services Finance

10 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 McCollum, Betty (DFL)-North St. Paul...... 55B Opatz, Joe (DFL)-St. Cloud ...... 16A Reuter, Doug (R)-Owatonna ...... 28A Environment & Natural Resources Finance Education Policy Commerce Environment & Natural Resources Policy Higher Education Finance Governmental Operations & Health & Human Services Policy Transportation Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Rules & Legislative Administration Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Orfield, Myron (DFL)-Minneapolis...... 60B State Government Finance McElroy, Dan (R)-Burnsville ...... 36B Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Jobs & Economic Development Finance, chair Property Tax Division Rhodes, Jim (R)-St. Louis Park...... 44B Jobs & Economic Development Policy Taxes Governmental Operations & Property Tax Division Veterans Affairs Policy, chair Taxes Osskopp, Mike (R)-Lake City ...... 29B Capital Investment State Government Finance, vice chair State Government Finance McGuire, Mary Jo (DFL)-Falcon Heights ..... 54A Environment & Natural Resources Policy Ethics (alternate) Family & Early Childhood Governmental Operations & Education Finance, DFL lead Veterans Affairs Policy Rifenberg, Michelle (R)-La Crescent ...... 32B Crime Prevention Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Judiciary Finance Osthoff, Tom (DFL)-St. Paul ...... 66A Taxes Environment & Transportation Policy Milbert, Bob (DFL)-South St. Paul ...... 39B Natural Resources Finance, DFL lead Ethics, co-chair Commerce Rostberg, Jim (R)-Isanti ...... 18A Property Tax Division, DFL lead Environment & Natural Resources Policy Governmental Operations & Rules & Legislative Administration Ways & Means Veterans Affairs Policy, vice chair Taxes Agriculture Policy Otremba, Mary Ellen (DFL)-Long Prairie .... 11B Agriculture & Rural Development Finance Molnau, Carol L. (R)-Chaska ...... 35A Agriculture Policy Environment & Natural Resources Policy Transportation Finance, chair Education Policy Capital Investment Health & Human Services Finance Rukavina, Tom (DFL)-Virginia...... 5A Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Health & Human Services Policy Jobs & Economic Development Policy Transportation Policy Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Ways & Means Ozment, Dennis (R)-Rosemount ...... 37A Taxes Environment & Mulder, Richard (R)-Ivanhoe ...... 21B Natural Resources Policy, chair Schumacher, Leslie J. (DFL)-Princeton .... 17B Health & Human Services Finance, vice chair Commerce Agriculture Policy Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Environment & Natural Resources Finance Education Policy Health & Human Services Policy Rules & Legislative Administration K-12 Education Finance Ways & Means Paulsen, Erik (R)-Eden Prairie ...... 42B Seagren, Alice (R)-Bloomington ...... 41A Mullery, Joe (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 58A Commerce, vice chair K-12 Education Finance, chair Civil Law Property Tax Division Education Policy Crime Prevention Rules & Legislative Administration Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Governmental Operations & Taxes Ways & Means Veterans Affairs Policy State Government Finance Pawlenty, Tim (R)-Eagan ...... 38B Seifert, Jim (R)-Woodbury...... 57A Rules & Legislative Administration, chair Civil Law, vice chair Munger, Willard (DFL)-Duluth ...... 7A Commerce Environment & Paymar, Michael (DFL)-St. Paul...... 64B Health & Human Services Finance Natural Resources Policy, DFL lead Crime Prevention Health & Human Services Policy Environment & Natural Resources Finance Governmental Operations & Ways & Means Veterans Affairs Policy Seifert, Marty (R)-Marshall ...... 21A Judiciary Finance Education Policy Murphy, Mary (DFL)-Hermantown ...... 8A Governmental Operations & Judiciary Finance, DFL lead Pelowski Jr., Gene (DFL)-Winona ...... 32A Veterans Affairs Policy Capital Investment Higher Education Finance, DFL lead Higher Education Finance Crime Prevention Education Policy Rules & Legislative Administration Ethics Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Skoe, Rod (DFL)-Clearbrook ...... 2B Ness, Robert “Bob” (R)-Dassel...... 20A Peterson, Doug (DFL)-Madison ...... 13B Agriculture Policy Agriculture & Agriculture & Agriculture & Rural Development Finance Rural Development Finance, chair Rural Development Finance, DFL lead Environment & Natural Resources Policy K-12 Education Finance, vice chair Agriculture Policy Agriculture Policy Environment & Natural Resources Policy Skoglund, Wes (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 62B Education Policy Crime Prevention, DFL lead Pugh, Thomas W. (DFL)-South St. Paul.... 39A Civil Law Nornes, Bud (R)-Fergus Falls ...... 10A Rules & Legislative Administration Judiciary Finance Family & Early Childhood Ways & Means Education Finance, vice chair Smith, Steve (R)-Mound...... 34A Education Policy Rest, Ann H. (DFL)-New Hope...... 46A Civil Law, chair Health & Human Services Policy Taxes, DFL lead Crime Prevention K-12 Education Finance Governmental Operations & Judiciary Finance Veterans Affairs Policy Olson, Mark (R)-Big Lake ...... 19A Property Tax Division Solberg, Loren A. (DFL)-Bovey...... 3B Education Policy, vice chair Ways & Means Ways & Means, DFL lead Civil Law Capital Investment Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Rules & Legislative Administration Health & Human Services Policy

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 11 Stanek, Rich (R)-Maple Grove ...... 33B Van Dellen, Henry Todd (R)-Plymouth ..... 34B Crime Prevention, chair Property Tax Division Where to find information Civil Law Taxes Judiciary Finance Transportation Policy House Public Information Office Ways & Means 175 State Office Building Stang, Doug (R)-Cold Spring...... 14B (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 Education Policy Vandeveer, Ray (R)-Forest Lake ...... 51B The House Public Information Office is a Higher Education Finance Transportation Finance, vice chair nonpartisan office that provides: committee Jobs & Economic Development Policy Capital Investment meeting schedules; legislator information; and Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs publications, including the Session Weekly news Ways & Means Transportation Policy magazine, educational brochures for all ages, Storm, Julie (R)-St. Peter ...... 24B Wagenius, Jean (DFL)-Minneapolis ...... 63A and member directories. All information is Jobs & Commerce available at no charge. Economic Development Policy, vice chair Environment & Natural Resources Finance Most of what this office publishes can be Agriculture Policy Environment & Natural Resources Policy viewed on the Legislature’s World Wide Web Education Policy Ethics (alternate) page. To connect, point your web browser at: Higher Education Finance http://www.leg.state.mn.us Wejcman, Linda (DFL)-Minneapolis...... 61B Sviggum, Steve (R)-Kenyon ...... 28B Agriculture Policy Rules & Legislative Administration Capital Investment Taxes Health & Human Services Policy Ways & Means Rules & Legislative Administration Minnesota Swenson, Howard (R)-Nicollet ...... 23B Wenzel, Stephen G. (DFL)-Little Falls ...... 12B State Agencies Agriculture & Rural Development Finance, Agriculture Policy, DFL lead vice chair Agriculture & Rural Development Finance (all numbers are area code 651) Agriculture Policy Crime Prevention Agriculture ...... 297-2200 Environment & Natural Resources Finance Ways & Means Commerce ...... 296-4026 Environment & Natural Resources Policy Corrections ...... 642-0200 Transportation Policy Westerberg, Andrew (R)-Blaine...... 51A Children, Families Crime Prevention and Learning ...... 582-8200 Sykora, Barb (R)-Excelsior ...... 43B Jobs & Economic Development Finance Economic Security ...... 296-3644 Family & Early Childhood Jobs & Economic Development Policy Employee Relations ...... 297-1184 Education Finance, chair Job Information ...... 296-2616 Education Policy Westfall, Robert L. “Bob” (R)-Rothsay ...... 9B Finance ...... 296-5900 Jobs & Economic Development Finance Environment & Gaming Jobs & Economic Development Policy Natural Resources Policy, vice chair Rules & Legislative Administration Gambling Control Division ... 639-4000 Agriculture Policy MN State Lottery Division ..... 635-8100 Ways & Means Environment & Natural Resources Finance Jobs & Economic Development Policy Toll Free ...... 1-800-475-4000 Tingelstad, Kathy (R)-Andover ...... 50B Health ...... 623-5000 Environment & Natural Resources Finance Westrom, Torrey (R)-Elbow Lake ...... 13A Human Rights...... 296-5663 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3704 Environment & Natural Resources Policy Agriculture Policy, vice chair Health & Human Services Policy Agriculture & Rural Development Finance Human Services ...... 296-6117 Transportation Finance Labor and Industry ...... 296-6107 Tomassoni, David J. (DFL)-Chisholm ...... 5B Transportation Policy Military Affairs...... 282-4662 Commerce Natural Resources...... 296-6157 Education Policy Wilkin, Tim (R)-Eagan ...... 38A Public Safety...... 296-6642 K-12 Education Finance Health & Human Services Finance Driver and Vehicle Services ... 296-6911 Health & Human Services Policy Fire Marshal ...... 643-3080 Trimble, Steve (DFL)-St. Paul ...... 67B Taxes Liquor Control ...... 296-6159 Jobs & State Patrol ...... 297-3935 Economic Development Finance, DFL lead Winter, Ted (DFL)-Fulda...... 22A Pollution Control Agency ...... 296-6300 Capital Investment Agriculture Policy Public Service ...... 296-5120 Jobs & Economic Development Policy Property Tax Division Revenue Rules & Legislative Administration Taxpayer Assistance ...... 296-3781 Tuma, John (R)-Northfield ...... 25A Taxes Toll Free ...... 1-800-652-9094 Local Government & Trade and Metropolitan Affairs, vice chair Wolf, Ken (R)-Burnsville...... 41B Economic Development ...... 297-1291 Capital Investment Commerce Office of Tourism ...... 296-5029 Education Policy Education Policy Transportation ...... 296-3000 Higher Education Finance K-12 Education Finance Veterans Affairs ...... 296-2562 Rules & Legislative Administration State Information ...... 296-6013 Workman, Tom (R)-Chanhassen...... 43A Tunheim, Jim (DFL)-Kennedy ...... 1A Transportation Policy, chair House Information...... 296-2146 Agriculture Policy Commerce Senate Information...... 296-0504 Education Policy Environment & Natural Resources Policy K-12 Education Finance Transportation Finance

12 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 House Minority Leader . . . Pugh hopes to fare well in his new role guiding DFL By Sandy Donovan qualities will lead to enhanced coopera- Ask a lawmaker from either side of the tion between all three parties this aisle to describe new House Minority session. Leader Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. Paul), “Also, I come from a suburban dis- and chances are the word “fair” will be trict, which is an area Democrats have mentioned. been struggling with,” he said. “The need “I do think he’ll be fair to deal with,” for a suburban voice was one of the said House Speaker Steve Sviggum topics within the caucus. The alliance (R-Kenyon). between rural and big-city districts has And colleagues agree. “He strikes me squeezed the suburbs on tax and educa- as a fair person, trying to preserve a tion issues.” congenial attitude,” said Rep. Elaine The new minority leader said he’s par- Harder (R-Jackson), an assistant major- ticularly optimistic about working with ity leader. new Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty (R- Pugh’s caucus elected him to the top Eagan). The two grew up just seven DFL post in the House last November, houses away from each other in South after the elections reduced the 70-seat St. Paul and continue to play hockey DFL majority to a 63-seat minority. together. “My style has always been one of con- “I’m definitely encouraged by Tim’s sensus builder rather than bomb election. He’s also more of a consensus thrower,” Pugh said. “The choice is to builder than a bomb thrower,” he said. deadlock on partisan issues or to bridge “We looked at [his election] as a sign differences and to find solutions. That’s that there’s not going to be open been my style and I was elected because warfare.” of that. If the party felt we needed a table Substitute “Tom” for “Tim” and those pounder, I wouldn’t have been the words could be a comment from any choice.” number of Republican members about As a lawmaker since 1989, Pugh has Pugh himself. In addition to noting the worked on issues from tobacco restric- minority leader’s sense of fairness on the tions to property tax relief. Now, he said, floor, members say he has often reached he’s ready to focus on finding ways to out with a friendly hand. House Minority Leader Tom Pugh aims to be a consensus builder keep DFL-friendly legislation afloat in a — not a bomb thrower — as he guides the DFL Caucus. “My first encounter with Rep. Pugh Republican-controlled House. was two years ago as a freshman when he To that end, he’ll be working closely with He said he’ll lead his caucus with the same and [Rep.] Alice Seagren (R-Bloomington) the DFL-controlled Senate and new Reform style he’s maintained throughout his career. led the new members’ retreat,” recalled Assis- Party Gov. Jesse Ventura. “Your leadership style has to be similar to tant Majority Leader Tony Kielkucki (R-Lester “There are certainly opportunities for what your style in real life,” Pugh said. “My style has Prairie). “I found him very cordial and easy to we see as basic DFL positions,” Pugh said. always been to get a lot of information, to have work with, and he made everybody feel very “Ventura has talked about issues that are simi- people involved, and to reach common welcome to the Minnesota House of Repre- lar to DFL positions — lower class sizes, op- ground. That’s especially important in our sentatives. posing school vouchers. We have a new current climate, with people extremely upset “I look forward to working with him,” political experiment in Minnesota with three- and tired of partisan politics. I think the No- Kielkucki said. And he added a final, familiar party government, so really the chances for vember elections spoke a bit to that.” opinion: “I think he’ll be fair to work with.” one party controlling even one branch of gov- Pugh called himself a moderate DFLer who’s ernment is gone.” less partisan than some and said that those

Frequently called numbers Secretary of the Senate Index, Senate Information, House 231 Capitol ...... (651) 296-0271 110 Capitol ...... (651) 296-2887 175 State Office Building ... (651) 296-2146 Voice mail/order bills ...... (651) 296-2343 Index, House TTY, Senate...... (651) 296-0250 Chief Clerk of the House 211 Capitol ...... (651) 296-6646 Toll free ...... 1-888-234-1112 211 Capitol ...... (651) 296-2314 Information, Senate TTY, House ...... (651) 296-9896 231 Capitol ...... (651) 296-0504 Toll free ...... 1-800-657-3550

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 13 New Members . . . Anoka lawmaker hoping for a successful rookie year

By Sarah Hallonquist Abeler serves on the House Education was founded by Abeler’s father in 1951. Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) said he feels a Policy, K-12 Education Finance, Family and Twenty years working in health care have little bit like Minnesota Twins rookie Chuck Early Childhood Education Finance, and provided him with an understanding of all Knoblauch during the Health and Human Services Policy commit- different kinds of people in many facets of 1991 World Series. tees. society, Abeler said. Abeler, 44, is a fresh- Even though he’s a first-termer, he’s confi- “I have a real spot in my heart for the man legislator serving in dent his personal abilities will help him suc- working poor,” he said. “You have to help public office for the first ceed in his legislative career. In his committee them transition.” time, and his party is in work, Abeler said he hopes to focus on the big To explain his views, Abeler uses a favorite the majority in the House picture when considering complex, contro- analogy of government acting as the training for the first time in 13 versial issues. wheels on a bicycle. He said at some point, the Rep. Jim Abeler years. “I’m good at deciding where to plant the training wheels do have to come off to let “I’m a man very next tree in the forest,” said Abeler. “I’m not a people ride on their own. He wants to use job blessed,” he said. detail guy.” development to help people come off state Abeler fills the District 49A seat vacated by He said he believes his strengths will bal- welfare rolls and enter the work force. former Rep. Charlie Weaver — now the state’s ance with those who tend toward an interest in “It’s important to recognize the lower and public safety commissioner — who ran an technicalities. lower-middle classes aren’t static,” Abeler said. unsuccessful bid for state attorney general last Abeler is well-versed in education concerns. “My dream is to help them on their way November. He and his wife, Barb, co-founded a charter through.” Abeler narrowly defeated DFLer Jerry New- school, Parents Allied with Children and One way Abeler would like to help is finding ton, a Coon Rapids City Council member, Teachers (PACT), now in its fifth year of ways to get more child care for poor families. with 51 percent of the vote. During his cam- operation. Five of his sons have attended the Too many people are on waiting lists for slid- paign, Abeler focused on three issues: educa- school. ing-fee child care subsidies, he said. tion, taxes, and crime. Helping to establish PACT is a good ex- Abeler and his wife live in Anoka with their His House committee membership will only ample of Abeler’s support of local control. children: Jamie, 16; Jesse, 14; Jordan, 11; Josiah, allow him to work directly on one of his cam- Parents, he said, should be actively involved 9; Jude, 6. The couple’s sixth son, Judson, was paign platform issue. He serves on three im- with their children’s education. And local born Jan. 5. In his spare time, Abeler plays portant education-related panels. school boards should be given more freedom piano, enjoys novels by Tom Clancy and John And Abeler said he plans to work in other to make decisions that best suit their districts, Grisham, sails, and cross-country skis. ways to fulfill campaign promises to lower he said. taxes and support law enforcement. “It’s not one-size-fits-all,” he said. District 49A One of his main legislative priorities is Abeler believes community members will 1995 population: 34,469 changing the formula for compensatory fund- become better leaders if they are given the Largest city: Coon Rapids ing for school districts. He is one of 17 legisla- chance to make decisions — and mistakes — County: Anoka tors representing the Anoka-Hennepin School on their own. Location: Northwestern Twin Cities suburbs Top concern: “The top concerns I have for my District, one of the largest districts in the state. After attending Hamline University and the district are strong academics, lower taxes, less Some districts, Abeler said, have a large popu- University of Minnesota, Abeler graduated government, strong families, and an infrastruc- lation of students with special needs, but they from Northwestern College of Chiropractic. ture that works.” — Rep. Jim Abeler are spread out over a large area and the money He owns and operates Abeler Chiropractic doesn’t always go where it’s needed most. Clinic in Anoka with his brother. The clinic

“Not only do you look like him, you’re as ranks first in proportion of workers with more tough as he is,” Tuma said. than one job (10 percent). Gillaspy said that the demand for workers will only increase, given the state’s labor short- “Basically, Minnesota is a very hard work- Rep. Peggy Leppik (R-Golden Valley) age. He said that while high employment is ing state,” State Demographer Tom Gillaspy donned a black feather boa and white gloves good, it does raise serious policy questions told the House Jobs and Economic Develop- during the first meeting of the House Higher about the costs — physically, emotionally, ment Finance Committee Jan. 13. Education Finance Committee, which she and financially — on the state. According to Gillaspy, the state ranks third chairs. “We also need to be concerned about people among states in the proportion of population “I do feel thoroughly prepared to meet with working too much,” he said. employed (72 percent). It ranks second in the governor — at least halfway,” she said, participation of women in the labor force (69 throwing the boa over her shoulder. percent). It ranks third in participation of Rep. John Tuma (R-Northfield) noticed men in the labor force (81 percent). And it Leppik’s newfound attitude as she scolded him for being tardy to the meeting.

14 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 New Members . . . Gleason’s House career takes off with airport action By Paul Wahl Oddly enough, concern over the airport would be to make the commission more re- The din of everyday activity in the Minne- expansion was not Gleason’s pivotal issue dur- sponsive. Currently, the governor appoints sota House should not be a problem for newly ing his House campaign. members. elected Rep. Mark Gleason (DFL-Richfield). It was education — particularly improving “Right now, the MAC doesn’t have a lot of He’s accustomed to noise, public education. empathy for people,” he said. living adjacent to Minne- The airport issue “took on a life of its own,” As an accountant and tax attorney, Gleason apolis-St. Paul Interna- he said. And it will continue to live and breathe also has views on how the state’s taxes should tional Airport. throughout the upcoming session. be restructured and the state budget surplus In fact, the airport and Gleason, who will serve on the House Gov- returned to the people. its impact on his district ernmental Operations & Veterans Affairs, “I campaigned on property-tax reductions will likely consume much Local Government, and State Government because property taxes are the most unfair,” of his time this coming Finance committees, believes he can have an Gleason said. Rep. Mark Gleason session. impact on the airport issues from his seat in He will also work to increase the state’s On Dec. 22, 1998, the House. share of finance for public education. Gleason filed a suit against the Metropolitan “The Legislature has the ultimate responsi- Gleason, whose wife is a physician, is also an Airport Commission (MAC) challenging the bility for making people whole when they’ve advocate of patients’ rights when it comes to validity of an Environmental Impact State- been harmed or injured by the action of a state dealing with health insurance companies. ment prepared for a proposed runway expan- agency like the MAC,” he said. “This district This was Gleason’s first campaign for pub- sion. The commission wants to build a new needs a strong voice to make sure people are lic office, although he’s not a complete stranger runway in the buffer zone between the airport protected.” to the House. For six months in 1994, he and residences in east Richfield. Gleason’s bid for the District 63B seat began served as the House controller. Gleason said that the environmental docu- with a contested endorsement. His opponent Gleason said he found campaigning to be a ment completed didn’t adequately address for the DFL endorsement was Richfield City lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work. noise and other issues. And when the Richfield Councilor Susan Rosenberg. City Council voted to strike an accord with the Gleason said there were hard feelings at the commission and not contest the study, Gleason time, but the two have since patched up their District 63B saw few options. differences. Rosenberg, who voted against the 1995 population: 32,603 “I went home that night and began drafting Richfield decision not to challenge the envi- Largest city: Minneapolis County: Hennepin my lawsuit,” said Gleason. “It was always as- ronmental study of the airport expansion, was Location: South Minneapolis/Richfield sumed the city would file a suit against MAC at Gleason’s side when he held a press confer- Top concern: “Because of the airport and other on the grounds of noise and that the investiga- ence last December to announce the filing of transportation issues and how they impact resi- dents, representing this district poses a special tion of noise concerns was inadequate.” his suit. challenge.” Gleason said he didn’t believe MAC’s “vague Among the items Gleason would like to see — Rep. Mark Gleason promise to work with the city to get the Legis- accomplished this session is making the MAC lature to provide money to address noise is- an elected body, but he admits it’s probably sues” went far enough. And he didn’t believe too late to introduce that concept and push it the city should give up its rights to challenge through this year. the project on an environmental basis. He said the main benefit of that change

“You don’t see any trees there, do you?” his no stranger to House committees. He served father-in-law responded. in the House from 1986 to 1995, logging four years as assistant minority leader. Committee members and others applauded While advocating that the 4,800 loggers in Gene Hugoson had been appointed com- enthusiastically as Hugoson took his seat at Minnesota be included in a tax rebate pro- missioner of the Minnesota Department of the witness table. gram aimed at Minnesota’s farmers, Rep. Tom Agriculture by Gov. Jesse Ventura just three He thanked those present, and said his only Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) couldn’t help but hours before he stepped in front of the House regret was that Sharon Clark would now have get in a plug for the many Finnish loggers in Agriculture Policy Committee Jan. 13 to pro- to return to deputy commissioner of agricul- his area, who he says are among the world’s vide an overview of his department. ture status. Clark moved into the best. But he was well prepared. Hugoson had commissioner’s chair after Hugoson’s ap- When the first television shots of the moon served in the commissioner’s seat since July pointment expired. were transmitted back to Earth, his father-in- 1995 when he was appointed by then-gover- law — who is Finnish — told him it was no big nor Arne Carlson. His appointment expired at deal, the Finns had already been there. noon Jan. 4. Incredulous, Rukavina asked how he knew Hugoson, a corn and soybean farmer in that. Martin County near East Chain, Minn., is also

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 15 Youth in Government . . . Model government is no joke to Minnesota students

By Jon Fure have required greater accessibility in hile the real 1999 Minnesota’s state parks. While Hynes Legislative Session supports the concept, she said she voted was just getting against it because of the high costs of started, a group of paving miles of trails and the shaky high school students environmental impacts. Wcompleted an entire model session That’s exactly the kind of thought- Jan. 7-10. fulness that Peter Rodosovich, state ex- And although it’s only a model ecutive director of the Youth in session, students in the YMCA Youth Government program, likes to see. in Government program approach The program, which began in 1946, the four days with a level of serious- is designed to make the students’ ver- ness that rivals that of their adult sion of the session as much like the real counterparts. session as possible. Students seek elec- Meagan Shea, a senior at Hopkins tion for various offices, including gov- High School who was selected as gov- ernor, lieutenant governor, secretary ernor for the mock government, said of state, attorney general, state trea- one of her goals was to pass model surer, state auditor, and seats in the legislation that would enable youth state House of Representatives and Sen- to seek health care for eating disor- ate. Other students participate as lob- ders or other concerns without noti- byists, journalists, administrative staff, fying their parents. Supreme Court justices and appellate She also advocates a tobacco tax to court judges. fund health care reform. She said her There are some obvious differences own experience influenced her em- between the real and model sessions, phasis on health-related issues. Rodosovich said. The language of the “My dad died of a heart attack about bills in the Youth in Government ses- five years ago when he was 40, partly sion isn’t quite up to the standards of because he didn’t get treatment that we the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, for thought was necessary,” she said. example. But students perform basi- Shea and Lt. Gov. Kelli Snaza of cally all of the tasks and have similar Mankato ran as a ticket. Shea said the constraints as if it were a real session. two campaigned at several schools For example, the student governor has and events, and their experience was exactly one hour to sign or veto a bill a key to their success. before it automatically becomes law — “We’ve both been in the program the real governor has at least three days. four years,” she said. “Kelli was sec- “These are highly motivated kids,” retary of state last year, and I was Tia Tilbury, House speaker for the model session and a junior from Rodosovich said. “They spend a lot of attorney general. I think our experi- Savage, Minn., and Shana Kalland, a junior from Minnetonka, Minn., time trying to prepare arguments and who was chief clerk for the session, take part in floor activities Jan. 8. ence was important, especially with draft bills. What’s impressive is that all the changes. We added two new lower “I think our government has gotten too big, they seriously consider these issues and get a houses, and we gave the lieutenant governor and I would like to make it more efficient and feel for how difficult it is, and how to listen to signing power so we can get more bills passed. preserve as many liberties as possible,” he said. contrasting opinions and try to come up with So it helps that we both have been involved.” Janke was enjoying a friendly conversation solutions.” Jordan Janke of Spring Lake Park partici- with Kylah Hynes of Blue Earth, a first-year Adult advisors are a vital part of the pated in the model House of Representatives senator who finds herself on the other end of program’s success. About 250 attorneys, lob- this year for the first time. He said a friend had the political spectrum from Janke. byists, and community journalists help teach asked him to participate in previous years, and “I’m more concerned with social issues,” students what it’s like to walk in their shoes. he has been pleasantly surprised since he agreed Hynes said. “I’m extremely liberal. I believe in The program has enjoyed tremendous sup- to give it a try this year. basic human rights. That matters more to me port from former participants. Roger and He said he’s had fun spending time in the than money.” Andrine Nelson donated $35,000 in memory Capitol, and it’s given him a better under- Nevertheless, she said she was impressed by of their son Brian Nelson. He had participated standing of how government works. Janke the opposing arguments in committee meet- as a student, including being chosen by his describes himself as “fiscally conservative” and ings. The whole session, she said, made her peers to be a speaker pro-tempore in the had no trouble articulating his political realize how complicated legislative decisions are. 1990 - 91 session, and as an adult advisor. He philosophy. One bill that was being discussed would died in February 1998 due to complications of

16 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 program director, said • Give students unrestricted access to Internet 1,469 students from 30 and e-mail; delegations participated • Require school boards to have a student this year. Youth in Gov- representative; ernment has expanded • Legalize fireworks; its scope to accommo- • Reduce the legal drinking age to 18; date the participants. • Establish a death penalty for repeat murder Besides the regular offenders; House and Senate, it has • Legalize prostitution; four lower legislative • Abolish statute of limitations on sexual abuse bodies: the Humphrey cases; House, Sibley House, • Ban curfew laws; and Ramsey Senate, and • Legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Stassen Senate. A somewhat contro- versial new rule was ini- Tia Tilbury presides over the House of Representatives. tiated this year: No joke bills. In past years, gag a degenerative muscular disease. bills have received some media attention, giv- “It was a pretty moving experience to visit ing the program a less serious image than its Gov. handles job pressures with the Nelson family, reminiscing about board of directors would like. Some student Meaghan Shea, governor in the what [Youth in Government] meant to their lobbyists protested the rule, but Lindquist YMCA’s Youth in Government model son,” Rodosovich said. said they plan to keep it. session held at the Capitol Jan. 7-10, Major donations also have been made by “We want it to be some fun and a good got at least one opportunity to prac- alums Tad and Skip Wilke. They recently do- educational objective, and I think it can be fun tice keeping her cool under pressure. nated $10,000 for the second time. Skip Wilke if you stay on that course — focusing on She stopped in to check on the was the executive director before Rodosovich. serious issues that are designed to make Min- progress of an education committee The donations are added to the program’s nesota a better place,” he said. “Students are meeting just as Sen. Ryan Rasmussen endowment, which was started by former encouraged to come up with ideas about how — whose back was to the door — was Minnesota Congressman Tim Penny in 1996. government could be changed or laws that telling fellow committee members, “I Penny contributed $25,000 and challenged could be added based on their personal expe- feel the governor is misinformed on the YMCA to match it with another $25,000. rience. It was a very good event. There were this issue.” The other members Rodosovich said they have far exceeded those very productive and high-level debates on is- laughed, prompting Rasmussen to turn goals: The endowment is now at about $95,000. sues that are being discussed in real govern- around and see Shea standing behind him. Costs of operating the program and scholar- ment like tax refunds and educational issues.” Rasmussen was commenting on a ships come from the endowment’s interest The bills that were introduced in the House revenue. About 5 percent of the interest pays bill that would give unrestricted e-mail in the 45th Youth in Government session in- and Internet access to students in the costs for one year, and the rest is returned cluded proposals that would: schools throughout the state. to the principle, Rodosovich said. • Automatically give back any tax surplus at “I go to the same school (Hopkins The success of the Youth in Government the end of each session. (Surplus revenue High School) as the governor, and we program is also apparent in the increasing would be divided among taxpayers, based have Internet access and e-mail number of participants. Orville Lindquist, state on how much they paid in income and prop- available to all students,” he continued. erty taxes, within three “All they need is their parents’ consent. months of the end of I feel that all students in Minnesota the legislative session.); should have easy access to e-mail and • Reduce estate (inher- the Internet.” itance) tax by 40 per- Shea, who had voiced opposition to cent; the proposal, listened to the debate • Reimburse jurors for briefly and left without interrupting the travel, child care, discussion. However, in an interview parking expenses, she clarified her position on the bill. and lost wages; “I support having Internet access, but e-mail can be abused a lot of times,” • Require all public she said. “If somebody sends some- schools to recycle paper; thing out that’s offensive, the school • Require public high gets blamed. I just don’t think it’s schools to offer classes necessary at this time.” on practical living skills — managing credit Neil Ellingson, an 11th grader from Hopkins High School, debates a bill cards, debit cards, during a YMCA Youth in Government mock session Jan. 8. Neil’s father, checking accounts, bank Bob Ellingson, served as a state representative from 1977 to 1986. loans, and taxes;

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 17 Name Pronunciation Guide 1999 Minnesota House of Representatives

Abeler, Jim ABE-ler Holsten, Mark William Ozment, Dennis AHZ-ment Abrams, Ron Howes, Larry Paulsen, Erik Anderson, Bruce Huntley, Thomas Pawlenty, Tim paw-LENTY Anderson, Irv Jaros, Mike YAHR-ohs Paymar, Michael Bakk, Thomas (Tom) BOCK Jennings, Loren Geo Pelowski Jr., Gene Biernat, Len BE-AIR-nat Johnson, Alice M. Peterson, Doug Bishop, Dave Juhnke, Al JUNK-ee Pugh, Thomas W. PEW Boudreau, Lynda boo-DROH Kahn, Phyllis Rest, Ann H. Bradley, Fran Kalis, Henry J. KAH-liss Reuter, Doug ROOT-er Broecker, Sherry BROKE-er Kelliher, Margaret Anderson KELL-a-her Rhodes, Jim Buesgens, Mark BISK-ens Kielkucki, Tony keel-COO-ski Rifenberg, Michelle RIFF-en-berg Carlson, Lyndon R. Knoblach, Jim NOB-lock Rostberg, Jim Carruthers, Phil ka-RUH-thers Koskinen, Luanne KOS-ka-nen Rukavina, Tom roo-ka-VEEN-a Cassell, George CASTLE Krinkie, Philip Schumacher, Leslie J. SHOE-mocker Chaudhary, Satveer CHAW-dree, SUT-veer Kubly, Gary W. KOO-blee Seagren, Alice Clark, James T. Kuisle, William KWEEZ-lee Seifert, Jim SY-fert Clark, Karen Larsen, Peg Seifert, Marty SY-fert Daggett, Roxann DAG-et Larson, Dan Skoe, Rod SKOY Davids, Gregory M. Leighton, Rob LAY-ton Skoglund, Wes SKOHG-lund Dawkins, Andy Lenczewski, Ann len-CHESS-key Smith, Steve Dehler, Steve DAY-ler Leppik, Peggy Solberg, Loren A. Dempsey, Jerry Lieder, Bernie L. LEED-er Stanek, Rich Dorman, Dan Lindner, Arlon Stang, Doug Dorn, John Luther, Darlene Storm, Julie Entenza, Matt Mahoney, Tim Sviggum, Steve SWIG-um Erhardt, Ron AIR-hart Mares, Harry MAIRS Swenson, Howard Erickson, Sondra Mariani, Carlos mar-ee-AH-nee Sykora, Barb sick-OR-ah Finseth, Tim Marko, Sharon Tingelstad, Kathy Folliard, Betty FOLLY-ard McCollum, Betty mah-CALL-um Tomassoni, David J. tom-a-SONY Fuller, Doug McElroy, Dan MACK-el-roy Trimble, Steve Gerlach, Chris GER-lock McGuire, Mary Jo Tuma, John TOO-ma Gleason, Mark S. Milbert, Bob Tunheim, Jim TON-hyme Goodno, Kevin Molnau, Carol L. MOLE-now Van Dellen, Henry Todd Gray, Gregory Mulder, Richard Vandeveer, Ray Greenfield, Lee Mullery, Joe Wagenius, Jean wa-GHEEN-yus Greiling, Mindy GRY-ling Munger, Willard Wejcman, Linda WAITS-man Gunther, Bob Murphy, Mary Wenzel, Stephen G. WEN-zel Haake, Barb HOCKEY Ness, Robert “Bob” Westerberg, Andy Haas, Bill HAHZ Nornes, Bud NOR-ness Westfall, Robert L. (Bob) Hackbarth, Tom Olson, Mark Westrom, Torrey Harder, Elaine Opatz, Joe OH-patz Wilkin, Tim Hasskamp, Kris Orfield, Myron Winter, Ted Hausman, Alice Osskopp, Mike AHZ-cop Wolf, Ken Hilty, Bill Osthoff, Tom AHST-hoff Workman, Tom Holberg, Mary Liz Otremba, Mary Ellen oh-TREM-ba

18 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 In the Hopper . . . Jan. 8 - 14, 1999

HF48-HF149 Monday, Jan. 11 HF58—Erickson (R) HF69—Rest (DFL) HF79—Solberg (DFL) Education Policy K-12 Education Finance Taxes HF48—Wolf (R) Independent School District No. 912, General education basic formula al- Political subdivision sales and use tax Commerce Milaca, retroactively authorized to be- lowance increased, and money exemption provided. Performance-based gas purchasing gin its school year prior to Labor Day. appropriated. HF80—Solberg (DFL) plans sunset abolished. HF59—Bakk (DFL) HF70—Daggett (R) Transportation Policy HF49—Ozment (R) Environment & Crime Prevention Passenger automobile and hearse ad- Local Government & Natural Resources Policy Law enforcement agencies authorized ditional registration tax rate reduced, Metropolitan Affairs Snowmobile trail grants-in-aid provi- to sell forfeited firearms, ammunition, and motor vehicle sales tax revenue Health coverage for survivors of po- sions modified to include maintenance and accessories to eligible persons. distribution provided. lice officers and firefighters killed in of Voyageurs National Park trails. HF71—Rest (DFL) HF81—McCollum (DFL) the line of duty expanded to include HF60—Haas (R) Taxes Taxes spouses. Health & Human Services Policy Sales and use tax rates reduced; and Political subdivision sales and use tax HF50—Dempsey (R) Supplemental private duty nursing June accelerated sales, liquor, and exemption provided. Local Government & services reimbursement allowed for tobacco tax payments abolished. Metropolitan Affairs spouses and others meeting financial HF72—Rukavina (DFL) Goodhue County levy limit adjust- hardship criteria. Thursday, Jan. 14 Taxes ment authorized for certain payments HF61—Haas (R) in lieu of tax. Biwabik community pavilion con- Transportation Policy struction materials sales and use tax HF82—Seifert, M. (R) Trunk Highway No. 252 three-lane exemption provided. Governmental Operations & HF51—Finseth (R) Veterans Affairs Policy Taxes construction project provided. HF73—Hilty (DFL) State correctional facility art acquisi- Agricultural assistance provided to Min- HF62—Rukavina (DFL) Local Government & tion with the use of state appropria- nesota farmers and livestock producers Commerce Metropolitan Affairs tions prohibited. in the form of property tax relief and payments, and money appropriated. Automobile insurance nonrenewals Year 2000; local government units regulated relating to physical damage mutual aid authority clarified, health HF83—Murphy (DFL) portion of policies. department required to collect and K-12 Education Finance HF52—Haas (R) School district debt service equaliza- Taxes disseminate information regarding HF63—Marko (DFL) tion eligibility modified. Political subdivision sales and use tax possible problems and solutions, im- Taxes exemption provided. munity provided, and money Political subdivision sales and use tax appropriated. HF84—Greiling (DFL) exemption provided. Education Policy HF53—Biernat (DFL) Nonpublic schools subject to state Civil Law HF74—Luther (DFL) HF64—Kahn (DFL) Health & Human Services Policy graduation requirements if families Uniform child custody jurisdiction Agriculture Policy of students have claimed education- and enforcement act adopted. Health care directive suggested form Hemp; industrial hemp classified as modified. related expense tax reimbursements. an agricultural crop, regulation and HF54—Finseth (R) HF85—Dehler (R) Environment & registration required, and criminal HF75—Wenzel (DFL) penalties imposed. Taxes Agriculture Policy Natural Resources Policy Feedlot operators’ names and ad- Personal watercraft surcharge removed. Sales and use tax rate reduced. HF65—Huntley (DFL) dresses provided data classification. Health & Human Services Policy HF76—Seagren (R) HF55—Tomassoni (DFL) HF86—Rest (DFL) Governmental Operations & Health care conscience and religious Education Policy liberty protection provided. K-12 education technical changes Taxes Veterans Affairs Policy Pollution control and solar energy Trained force of firefighters main- provided; governor’s workforce de- HF66—Johnson (DFL) equipment sales and use tax exemp- tained by the commissioner of natu- velopment council, state interagency Local Government & tion provided. ral resources, and public employee coordinating council, and certain Metropolitan Affairs definition expanded. lease purchase installment buys and Spring Lake Park police civil service transportation aid repealed. HF87—Kahn (DFL) commission abolished. Local Government & HF56—Van Dellen (R) Metropolitan Affairs Health & Human Services Policy HF77—Stang (R) HF67—Luther (DFL) Transportation Policy Minnesota Twins community own- Health care provider civil action limi- Crime Prevention ership process provided. tation provisions modified. Surviving spouses authorized to con- Killing or injuring a search and res- tinue to purchase special license plates cue dog provided felony penalties. issued to veterans. HF88—Milbert (DFL) HF57—Paymar (DFL) Taxes Taxes HF68—Rukavina (DFL) HF78—McCollum (DFL) Market value limits increased for 1998 Local governing bodies required to Governmental Operations & Taxes property tax purposes. disclose and vote on property tax in- Veterans Affairs Policy creases due to declining market value. Sales and use tax rate reduced. Eveleth police and fire trust fund ben- efit increases provided. January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 19 HF89—Rest (DFL) HF99—Osskopp (R) HF110—Pawlenty (R) HF120—Rostberg (R) Taxes Taxes Governmental Operations & Environment & Nonprofits provided grants for vol- Television commercials and produc- Veterans Affairs Policy Natural Resources Policy unteer assistance to low-income tax- tion materials sales and use tax ex- Term limits imposed on legislative Snowmobile metal traction device use payers, and money appropriated. emption provided. and executive offices, and constitu- restrictions, rulemaking authority, tional amendment proposed. and definitions modified. HF90—Sviggum (R) HF100—Jaros (DFL) Civil Law Governmental Operations & HF111—Rest (DFL) HF121—Nornes (R) Joint and several liability apportion- Veterans Affairs Policy Commerce Governmental Operations & ment regulated. Consumer protection office and hu- Homeowner’s insurance policy Veterans Affairs Policy man rights department decentralized. nonrenewals regulated, and automo- State primary election date changed, HF91—Erickson (R) bile and homeowner’s insurance dis- and precinct caucuses eliminated. Environment & HF101—Rostberg (R) criminatory practices prohibited. Natural Resources Policy Transportation Policy HF122—Rukavina (DFL) Pollution control agency required to Identification card fees specified for HF112—Bishop (R) Governmental Operations & terminate the Mille Lacs water re- persons with serious and persistent Crime Prevention Veterans Affairs Policy sources agreement for the purposes mental illness. Fraudulent use of another’s personal Elective office age eligibility lowered. of implementing the underground identity provided felony penalties, and injection control program. HF102—Osskopp (R) civil forfeiture of property authorized. HF123—Carruthers (DFL) Taxes Taxes HF92—Carruthers (DFL) Local government aid base increased HF113—Broecker (R) Partial compensation earned for ser- Civil Law for certain cities. Judiciary Finance vice in the armed forces income tax Driver’s license revocation for chemi- Bomb disposal expense reimburse- exemption provided. cal test implied consent violations, HF103—Marko (DFL) ment provided to the commissioner judicial review petition content re- Transportation Policy of public safety, and money appro- HF124—Murphy (DFL) quirements modified, and scope of Passenger automobile tax rate re- priated. Taxes discovery limited. duced, transportation trust fund cre- Prefabricated home sales tax ated and revenue dedicated, state HF114—Stanek (R) provided. HF93—Tunheim (DFL) patrol funded through the general Judiciary Finance Education Policy fund, and constitutional amendment FBI drugfire computer program HF125—Erhardt (R) Adult basic education aid funding proposed. grants provided, and money appro- Taxes formula modified to include eligibil- priated. Noncommercial seasonal residential ity for a sparsity allowance, and money HF104—Hackbarth (R) recreational property second tier appropriated. Taxes HF115—Ness (R) property tax class rates reduced. Local government base aid increased Governmental Operations & HF94—Jaros (DFL) for certain cities. Veterans Affairs Policy HF126—Erhardt (R) Education Policy Willmar and Litchfield; volunteer res- Taxes International study opportunities HF105—Tunheim (DFL) cue squad relief associations and ser- MinnesotaCare provider tax reduced provided for foreign language teach- Agriculture Policy vice pensions authorized. then repealed. ers, and international education em- Farm relief; Congress memorialized phasis established. to designate and implement financial HF116—Erhardt (R) HF127—Luther (DFL) relief for livestock and grain farmers. Transportation Policy Health & Human Services Policy HF95—Jaros (DFL) Passenger automobile registration tax Minnesota organ donor decision Transportation Policy HF106—Rukavina (DFL) rate reduced. campaign funded, and money Certain place identification signs re- State Government Finance appropriated. quired to display the Ojibwe or Da- Eveleth, Gilbert, Mountain Iron, and HF117—Gunther (R) kota language equivalent, and money Virginia; Iron Range Veterans Me- Governmental Operations & HF128—Rostberg (R) appropriated. morial Park construction provided, Veterans Affairs Policy Environment & and money appropriated. Fairmont Police Relief Association ad- Natural Resources Policy HF96—Kuisle (R) ditional annual postretirement ad- Seniors accompanying persons un- Environment & HF107—Dehler (R) justment mechanism provided, and der age 16 provided angling license Natural Resources Policy Environment & surviving spouse benefits clarified. requirement exemption. Environmental assessment worksheet Natural Resources Policy signature requirements modified. 24-hour angling license fee reduced, HF118—Erickson (R) HF129—Greiling (DFL) and lottery machine issuance autho- Governmental Operations & Governmental Operations & HF97—Dehler (R) rized. Veterans Affairs Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Governmental Operations & State agency and department heads State agency legislative rulemaking Veterans Affairs Policy HF108—Pawlenty (R) to be confirmed by the Senate within notification requirements modified. Gambling tax exemption provided to Taxes one year of appointment. certain organizations. Charitable contribution income tax HF130—Finseth (R) credit provided. HF119—Jaros (DFL) K-12 Education Finance HF98—Osskopp (R) Jobs & Independent School District Nos. Taxes HF109—Pawlenty (R) Economic Development Policy 2854, Ada-Borup, 2176 Warren- Property tax refund payments pro- Taxes State policy declared that no one be Alvarado-Oslo, 846, Breckenridge, vided to personal representatives of Charitable contribution income tax homeless, hungry, or without health and 595, East Grand Forks provided deceased claimants. credit provided. care; and money appropriated. declining pupil unit aid.

20 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 HF131—Harder (R) HF142—Pawlenty (R) K-12 Education Finance Crime Prevention Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation Independent School District No. 330, Subsequent controlled substance con- Title of Publication Publication No. Date of Filing Session Weekly Heron Lake-Okabena, provided viction definition expanded to include 1049-8176 9-18-98 Southwest Star Concept School grant convictions subsequent to a stay of Frequency of issue No. of Issues Published Annual Annually SubscriptionPrice extension. adjudication. Weekly during legislative session 22 odd yr.; 12 even No Charge Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication Contact person HF132—Ness (R) HF143—Pawlenty (R) 100 Constitution Ave., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN Ramsey Co., 55155-1298 Nicole Wood Governmental Operations & Crime Prevention Complete Mailing Address of the Headquarters of General Business Offices of the Publisher Telephone 100 Constitution Ave., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN Ramsey Co., 55155-1298 651-296-7592 Veterans Affairs Policy Domestic assault enhanced penalty pro- Full Names and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Bingo conducted by senior citizen or- visions expanded to include malicious Publisher LeClair G. Lambert, 100 Constitution Ave., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 ganizations exempt from regulation. punishment of a child convictions. Editor Peg Hamerston, 100 Constitution Ave., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Managing Editor Nick Healy, 100 Constitution Ave., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 HF133—Stanek (R) HF144—Seifert, M. (R) Owner (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereafter the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, Local Government & Environment & the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or unincorporated firm, its name and address as well as that of each individual must be given. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, Metropolitan Affairs Natural Resources Policy its name and address must be stated.) (Do Not Leave Blank.) Full Name Complete mailing Address Minneapolis and St. Paul local resi- Joint county drainage authority mem- Minnesota House of Representatives 175 State Office Building Public Information Office 100 Constitution Ave. dency requirements repealed. bership modified. St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities. If none, check here. X HF134—Erickson (R) HF145—Ness (R) Full Name Complete mailing Address Jobs & State Government Finance None For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates. The purpose, function and nonprofit status Economic Development Policy National World War II memorial con- of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: (Check one) X Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months Marketing and infrastructure changes tribution funded, and money appro- Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months due to Ontario waters and Mille Lacs priated. (If changed, publisher must submit explaiation of change with this statement) Publication Name Issue Date for Circulation Data Below Lake limitations funded, and money Session Weekly 1/15/99 appropriated. HF146—Kahn (DFL) Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies Each Issue Actual No. Copies of Single During Preceding 12 Months Issue Published nearest Crime Prevention to Filing date

HF135—Bishop (R) Ticket scalping crime repealed. a. Total No. Copies 15,273 15,950

Crime Prevention b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation 1. Sales through dealers and carriers, street Repeat assault offenders with prior HF147—Rest (DFL) vendors and counter sales (Not Mailed) delinquency adjudications provided Local Government & (2) Paid or Requested Mail Subsriptions (Include Advertizers' Proof Copies/Exchange Copies) 12,574 13,178 enhanced penalties. Metropolitan Affairs c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation 12,574 13,178 New Hope; Civil service merit system (Sum of 15b(1) and 15b(2)) d. Free Distribution by Mail HF136—Rostberg (R) abandonment allowed. (Samples, Complimentary, and Other Free)

Governmental Operations & e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail 2,520 2,685 (Carriers of Other Means) Veterans Affairs Policy HF148—Marko (DFL) f. Total Distribution 2,520 2,685 Persian Gulf War veterans bonus ap- Transportation Policy g. Total Free Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15f) 15,094 15,863 plication period extended. Trunk highway fund expenditures h. Copies Not Distributed 225 87 required, transportation spending 1. Office use, left over, Spoiled

HF137—Rostberg (R) goals established, transportation trust 2. Return from News Agents Environment & fund created and revenue dedicated, I. Total (Sum of 15g, 15h(1), and 15H(2)) 15,319 15,950

Natural Resources Policy state patrol funded through the gen- Percent paid and/or Requested Circulation Collector watercraft licensing require- eral fund, and money appropriated. (15c/15g x 100) 83% 83% ment exemption provided. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the 1/30/98 issue of this publication. HF149—Osskopp (R) Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner Date Sept. 18, 1998 HF138—Seifert, M. (R) Environment & I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or Environment & Natural Resources Policy misleading information on this form or who omits material of information requested on the form may be subject to criminal Natural Resources Finance Snowmobiles equipped with metal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties). Lazarus Creek/LQP-25 floodwater re- traction devices operation on public tention project appropriated money. lands, roads, and trails prohibition repealed, and prohibition on paved Where to find information HF139—Rhodes (R) public trail maintained. Governmental Operations & Chief Clerk’s Office Veterans Affairs Policy 211 State Capitol (651) 296-2314 Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Correction The Chief Clerk’s Office provides cop- Board member qualifications specified. ies of bills at no charge, all agendas for The Bill Introductions sec- House sessions, and the Journal of the HF140—Dehler (R) tion of the Jan. 8 Session House. Governmental Operations & Weekly included an error. The Veterans Affairs Policy following is the correct entry House Index Department State-administered financial assis- for the first bill introduced 211 State Capitol (651) 296-6646 tance programs catalog provided, and this year. The House Index Department, a part of money appropriated. the Chief Clerk’s Office, has a computer- HF1—Abrams (R) ized index available for public use. House HF141—Dehler (R) Taxes Index lists bills by committee, topic, au- Environment & One-time individual income tax thor, file number, and other categories. Natural Resources Policy rebate provided, and money The office can also give you the current Snowmobile metal traction device use appropriated. status of legislation. restrictions modified.

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 21 Coming Up Next Week . . . Jan. 18- 22, 1999

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 Schedule is subject to change. Joint CRIME PREVENTION/ JUDICIARY FINANCE For information updates, call 8 a.m. House Calls at (612) 296-9283. Basement Hearing Room State Office Building All meetings are open to the public. Chrs. Rep. Rich Stanek, GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & Sign language interpreter services: Rep. Sherry Broecker VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY Basement Hearing Room (612) 224-6548 v/tty Agenda: criminal justice process and state judicial branch presentation, House Research. State Office Building To have the daily and weekly schedules Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes delivered to your e-mail address, send a Agenda: confirmation hearing of message to: EDUCATION POLICY Gov. Arne Carlson’s Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board appointees; [email protected] 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Harry Mares HF139(Rhodes) Campaign finance and public In the body of the message type: Agenda: Profile of Learning history overview, disclosure board member qualifications Lisa Larson, House Research; Profile of specified. subscribe h-schedules Learning rule overview, George Beck, Veterans benefits, Rep. Jim Rostberg. administrative law judge; HF15 (Kielkucki) Graduation Standards HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE 10 State Office Building MONDAY, Jan. 18 advisory panel recommendations implemented, Profile of Learning Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno requirements modified, state performance Agenda: discussion of tobacco settlement and Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed. No packages eliminated, and advisory group current spending relating to tobacco cessation House committee meetings scheduled. established. and prevention; presentations, Joe Flores, House Fiscal Analysis Department, and ENVIRONMENT & Department of Health. TUESDAY, Jan. 19 NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY Minnesota Pollution Control Agency JOBS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE 8 a.m. Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment Agenda: tour 520 Lafayette Road, 200 State Office Building St. Paul, MN. Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES POLICY Agenda: 1998 performance report reviews, 10 State Office Building TAXES Department of Public Service, and Public Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley Utilities Commission. Agenda: HF74 (Luther) Health care directive 5 State Office Building suggested form modified. Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams Agenda: HF1 (Abrams) One-time individual TRANSPORTATION FINANCE HF60 (Haas) Supplemental private duty 5 State Office Building nursing services reimbursement allowed for income tax rebate provided, and money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Carol Molnau spouses and others meeting financial hardship Agenda: overview by John Williams, House criteria. Research. Discussion of member initiatives. 12:30 p.m. 10 a.m. JOBS & ECONOMIC AGRICULTURE & DEVELOPMENT POLICY RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE 10 State Office Building CIVIL LAW 200 State Office Building Basement Hearing Room Chr. Rep. Arlon Lindner Chr. Rep. Bob Ness Agenda: testimony from farm groups and State Office Building Agenda: Department of Trade and Economic Chr. Rep. Steve Smith Development overview; individual farmers representing corn, wheat, soybean, barley, potato, rice, and sunflower Agenda: member and staff introductions; HF44 (Osskopp) Wabasha water and sewer committee procedures. extended to Reads Landing, and money producers. appropriated. CAPITAL INVESTMENT EDUCATION POLICY 5 State Office Building 200 State Office Building TRANSPORTATION POLICY Chr. Rep. Harry Mares 5 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach Agenda: to be announced. Agenda: Department of Children, Families Chr. Rep. Tom Workman and Learning overview and preview of agency Agenda: to be announced. COMMERCE performance report, Deputy Commissioner John Hustad. 8:30 a.m. 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Gregory M. Davids 11 a.m. STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE Agenda: industry overviews of issues before committee: Insurance Federation of Basement Hearing Room Working Group/ State Office Building Minnesota, Minnesota Bankers Association, and Office of Tourism. JOBS & Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE Agenda: performance report presentations, 2:30 p.m. 400N State Office Building departments of finance and employee Chr. Rep. Bob Gunther relations. The House meets in session. Agenda: discussion and development of results-based criteria for state funded job 10 a.m. training programs.

22 SESSION WEEKLY / January 15, 1999 12:30 p.m. K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE 10 a.m. 200 State Office Building FAMILY & EARLY CHILDHOOD Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren Joint CRIME PREVENTION/ EDUCATION FINANCE Agenda: Department of Children, Families JUDICIARY FINANCE 5 State Office Building and Learning overview, executive staff and Basement Hearing Room Chr. Rep. Barb Sykora managers. State Office Building Agenda: Adult Basic Education (ABE) Chrs. Rep. Rich Stanek, Supervisor Barry Shaffer, Department of 12:30 p.m. Rep. Sherry Broecker Children, Families and Learning; Agenda: panel on state crime statistics: Carlye Peterson, manager, Minneapolis Adult AGRICULTURE & Department of Corrections, Sentencing Literacy; past and present ABE participants. RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE Guidelines Commission, House Research, and 10 State Office Building a court system representative. 1:15 p.m. Chr. Rep. Bob Ness Agenda: testimony from farm groups and HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE AGRICULTURE POLICY individual farmers representing sugar, canola, 300S State Office Building 10 State Office Building dairy, beef, poultry, sheep, and horse Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik Chr. Rep. Tim Finseth producers. Agenda: to be announced. Agenda: HF105(Tunheim) Farm relief; Congress memorialized to designate and CAPITAL INVESTMENT implement financial relief for livestock and 5 State Office Building grain farmers. Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach Minnesota’s U.S. Senators HF85 (Dehler) Feedlot operators’ names and Agenda: to be announced. addresses provided data classification. Senator Department of Agriculture overview, COMMERCE Rod Grams (R) Commissioner Gene Hugoson and division 200 State Office Building directors. Chr. Rep. Gregory M. Davids 2013 Second Ave. N. Agenda: industry overviews of issues before Anoka, MN 55303 the committee: Minnesota Association of (612) 427-5921 THURSDAY, Jan. 21 Realtors, Minnesota Credit Union Network, Fax: (612) 427-8872 and Minnesota Business Partnership. U.S. Senate 8 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 257 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES POLICY The House meets in session. 10 State Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley 4 p.m. (202) 224-3244 Agenda: nursing home bed rails. Fax: (202) 228-0956 Hennepin County Delegation E-mail: [email protected] JOBS & ECONOMIC 118 State Capitol DEVELOPMENT POLICY Chrs. to be announced 200 State Office Building Agenda: election of co-chairs; unit market Senator Chr. Rep. Arlon Lindner value discussion, county officials. Paul Wellstone (DFL) Agenda: Housing Finance Agency overview; Room 100 N. workforce investment act presentation, Department of Economic Security. 2550 University Ave. W. FRIDAY, Jan. 22 St. Paul, MN 55114 8:30 a.m. (651) 645-0323 8 a.m. 1-800-642-6041 STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE Fax: (651) 645-0704 Basement Hearing Room GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & State Office Building VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY 417 W. Litchfield Ave. S.W. Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie Basement Hearing Room Willmar, MN 56201 Agenda: performance report presentation, State Office Building Department of Administration. Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes (320) 231-0001 Agenda: HF9 (Sviggum) Former legislators Fax: (320) 231-0006 10 a.m. prohibited from lobbying for one year after leaving office. 105 Second St. S. Joint CRIME PREVENTION/ Testimony: Dave Schultz, Common Cause. Virginia, MN 55792 JUDICIARY FINANCE Basement Hearing Room HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE (218) 741-1074 State Office Building 10 State Office Building Fax: (218) 741-8544 Chrs. Rep. Rich Stanek, Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno U.S. Senate Rep. Sherry Broecker Agenda: tobbaco settlement and current Agenda: gang strike force overview, retail spending relating to tobacco cessation and 136 Hart Senate Office Building protection; introduction to identity fraud, prevention discussion continued; Washington, D.C. 20510-2303 Rep. Dave Bishop. Blue Cross Blue Shield presentation. (202) 224-5641 Fax: (202) 224-8438 ENVIRONMENT & JOBS & E-mail: [email protected] NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE Department of Natural Resources 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy Agenda: tour 500 Lafayette Road, Agenda: 1998 performance report review, St. Paul, MN. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. To find out who represents you HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE at the Capitol . . . 300S State Office Building Call the House Public Information Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik Office at (651) 296-2146 Agenda: to be announced.

January 15, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 23 MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING ST. PAUL, MN 55155-1298

Speaker of the House: Steve Sviggum Majority Leader: Tim Pawlenty Minority Leader: Thomas W. Pugh

For more information

For general information, call: Income growth and taxes House Information Office (651) 296-2146 or 1997 per capita personal income in Minnesota ...... $26,295 1-800-657-3550 in United States ...... $25,298 Minnesota’s rank in nation ...... 13 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: 1996 percentage of Minnesotans age 16 to 64 who are employed ...... 84.1 Chief Clerk’s Office in United States ...... 74.6 (651) 296-2314 Minnesota’s rank in nation ...... 1 1995 percentage of Minnesotans with income below the federal To find out about bill introductions or poverty level ...... 9.5 the status of a specific bill, call: in United States ...... 13.8 House Index Office 1996 median Minnesota income for family of four ...... $56,200 (651) 296-6646 in United States ...... $51,518 For up-to-date recorded message 1992-97 per capita income growth in Minnesota, in percent...... 24.5 giving committee meeting times and in United States ...... 23.1 agendas, call: 1996-97 per capita income growth in Minnesota, in percent...... 4.1 Committee Hotline in United States ...... 4.7 (651) 296-9283 1992-97 per capita income growth in seven county metro area, in percent ..... 20.8 in 80 counties outside metro area ...... 21.2 1992-96 per capita income growth in Jackson County (highest in state), The House of Representatives can be in percent ...... 39.4 reached on the World Wide Web at: in Kittson County (lowest in state)...... 2.2% http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us 1996 per capita income in Hennepin County (highest in state) ...... $34,574 in Todd County (lowest in state) ...... $15,391 in Ramsey County ...... $29,170 1992-96 average annual pay increase in Minnesota, in percent ...... 14 Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. in United States ...... 11.7 To ask questions or leave messages, Total Minnesota state income tax collections in fiscal year 1997, in billions.... $4.4 call: in fiscal year 1996 ...... $4.1 TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or in fiscal year 1995 ...... $3.7 1-800-657-3550 Minnesota’s lowest individual income tax rate in 1998, in percent ...... 6 Highest rate...... 8.5 Check your local listings to watch House committee and floor sessions Sources: The Book of the States, 1998-99, Council of State Governments; Minnesota Milestones on TV. 1998: Measures that Matter, 1998, Minnesota Planning; Population Notes, 1998, Minnesota Planning. This document can be made available in alternative formats.