SESSION WEEKLY A NONPARTISAN PUBLICATION MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES VOLUME 24, NUMBER 2 • JANUARY 12, 2007 HF1- HF109 SESSION WEEKLY

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

Director BILL INTRODUCTIONS (HF1-HF109) • 20 - 22 Barry LaGrave Editor/Assistant Director Lee Ann Schutz FEATURES Assistant Editor Mike Cook First Reading: First bills reflect majority’s agenda • 3-4

Art & Production Coordinator Resources: Contact information for constitutional officers • 4 Paul Battaglia At Issue: House leaders differ on value of more committees • 8 Writers Nick Busse, Craig Green, Resources: Committee names, numbers, meeting dates and times • 9-15 Stephen Harding, Sonja Hegman, Patty Ostberg, Mia Simpson People: New members profiled: Anzelc, Bigham, Bly, McFarlane, Chief Photographer Norton and Shimanski • 16-18 Tom Olmscheid Feature: YMCA Youth in Government takes over the Capitol • 19 Photographers Andrew VonBank, Sarah Stacke Notes: A bill banning mean people • 23

Staff Assistants Minnesota Index: Minnesota Adoption • 24 Christy Novak, Joan Bosard

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

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content.

On the cover: Members of the 2007-08 Minnesota House of Representatives.

­— Photo illustration by Andrew VonBank. FIRST READING

First bills reflect majority’s agenda Health care for children put at the top of the heap

photo by tom olmscheid The first bill introduced this biennium would provide health care for all children in Minnesota.

By Mia Simpson seeks to provide health care for all Minnesota including a two-phase approach that will t was a nail-biter for those close to state children. The bill is an adaptation of the so- cover the neediest children first — those politics. “The hoppers,” some office bins called “Children’s Health Security Act,” which whose families earn below 300 percent of Idesignated for bill proposals before they was introduced last year by Rep. Paul Thissen poverty guidelines — before becoming are assigned to committees, sat empty until (DFL-Mpls) and again this year. available to all children in 2010. He said a task just a few minutes before Friday’s submission “The goal is to get all Minnesota’s children force will be appointed to sort out how best to deadline. A missed deadline can mean bills covered. We’re moving in the general direction ensure coverage for all children, a provision have to wait a couple of days before being in- of removing barriers to coverage,” Thissen that was not included in last year’s bill. troduced. And the first bills of the session, can said. Barriers can include a 25- to 30-page According to DFL leadership, the bill was be a forecast of the majority’s priorities for the application form and a four-month wait for chosen as HF1 for several reasons, including months to come. coverage once a family is approved. its leading position on the party’s campaign In four of its first seven bills this 2007-08 Thissen, who chairs the House Health platform, an understood public need and, session, DFL leadership focused on concerns and Human Services Committee, said the that include health care and education. HF1 bill mirrors his initial proposal in key ways, First Reading continued on page 4

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly  First Reading continued from page 3 First in the hopper like several other House files, expected cost- savings in the future. When discussing the relevance of HF1, some legislators participating in a hunger strike. legislators use the phrase “insider baseball,” The murder of 22-year-old Dru Sjodin in 2003 “Today, we’re not just talking the talk, which essentially means the decision matters incited the first House file in 2005, which included we’re walking the walk with these bills,” more to people inside the Capitol than out. a provision requiring life sentences for specified House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher “The public doesn’t care whether it’s file 1 or sexual assault crimes. The bill was ultimately (DFL-Mpls) said during a Jan. 8 press file 991,” said Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon), who signed into law. conference. “This is one of the top issues served as House speaker for the last eight years. In contrast, some first bills appear to have little The degree to which the first House files make a public meaning. In 1985, the first legislation in the facing Minnesota families, many of whom statement varies. The first bill of the House in 2003, “hopper” sought to consolidate International Falls fear they are potentially one health care for instance, which forced permanent and non- and South International Falls. For three separate crisis away from a financial crisis.” The permanent foreign residents to include the status biennia — 1933, 1935, and 1941 — House File 1 press conference, along with the Republican of their residency on their driver’s licenses, was in appropriated money for payment of the lieuten- response, can be viewed at http://www.house. direct response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It ant governor and the salaries and mileage of state was approved by the House, but not the Senate. legislators and Capitol staff. mn/htv/archivesPRESS.asp?ls_year=85. Some “first files” are in response to heated state Several other notables include HF1 in 1973, The issue — health care coverage for issues. In 1987, the first bill offered salvation to which forced the Legislature to convene both years children — has also received support from family farms, which had closed at rapid rates due of the biennium; HF1 in 1929, which designated Gov. Pawlenty and House Republicans, a to troubles in the agricultural industry the previous polling hours for primary and general elections; rarity in past sessions. year. During the 1985-86 biennium, protests on and HF1 in 1979, which abdicated the state from paying for the construction of the Metrodome. “I think we all have the same goals when behalf of the issue hit the Capitol hard, with several it comes to education, property taxes and health care, we may just have different ways for the plans. Thissen said the cost for the one, Rep. Kathy Tingelstad (R-Andover), is of getting there,” said House Majority Leader health care bill would be “in the hundreds of Republican. Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm). millions of dollars.” Thissen and Sertich contend that the type Other top bills relate to all-day, every-day That is too vague for Republican leadership. of system they are proposing better assures kindergarten (HF2); property tax relief (HF3); “We would like more details as a caucus,” that children get the care they need. increased renewable energy statewide (HF4); said House Minority Leader Marty Seifert “This is a model where we have a societal funding restoration and some increases for (R-Marshall). interest in providing all children access to a early education programs (HF5); increase Seifert also expressed concern about the doctor,” Thissen said. in K-12 education funding (HF6); and the general philosophy that moves the onus of health Thissen cited his children as the motivators so-called “Lights-On Bill” (HF7), which will and health care from the person to the state. in his original decision to sponsor the prevent aspects of government shutdown in “If the government is going to pay for your proposed legislation. the future if the Legislature cannot establish health care, why should you be healthy?” he “I have three kids of my own, and I know a budget before the new fiscal year begins. said. “We would prefer a market-based form how important access to health care is to them Kelliher referenced a few funding sources first and government as a last resort.” and our family,” he said. “I don’t think it’s for these bills, including the projected $2 Seifert’s view represents a fundamental fair that some children don’t have access to a billion state surplus, and efforts to enforce chasm between the DFL and Republicans. doctor.” greater tax compliance, but has no price tag He notes that of the bill’s 34 sponsors, only

Minnesota’s Constitutional Officers

Governor Attorney General Secretary of State TIM PAWLENTY (R) LORI SWANSON (DFL) MARK RITCHIE (DFL) Room 130 State Capitol Executive Offices Election Center 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Room 102 Room 180 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 State Capitol 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (651) 296-3391 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (651) 215-1440 (800) 657-3717 St. Paul, MN 55155 (877) 600-8683 Fax: (651) 296-2089 (651) 296-6196 Business Services Web site: www.governor.state.mn.us (800) 657-3787 Suite 100 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.ag.state.mn.us 60 Empire Drive E-mail: [email protected] St. Paul, MN 55103 Lieutenant Governor Consumer Division (651) 296-2803 CAROL MOLNAU (R) 1400 Bremer Tower (877) 551-6767 Room 130 State Capitol 445 Minnesota St. Web site: www.sos.state.mn.us St. Paul, MN 55155 St. Paul, MN 55101 E-mail: [email protected] (651) 296-3391 (651) 296-3353 Fax: (651) 296-3587 (800) 657-3787 State Auditor E-mail: [email protected] TTY (651) 297-7206 REBECCA OTTO (DFL) TTY (800) 366-4812 525 Park St. Suite 500 St. Paul, MN 55103 (651) 296-2551 TTY (800) 627-3529 Web site: www.osa.state.mn.us E-mail: [email protected]

 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 HIGHLIGHTS J a n u a r y 4 - 11, 2007

Editor’s note: The following Highlights are Legislative conference coverage of selected bills heard in House committees held Jan. 4-10 and other House activity.

Government

Legislator per diem increase For the second time in three years, House members are eligible for a per diem increase. On a 22-4 vote Jan. 10, the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee approved the increase for miscellaneous living expenses from $66 to $77 per day. Members were at $56 per day before an increase in 2005. Still, it is less than the increase from $66 to $96 that the Senate Rules and Administration Committee approved for its body. “It’s something that’s overdue,” said Rep. photo by andrew vonbank Ron Erhardt (R-Edina), who added that Former governors, from left, Arne Carlson and Al Quie, former U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo, and former Gov. Wendell Anderson speak about the changing role of state legislatures during the 2007 collecting per diem is a voluntary request. “I Legislative Conference held Jan. 9 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. think that we’re all entitled to a little cost-of- living raise now and then. The folks across the Capitol have exceeded our expectations here, Chisholm) offered, and then withdrew, an do their jobs,” Peppin said at a Jan. 9 news but they’re bigger eaters.” amendment that any member “voting against conference. “This does not send the right Since 1998, members have been paid an or abstaining from voting for this resolution message to students.” annual salary of $31,140, but they can be is prohibited from receiving the per diem and University Athletic Director Joel Maturi said reimbursed for travel and lodging when away housing payments.” He said this occurs in the money will come from his department, from home. other states, including Missouri. but that he may need a short-term loan from In addition, the House increased its housing central administration to help with the benefit for members from districts more than compensation. 50 miles from the Capitol. Now members are Higher Education Administration gets its money from tuition eligible for up to $1,200 a month for “lodging and the state, said House Minority Leader expenses” all year, instead of just six months Marty Seifert (R-Marshall). “This is about a year, as was the case. The Senate has had a Golden Gopher parachutes golden parachutes, not Goldy Gopher.” year-round allowance for a number of years. At least two legislators do not believe state “First and foremost, no tax or tuition Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan), who voted money should be used as compensation for dollars will be used to fund the $3.5 million against the increase along with Rep. Erik Paulsen unsuccessful coaches. buyout of the contract for coaches Mason and (R-Eden Prairie), Rep. Kathy Tingelstad (R- Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) plans to Monson. Those amounts will be paid entirely Andover) and Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow introduce a bill that would prohibit any state by revenues to the athletics department Lake), said the approval violates Article 4, appropriation to the University of Minnesota through ticket sales, licensing and other Section 9 of the Minnesota Constitution, which from being “used directly or indirectly for means,” university spokesman Daniel Wolter states that “No increase of compensation shall costs related to the early termination of a said in a statement. take effect during the period for which the contract of any person who reports to the Peppin and Seifert sent a letter requesting a members of the existing house of representatives director of athletics.” hearing by the House Higher Education and may have been elected.” Her announcement comes less than two Work Force Development Policy and Finance Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids) weeks after Glen Mason was dismissed as Division of the House Finance Committee to said there is a difference between per diem Gopher football coach. He reportedly left with a the division chairman, Rep. Tom Rukavina living expenses, which this addresses, and $2.2 million buyout and $1.6 million in deferred (DFL-Virginia). salary. compensation. Former men’s basketball coach Because of the university’s constitutional “If $77 a day is what’s necessary to pay for Dan Monson reportedly got a check for $1.35 autonomy, Rukavina said there isn’t much food, then that’s some awful rich eating,” said million when he resigned Nov. 30. the state can do. He is not adverse to allowing Buesgens, who believes legislators should be “When students ask for a Hail Mary for Seifert and Peppin to question officials during paid higher compensation. tuition relief, the university spends all this a university presentation. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich (DFL- money to get rid of two coaches who didn’t

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly  According to its Web site, the university socially. Yet, over the past decade changes have is seeking $123.4 million in new funding for been made that have led to the degradation State of the State address the upcoming fiscal biennium, beginning July of this important institution,” said David Gov. Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to deliver his 1, 2007, to “help to ensure the University’s Attarsaheli, a sales and management student State of the State address to a joint meeting of the Minnesota House and Senate at noon, continued excellence and help it to build for at St. Cloud Technical College. “Now is the Jan. 17, from the House Chamber. The event is the future of the University and of the state.” time to fix the problems, not only because it scheduled to be televised on tpt17 in the Twin The university also proposes a 4.5 percent is the right thing to do, but because the costs Cities metropolitan area and on some local tuition increase each year. of fixing them would later be astronomical cable channels in Greater Minnesota. Web both financially and socially.” streaming of the address can be accessed at http://www.house.mn/htv/schedule.asp. Attarsaheli has taken out $3,000 in loans College cost concerns for this academic year, and he works about Many legislators heard about increased 25 hours a week. Yet, he considers himself college costs while campaigning. lucky. That was the message presented to the Members of the Higher Education and “I have several friends and fellow students House Biosciences and Emerging Technology Work Force Development Policy and Finance who work in excess of 50 hours per week and Committee at its first official meeting Jan. 10. Division of the House Finance Committee maintain full course loads,” he said. “Their It took no action. heard more concerns during their first jobs don’t pay as well as mine and they can’t BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota committee meeting Jan. 10. No action was get financial aid because their parents make Chairman Dale Wahlstrom warned that taken. too much.” bioscience-related industries are experiencing Five students from two-year rural technical The financial burden has left some to a rapid “convergence” of technologies that and community colleges in the Minnesota wonder if the effort is worth the reward. is forcing companies to shift geographic State Colleges and Universities system spoke “When we come out with a mortgage locations and might lure some biotech of the problems they have making ends meet payment and no house, that leaves us in a business out of the state. while going to school, and how much debt really detrimental position to try to achieve “The companies will figure out a way to they expect to have if or when they receive our goals,” said Jacob Littler, who attends deal with this,” Wahlstrom said. “They will their diploma. Mesabi Range Community and Technical have to go to where the knowledge is, so the Students from similar schools in the College. fact that our companies will do well does not Twin Cities metropolitan area testified the mean that the state will do well.” next day. Division chairman Rep. Tom Phil Griffin, a contract lobbyist with LifeScience Alley, urged the state to support Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) said he anticipates Technology taking testimony from students from four- bioscience by fostering a trained and educated year MnSCU institutions, the University of workforce, and by actively encouraging Minnesota and private colleges. Bioscience industry urges support research, commercialization and economic “Higher education is a cornerstone of Minnesota will have to fight to keep its edge development in the bioscience community. Minnesota’s vitality, both economically and in the bioscience industry. “We’re no longer, as you all know, competing with Wisconsin and Iowa and South and North Dakota,” Griffin said. “The kind of work that goes on is being done across the globe, and those are the kinds of people that we’re competing with.” Griffin stopped short of unveiling a full legislative agenda to the committee, but said he intends to do so soon. LifeScience Alley President and CEO Don Gerhardt testified to the economic benefits of a strong bioscience industry presence in the state. He said approximately 520 biotech companies in the state, employing some 50,000 employees, generate an estimated $40 billion to $50 billion in business every year. Praising bioscience and related industries as an “engine of jobs and growth” for the state, Committee Chair Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul) urged committee members to approach bioscience legislation from a bipartisan viewpoint.

photo by tom olmscheid Rep. Tom Rukavina, third from right, chairman of the Higher Education and Work Force Development To find out who represents Policy and Finance Division of the House Finance Committee talked with students and organization you at the Capitol . . . members from rural two-year MnSCU technical and community colleges after hearing testimony Call House Public Information Jan. 10 on the effects of high tuition and their future debt. Those meeting with Rukavina are, from Services at (651) 296-2146 left, Tom Roddetz, David Attarsaheli, Jessica Medearis, Karen Bidwell, Maggie Jonas, Jacob Littler and Tyler Slinger. or (800) 657-3550

 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 Taxes Interactive dance

Federal tax compliance The House has passed its first bill and thousands of Minnesotans could benefit from tax deductions for 2006. Sponsored by Rep. Sandy Wollschlager (DFL- Cannon Falls), HF8 conforms Minnesota’s income tax to federal income tax changes enacted since the 2006 House session concluded. Approved 132-0 Jan. 11, the bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Thomas Bakk (DFL- Cook) is the sponsor. Wollschlager said the changes would increase the tuition expense deduction up to $4,000 and the teacher classroom expense deduction up to $250; allow military personnel to count tax-exempt combat pay as earned income for the purpose of qualifying to make tax deductible contributions to IRAs; and allow people age 70 ½ years and older to make direct charitable contributions from an IRA to a charity. The bill would affect 2006 income tax returns only. Rep. Morrie Lanning (DFL-Moorhead) said in spite of the “fast track” to move the bill, some people might still file their tax returns before the bill is signed into law. He asked that direct notification be sent to those who need to amend their returns. “Most people don’t file this soon,” said Jack Mansun, assistant commissioner of tax policy and external relations with the Minnesota

photo by andrew vonbank Heather Klopchin and Gabriel Anderson of ARENA Dances demonstrate how interactive video technology is being used by the Minnesota Shubert Perform- ing Arts and Education Center to bring art education programs to Minnesota classrooms. The demonstration was presented to legislators during the 2007 Legislative Conference Jan. 9 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

Department of Revenue. “Most don’t get their veterans,” said Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL- W-2’s until the end of January.” Bloomington), the House Taxes Committee He said those that do would be notified of chairwoman. “We should do this now to save photo by sarah stacke what steps to take to amend their return. Also, the headache.” Jack Mansun, assistant commissioner of tax pol- tax preparers would be notified of the changes icy and external relations with the Department via electronic newsletter and e-file programs of Revenue, testifies before the House Taxes would also be updated. The deadline for If you will be visiting the Capitol Committee Jan. 8 in favor of a bill that would making changes to software for this tax season in the near future, call the conform state income tax to federal changes is Jan. 12. Capitol Historic Site Program enacted since the Legislature adjourned last at (651) 296-2881 year. Also pictured is Rep. Sandy Wollschlager, “We need to correct the form and get it into the bill sponsor. the hands of parents, teachers and combat to schedule a tour.

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly  AT ISSUE: Committees

the mental health division as an example. “For far too long we have put those issues by Is bigger better? the wayside, and by setting up a division we House leaders differ on the value of more committees are going to be able to focus like a laser on issues dealing with mental health and have involvement from members, staff and the state of Minnesota. The third is bioscience and By Mike Cook the opportunity to focus exclusively on those emerging technologies. As we are trying to be Telecommunications Regulation and issues of our earliest learners and the youngest competitive in this global economy I think it Infrastructure Division of the House members of the state of Minnesota.” is important that we set aside time to look at Commerce and Labor Committee. Before temporary rules were passed on those emerging issues.” House Governmental Operations, Reform, Opening Day, however, House Minority Committees are scheduled to begin most Technology and Elections Committee. Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) called days at 8 a.m. On Monday, Tuesday and And, who can say the Higher Education and the additional committees an expansion Thursday they will meet until 5:30 p.m. While Work Force Development Policy and Finance of government and a way to prohibit many they begin earlier and end later, the schedule Division of the House Finance Committee Minnesotans from taking part in the entire does call for a half-hour morning break and without taking a breath? process. a lunch hour from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. More than a mouthful of alphabet soup, “We have people from the public — from Some divisions are scheduled to meet Friday these are three examples of the new House northwestern Minnesota, from northeastern mornings. Session is planned for Mondays committee structure. Minnesota, from southwest and southeast — from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 With the DFL now in control, the number that would like to testify before committees to to 11:30 a.m. A caucus is scheduled for late of committees and divisions totals 35 — an help shape the bills,” he said. Now, Seifert said afternoon on Wednesdays. increase of eight from the last biennium, when an education bill could “go from a division Seifert said the schedule is not as “family Republicans were in control. House Majority to an education committee to a finance friendly” as the one used the last two Leader Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm) defends committee to a ways and means committee biennia. the move and says the new committee to a rules committee to get to the House floor. “We didn’t have anything before noon structure allows for more involvement from You’re talking about someone who has an Mondays and nothing on Fridays so non- members and the public, without increasing interest in rural Minnesota having to drive metro members could spend more time back staff. back and forth from the Capitol as much as in their districts,” he said. Further, he said the new structure permits four, five, six, eight hours each time to testify Still, Seifert is happy with the placement of the targeting of three issues his party believes on a bill.” Republican members on committees. should be closely examined this biennium, There are several new committee divisions “Margaret did a good job of accepting what including early childhood education. “I think this biennium which will help legislators Committees continued on page 23 it’s of the utmost importance that we have focus on specific issues, Sertich said. He cited

photo by tom olmscheid Members of the House Ways and Means Committee listen to Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson and State Economist Tom Stinson explain the ins and outs of a revenue forecast during a Jan. 8 hearing.

 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 Committee Information 2007-08 Minnesota House of Representatives Member Assignments as of 1/9/07

Agriculture, Rural Economies Biosciences and Labor and and Veterans Affairs Emerging Technology Consumer Protection Division 445 State Office Building...... 296-3201 591 State Office Building...... 296-4277 545 State Office Building...... 296-0173 Meets: Mondays at 2:15 p.m. and Wednesdays Meets: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 Meets: Fridays at 10:00 a.m. in Room 5* at 8:00 a.m. in the Basement Hearing a.m. in Room 200* Room* Members: 14 Members: 11 Chair: Davnie-DFL Members: 13 Chair: Mahoney-DFL Vice Chair: Benson-DFL Chair: Otremba-DFL Vice Chair: Norton-DFL Republican Lead: Gunther-R Vice Chair: Faust-DFL Republican Lead: Beard-R Anderson, S.-R Peterson, N.-R Republican Lead: Hamilton-R Berns-R Peppin-R Dittrich-DFL Scalze-DFL Fritz-DFL Shimanski-R Brown-DFL Hosch-DFL Bunn-DFL Ruth-R Hornstein-DFL Swails-DFL Doty-DFL Juhnke-DFL Haws-DFL Thissen-DFL Howes-R ex-officio** Eken-DFL Morrow-DFL Masin-DFL Winkler-DFL Laine-DFL Atkins-DFL Finstad-R Shimanski-R Staff Nelson-DFL Heidgerken-R Urdahl-R Committee Administrator Staff Staff Joanna Dornfeld...... 296-9302 Committee Administrator Committee Administrator Committee Legislative Assistant Elizabeth Emerson...... 296-7175 Katherine Beyer...... 296-9468 Autumn Williams-Wussow...... 296-8187 Committee Legislative Assistant Committee Legislative Assistant Mary Faust...... 296-4321 Mary Larson...... 296-5486 Commerce and Labor 503 State Office Building...... 296-4192 Telecommunications Regulation and Veterans Affairs Division Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. 439 State Office Building...... 296-4346 in the Basement Hearing Room* Infrastructure Division Meets: Fridays at 8:00 a.m. in Room 200* 549 State Office Building...... 296-4201 Members: 17 Meets: Fridays at 8:00 a.m. in Room 5* Members: 12 Chair: Atkins-DFL Chair: Koenen-DFL Vice Chair: Lillie-DFL Members: 11 Vice Chair: Tingelstad-R Republican Lead: Zellers-R Chair: Johnson-DFL Vice Chair: Masin-DFL Republican Lead: Wardlow-R Anderson, S.-R Knuth-DFL Republican Lead: Hoppe-R Bigham-DFL Olson-R Anzelc-DFL Mahoney-DFL Beard-R Sailer-DFL Dettmer-R Severson-R Berns-R Mullery-DFL Garofalo-R Shimanski-R Dominguez-DFL Wollschlager-DFL Davnie-DFL Paulsen-R Hilty-DFL Thissen-DFL Doty-DFL ex-officio** DeLaForest-R Peterson, A.-DFL Juhnke-DFL ex-officio** Haws-DFL Otremba-DFL Dominguez-DFL Simpson-R Morrow-DFL Atkins-DFL Hosch-DFL Johnson-DFL Tillberry-DFL Staff Staff Staff Committee Administrator Committee Administrator Committee Administrator Katherine Beyer...... 296-9468 Elizabeth Emerson...... 296-7175 Elizabeth Emerson...... 296-7175 Committee Legislative Assistant Committee Legislative Assistant Committee Legislative Assistant Kent Berg...... 297-5723 John Reich...... 296-6586 Mary Faust...... 296-4321

This list is subject to change.

Member Assignments as of 1/9/07 *Rooms in State Office Building **Non-voting member All area codes are 651

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly  E-12 Education Game, Fish and Forestry Division Simon-DFL Wagenius-DFL 563 State Office Building...... 296-9714 571 State Office Building...... 296-2190 Slawik-DFL Walker-DFL Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. Meets: Mondays at 4:00 p.m. in Room 10* Solberg-DFL Westrom-R in the Basement Hearing Room* Thissen-DFL Members: 13 Members: 25 Chair: Dill-DFL Staff Chair: Mariani-DFL Vice Chair: Knuth-DFL Committee Administrator Vice Chair: Dittrich-DFL Republican Lead: Cornish-R Joanna Dornfeld...... 296-9302 Republican Lead: Erickson-R Bigham-DFL Moe-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Lill Pohlkamp...... 296-9552 Abeler-R Nornes-R Hackbarth-R Morrow-DFL Benson-DFL Peterson, S.-DFL Hansen-DFL Peterson, A.-DFL Agriculture, Rural Economies and Brown-DFL Slawik-DFL Hoppe-R Simpson-R Veterans Affairs Finance Division Davnie-DFL Slocum-DFL McNamara-R Wagenius-DFL 485 State Office Building...... 296-6206 Demmer-R Swails-DFL Staff Meets: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Dettmer-R Tillberry-DFL Committee Administrator 10:00 a.m. in the Basement Hearing Room* Gottwalt-R Urdahl-R Kirk Koudelka...... 296-6937 Greiling-DFL Ward-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Members: 14 Heidgerken-R Wardlow-R Joan Harrison...... 296-7881 Chair: Juhnke-DFL Hornstein-DFL Welti-DFL Vice Chair: Welti-DFL Hosch-DFL ex-officio** Republican Lead: Finstad-R Laine-DFL Murphy, M.-DFL Ethics 343 State Office Building...... 296-2676 Doty-DFL Peterson, A.-DFL Staff Meets: At the call of the chair in (No Room Faust-DFL Poppe-DFL Committee Administrator Assigned)* Hamilton-R Shimanski-R Christina Gosack...... 296-5524 Hansen-DFL ex-officio** Committee Legislative Assistant Members: 4 Heidgerken-R Carlson-DFL Celeste Marin...... 296-9115 Chair: Murphy, M.-DFL Magnus-R ex-officio** Vice Chair: Smith-R Olin-DFL Solberg-DFL Environment and Holberg-R (A)Liebling-DFL Otremba-DFL Simon-DFL (A)Peterson, N.-R Natural Resources Staff (A) alternate 575 State Office Building...... 296-9918 Staff Committee Administrator Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. Committee Administrator Katherine Beyer...... 296-9468 in Room 5* NA...... Committee Legislative Assistant Committee Legislative Assistant Dana Wilson...... 296-5992 Members: 18 Phil Chen...... 296-5360 Chair: Eken-DFL Capital Investment Finance Division Vice Chair: Hansen-DFL 453 State Office Building...... 296-3824 Republican Lead: Hackbarth-R Finance Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:15 p.m. 479 State Office Building...... 296-4255 in the Basement Hearing Room* Brynaert-DFL Olin-DFL Meets: Mondays at 10:00 a.m. in Room 200* Cornish-R Ozment-R Members: 19 Dill-DFL Sailer-DFL Members: 40 Chair: Hausman-DFL Gardner-DFL Scalze-DFL Chair: Carlson-DFL Vice Chair: Scalze-DFL Hoppe-R Thao-DFL Vice Chair: Sailer-DFL Republican Lead: Tingelstad-R Mariani-DFL Tingelstad-R Republican Lead: Sviggum-R McNamara-R Wagenius-DFL Berns-R Mahoney-DFL Anderson, B.-R Kohls-R Moe-DFL Carlson-DFL Murphy, M.-DFL Clark-DFL Lenczewski-DFL Dean-R Pelowski-DFL Staff Cornish-R Lieder-DFL Hansen-DFL Peterson, N.-R Committee Administrator Erhardt-R Mahoney-DFL Howes-R Rukavina-DFL Kirk Koudelka...... 296-6937 Finstad-R Mariani-DFL Juhnke-DFL Solberg-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Garofalo-R Murphy, M.-DFL Lanning-R Urdahl-R A.J. Duerr...... 296-4172 Greiling-DFL Otremba-DFL Lieder-DFL Wagenius-DFL Hackbarth-R Paymar-DFL Hausman-DFL Pelowski-DFL Staff Hilty-DFL Peppin-R Committee Administrator Howes-R Poppe-DFL Jenny Nash...... 296-4122 Huntley-DFL Rukavina-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Jaros-DFL Seifert-R Laurie Nistl...... 296-5497 Juhnke-DFL Sertich-DFL Kahn-DFL Severson-R

Member Assignments as of 1/9/07 *Rooms in State Office Building **Non-voting member All area codes are 651 10 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 Early Childhood Learning Finance Energy Finance and Policy Division Health Care and Division 559 State Office Building...... 296-4308 Human Services Finance Division 403 State Office Building...... 296-7807 Meets: Mondays and Wednesdays at 2:15 p.m. 585 State Office Building...... 296-2228 Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. in Room 200* Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Room 200* at 12:30 p.m. in Room 200* Members: 21 Members: 14 Chair: Hilty-DFL Members: 21 Chair: Slawik-DFL Vice Chair: Ruud-DFL Chair: Huntley-DFL Vice Chair: Bly-DFL Republican Lead: Westrom-R Vice Chair: Hosch-DFL Republican Lead: Eastlund-R Beard-R Nornes-R Republican Lead: Abeler-R Fritz-DFL Peterson, S.-DFL Bly-DFL Ozment-R Anderson, B.-R Peppin-R Garofalo-R Ward-DFL Brynaert-DFL Peterson, A.-DFL Brod-R Peterson, S.-DFL Gottwalt-R Wardlow-R Gardner-DFL Sailer-DFL Bunn-DFL Ruud-DFL Kranz-DFL Winkler-DFL Gunther-R Slocum-DFL Dean-R Slawik-DFL Laine-DFL ex-officio** Hackbarth-R Wagenius-DFL Erickson-R Thao-DFL Murphy, E.-DFL Murphy, M.-DFL Hoppe-R Welti-DFL Fritz-DFL Thissen-DFL Nornes-R Johnson-DFL ex-officio** Gottwalt-R Walker-DFL Kalin-DFL Carlson-DFL Liebling-DFL ex-officio** Staff Knuth-DFL ex-officio** Loeffler-DFL Carlson-DFL Committee Administrator Magnus-R Solberg-DFL Murphy, E.-DFL ex-officio** Sara Benzkofer...... 296-4305 Otremba-DFL Solberg-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Staff Tricia Kiefer...... 296-4483 Committee Administrator Staff Andy Pomroy...... 296-4180 Committee Administrator Education Finance and Economic Committee Legislative Assistant Jenn Holcomb...... 296-6422 Competitiveness Finance Division Rebekah Smith...... 296-8879 Committee Legislative Assistant 343 State Office Building...... 296-2676 Jan Horner...... 296-5496 Meets: Mondays at 4:00 p.m. in Room 5* Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Higher Education and Work Force Members: 24 449 State Office Building...... 296-4200 Development Policy and Finance Chair: Murphy, M.-DFL Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. Division Vice Chair: Peterson, S.-DFL in Room 5* 477 State Office Building...... 296-0170 Republican Lead: Demmer-R Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Abeler-R Pelowski-DFL Members: 19 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 5* Brown-DFL Rukavina-DFL Chair: Wagenius-DFL Bunn-DFL Ruth-R Vice Chair: Doty-DFL Members: 20 Eastlund-R Ruud-DFL Republican Lead: Ozment-R Chair: Rukavina-DFL Erickson-R Slawik-DFL Vice Chair: Poppe-DFL Anzelc-DFL Magnus-R Garofalo-R Tillberry-DFL Republican Lead Workforce: Gunther-R Clark-DFL McNamara-R Greiling-DFL Ward-DFL Republican Lead Higher Ed.: Nornes-R Dill-DFL Moe-DFL Hamilton-R Wardlow-R Eken-DFL Peterson, A.-DFL Atkins-DFL McFarlane-R Heidgerken-R ex-officio** Gardner-DFL Scalze-DFL Bly-DFL Moe-DFL Hornstein-DFL Carlson-DFL Gunther-R Tingelstad-R Brynaert-DFL Norton-DFL Kranz-DFL ex-officio** Hackbarth-R ex-officio** Clark-DFL Ruth-R Mariani-DFL Solberg-DFL Hansen-DFL Carlson-DFL Dettmer-R Severson-R Masin-DFL Hoppe-R ex-officio** Eastlund-R Slocum-DFL Knuth-DFL Solberg-DFL Haws-DFL Welti-DFL Staff Hortman-DFL ex-officio** Committee Administrator Staff Mahoney-DFL Murphy, M.-DFL Christina Gosack...... 296-5524 Committee Administrator Committee Legislative Assistant Jenna Duwenhoegger...... 296-1774 Staff Phil Chen...... 296-5360 Committee Legislative Assistant Committee Administrator Melissa Hysing...... 296-3367 Jim Gelbmann...... 296-7427 Committee Legislative Assistant Sue Scott...... 296-8827

Member Assignments as of 1/9/07 *Rooms in State Office Building **Non-voting member All area codes are 651

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly 11 Housing Policy and Finance and Minnesota Heritage Finance Division State Government Finance Division Public Health Finance Division 583 State Office Building...... 296-4246 365 State Office Building...... 296-4257 471 State Office Building...... 296-0294 Meets: Mondays at 4:00 p.m. in Room 200* Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:15 p.m. Meets: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 in Room 5* a.m. in Room 5* Members: 14 Chair: Jaros-DFL Members: 13 Members: 16 Vice Chair: Gardner-DFL Chair: Kahn-DFL Chair: Clark-DFL Republican Lead: Urdahl-R Vice Chair: Ward-DFL Vice Chair: Kranz-DFL Anderson, B.-R Nornes-R Republican Lead: DeLaForest-R Republican Lead: Severson-R Bly-DFL Peterson, N.-R Anderson, S.-R Winkler-DFL Anderson, B.-R Morgan-DFL Dean-R Sailer-DFL Bigham-DFL Zellers-R Benson-DFL Peterson, N.-R Eken-DFL ex-officio** Hilty-DFL ex-officio** Eastlund-R Swails-DFL Johnson-DFL Carlson-DFL Hortman-DFL Carlson-DFL Huntley-DFL Tschumper-DFL Kahn-DFL ex-officio** Lesch-DFL ex-officio** Laine-DFL ex-officio** Laine-DFL Solberg-DFL Peppin-R Pelowski-DFL Madore-DFL Carlson-DFL Madore-DFL Poppe-DFL ex-officio** McFarlane-R ex-officio** Sviggum-R Solberg-DFL Staff McNamara-R Solberg-DFL Committee Administrator Moe-DFL Staff Christine Murphy...... 296-5491 Committee Administrator Staff Committee Legislative Assistant Brian Shekleton...... 296-4110 Committee Administrator Diogo Reis...... 296-3889 Committee Legislative Assistant Brooke Bordson...... 296-5528 Krysta Niedernhofer...... 296-7173 Committee Legislative Assistant Public Safety Finance Division Lauren Benditt...... 296-5998 543 State Office Building...... 296-4199 Transportation Finance Division Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 423 State Office Building...... 296-5091 K-12 Finance Division at 8:00 a.m. in Room 10* Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. 381 State Office Building...... 296-5387 in Room 10* Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Members: 17 at 2:15 p.m. in Room 10* Chair: Paymar-DFL Members: 18 Vice Chair: Olin-DFL Chair: Lieder-DFL Members: 21 Republican Lead: Smith-R Vice Chair: Erhardt-R Chair: Greiling-DFL Bigham-DFL Liebling-DFL Republican Lead: Magnus-R Vice Chair: Morrow-DFL Buesgens-R Lillie-DFL Beard-R Morrow-DFL Republican Lead: Heidgerken-R Cornish-R Mullery-DFL Doty-DFL Nelson-DFL Anzelc-DFL Garofalo-R Dominguez-DFL Murphy, M.-DFL Hausman-DFL Ruth-R Benson-DFL Hilstrom-DFL Eastlund-R Zellers-R Holberg-R Severson-R Brown-DFL Mariani-DFL Haws-DFL ex-officio** Hornstein-DFL Slocum-DFL Davnie-DFL Marquart-DFL Hilstrom-DFL Carlson-DFL Hortman-DFL ex-officio** Demmer-R McFarlane-R Kohls-R ex-officio** Kalin-DFL Carlson-DFL Dettmer-R Morgan-DFL Lesch-DFL Solberg-DFL Madore-DFL ex-officio** Dittrich-DFL Olson-R Masin-DFL Solberg-DFL Staff Dominguez-DFL Swails-DFL Morgan-DFL Committee Administrator Erickson-R ex-officio** Melanie LaComb...... 296-4141 Staff Faust-DFL Murphy, M.-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Committee Administrator Staff Libby Wyrum...... 296-5999 Abbey Mahin...... 296-5413 Committee Administrator Committee Legislative Assistant Shannon Patrick...... 296-5098 Susie Maher...... 296-5494 Committee Legislative Assistant Elizabeth Mandelman...... 296-9676

Member Assignments as of 1/9/07 *Rooms in State Office Building **Non-voting member All area codes are 651 12 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 Governmental Operations, Mental Health Division Public Safety and Civil Justice Reform, Technology and 553 State Office Building...... 296-7152 367 State Office Building...... 296-4262 Meets: Fridays at 10:00 a.m. in Room 200* Elections Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in Room 10* 491 State Office Building...... 296-8637 Members: 14 Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Chair: Walker-DFL Members: 19 at 8:00 a.m. in Room 200* Vice Chair: Brynaert-DFL Chair: Mullery-DFL Republican Lead: Anderson, B.-R Vice Chair: Kalin-DFL Members: 16 Republican Lead: Kohls-R Chair: Pelowski-DFL Greiling-DFL Otremba-DFL Vice Chair: Morgan-DFL Hosch-DFL Paymar-DFL Bigham-DFL Lesch-DFL Republican Lead: Howes-R Koenen-DFL Ruud-DFL Cornish-R Lillie-DFL Lanning-R Tingelstad-R DeLaForest-R Olin-DFL Anderson, S.-R Olson-R Madore-DFL Wardlow-R Emmer-R Paymar-DFL Brod-R Peterson, N.-R McFarlane-R Hilstrom-DFL Sailer-DFL Emmer-R Poppe-DFL Holberg-R Simon-DFL Hilty-DFL Simon-DFL Staff Johnson-DFL Smith-R Kahn-DFL Winkler-DFL Committee Administrator Kranz-DFL Westrom-R Kalin-DFL Wollschlager-DFL Jennifer McNertney...... 296-3244 Nelson-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Staff Rachel Gillespie...... 296-9895 Committee Administrator Staff Patrick Baldwin...... 296-4283 Committee Administrator Committee Legislative Assistant Mark Mallander...... 296-5389 Local Government and Victoria Benson...... 296-5526 Committee Legislative Assistant Metropolitan Affairs Kathy L. Anderson...... 296-3806 379 State Office Building...... 296-3709 Meets: Mondays at 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays Rules and Legislative Health and Human Services at 12:30 p.m. in the Basement Hearing Administration 351 State Office Building...... 296-5375 Room* 459 State Office Building...... 296-0172 Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:15 p.m. Meets: At the call of the chair in (No Room in Room 200* Members: 15 Assigned)* Chair: Hilstrom-DFL Members: 20 Vice Chair: Tschumper-DFL Members: 27 Chair: Thissen-DFL Republican Lead: Lanning-R Chair: Sertich-DFL Vice Chair: Fritz-DFL Beard-R Koenen-DFL Vice Chair: Loeffler-DFL Republican Lead: Brod-R Buesgens-R Lenczewski-DFL Republican Lead: Paulsen-R Abeler-R Loeffler-DFL Dominguez-DFL Marquart-DFL Buesgens-R Murphy, E.-DFL Anderson, B.-R Murphy, E.-DFL Hausman-DFL Olson-R Carlson-DFL Nelson-DFL Bunn-DFL Norton-DFL Holberg-R Scalze-DFL Dill-DFL Ozment-R Emmer-R Otremba-DFL Howes-R Solberg-DFL Erhardt-R Pelowski-DFL Finstad-R Ruud-DFL Finstad-R Peterson, A.-DFL Gottwalt-R Thao-DFL Staff Hilstrom-DFL Simon-DFL Hamilton-R Tschumper-DFL Committee Administrator Hortman-DFL Simpson-R Huntley-DFL Walker-DFL Peter Strohmeier...... 296-5069 Howes-R Solberg-DFL Liebling-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Juhnke-DFL Thissen-DFL Erin Huppert...... 296-2585 Lillie-DFL Tingelstad-R Staff Magnus-R Westrom-R Committee Administrator Mahoney-DFL Winkler-DFL Jennifer McNertney...... 296-3244 Committee Legislative Assistant Staff Urszula Gryska...... 296-5492 Committee Administrator Lisa Radzak...... 296-2909 Committee Legislative Assistant Tom Dicklich...... 296-9183

Member Assignments as of 1/9/07 *Rooms in State Office Building **Non-voting member All area codes are 651

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly 13 Taxes Property Tax Relief and Ways and Means 509 State Office Building...... 296-4218 Local Sales Tax Division 443 State Office Building...... 296-2365 Meets: Mondays at 2:15 p.m. and Tuesdays and 597 State Office Building...... 296-6829 Meets: Mondays at 10:00 a.m. in Room Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in Room 10* Meets: Fridays at 8:00 a.m. in Room 10* 200*

Members: 26 Members: 11 Members: 29 Chair: Lenczewski-DFL Chair: Marquart-DFL Chair: Solberg-DFL Vice Chair: Wollschlager-DFL Vice Chair: Brown-DFL Vice Chair: Swails-DFL Republican Lead: Simpson-R Republican Lead: Erhardt-R Republican Lead: Holberg-R Atkins-DFL Lanning-R Anderson, S.-R Lenczewski-DFL Abeler-R Kelliher-DFL Brod-R Lesch-DFL Demmer-R Loeffler-DFL Brynaert-DFL Lenczewski-DFL Carlson-DFL Liebling-DFL Dittrich-DFL Mullery-DFL Carlson-DFL Mariani-DFL Davnie-DFL Marquart-DFL Lanning-R Paymar-DFL Clark-DFL McNamara-R DeLaForest-R Mullery-DFL Dean-R Murphy, E.-DFL Demmer-R Paulsen-R Staff Eken-DFL Murphy, M.-DFL Dill-DFL Rukavina-DFL Committee Administrator Erhardt-R Ozment-R Erhardt-R Solberg-DFL Sarah Carlson-Wallrath...... 296-8826 Greiling-DFL Paulsen-R Hilstrom-DFL Thao-DFL Committee Legislative Assistant Gunther-R Pelowski-DFL Jaros-DFL Tillberry-DFL Paul Cumings...... 296-5380 Hilstrom-DFL Sertich-DFL Koenen-DFL Zellers-R Hilty-DFL Smith-R Kohls-R Huntley-DFL Sviggum-R Staff Kahn-DFL Tschumper-DFL Committee Administrator Staff Sarah Carlson-Wallrath...... 296-8826 Committee Administrator Committee Legislative Assistant Christine Murphy...... 296-5491 Jamie Becker-Finn...... 296-2955 Committee Legislative Assistant Gerrie Boice...... 296-5388 Minnesota House and Senate A Rep. Dave Olin-(DFL) A Rep. Steve Gottwalt-(R) A Rep. Randy Demmer-(R) A Rep. Sarah Anderson-(R) A Rep. Karla Bigham -(DFL) B Rep. Bernie Lieder-(DFL) B Rep. Larry Haws-(DFL) B Rep. Kim Norton-(DFL) B Rep. John Benson-(DFL) B Rep. Denny McNamara-(R) 1 Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf-(DFL) 15 Sen. Tarryl Clark-(DFL) 29 Sen. David H. Senjem-(R) 43 Sen. Terri E. Bonoff-(DFL) 57 Sen. Katie Sieben-(DFL) A Rep. Kent Eken-(DFL) A Rep. Sondra Erickson-(R) A Rep. Tina Liebling-(DFL) A Rep. Steve Simon-(DFL) A Rep. Joe Mullery-(DFL) B Rep. Brita Sailer-(DFL) B Rep. Mark Olson-(R) B Rep. Andy Welti-(DFL) B Rep. Ryan Winkler-(DFL) B Rep. Augustine Willie Dominguez-(DFL) 2 Sen. Rod Skoe-(DFL) 16 Sen. Betsy L. Wergin-(R) 30 Sen. Ann Lynch-(DFL) 44 Sen. Ron Latz-(DFL) 58 Sen. Linda Higgins-(DFL) A Rep. Tom Anzelc-(DFL) A Rep. Rob Eastlund-(R) A Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr.-(DFL) A Rep. Sandra Peterson-(DFL) A Rep. Diane Loeffler-(DFL) B Rep. Loren A. Solberg-(DFL) B Rep. Jeremy Kalin-(DFL) B Rep. Ken Tschumper-(DFL) B Rep. Lyndon Carlson-(DFL) B Rep. Phyllis Kahn-(DFL) 3 Sen. Tom Saxhaug-(DFL) 17 Sen. Rick E. Olseen-(DFL) 31 Sen. Sharon L. Erickson Ropes-(DFL) 45 Sen. Ann H. Rest-(DFL) 59 Sen. Lawrence J. Pogemiller-(DFL) A Rep. Frank Moe-(DFL) A Rep. Ron Shimanski-(R) A Rep. Joyce Peppin-(R) A Rep. Michael Nelson-(DFL) A Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher-(DFL) B Rep. Larry Howes-(R) B Rep. Dean Urdahl-(R) B Rep. Kurt Zellers-(R) B Rep. Debra Hilstrom-(DFL) B Rep. Frank Hornstein-(DFL) 4 Sen. Mary A. Olson-(DFL) 18 Sen. Steve Dille-(R) 32 Sen. Warren Limmer-(R) 46 Sen. Linda Scheid-(DFL) 60 Sen. D. Scott Dibble-(DFL) A Rep. Tom Rukavina-(DFL) A Rep. Bruce Anderson-(R) A Rep. Steve Smith-(R) A Rep. Denise Dittrich-(DFL) A Rep. Karen Clark-(DFL) B Rep. Anthony “Tony” Sertich-(DFL) B Rep. Tom Emmer-(R) B Rep. John Berns-(R) B Rep. Melissa Hortman-(DFL) B Rep. Neva Walker-(DFL) 5 Sen. David J. Tomassoni-(DFL) 19 Sen. Amy T. Koch-(R) 33 Sen. Gen Olson-(R) 47 Sen. Leo T. Foley-(DFL) 61 Sen. Linda Berglin-(DFL) A Rep. David Dill-(DFL) A Rep. Aaron Peterson-(DFL) A Rep. Paul Kohls-(R) A Rep. Tom Hackbarth-(R) A Rep. Jim Davnie-(DFL) B Rep. Mary Murphy-(DFL) B Rep. Lyle Koenen-(DFL) B Rep. Joe Hoppe-(R) B Rep. Jim Abeler-(R) B Rep. Jean Wagenius-(DFL) 6 Sen. Thomas M. Bakk-(DFL) 20 Sen. Gary W. Kubly-(DFL) 34 Sen. Julianne E. Ortman-(R) 48 Sen. Michael J. Jungbauer-(R) 62 Sen. Patricia Torres Ray-(DFL) A Rep. Thomas Huntley-(DFL) A Rep. Marty Seifert-(R) A Rep. Michael Beard-(R) A Rep. Chris DeLaForest-(R) A Rep. Paul Thissen-(DFL) B Rep. Mike Jaros-(DFL) B Rep. Brad Finstad-(R) B Rep. Mark Buesgens-(R) B Rep. Kathy Tingelstad-(R) B Rep. Linda Slocum-(DFL) 7 Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon-(DFL) 21 Sen. Dennis R. Frederickson-(R) 35 Sen. Claire A. Robling-(R) 49 Sen. Debbie J. Johnson-(R) 63 Sen. Dan Larson-(DFL) A Rep. Bill Hilty-(DFL) A Rep. Doug Magnus-(R) A Rep. Mary Liz Holberg-(R) A Rep. Carolyn Laine-(DFL) A Rep. Erin Murphy-(DFL) B Rep. Tim Faust-(DFL) B Rep. Rod Hamilton-(R) B Rep. Pat Garofalo-(R) B Rep. Kate Knuth-(DFL) B Rep. Michael Paymar-(DFL) 8 Sen. Tony Lourey-(DFL) 22 Sen. Jim Vickerman-(DFL) 36 Sen. Pat Pariseau-(R) 50 Sen. Satveer S. Chaudhary-(DFL) 64 Sen. Richard J. Cohen-(DFL) A Rep. Morrie Lanning-(R) A Rep. Terry Morrow-(DFL) A Rep. Shelley Madore-(DFL) A Rep. Scott Kranz-(DFL) A Rep. Cy Thao-(DFL) B Rep. Paul Marquart-(DFL) B Rep. Kathy Brynaert-(DFL) B Rep. Dennis Ozment-(R) B Rep. Tom Tillberry-(DFL) B Rep. Carlos Mariani-(DFL) 9 Sen. Keith Langseth-(DFL) 23 Sen. Kathy Sheran-(DFL) 37 Sen. Chris Gerlach-(R) 51 Sen. Don Betzold-(DFL) 65 Sen. Sandra L. Pappas-(DFL) A Rep. Bud Nornes-(R) A Rep. Bob Gunther-(R) A Rep. Sandra Masin-(DFL) A Rep. Bob Dettmer-(R) A Rep. John Lesch-(DFL) B Rep. Dean Simpson-(R) B Rep. Tony Cornish-(R) B Rep. Lynn Wardlow-(R) B Rep. Matt Dean-(R) B Rep. Alice Hausman-(DFL) 10 Sen. Dan Skogen-(DFL) 24 Sen. Julie A. Rosen-(R) 38 Sen. Jim Carlson-(DFL) 52 Sen. Ray Vandeveer-(R) 66 Sen. Ellen R. Anderson-(DFL) A Rep. Torrey Westrom-(R) A Rep. Laura Brod-(R) A Rep. Rick Hansen-(DFL) A Rep. Paul Gardner-(DFL) A Rep. Tim Mahoney-(DFL) B Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba-(DFL) B Rep. David Bly-(DFL) B Rep. Joseph Atkins-(DFL) B Rep. Carol McFarlane-(R) B Rep. Sheldon Johnson-(DFL) 11 Sen. Bill G. Ingebrigtsen-(R) 25 Sen. Thomas M. Neuville-(R) 39 Sen. James P. Metzen-(DFL) 53 Sen. Sandy Rummel-(DFL) 67 Sen. Mee Moua-(DFL) A Rep. John Ward-(DFL) A Rep. Connie Ruth-(R) A Rep. Will Morgan-(DFL) A Rep. Mindy Greiling-(DFL) B Rep. Al Doty-(DFL) B Rep. Patti Fritz-(DFL) B Rep. Ann Lenczewski-(DFL) B Rep. Bev Scalze-(DFL) 12 Sen. Paul E. Koering-(R) 26 Sen. Dick Day-(R) 40 Sen. John Doll-(DFL) 54 Sen. John Marty-(DFL) A Rep. Bud Heidgerken-(R) A Rep. Robin Brown-(DFL) A Rep. Ron Erhardt-(R) A Rep. Leon Lillie-(DFL) B Rep. Al Juhnke-(DFL) B Rep. Jeanne Poppe-(DFL) B Rep. Neil W. Peterson-(R) B Rep. Nora Slawik-(DFL) 13 Sen. Joe Gimse-(R) 27 Sen. Dan Sparks-(DFL) 41 Sen. Geoff Michel-(R) 55 Sen. Charles W. Wiger-(DFL) A Rep. Daniel Severson-(R) A Rep. Sandy Wollschlager-(DFL) A Rep. Maria Ruud-(DFL) A Rep. Julie Bunn-(DFL) B Rep. Larry Hosch-(DFL) B Rep. Steve Sviggum-(R) B Rep. Erik Paulsen-(R) B Rep. Marsha Swails-(DFL) 14 Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach-(R) 28 Sen. Steve Murphy-(DFL) 42 Sen. David W. Hann-(R) 56 Sen. Kathy L. Saltzman-(DFL) 14 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 Break Friday Sales (10) Tax/Local (5) Prot. Labor & Consumer (200) Mental Health Div. Reg./Infrastruc.(5) Telecom Prop. (200) Div. Affairs Veterans (200) Tech. Lunch Caucus SESSION Thursday (5) Res. & Natural Environ. (10) Fin. Transportation (200) Lrn. Fin. Early Child. and Labor (B) Commerce (5) Fin. Res. & Nat. Envir. (10) Finance Safety Public Ops./Ref. Gov. (B) E-12 Education P&F(5) High. Ed./Wrkforce (10) Just. Safe./Civil Public Fin.(200) Srv. Hlth. Care/H. (5) Fin. Government State (10) Fin. Education K-12 Hlth. (200) & Human Serv. (B) Fin. Investment Capital Aff.(B) Vet (200) Tech. (200) Tech. Break Lunch Caucus Wednesday Updated 1/10/07 (10) Finance Safety Public Ops./Ref. Gov. & Eco. Ag./Rur. (5) Hlth. Fin. & Pub. Hous. (10) Taxes & Emerg. Bio. F.(B) Af. Ag./Rur.Eco.&Vet P&F(5) High. Ed./Wrkforce Fin.(200) Srv. Hlth. Care/H. (B) Aff. Metro Govt. Local (10) Fin. Education K-12 (200) & Policy Fin. Energy (200) Tech. (200) Tech. Break Lunch Tuesday (5) Fin. Res. & Nat. Envir. (10) Finance Safety Public Ops./Ref. Gov. (B) E-12 Education (5) Hlth. Fin. & Pub. Hous. (10) Taxes & Emerg. Bio. F.(B) Af. Ag./Rur.Eco.&Vet P&F(5) High. Ed./Wrkforce (10) Just. Safe./Civil Public Fin.(200) Srv. Hlth. Care/H. (5) Fin. Government State (10) Fin. Education K-12 Hlth. (200) & Human Serv. (B) Fin. Investment Capital (5) Res. & Natural Environ. (10) Fin. Transportation (200) Lrn. Fin. Early Child. and Labor (B) Commerce Minnesota House Committee Schedule 2007-2008 Minnesota Committee House Aff.(B) Vet Monday Lunch/Caucus (200)* & M. / Finance Ways SESSION (10) Taxes (200) & Policy Fin. Energy & Eco. Ag./Rur. (5) F. Comp. Econ. Fin. Ed. (10) & Forestry Fish, Game, (200) MN Heritage Finance (B) Aff. Metro Govt. Local 8:00-9:30 9:30-10:00 10:00-11:30 11:30-12:30 12:30-2:00 2:15-3:45 4:00-5:30 the call of Chair meet at and Ethics Administration, Rules and Legislative Finance, and Means, *Ways Office Building. in State -all located Room numbers in parenthesis

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly 15 PEOPLE Fulfilling a goal DISTRICT 3A Anzelc returns to St. Paul in a different role 2002 population: 36,745 Largest city: International Falls Counties: Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of By Mia Simpson commissioner in the Department of Human the Woods Three hundred miles span the two farthest Services, and later as executive director of the Top concerns: Education, health care corners of Rep. Tom Anzelc’s (DFL-Balsam Gambling Control Board. He also sat on a and property taxes. Township) district, which brushes, at its committee asked to design a state-run welfare top, Canada, and at its assistance program, which later became the bottom, the southern- Minnesota Family Investment Program. — strongly reflects his childhood experience most border of Itasca Anzelc credits Perpich, Perpich’s two in a working-class family. County. brothers and another set of iconic politicians “My father was really a farmer/labor rights His campaign vehicle, — the Kennedy brothers — for his own calling member …he believed that the working a now-battered 2006 to public service. class should run the country or, at least, that Chevy truck bearing “The Kennedys literally mesmerized me,” the working class needed to have political 50,000 miles, most he said. “They came from wealth, but they representation.” clearly conveys the lifted people up.” Anzelc served as a county commissioner Rep. Tom Anzelc breadth of his election “Contrary to the Kennedys, the Perpichs from 1980 to 1982 before being asked by pursuits. didn’t come from wealth … but there was a Perpich to resign and join his administration. “It’s just about run down,” he said. similarity: caring for other people and helping Prior to that, he was a civics teacher in “You don’t represent a district like the one other people. They also became dentists, Hibbing, and a cross-country and basketball I do without having a good work ethic and an accomplishment in itself. I marveled at coach. He also worked as a labor union official without having energy.” that.” for 12 years. Anzelc, pronounced AN-zels, knows Anzelc’s roots matched those of the Perpichs’: “Now, I’m starting another one of life’s the landscape of Capitol politics as deeply a son of a miner on Minnesota’s Iron Range. adventures,” he said. “This is something I’ve as his home territory. He worked in Gov. His political agenda — strong education, wanted to do more than anything else, since Rudy Perpich’s administration as assistant accessible health care, jobs and property taxes high school, a long time ago.”

Youthful enthusiasm DISTRICT 57A For Bigham, value of public service instilled at an early age 2002 population: 36,710 Largest city: Cottage Grove Counties: Washington, Dakota By Patty Ostberg Her parents instilled these social values Top concerns: Property tax relief and Glancing over the resume of Rep. Karla starting at a young age. She remembers stable, consistent funding for schools. Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove), one might not the family sitting in front of the television suspect she is only 27 years old. watching the president’s State of the Union S h e s e r v e d t h e Address to “hear what our president was last two years on the doing.” Natural Resources Committee, the House Cottage Grove City She ran for the House after seeing the effects Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee, Council; previously, she of increased property taxes and decreased two public safety and state government was a union organizer local government aid in Cottage Grove. finance divisions of the House Finance for Service Employees Bigham said she felt the need to bring her Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Division International Union city-level experience to the state level. of the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and also worked as a The issues she “campaigned on and and Veterans Affairs Committee. DFL caucus researcher will work tirelessly on” include education, In Cottage Grove, Bigham said she Rep. Karla Bigham and assistant. For the transportation and health care, she said. A “was a fierce advocate for the public safety past three years, she worked as a paralegal for key transportation initiative that Bigham will department.” For example, she worked the Property Crimes Division of the Hennepin try to secure more funding for is the Red Rock with other councilors and organizations to County Attorney’s Office. Corridor transitway, a proposed commuter restore the city’s K-9 unit after several years Bigham said being a public servant is the rail line that would run from Hastings to St. of absence. highest calling a person can achieve. Paul on existing rail lines. “I was born and raised to really pay “Knowing I have vested interest in the Bigham has a passion for all her committee attention to what goes on in society … to know future” of Minnesota and the country helped assignments: the Game, Fish and Forestry what to do to make things better,” she said. “I motivate her political pursuits, she said. Division of the House Environment and look forward to a productive session.”

16 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 PEOPLE

Third time’s a charm DISTRICT 25B Remembering a lesson led to House seat 2002 population: 36,590 Largest city: Northfield Counties: Rice, Scott By Craig Green “We’re all in this together, and when we Top concerns: Education funding, health When Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield) all prosper, we all prosper,” Bly said. “I really care, renewable energy began his first run for the House in 2002, he think that we’re a better country when we take believed that he needed to educate people about care of each other and we provide for each values and compassion other.” A strong proponent of access to affordable for others. He lost by His tenure as a representative follows years health care, Bly would also like to work 46 votes. When he lost of working with district residents: as a teacher on renewable energy standards and the his second run in 2004 at the Northfield Alternative Learning Center development of local energy resources. There by 586 votes, a friend and Faribault Public Schools; an actor and are currently two wind turbines in Northfield, told Bly that what was director at the Northfield Arts Guild; part of a one at Carleton College and one at St. Olaf important was that the negotiating team for Northfield teachers; and College. voters knew he valued a board member on several civic and youth Another concern in Bly’s district is the their concerns and organizations. expansion of Highway 169 through Belle Rep. David Bly needs. One of Bly’s first priorities in the House is to Plaine and how it will affect commercial Bly, an educator, never forgot the lesson. On work on public education funding reform. Bly growth in the area. his third try, he won. thinks that funding needs “to be fair across Sitting in his office in the State Office Born and raised in Northfield, Bly said that the state, and not so dependent on property Building, Bly said, “I’m motivated by a desire he was inspired to enter politics “by people like taxes.” Among his committee assignments is to serve the people in my community and in [former U.S. Senator] Paul Wellstone, who said vice chair of the Early Childhood Learning my district. It’s what brings people to [the you should act on your convictions, rather than Finance Division of the House Finance House]. To make Minnesota a better place.” be an observer, but a participant.” Committee.

Reporting for duty DISTRICT 53B McFarlane is first female House member from her district 2002 Population: 36,699 Largest city: White Bear Lake County: Ramsey By Mia Simpson listener and consensus builder. Early on, she Top concerns: Education, small busi- Destiny implies a special power, even was assigned the position of legislative liaison, ness, fiscal responsibility a certain magic, that brings a person to a which made her responsible for, among other particular place in space and time where he things, connecting local constituents to their or she is meant to be. state legislators. to issues and an important, sometimes rare, Rep. Carol McFarlane “I embraced it,” she said. “I was bringing perspective in politics. (R-White Bear Lake) parents down [to the State Capitol] and “[Issues] don’t exist in silos,” she said. may have been destined providing tours. I think this is the people’s “They are interconnected.” for her House seat. place, and that everybody’s opinion matters Her plan is to “learn, listen and conserve” “It’s like my husband here.” as she navigates the corridors of the Capitol. says, ‘Carol, you’ve been She decided to run for office after being McFarlane said she’ll focus her energy on preparing for this your approached by former Rep. Doug Meslow, supporting small business and education, whole life, and you who retired from the seat last year. She is promoting sound fiscal management and Rep. Carol McFarlane didn’t even realize it,’” now the first female House member elected introducing issues raised by a group of local she said. “All the opportunities I’ve had, all from her district and the only Republican citizens she plans to convene and meet with my experiences, have prepared me for this.” representative in Ramsey County. in her district. A mother of three and grandmother of McFarlane, who owns a local tire company “I believe in people, and I believe in fairness, three, McFarlane spent the past seven years on with her husband of 35 years, Patrick, said and that’s why I want to represent the people,” the White Bear Lake school board, where she her 25 years of experience as a community she said. “Life has led me this. How lucky am I said she earned a reputation as a collaborator, leader and volunteer offer her broad access that I get to do this at this point in my life?”

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly 17 PEOPLE

A community leader DISTRICT 29B Norton plans to stick to what constituents asked her to do 2002 population: 36,815 Largest city: Rochester County: Olmsted By Stephen Harding as chair. There she saw firsthand the effects Top concerns: Education and property The PTA, the school board, a degree in of funding reductions to early childhood and taxes education and years of volunteering give Rep. K-12 education. As a mother of four children Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) a wealth of ages 16-24, she is also well aware of the effects experience to share. of increased tuition costs at colleges and sleeping in the parks.” Norton plans to stick universities across the state. Norton is vice chair of the House Biosciences to the basics in her Homelessness is a problem Norton is trying and Emerging Technology Committee. freshman year at the to fight, as well. “The goal is finding a way for She also serves on the House Health and House of Representatives: people to help themselves, it’s a hand up, not Human Services Committee and the Higher lowering property taxes, hand out,” Norton said. Education and Work Force Development lowering tuition and Last April, Norton and others went looking Policy and Finance Division of the House getting health care costs for homeless in Rochester at 3 a.m. and found Finance Committee. under control. “For them in parks and ditches. “I nearly walked “I think it’s important for Rochester and Rep. Kim Norton me it’s doing what my on one man who had come off the train. He the University of Minnesota with its bio-diesel constituents asked me to — getting along with has been homeless for 20 years. He didn’t see research. I see it’s important for the state in the both sides, to be a moderate and thinking of my it as a problem. It was a way of life for him.” long run. We need to look at new technology district when I make my decisions,” she said. Norton wants to see cheap temporary housing coming in, how we can do things different and She spent the past eight years on the for people that are passing through town. “The smarter. It is a visionary committee, it will Rochester School Board, including one year rest of the citizens don’t want to see people affect the state 20-30 years in the future.”

A change in venue DISTRICT 18A Shimanski trades in fields for House floor 2002 population: 36,487 Largest city: Hutchinson Counties: McLeod, Meeker By Stephen Harding industry through legislation that helps it move Top concerns: Education funding and Rep. Ron Shimanski (R-Silver Lake) is forward to the 21st century.” Shimanski also transportation trading in his 66 acres of land and 25 head of believes it is important to keep “agriculture beef cattle in McLeod County for a desk in the as a vibrant industry through research House Chamber. available at the University of Minnesota and they don’t want to spend any more; they don’t Yet he is staying close the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.” want to be taxed any more,” Shimanski said. to his roots. In his committee work, Shimanski wants to Improving and maintaining transportation One of the three make sure the needs of all veterans are being infrastructure is another issue facing farmers in the House, taken care of, be they from the current conflict Shimanski’s district, where he feels that the Shimanski sits on the in Iraq or for those that fought more than 60 state highways have not been kept up to date. House Agriculture, years ago in World War II. “There are ongoing projects and things in the R u r a l E c o n o m i e s But, Shimanski said, education funding schedule, and we want to make sure that we and Veterans Affairs and transportation are the two key issues in maintain good processes of improving our Rep. Ron Shimanski Committee and the his west central Minnesota district. highways,” Shimanski said. Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans With declining or steady school district Shimanski, who works as a layout and Affairs Finance Division of the House Finance enrollments, the amount of money from the design technician, also serves on the Committee. state has decreased or remained stagnant Labor and Consumer Protection and the Shimanski is excited to serve on these while operating costs continue to increase. Telecommunications Regulation and two committees because he “wants to keep Several operating levies have been voted Infrastructure divisions of the House agriculture as a driving economic force down, he said. “The taxpayers are saying that Commerce and Labor Committee. in Minnesota, and assist the agricultural

18 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 FEATURE: Youth in Government

Starting young YMCA Youth in Government takes over the Capitol

By Stephen Harding a try.” That’s not unusual. Many students hould gambling be legalized in Min- become interested in the program from nesota? Burnsville High School senior friends who had participated in years past. S Richard Juskowiak thinks so, and he in- Take Shannon Calhoun, 16, from Red troduced a bill that would do just that. Wing, for instance. “They [my friends] told “It could help with the budget problems or me how much fun it was, and this year I found photo by sarah stacke help lower taxes,” Juskowiak said. time in my schedule to do it.” His bill has no chance of becoming law According to its Web site, “Youth in Seventeen-year-old Calvin Wessels waits to be called on by the speaker because it was introduced during a Model Government is a nationwide YMCA program, during the Minnesota YMCA Youth Assembly for youth held Jan. 4-7 at the State active in nearly 40 states. Nationwide, in Government 2007 Model Assem- Capitol. But he and more than 1,300 eighth nearly 25,000 students attend state Youth in bly Session. Wessels is a senior at through 12th graders from across the state Government conferences each year, with 3,300 Mounds View High School and lives received hands-on experience on how a bill adult volunteers and YMCA staff serving as in Shoreview. He is a representa- tive for the Kellogg House. becomes law. adult advisors.” Every year the Minnesota YMCA Youth in Youth in Government programs strive In Minnesota, the program began with a Government program brings students to the to promote and develop an understanding mock governor and House and Senate in 1946. Capitol for a four-day legislative workout. The of local, state and national concerns and Today, Youth in Government students are able hope is that they will leave with a clearer idea political systems and provide a forum for the to learn about just about every aspect of state of how state government works and legislation effective and peaceful resolution of issues and government — from legislators to lobbyists to is made. concerns. members of the judicial system, the students Juskowiak is in his first year of participation. The program also develops the participate and run the mock proceedings. “Several of my friends did it last year and told responsibilities and leadership roles essential Students typically sign up for what positions me how fun it was, so this year I’m giving it to the health of a participatory democracy. they want and are placed in various roles by program leaders. The work begins long before students arrive at the Capitol complex. Students usually spend 60-90 minutes each week with an advisor at school who helps them research and draft their bills. Each student presents his or her bill before the appropriate committee. If a bill receives committee approval, it is sent to the House floor to be voted on by the full House. This year, bills that were introduced included one that would permit students a have a grade-point average higher than 4.0 if they take honors and advanced placement classes. However, the bill did not receive committee approval. Another bill proposed that if a student under age 19 reads a book they will be paid 5 cents per page. Committee debate was lively, and after the bill’s sponsor explained how

photo by sarah stacke the loopholes would be closed, the bill was Gary Nelson, 16, from White Bear Lake Area High School, and a member of the Wabasha Senate, approved and sent to the House floor. The confers with Christopher Dorman on a bill Jan. 5 during the Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government committee approved the bill just to see how 2007 Model Assembly Session. Dorman, 17, is a junior from Albert Lea High School and is the Kellogg it would be received and debated in session. House Floor leader.

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly 19 JA N UARY 8 - 11, 2007

BILL INTRODUCTIONS House files 1 - 109

Monday, Jan. 8 HF13-Tingelstad (R) HF25-Anzelc (DFL) Governmental Operations, Finance HF1-Thissen (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections Itasca County infrastructure funding provided, Health & Human Services Legislative training forums required and money bonds issued and money appropriated. Children’s health security account and program appropriated. created, eligibility criteria and covered services HF26-Thissen (DFL) specified, Legislative Task Force on Children’s HF14-Heidgerken (R) E-12 Education Health Care Coverage established and money Taxes Early learning opportunities unified administrative appropriated. Military pension’s federal taxable income structure provided. subtraction provided. HF2-Swails (DFL) HF27-Hackbarth (R) Finance HF15-Hilstrom (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Voluntary full-day kindergarten funding autho- Local Government & Game and fish habitat dedicated sales tax funding rized. Metropolitan Affairs provided, game and fish preservation fund estab- Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Govern- lished, walk-in public access program created and HF3-Marquart (DFL) ment eliminated. constitutional amendment proposed. Taxes School district levies modified, market value prop- HF16-Mullery (DFL) HF28-Scalze (DFL) erty tax credit computation modified, property tax Commerce & Labor Finance refunds increased for homeowners and renters, Occupational safety and health law violators pro- Trunk Highway 36 Rice Street bridge funding senior deferral eligibility increased, city and county hibited from receiving state contracts, written safety provided, bonds issued and money appropriated. aid increased and money appropriated. and health plans required for construction projects, and civil and criminal penalties provided. HF29-Severson (R) HF4-Peterson, A. (DFL) Taxes Energy Finance & Policy Division HF17-Rukavina (DFL) Military pension’s federal income tax subtraction Renewable energy standard established. Commerce & Labor provided. House of Representatives included in the public HF5-Bly (DFL) employment labor relations act. HF30-Severson (R) Finance Agriculture, Rural Economies & Veterans Affairs Early childhood family education, school readiness, HF18-Lieder (DFL) Veteran-owned small businesses designated as and Head Start program funding increased, and Finance targeted group businesses for purposes of award- money appropriated. Motor vehicle sales tax proceeds allocated. ing state and metropolitan agency procurement contracts. HF6-Greiling (DFL) HF19-Gunther (R) Finance Finance HF31-Mullery (DFL) General education basic formula allowance Historical society previous appropriation balance Taxes increased by 3 percent per year. canceled to the General Fund, funding provided Public safety retiree pension’s federal tax ruled for the preservation of the Wells Depot and the conformity provided and pension funds authorized HF7-Loeffler (DFL) Winnebago Museum and money appropriated. to withhold and pay insurance premiums. Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology & Elections HF20-Thissen (DFL) HF32-Hackbarth (R) Appropriations continued in effect unless a law is en- Finance Environment & Natural Resources acted eliminating or amending the appropriation. Pre-kindergarten scholarship granting organiza- Outdoor walk-in access program established to tions contribution income tax credit provided. voluntarily make available privately held land for HF8-Wollschlager (DFL) hunting and fishing. Taxes HF21-Lesch (DFL) Federal tax conformity provided. Health & Human Services HF33-Buesgens (R) Clinical trial registration provided and civil Environment & Natural Resources HF9-Juhnke (DFL) penalties imposed. Personal watercraft operational requirements Finance modified to require navigational lights during Dairy investment income and corporate franchise HF22-Jaros (DFL) certain hours. tax credit provided for qualifying investments in Finance dairy operations. Walter F. Mondale Drive designated. HF34-Kahn (DFL) Biosciences & HF10-Thissen (DFL) HF23-Erhardt (R) Emerging Technology Taxes Finance Stem cell research; state policy established autho- Small business technology credit provided. County wheelage tax authorized, vehicle registra- rizing the University of Minnesota to spend state- tion tax provisions modified, transit fund and ac- appropriated funds on stem cell research, criminal HF11-Rukavina (DFL) counts established, motor vehicle sales tax revenues penalties imposed and money appropriated. Ways & Means distributed, motor fuel tax rates modified, bonds State expenditure forecasts required to include a authorized and money appropriated. HF35-Thissen (DFL) projected inflation adjustment. Governmental Operations, HF24-Dean (R) Reform, Technology & Elections HF12-Kahn (DFL) Finance Multi-member Senate districts provided that co- Governmental Operations, Boomsite Wayside administration transferred to incide with congressional district boundaries and Reform, Technology & Elections Natural Resources Department and designated as constitutional amendment proposed. Office of lieutenant governor abolished through a historic wayside. proposed constitutional amendment.

20 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 HF36-Heidgerken (R) HF49-Lesch (DFL) HF63-Lesch (DFL) Finance Public Safety & Civil Justice Health & Human Services School district integration revenue modified. Criminal gang behavior defined as a public nui- Human services background studies permanent bar sance and injunctive relief and other remedies to set aside a disqualification repealed. HF37-Brod (R) authorized. Taxes HF64-Urdahl (R) Out-of-state active military duty tax deduction HF50-Thissen (DFL) Finance clarified to include active duty performed by Taxes Dairy and livestock investment income and cor- members of the National Guard and other military First tier commercial-industrial property exempted porate franchise credit provided for qualifying reservists. from the state general tax. investments.

HF38-Lesch (DFL) HF51-Mullery (DFL) HF65-Thissen (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Transportation Finance Division Finance Conveyances of homestead by spouses provisions Transportation; Technical Review Committee Notary public maximum fees modified. membership requirements modified. increased.

HF39-Mullery (DFL) HF52-Urdahl (R) HF66-Kahn (DFL) Health & Human Services Finance Governmental Operations, Fair Share Health Care Act adopted, fair share health Dairy operations income and corporate franchise Reform, Technology & Elections care fund established, employer payments required tax provided for qualifying investments in dairy Appropriations enacted in major finance or rev- and criminal penalties imposed. operations. enue bills continued in effect until eliminated or modified. HF40-Thissen (DFL) HF53-Lesch (DFL) Finance Commerce & Labor HF67-Thissen (DFL) Employer post-secondary education expense tax Discrimination in auto insurance prohibited based Commerce & Labor credit provided. on geographical area. Lottery games provided to support local parks.

HF41-Jaros (DFL) HF54-Mullery (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Taxes Cell phone and mobile phone use prohibited while City aid base additions provided for certain cit- Thursday, Jan. 11 operating a motor vehicle. ies, city aid appropriation limit increased and aid HF68-Solberg (DFL) required to be used for certain purposes. Governmental Operations, HF42-Rukavina (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections Governmental Operations, HF55-Sviggum (R) Emergency state government appropriation pro- Reform, Technology & Elections Finance vided, state budget reports and recommendations Appropriations continued to fund state agencies if Nursing facility payment rates increased to the required, inflation impact disclosure required, con- bills are not passed to continue funding. geographic group III median rate. tinuing appropriations provided for the operation of state government and money appropriated. HF43-Buesgens (R) HF56-Thao (DFL) Finance Finance HF69-Mullery (DFL) Undergraduate tuition guarantee provided to Min- St. Paul Police Department; Special Investigation Taxes nesota resident students. Unit Asian Gang Task Force funding provided and Health insurance premiums federal taxable income money appropriated. subtraction provided. HF44-Urdahl (R) Taxes HF57-Thissen (DFL) HF70-Hosch (DFL) Rural Minnesota Catch-Up Credit provided allow- Health & Human Services Finance ing a credit against the income tax of an employer Board of Medical Practices advisory council expira- Independent School District No. 463, Eden Val- for the creation and retention of certain jobs. tion dates extended. ley-Watkins, environmental hazard remediation funding provided and money appropriated. HF45-Tillberry (DFL) HF58-Mullery (DFL) Finance Finance HF71-Hosch (DFL) Trunk highway improvements funding provided, Increased job training and wages for minorities Agriculture, Rural Economies & Veterans Affairs bonds issued and money appropriated. initiative and report required. Farming definition modified relating to the Min- nesota Agricultural Development Act. HF46-Thao (DFL) HF59-Hackbarth (R) Governmental Operations, Environment & Natural Resources HF72-Hosch (DFL) Reform, Technology & Elections Northshore Trail portion designated for all-terrain Environment & Natural Resources Translation services state contracts preference given vehicle use, and registry of off-highway vehicle Bear baiting restrictions modified. to native speakers. trails required. HF73-Paulsen (R) HF47-Mullery (DFL) HF60-Brod (R) Governmental Operations, Finance Taxes Reform, Technology & Elections Learn-to-earn summer youth employment pro- Income tax rates reduced. Legislative sessions provided in odd-numbered gram funding provided and money appropriated. years only. HF61-Sviggum (R) HF48-Mullery (DFL) Taxes HF74-Hansen (DFL) Commerce & Labor Property tax rebate provided and money Environment & Natural Resources Consumer credit scores and history use prohibited appropriated. Great Lakes; President and Congress memorial- in underwriting automobile insurance policies. ized, by resolution, to protect the Great Lakes from HF62-Brod (R) aquatic invasive species. Taxes Income tax rates reduced.

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly 21 HF75-Pelowski (DFL) HF89-Greiling (DFL) HF101-Demmer (R) Governmental Operations, E-12 Education Finance Reform, Technology & Elections Special education; President and Congress me- Agricultural land excluded from the tax base for Charitable contributions from campaign commit- morialized, by resolution, to carry through on school bonded debt levies. tees limit provisions modified. their pledge to fund 40 percent of special educa- tion costs. HF102-Shimanski (R) HF76-Shimanski (R) Finance Environment & Natural Resources HF90-Greiling (DFL) Winsted authorized to issue bonds for acquisition of Crow River; South Fork canoe route designated. E-12 Education a city hall, community center and police station. No Child Left Behind Act; Congress memorialized HF77-Mullery (DFL) by resolution not to reauthorize the No Child Left HF103-Berns (R) Commerce & Labor Behind Act in its current form. Taxes Construction contracts best value criteria Tax conformity provided for tax year 2006 to the fed- established. HF91-Mullery (DFL) eral teacher expense deduction, tuition subtraction, Commerce & Labor and other provisions of the Tax Relief and Health HF78-Morrow (DFL) Minimum wage increased and annual inflation Care Act, Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunity Finance adjustment mechanism provided. Act and Pension Protection Plan. Voluntary full-day kindergarten funding authorized. HF92-Mullery (DFL) HF104-Sailer (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Finance HF79-Thissen (DFL) Hunting licensees reviewed to determine if indi- Animals killed by order of the Board of Animal Governmental Operations, viduals are ineligible to possess a firearm, and if Health reimbursement limits removed. Reform, Technology & Elections so, law enforcement officials notified. Teachers Retirement Association administrative HF105-Hortman (DFL) provisions modified. HF93-Mullery (DFL) Transportation Finance Division Public Safety & Civil Justice Passenger restraint required for children under HF80-Atkins (DFL) Parole and probation authority access to records age 8 in motor vehicles. Commerce & Labor granted relating to carrying of weapons without Barbers and barbering schools regulation a permit. HF106-Thissen (DFL) modified. Transportation Finance Division HF94-Bigham (DFL) Seat belt violation; primary offense provided in HF81-Paulsen (R) Governmental Operations, all seating positions regardless of age, and seat belt Taxes Reform, Technology & Elections violation fine increased. Long-term capital gains income tax exclusion Major finance and revenue bill appropriations con- provided. tinued in effect until eliminated or modified. HF107-Erhardt (R) Taxes HF82-Erickson (R) HF95-Bigham (DFL) Wagering losses treatment modified under the Taxes Governmental Operations, alternative minimum tax. Military pension federal taxable income subtrac- Reform, Technology & Elections tion provided. Legislative per diem payments prohibited during a HF108-Morrow (DFL) special session called because the Legislature failed Taxes HF83-Hansen (DFL) to enact a state government budget. North Mankato local sales tax authorized and Finance funds use specified. Legislative auditor authorized to retain certain HF96-Mullery (DFL) audit fees. Taxes HF109-Fritz (DFL) Property tax refunds paid to estates in certain Finance HF84-Erickson (R) circumstances. Blooming Prairie street and sewer improvements Health & Human Services provided, bonds issued and money appropriated. Ombudsman for mental health term of office HF97-Mullery (DFL) specified. Taxes Research tax credit extended to the individual HF85-Bunn (DFL) income tax, portion of the credit refunded and Taxes money appropriated. Where to find information Tax conformity provided for tax year 2006 to the fed- eral teacher expense deduction, tuition subtraction, HF98-Anderson, S. (R) House Public Information Services and other provisions of the Tax Relief and Health Finance 175 State Office Building Care Act, Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunity School district equity revenue increased for districts (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550 Act and Pension Protection Plan. above the 95th percentile. House Public Information Services is a nonpartisan office that provides committee HF86-Hackbarth (R) HF99-Erickson (R) meeting schedules; legislator information; and Energy Finance & Policy Division Taxes Elk River designated as the state energy city. Tax conformity provided for tax year 2006 to the fed- publications, including the Session Weekly eral teacher expense deduction, tuition subtraction, newsmagazine, educational brochures, and HF87-Thao (DFL) and other provisions of the Tax Relief and Health member directories. All information is avail- Finance Care Act, Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunity able at no charge. St. Paul; Asian Pacific Cultural Center pre-de- Act and Pension Protection Plan. Most of what this office publishes can be sign expenditures authorized from previous viewed on the House’s Web page. To connect, appropriation. HF100-Demmer (R) point your web browser at: www.house.mn Finance HF88-Thissen (DFL) Farm enhancement loan program established and Health & Human Services money appropriated. Minnesota Family Investment Program subsidized housing penalty repealed.

22 Session Weekly January 12, 2007 Committees continued from page 9 Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

Title of Publication Publication No. Date of Filing we recommended. We got probably 95 percent Session Weekly of what we recommended to her,” he said. 1 0 4 9 - 8 1 7 6 10-01-2006 Frequency of issue No. of Issues Published Annual Annually Subscription/Price Something new are the 14 divisions Weekly during legislative session 22 odd yr.; under the House Finance Committee. This 12 even No Charge Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication Contact committee will work somewhat in tandem 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Nick Busse Rm. 175, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., MN, 55155-1298 Telephone with the House Ways and Means Committee, Complete Mailing Address of the Headquarters or General Business Offices of the Publisher sharing the same committee time and meeting Same as above 651-296-7592 Full Names and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor location. Publisher Barry LaGrave, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN, 55155-1298

“Ways and Means will deal with the issues Editor Lee Ann Schutz, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN, 55155-1298 like the forecast, and we’ll deal with the Managing Editor Mike Cook, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Rm. 175, St. Paul, MN, 55155-1298 budget per se, but they will set the targets,” Owner (Do Not Leave Blank. 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, 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 said Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal), that of each individual must be given. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address.) finance committee chairman. Full Name Complete mailing Address Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) hopes the way Minnesota House of Representatives 175 State Office Building Public Information Services Office 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd divisions will report to full committees does St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, not mean a reduction in open government. Mortgages or Other Securities. If none, check box. X None For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates. The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this “The bills, I presume, would be introduced organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: (Check one) X Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months and sent to the regular division that they Has Changed During Preceding 12 Months would go to. If not, then this becomes a much (If changed, publisher must submit explanation of change with this statement) Publication Name Issue Date for Circulation Data Below 5/26/06 more common opportunity where they could Session Weekly Average No. Copies Each Issue No. Copies of Single Issue blink back and forth (between the committee Extent and Nature of Circulation During Preceding 12 Months Published nearest to Filing date and a division) internally without the public a. Total No. Copies (Net press run) 11,055 11,625 (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail being able to watch.” Subscriptions (Include Advertisers' Proof 9,661 10,168 Copies/Exchange Copies) Sertich said that openness is a priority to the (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions b. Paid (Include Advertisers' Proof House DFL. “We will strive to make sure that and/or Copies/Exchange Copies) Requested Circulation (3) Sales through dealers and carriers, you’ll be able to find this information online, street vendors and counter sales and on TV, every which way all the information other Non-USPS Paid Distribution (4) Other classes Mailed that is needed on the bills as they move through the USPS c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation forward.” [Sum of 15b(1), (2), (3), and (4)] 9,661 10,168

d. Free Outside-County as stated on Form 3541 Distribution by Mail (Samples, In-County as stated on Form 3541 Complimentary, and Other Free) Other classes Mailed through the USPS

e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail 1,394 (Carriers or Other Means) 1,457 NOTES f. Total Free Distribution (Sum of 15d and 15e) 1,394 1,457 g. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15f) 11,055 11,625 A buck a ring h. Copies Not Distributed 0 0 It will cost you if your cell phone rings during i. Total 11,055 11,625 j. Percent paid and/or Requested Circulation a meeting of the Agriculture, Rural Economies (15c/15g x 100) 87% 87% and Veterans Affairs Finance Division of the X Publication required. Will be printed in the January 12, 2007 issue of this publication Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner Date House Finance Committee. Rep. Al Juhnke October 3, 2006 (DFL-Willmar), division chairman, placed a I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading “Penalty Jar” near his gavel when members met information on this form or who omits material of information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines for the first time on Jan. 10. and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties). “If your phone goes off, it will cost you a buck,” he warned. In his Jan. 8 e-newsletter, “The Inside sports leagues — in which “managers” He said business is done over coffee in rural Scoop,” Garofalo listed his thoughts on bills (you, the player) draft “teams” of state communities, so the drink will be available that were introduced in the House and Senate, representatives and senators who then score during the committee meetings. The money including his fictitious “No More Mean points based on how far their real-life bills is expected to cover the cost of the coffee, People” bill. He placed this bill at the end of make it through the Legislative process. and he encouraged anyone drinking coffee to his newsletter and then added, “OK, this isn’t Unfortunately, you can no longer sign up contribute to the “kitty” even if it is not for a real. Just wanted to check and see if you were for the 2007 session. According to its Web cell phone violation. still reading.” site, MFL is currently just an experiment; if it’s successful, MFL will add more leagues ‘Fantasy Legislature’ next year and allow new people to sign up. Illegal to be mean Think politics is all about fun and games? For now, however, you can still follow the One of the first bills to be introduced So does Minnesota Public Radio. current legislator “power rankings” and watch this session should have been one making it In December, MPR launched Minnesota the progress of the legislative session, play by illegal to be mean, at least that’s what Rep. Pat Fantasy Legislature — similar to fantasy play. Garofalo (R-Farmington) proposed.

January 12, 2007 Session Weekly 23 Minnesota House of Representatives

Public Information Services

175 State Office Building

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

St. Paul, MN 55155-1298

Speaker of the House: Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Majority Leader: Anthony “Tony” Sertich

Minority Leader: Marty Seifert

For More Information innesota ndex M I Fo r g e n e r a l information, c a l l House Public Information Services at Minnesota adoption (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550. To have a copy of Session Weekly Estimated number of children adopted each year in Minnesota...... 2,000 mailed to you, subscribe online at: www. Percent, as estimate, that are stepparent or relative adoptions...... 33 house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp or call: Children under state guardianship, as of Sept. 15, 2006...... 1,625 (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550 On Sept. 15, 2005...... 1,473 If you enjoy Session Weekly, please consider Of those under state guardianship in 2006, children who needed an helping to defray production and mailing adoptive home immediately...... 636 costs with a biennial voluntary subscription Number in pre-adoptive homes...... 702 of $20 or more. Number in long-term foster care by court order...... 243 Number who are age 14 or older and have chosen not to be adopted...... 44 Make your check payable to Minnesota House of Representatives, and mail it to: Of the 636 waiting to be adopted, percent that are siblings who need to be House Public Information Services: adopted together...... 57 175 State Office Building Percent diagnosed with a psychological or medical disability...... 50 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Percent chronically neglected or abused...... 43 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Percent who are between ages 12-18...... 38 Percent who are between ages 6-11...... 28 Session Weekly online is available at: www.house.mn. Cost charged by public agencies to people adopting Minnesota’s waiting children...... 0 Children under state guardianship who were adopted in 2005...... 732 Subscribe to Session Daily e-mail alerts at: In 2000...... 632 www.house.mn/list/join.asp?listname=sess In 1995...... 266 iondaily. Number of boys, girls who were adopted in 2005...... 355, 377 To obtain a copy of a bill, call the Of those adopted, average number of days child was under state guardianship...... 556 Chief Clerk’s Office at (651) 296-2314. In 2000...... 718 In 1995...... 809 To find out about bill introductions or Percent of adopted population in 2005 under age 6...... 55 the status of a specific bill, call the In 1995...... 43 House Index Office at (651) 296-6646. Percent of adopted population in 2005 between ages 6-11...... 32 The House of Representatives can be found on In 1995...... 50 the Web at: www.house.mn. Average number of children entering state guardianship between 2003 and People who are deaf and hard of hearing 2005 because of court termination of parental rights...... 724 may ask questions or leave messages by Eight-year average from 1995-2002...... 605 calling the Minnesota Relay service at 711 Percent of children adopted from 2001-05 that were white...... 56 or (800) 627-3529 (TTY). Percent who were black...... 21 Percent who were two or more races...... 17 Check your local listings to watch televi- sion coverage of House committees, floor Sources: Adoption: Finding homes for Minnesota’s waiting children, Department of Human sessions and select press conferences. Services, October 2006; Minnesota Adoption Resource Network.