A NONPARTISAN PUBLICATION MARCH 2, 2001 ESSION VOLUME 18, NUMBER 9 Weekly SMINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

In this issue:

FEBRUARY BUDGET FORECAST

YOUTH INTERVENTION, TRANSPORTATION FUNDING, AND MORE

HF1144-HF1359 ESSION S Weekly Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. During the 2001-2002 Legislative Session, each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming committee meeting schedules, and provides other information. The publication is a service of the Minnesota House. No fee. CONTENTS To subscribe, contact: Minnesota House of Representatives HIGHLIGHTS Public Information Office 175 State Office Building Agriculture • 5 Energy • 8 Human Services • 10 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Arts • 5 Game & Fish • 8 Immigration • 11 (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 Children • 5 Government • 8 Recreation • 11 TTY (651) 296-9896 Crime • 6 Health • 9 Safety • 12 Education • 7 Higher Education • 10 Taxes • 12 Director Elections • 7 LeClair G. Lambert

Editor/Assistant Director Michelle Kibiger FEATURES Assistant Editor At Issue: Children — The House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Mike Cook Committee approved three bills that would fund youth intervention programs to Art & Production Coordinator give children constructive skills and help them stay out of trouble. • 14 Paul Battaglia At Issue: Crime — Gov. Jesse Ventura has recommended a $730 million 2002-03 Writers budget for the Department of Corrections, a $3.9 million reduction in the David Maeda, Theresa Stahl, department’s base. • 15 Jonas M. Walker, Mary Kay Watson

Chief Photographer At Issue: Education — Legislators are mulling plans to fund after-school pro- Tom Olmscheid grams for children through district’s community education departments. • 16 Photographers Andrew Von Bank, Sara Kirk At Issue: Transportation — Three bills that would create funding sources for transportation in the state constitution were approved by the House Transporta- Office Manager tion Policy Committee Feb. 27. • 17 Nicole Wood

Staff Assistants Policy: A Capitol Forum Series speech challenged lawmakers to evaluate the im- Christy Novak, Michelle Sorvari portance of partnerships between industry and public higher education institutions • 18 Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is published weekly during the legislative session by the Min- nesota House of Representatives Public Information Office, 100 Constitution Ave., St. DEPARTMENTS/RESOURCES Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to It’s A Fact: State un-official 4 The 50 States: Family pets 30 Session Weekly, Public Information Office, Resources: State and Federal Offices 19 Reflections: The “Minnesota Blizzard” 31 Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., Bill Introductions (HF1144 -HF1359) 21 Minnesota Index: State St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Committee Schedule (March 5-9) 26 government finances 32

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content. On the cover: Emei Thompson, 5, waves two flags at the Feb. 27 International Adoption Citizenship Day Event in the Rotunda. Emei attended with her mother, Kerry Thompson, and sister, Ana, 2, who received her citizenship when a federal law took affect that day. Both children are from China. —Photo by Sara Kirk 2 March 2, 2001 IRST READING F

also played a role, Stinson said, as did a growing fear the nation was entering a recession. Forecast caution Stinson noted it’s important to keep in mind Projected budget surpluses dip slightly, but officials don’t that despite the changes from the November forecast, the economy is not shrinking but just paint a bleak economic picture is not growing as fast as expected. “This is not a recession. This is not a down- BY DAVID MAEDA a surplus of about $2.086 billion for the next turn,” Stinson said. “We are not going in re- hen Pam Wheelock, commissioner of two fiscal years. According to the February verse as we would be in a recession. We’re just the Department of Finance, presented forecast, that projection has been reduced by growing slower.’’ Wthe November budget forecast, she cau- $551 million to about $1.5 billion. Far from He said, however, there was a “substantial tioned the outlook might be overly optimistic. carved in a stone tablet, the state’s budget fore- risk” in the rapid turnaround predicted in the Indeed the revised revenue forecast released cast is fluid, calculated using current state forecast, and the chances of a further short- Feb. 28 reflects a slowing economy. And while spending and tax sources. fall remain high. the odds of a recession have gone up since the Speaking about the overall February bud- Data Resources Inc., the consultant that pre- last forecast, officials are optimistic the get forecast, Wheelock said, “This is a modest pares the state’s budget forecasts, based its economy has enough momentum to carry it adjustment to the state’s revenue outlook.” forecast on the belief that the slowdown in the over any potential bumps. She said the size of this year’s sales tax re- economy will reverse itself in the near future. The new projected numbers are those that bate checks will fall in the middle compared The forecast is contingent on strong growth will be used in budgeting decisions made by to the previous two years — smaller than those in 2002-2003. There is a 40 percent chance for the Legislature this year. sent out in 1999 but larger than in 2000. a recession according to the consultants, up According to the February forecast, there Stinson said there were several factors for from a 25 percent probability in the Novem- will be an $856 million surplus left over from the reduced forecast. He said the decision by ber forecast. fiscal year 2001 which runs from July 1, 2000 Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Re- Stinson said the forecast contains a few as- to June 30, 2001. That number is down from serve Board, to slow the national economic sumptions. One is that the Federal Reserve Board the $924 million forecast in November. growth by raising interest rates accomplished will cut interest rates between now and early fall, The $856 million is the amount available for the task. However, the slowing economy com- thereby providing stimulus for growth. a rebate. State Economist Tom Stinson said the bined with soaring energy prices, a severe win- Another assumption is that President George final amount will be determined once the state’s ter, and the declining stock market meant the W. Bush’s proposed across-the-board tax cut will books are balanced at the end of the fiscal year. state collected less revenue than expected. be law by the end of June. Stinson said the tax Likewise, the November forecast estimated Declining consumer and business confidence cut will not have any short-term impact on the economy but in the long term, it most likely would boost consumer spending. DRI’s forecast also assumes oil prices will be reduced by fall. Stinson said the state’s Council of Economic Advisors was not in total agreement with the consultant’s prediction that a quick rebound will occur. Stinson likened the state’s economy to a driver trying to plow through a snow pile at the end of a driveway. “Most believe that the economy will have enough momentum to get through this diffi- cult spot,” he said. “But you don’t really relax until the rear wheels are back on the driveway and you’ve made your way through it.” Stinson said while the state’s economy con- tinues to grow, certain sectors are struggling much more than others. In particular the outlook for the state’s ag- riculture economy is not very good. Currently, PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID there are no plans for a disaster relief program State Economist Tom Stinson uses a marker to show a nearly $600 million “V” shaped revenue down- similar to what was in place in 1999 and 2000. turn from the November Forecast during a Feb. 28 press conference releasing the Finance Department’s February Forecast. Finance Commissioner Pam Wheelock, right, looks on. Session Weekly 3 Also, farm payments from the federal govern- ment are expected to fall off substantially over the next year, Stinson said. The manufacturing sector of the state is also expected to decline although not as severely as it will nationwide, Stinson said. Alternately, the forecast is encouraging for State un-official the construction industry over the next few Poet laureate title claimed by a few, but never officially established years with several major projects now finish- ing their planning stages. Well-known poets such as Robert Penn would make a push to “officially” establish Gov. Jesse Ventura said his administration put Warren, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Frost the distinction. He supported the pending its budget together knowing the November fore- have all served as the poet laureate for the 1974 legislation and convinced his former cast numbers might be overly optimistic. United States, a position officially estab- editors (he retired the year before) to spon- “No major adjustments will have to be made lished in 1985. sor a contest where the public could vote for to our budget proposal,” Ventura said. And in Minnesota, five different people a poet laureate. He said his tax reform package would not have claimed the title, but the Legislature Altrowitz, who himself had been light- be greatly affected by the reduced forecast, ei- has never voted to establish the position, heartedly dubbed the state’s Commissioner ther, and the state still can afford to cut its in- despite the support of poetry leagues of Poetry by Govs. Karl Rolvaag, Harold come and property taxes. He said the forecast throughout the state. LeVander, and Wendell Anderson, intro- was an indication of the need to change the An effort to make a state poet laureate duced readers of his column to several state’s current tax structure, which relies on stalled in 1974. A bill was candidates for the position. the income and property taxes for its two high- introduced that year that (He had actually resigned his appoint- est sources of revenue. would have provided for ment from LeVander and Anderson, who Had his proposed decrease in the sales tax the post, selected by the responded in verse that his resignation rate and expansion upon more services been state arts council for a would not be accepted. At that point, in place, Ventura said, the reductions in the two-year term. It was ap- Altrowitz called the appointment a labor forecast would have been smaller. proved by the House of love that also fed his ego with flattery.) Wheelock echoed Ventura saying consumer Governmental Opera- Ultimately, the “voters” chose Laurene durables play a major part of the state’s tax base tions Committee and Margarette Ball Tibbetts of St. Paul as poet laureate, accord- and thus a shift of the sales tax to more services was referred to the Dickson ing to the ballots compiled by the Minneapo- would help stabilize that taxing source. House Rules Committee. lis Star’s Promotions department. However, The revenue collected from the state’s sales That’s where the bill died. the League of Minnesota Poets had formally tax and corporate income tax fell short of the But that didn’t stop arts organizations nominated Norman Boe of South St. Paul, levels forecast in November. Revenue from the from bestowing the title to several Minne- Elvira T. Johnson of Duluth, and Nan sales tax was $46 million less than expected, sotans over the year. In fact, even when a Fitz-Patrick of Minneapolis. while the corporate income tax brought in Minnesota governor got involved it didn’t At the time, 20 states had active poet lau- $47 million less than forecast. The individual stem controversy. reates, with another six income tax collection fell $12 million below The first claim to the title came in 1934 states having appointed what was forecast in November. when Gov. Floyd B. Olson congratulated poets who were Reaction among House leadership varied. Margarette Ball Dickson for her poetry deceased. House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) achievements in a letter. During his two terms in said the revised forecast didn’t change the According to the letter, now housed in the the 1980s, Gov. Rudy necessity to lower taxes in the state. state archives, dated April 30, 1934, Olson Perpich actually pro- House Minority Leader Tom Pugh (DFL- wrote, “Permit me to extend my congratula- claimed October 10 to be South St. Paul) said it was even more impor- tions upon your designation as the poet lau- Laurene Tibbetts day. tant now with a slower economy to find the reate of this state. I have just been informed Laurene Tibbetts The League of Minne- proper balance between tax cuts and invest- by the Poet Laureate League in Washington sota Poets took over ments in education and technology. that you have been given this award.” naming their own poet laureates since the Wheelock said this was the first time since From that letter, Dickson deemed herself state would not officially sanction the prac- 1992 that the state’s budget forecast needed “appointed” poet laureate by the governor. tice. Their first nominations were Boe and to be scaled back from the previous forecast. However, 30 years later a Minneapolis jour- Johnson. She said there was one constant of all the nalist questioned that distinction in his Min- Others to hold the position were Robert budget forecasts over the years: “They’ve all neapolis Star column. Cary, named poet laureate of Minnesota by been wrong. The question is how big the The journalist, Abe Altrowitz, himself a Embers magazine, published in Batavia, N.Y. swings are one way or the other.” poet, asked two officials from the League In addition, Meridel LeSueur was named poet She said the more the forecast is off, the more of Minnesota Poets if the action made laureate of the Twin Cities in 1980, but news- problematic setting the state’s budget becomes. Dickson the poet laureate and they dis- paper accounts do not list who honored “The good news is that we don’t have any agreed. In the 1963 story, the league histo- LeSueur with the distinction. commitments at this time,” she said. “This cer- rian at the time said the absence of a law Since 1974, there has been no official pro- tainly does put a little bit more pressure on authorizing a poet laureate suggested it posal establishing a poet laureate for the state. wasn’t an official position. policymakers to try to make determinations (M. KIBIGER) of priorities.” During the next several years, Altrowitz Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

4 March 2, 2001 IGHLIGHTS F EBRUARY 22 - MARCH 1, 2001 H

of action are at their disposal. without support, that light will dim,” the let- AGRICULTURE HF640 appropriates no money because the ter said. “My career would not have started program is already included in the University without public funding.” Mediation plan extension of Minnesota budget. After testimony was given, Krinkie asked Legislators are taking steps to ensure the on- when the agency will “get off the state welfare going viability of a program that mediates busi- program.” ness disputes between farmers and financiers. ARTS “Public funding provides a level of accessi- Rep. Bob Ness (R-Dassel) proposed HF640 bility for citizens that may not be there with- to extend the sunset provision of the Farmer- State funding questioned, defended out initial dollars,” Booker countered. He Lender Mediation Program from July 1, 2001 Faced with a House proposal that would added it also triggers private funding. to July 1, 2003. halve Gov. Jesse Ventura’s budget recommen- Krinkie questioned how to determine who “I happen to believe this is a good program,” dation for the Minnesota State Arts Board, has the need for state money and where the he told a Feb. 28 meeting of the House Agri- members and supporters of the board testi- need is greatest. culture Policy Committee. fied to the difference state dollars can make in “It’s not welfare, it’s part of our culture,” said The committee unanimously approved the the arts. Rep. Jim Rhodes (R-St. Louis Park). “It’s an bill. It now moves to the House floor. Rep. Philip Krinkie (R-Shoreview), chair of opportunity for people to come from all over The project was conceived in the 1986 the House State Government Finance Com- the state to see exhibitions that they would not Farmer-Lender bill to assist farmers in meet- mittee, is sponsoring a bill that slices millions get a chance to see. If we start closing up all ing the demands of overwhelming debt. Un- of dollars from the governor’s recommenda- these institutions, what kind of a life do we der the law, Minnesota farmers are offered the tions for state agencies. Under HF218, the have?” opportunity to renegotiate, restructure, or re- State Arts Board would be given $15 million, Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) pointed out an solve debt during a 90-day period after begin- compared to the governor’s recommended $26 article published recently that stated the returns ning mediation. million for the 2002-2003 biennium. generated from arts in the state, from businesses, Creditors are barred from collecting on the Executive Director Robert Booker said the taxes, and through tourism activity. debt during that period. To qualify for the pro- board gives back to citizens by using state dol- “The return to the state is greater than if the gram and the legal protection from foreclo- lars to support touring activity, classes for K-12 state didn’t (contribute to the arts),” Kahn said. sure, farmers must elicit assistance within two students, and creating connections with local The committee took no action on the bill. weeks of being notified of the lender’s intent artists. The agency makes an extra effort to pro- to collect. mote the arts in rural parts of the state where, Neutral mediators are available through the Booker said, “skill-building tools are rare.” University of Minnesota’s Agriculture Exten- Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township) CHILDREN sion program. asked what return the state can see on its According to a program brochure, negotia- investment. Re-examining children’s needs tors are trained to use conflict resolution skills In Winona, Booker said, an artist who had Legislators who make policy decisions re- to facilitate effective negotiation between received a state grant later donated artwork to garding early childhood programs heard farmers and lenders. “The mediator leads and city buildings. He said he also sees a lot of about advances in scientific knowledge that manages discussion without making decisions voluntarism, and funds help build careers. has implications for those decisions. or judgments, insures that all participants get Penelope Snipper, state arts board secretary, Megan Gunnar, professor of child develop- to speak and be heard, helps define issues, noted that $28 million in 2000-2001 had the ment at the University of Minnesota, pre- emphasizes common goals, looks at all impact of $1 billion. sented a report from the National Academy options, and reduces fault finding.” David Esbjornson, who grew up in Willmar, of Science to the House Family and Early Program Director Mary Nell Preisler said is now directing the play Who’s Afraid of Vir- Childhood Education Finance Committee more than 12,000 debtor farmers had re- ginia Woolf?, on the calendar for the season at Feb. 26. quested the services of her office since 1986. the Guthrie Theatre. Esbjornson, who has The report strongly recommends dedicated That number constitutes more than 30 per- lived in New York for the past 20 years, said funding be set aside to “improve the quality cent of all circumstances in which creditors he speaks with pride about his start in the arts and increase the compensation and benefits gave notice to farmers of their intent to forc- in Minnesota. Being in the arts, he said, has of childcare workers.” ibly collect on the debt. been a journey. Calling for a “new national dialogue,” the According to Preisler, participants in the pro- “It’s a way of life, a process, rather than report said policy makers must craft an agenda gram report that “the farmer becomes more pre- product on the stage or painting on a wall,” that will “ensure both a rewarding childhood pared to make decisions about the future, he said. “It is important to maintain the en- and a promising future for all children.” communication between lenders and borrow- tire fabric of an arts culture.” Gunnar, a member of the committee of sci- ers is improved, and frustration and tensions Esbjornson brought with him a statement entists who wrote the report, said an “explo- between parties is minimized.” If mediation fails from actor Patrick Stewart, who has a leading sion” of knowledge about early childhood to produce a new agreement, both farmers and role in the play. development has converged with a social and lenders are free to pursue whatever other courses “The Guthrie is an artistic beacon, and economic transformation that calls for a

Session Weekly 5 sometimes non-standard hours when childcare may not be available. Low-income families have the added stress of limited ac- cess to quality childcare. “There is a striking relationship between the quality of care — both family and paid — and children’s stress levels,” Gunnar said. “Children with trouble regulating their behav- ior are also children with trouble regulating their stress levels.” Studies indicate poverty has a dispropor- tionately large effect on young children. Cur- rent statistics indicate that 22 percent of U.S. children younger than age five live in poverty, and have a much lower probability of gradu- ating from high school than children who en- dure poverty at later ages. In fact, disparities in children’s knowledge and abilities are evi- dent before they start kindergarten. According to the report, a child needs: a sustained relationship with a caregiver; a safe, clean, and stimulating setting that is compat- ible with the family’s value system; and sup- port for any special needs a child may have. “The bottom line,” Gunnar said, “is quality.”

CRIME

.08 clears first hurdle Kenn Rockler, a lobbyist for the Wine, Beer, and A measure to lower the legal blood-alcohol Spirits Association of Minnesota, testifies Feb. 27 concentration limit from .10 to .08 is moving before the House Crime Prevention Committee against a bill that would lower the blood-alcohol forward in the House. level from .10 to .08 for drunken driving offenses. The House Crime Prevention Committee ap- Megan Gunnar, professor of child development at proved the measure Feb. 27, and referred it to ounce beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, the University of Minnesota, points to a graph while presenting a report from the National Acad- the House Transportation Finance Committee. about the potency of vodka. A 175-pound man emy of Science to the House Family and Early The limit would exist not only for driving, could drink about five drinks in the same Childhood Education Finance Committee, Feb. 26. but also for any other activity over which the amount of time. state exercises authority, including boating Emphasizing the bipartisan support for the re-examination of policy toward families and and hunting. measure, Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul) young children. Rep. Kevin Goodno (R-Moorhead), the explained that “President Bush and Congress The importance of early brain development sponsor of HF51, said “anywhere the law now have all expressed support for .08.” In fact, has been widely publicized, but Gunnar said says .10 will be changed to .08.” Congress has made some federal transporta- the focus on birth to age three “begins too late He explained that “over 300 studies show tion spending dependant upon states adop- and ends too soon.” She said research shows that most drivers are impaired at .08.” To back tion of the .08 limit by 2004. many factors affect a child’s brain develop- up the claim, Goodno played a videotaped Opponents of .08 have expressed concern that ment, including such hard-to-measure reali- experiment in which a small number of Min- the measure would unreasonably target social ties as its mother’s stress level before birth. nesotans drank until their blood-alcohol con- drinkers and not repeat offenders. However, Gunnar’s specialty is stress in children. She centration reached .08 and then drove. All Lynne Goughler, the Minnesota legislative chair said a child who suffers from prolonged stress participants, including one liquor store owner for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, told the is unable to thrive. “Neglect, physical maltreat- who initially expressed opposition to .08, had committee “any reasonable person knows that ment, and intrusive parenting” are obvious significant difficulty navigating a driving the law will not affect social drinkers.” stressors. But uncertainty and inattention can course and expressed support for lowering the Kenn Rockler, representing the Wine, Beer, also stress children. legal limit. and Spirits Association of Minnesota, argued “We need to be concerned not only with The actual number of drinks required to that no data conclusively demonstrated that what children are not learning, and with what reach a .08 level is also a matter of some con- lowering the blood-alcohol concentration they are learning,” she said. troversy. House Research estimates that a 130- limit saves the lives of drivers who had been Changes in parental work patterns are hav- pound woman could expect to have a .08 drinking. ing a serious impact on children, and the sup- concentration about two hours after quickly port system for families is inadequate, drinking three “standard drinks,” a measure according to the report. Economic necessity equivalent to a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12 often requires parents to work longer and

6 March 2, 2001 EDUCATION READ ACROSS AMERICA ELECTIONS Special ed funding lag Voter’s choice A bill that would change the current two- Minnesota voters would choose whether to year lag in special education funding to a one- establish an initiative and referendum process year lag was introduced to the House K-12 in the state, under a measure heard by the Education Finance Committee Feb. 26. House Governmental Operations and Veter- HF602, sponsored by Rep. Rob Leighton ans Affairs Policy Committee Feb. 23. (DFL-Austin), would not change the cap for HF643, sponsored by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R- special education, only the time-frame in Eden Prairie), would put a constitutional which districts are reimbursed for expenses. amendment question on the 2002 ballot ask- The committee took no action on the bill ing voters whether the state should establish a but may include it in its omnibus bill. system where voters adopt laws or amend the Leighton said the funding lag is “a huge is- constitution directly on the ballot. sue statewide … particularly for smaller dis- The committee approved the bill and re- tricts in rural Minnesota who have more ferred it to the House Crime Prevention funding problems.” Committee. Districts currently estimate special educa- Currently 24 states now have a form of ini- tion costs two years before actually receiving tiative and referendum. Paulsen said he delib- payment. Because of the two-year lag, changes erately patterned the bill so it would not be in the program — students added or lost — like California’s system that only requires a are not reflected for two years. certain number of signatures before a ques- However, some officials are concerned the tion is placed on the ballot. The ballots in Cali- change could bring small financial inequities fornia tend to be several pages long. to districts across the state. Under HF643 those proposing an initiated Sen. Grace Schwab (R-Albert Lea) testified law, or a repeal of an existing law, are required before the committee, saying one-half of the to have a petition signed by a number equal districts would get more funding for special to at least five percent of statewide registered education and one-half would get less. voters who voted for the governor’s seat in the Tom Melcher, financial manager at the previous general election. In addition the same Department of Children, Families and Learn- percent of signatures must be collected from ing, said he is concerned the bill would make voters in at least three-quarters of the state’s it more difficult for school districts to plan PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK congressional districts. their budgets. Melcher said the department Lillian Kallestad, 6, of Otter Lake, sporting a Paulsen said initiative and referendum in- has “no problem administratively,” as far as Cat in the Hat hat, reads aloud in front of the creases voter turnout and creates a better-in- budget stability and the ability to plan. House Education Policy Committee March 1 formed electorate. He also said it encourages Rep. Harry Mares (R-White Bear Lake) sup- as part of a Read Across America presenta- grassroots activism and has led to important tion. Read Across America, a national celebra- ported HF602, saying it is “a common sense tion of reading, marks the birthday of legislation in our country’s history including bill.” Dr. Seuss, March 2. women’s right to vote, campaign finance re- form, and tax and environment reforms. Donald Waller, from the Minnesota Inde- providing educational programming for those Gifted and talented funding pendence Party, said initiative and referendum students; and providing staff development to Gifted and talented programs in schools would allow citizens of the state to bring for- aid in the teaching of such students. across the state would receive ongoing state ward questions on issues not being dealt with “Teachers can’t teach these students with- funding in a bill sponsored by Rep. Connie in the Legislature. out training,” said Jean Colleen, a parent of Bernardy (DFL-Fridley). On the other hand, Brad Lehto from the three children, who testified to the House Currently, a district may allocate its own Minnesota AFL-CIO said initiative and refer- K-12 Education Finance Committee Feb. 26. revenue or apply for grants to fund gifted and endum undermines the legislative process and “We can’t continue to ignore the needs of talented programs, but few exist in the state. allows individuals and groups not accountable gifted and talented students.” HF216 would cost around $10 million annu- to voters to set the agenda. Bernardy said each district would decide ally and would be effective in the 2001-2002 The amount of money spent in states with which schools would receive funding for the school year and later. initiative and referendum systems in place is programs. “It is simply a program designed to encour- a concern, Lehto said, and the United States “These classes teach that instead of focus- age students to reach the extents of their own Supreme Court has ruled the money cannot ing on the grades a student receives, achieve- potential — and it is disheartening to see any be restricted because it is being used for pro- ment really has to do with the extent to which program which encourages such positive ide- tected free speech. students are able to challenge themselves,” als diminished due to inadequate funding,” Bill Blazar, from the Minnesota Chamber Richey said. said Aly Richey, a junior at Spring Lake Park of Commerce said that representative democ- The committee took no action on the bill High School, who has participated in gifted racy relies on elected bodies to resolve com- but will consider it for inclusion in the K-12 and talented programs for nine years. plex issues. education omnibus bill. According to the bill, funding must be used “Initiative and referendum reduces the role for identifying gifted and talented students; Session Weekly 7 of legislative bodies but also gives those bod- lower than the average limit to be sure it has ies a way to avoid their responsibility,” Blazar ELECTRIFYING TESTIMONY the intended conservation effect. said. “It weakens a fairly good and responsible “The department feels the concept is a good approach to government.” one,” Payer said. However, he said, the depart- ment is concerned about revenue loss, which he estimated could be as high as $2 million. “You don’t kill the goose that laid the golden ENERGY egg,” said Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls). “Maybe we could make up for the loss from Marketing for power suppliers the general fund.” An independent power producer from Texas Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL- spoke to the House Regulated Industries Com- Mpls) wondered whether the new license cat- mittee Feb. 22 on how to create incentives for egory might not result in increased revenue companies that want to build power plants in from those who wouldn’t otherwise buy a fish- Minnesota. ing license. “It might bring in new The committee, which is considering sev- fisherpersons,” she said. eral energy bills, recently learned about Texas’ Bakk said he anticipated more licenses energy deregulation plan and Pennsylvania’s would be sold. deregulation and restructuring plan. The committee took no action on the bill “Look at what you can do to encourage gen- but will consider it for inclusion in the eration and transmission … to maintain reli- committee’s omnibus game and fish bill. able infrastructure for citizens of the state,” said John Stauffacher, senior director of Regu- latory Affairs for Dynegy in Houston, Texas. PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK Incentives such as tax abatements, employee Pennsylvania Rep. Frank Tulli, Jr. gives a pre- GOVERNMENT job credits, and infrastructure assistance, sentation on electric deregulation and Stauffacher said, would encourage outside restructuring during the Feb. 26 House House adopts permanent rules Regulated Industries Committee meeting. companies to seriously look in Minnesota. The House met for nearly five hours Rep. Chris Gerlach (R-Apple Valley) asked Feb. 26 to approve its permanent rules for the how plant siting in Minnesota compares to 2001-2002 session. other states. GAME & FISH During the discussion, members offered 15 Certificates of need — state authorization amendments to the proposed rule changes, New fishing license proposed to build a power plant — can lead to “long many of which addressed the powers of the A bill that would create a new category of and rancorous debates, and any requirements speaker and certain committee chairs. fishing license was presented to the House En- can be a hindrance,” Stauffacher said. However, the report from the House Rules vironment and Natural Resources Policy “When, two years ago, prices were at $2, and Legislative Administration was passed by Committee Feb. 22. (drillers) weren’t out there trying to find other the full House on a 68 to 64 vote with the body Rep. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) said his bill ways to (provide energy),” he said. “Now, they actually accepting very few amendments. (HF753) for a conservation angling license is are. If we are going to put a generation re- The rules will stand as the guidelines for something he’s been thinking about for a long source on the ground … the market has indi- House action until the biennial session ad- time. cated there is a need.” journs in 2002. “I’m trying to get people to think about “We need to supply what the customer Amendments not accepted or voted down conservation,” he said. “A successful day out wants, and look at new products,” such as were referred to either the Rules committee on the water can be three walleyes, not six.” green products, to meet need, he said. or the House Ways and Means Committee for Bakk’s bill would set daily and possession Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) wanted to further discussion. limits at one-half that of a standard fishing know which technological innovations have Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty (R-Eagan), license, rounded down to the next whole num- developed or been enhanced due to the cur- with the assistance of Rep. John Tuma (R- ber. The conservation license would be offered rent energy situation. Northfield), presented the rules to the full to residents and non-residents, and would cost “Technology has been driving the industry House. Pawlenty proposed one amendment, two-thirds of the corresponding fee for a stan- to more efficiency,” Stauffacher said. “Turbines that a section which would have allowed the dard license. have gotten bigger, but more efficient,” and House Governmental Operations and Veter- Bakk modeled his bill after the approach some companies are doing energy manage- ans Affairs Policy Committee to issue opin- Ontario has taken. Officials from the Cana- ment techniques to become more efficient. ions on legislation, rather than requiring every dian province told him about 50 percent of Stauffacher warned against only importing bill that would fall under its jurisdiction to conservation licenses were bought by people power which, he said, may be a good strategy have a hearing. who only fish occasionally or don’t usually in the short run, but soon the demand may However, members expressed concern over keep a limit. Their experience is that people increase for that state. “I would advise you to that provision and it was removed. who buy conservation licenses have less im- not rely on any single component” for energy Members also offered several amendments pact on the resource. supply. regarding provisions that allowed the speaker or Ron Payer from the Department of Natural presiding officer to vary from the order laid out Resources said Ontario officials advised the in the various calendars for the day. Tuma and limit for conservation licensees should be Pawlenty said that provision was to streamline

8 March 2, 2001 proceedings, but DFL members argued those Under the measure, a state agency would would be due to the Legislature by Jan. 15, rules gave the speaker too much power. first rank contractors solely on their qualifi- 2002. In addition, Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL- cations. Once those have been determined the Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said Bovey) proposed amending the rule govern- agency would be allowed to get pricing she believes a study would be appropriate. The ing the powers of the Ways and Means information. committee passed the bill and referred it to Committee. The new rules state the Ways and The bill would allow agencies to establish the House Health and Human Services Fi- Means Committee sets budget targets for net procedures for screening and selecting con- nance Committee. expenditures, based on the revenue forecast tractors, and those procedures could be ad- “The goal of birth centers is to provide safe, for major finance bills. The new rules also dis- justed to accommodate the cost, scope, and sensitive, cost-effective care for women and allow the committee to combine finance schedule of a particular project. their families in a friendly, more-relaxed en- committee bills. Jeff Coleman, a professional engineer from vironment than the bustle of a hospital,” Solberg suggested the House not remove the board, said qualification-based selection Abeler said. language involving revenue targets and that has been in place at the federal level since 1972 Seventy-five percent of states regulate birth the full House should establish budget targets, and is used in at least 36 states. centers. Most have established regulations not just the Ways and Means Committee. His Coleman said when it comes to building a similar to those developed by the American amendments were referred to the committee. state complex most would agree the building Public Health Association in 1982, according During a recent committee meeting, Tuma should be done well rather than just at the least to Kitty Ernst, director of the National Asso- said net expenditures take revenues into account. expensive cost. ciation of Childbearing Centers Consulting Rules also say any other bill that passes out Kent Allin, an assistant commissioner from Group. of a finance committee should be counted the Department of Administration, said the Currently, there are about 150 to 175 centers against the committee’s overall target. In the department opposes the bill because it would in the country. Care in these centers is provided past, there has been some confusion regard- take away an important tool, the cost deter- by nurse midwives or licensed traditional mid- ing whether targets govern omnibus bills mination, in selecting a contractor. wives. The centers, which work in collaboration alone. Any amendment that upsets the balance “We agree that the selection shouldn’t just with hospitals and obstetricians, have established would be ruled out of order. Minority Leader be on the low bid but the current process al- methods for moving patients who may need Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. Paul) was unsuc- lows qualifications to be the primary deter- acute care to a hospital. cessful in his attempt to amend the language. mining factor as long as there is some “It’s a small market of women who use birth Rep. Wes Skoglund (DFL-Mpls) also proposed consideration of price,” Allin said. “Price can centers,” Ernst said. “But they’re very vocal and a rule that would require amendments be printed be the tiebreaker where the qualifications are very intent on what they want in their child- in the journal even if they have been ruled not judged to be equal.” birth experience.” germane, or pertinent to the topic, and an ap- Rep. Eric Lipman (R-Lake Elmo) offered an Asked about the average length of stay, Ernst peal has been filed and tabled. He said that the unsuccessful amendment that would have al- said, “Seven hours.” Lawmakers looked at her amendment in that situation has not been with- lowed state agencies the option of using the in quiet astonishment. drawn and should be noted for the record. qualification-based selection rather than make Another successful amendment noted that it mandatory as in the bill. the House cannot meet past midnight except Coleman said allowing cost considerations by a majority vote of the House to deviate into the qualification selection portion of from that standard. evaluation would undermine the entire pro- Initially Rep. Mark Olson (R-Big Lake) had cess because once cost becomes involved it proposed the House not meet after 10 p.m., colors the rest of the evaluation. with a variance of up to two hours allowed by “It’s the camel’s nose under the tent,” he majority vote of the House. said. His amendment failed.

HEALTH Contractor concerns When it comes to the planning, designing, Birth center study proposed and building state projects, cheapest may not A bill that would require the commissioner always be best. That’s the issue HF724, spon- of health to study the regulatory system of sored by Rep. Jim Rhodes (R-St. Louis Park), birth centers was brought before the House attempts to address. Health and Human Services Policy Commit- The House Governmental Operations and tee Feb. 27. Veterans Affairs Policy Committee approved Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), sponsor of the bill Feb. 28 and sent it to the House floor. HF648, said it was an attempt to provide more Rhodes, the committee chair, said the bill options for families. No birth centers now ex- would require that state agency selection of ist in the state. contractors regulated by the Board of Archi- The bill would require that the commis- Kitty Ernst, director of the National Association of tecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Land- sioner examine birth center regulatory systems Childbearing Center Consulting Group, scape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior in other states and countries, including the testifies for a bill that would fund a study to for- Design be based on qualifications and not on health outcomes of those birth centers. A re- mulate regulations for birthing centers in Minnesota. the lowest bid as in other state contracts. port on the commissioner’s recommendations

Session Weekly 9 “Most of the mothers in birthing centers leadership from the Senate, in some place course. MnSCU students are enrolled in about have been so empowered by their program,” other than this floor, that the votes are ar- 537,000 credit hours per term. she said, “that they’re sitting up at four hours ranged in a way that is satisfactory to you.” The committee took no action on the bill, saying, “Can I go home yet?” One House DFLer questioned the ability to but it will be considered for inclusion in the “These are normal, healthy mothers,” she vote for whom he thinks is the most quali- committee’s omnibus bill. said. Babies and mothers who need more care fied. Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Bovey) said, are moved to hospitals. “With this process we’re establishing, I may Ernst emphasized that if the state decides not vote the way of my conscience, but how Consistency sought to allow birth centers, it must make sure the some people are going to make an agreement A bill that seeks higher education funding payment system is in place. with another body. Quite frankly I think that equity may be included in the House Higher is wrong.” Education Finance Committee omnibus bill. Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka) coun- HF442, sponsored by Rep. Joe Opatz (DFL- tered, saying, “What we want is a fair and open St. Cloud), requests that higher education in- HIGHER EDUCATION process in which merit selection and the se- structional base funding be adjusted for inflation lections of the joint (education) committees at the rate of inflation used in the November Regent selection on hold are honored.” forecast during even-numbered year. The selection process for members of the No hearing date on the resolution has yet Current law requires several adjustments to University of Minnesota Board of Regents has been set. post-secondary instructional base funding, in- been delayed due to fears over partisan cluding adjustments for enrollment and in- motivation. Paying your own way flation adjustment. The House and Senate were scheduled to Students wishing to retake a college class Speaking Feb. 28 before the House Higher meet jointly Feb. 26, to appoint five members may have to do so with their own money. Education Finance Committee, Opatz said the to the 12-member board that is the governing Rep. William Kuisle (R-Rochester) has November forecast is the base used for other body of the university. Instead, the House sponsored HF751 that would provide a tuition state agencies, and should also be the standard opted to refer a joint resolution establishing policy for the University of Minnesota and the for the University of Minnesota and the Min- the joint meeting of the two bodies to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities re- nesota State Colleges and Universities. House Education Policy Committee. garding students retaking classes. Jim Pehler, president of The Inter-Faculty By law, the Legislature must appoint regents “If a student wants to retake a course the Organization, which serves the faculty of state by May 7 or a date agreed to by concurrent state should contribute zero to the class,” he universities, spoke in support of the bill. resolution. Otherwise Gov. Jesse Ventura will told the House Higher Education Finance He said that in other areas, salary and ben- appoint people to fill the vacancies. Committee Feb. 28. efits are included in the agency’s base level At a Feb. 20 joint meeting of the House and The policy would be enacted for students funding. “The intent of this bill is to level the Senate education committees, legislators rec- who retake a class after previously attaining a playing field for all agencies.” ommended five people for the positions: An- passing grade, or for those who drop a class in Pehler also said, for example, that when gela Bos as student representative, Michael the final three weeks of the term. another agency gets a 4 percent budget in- O’Keefe from the Fifth Congressional District Kuisle said the bill would give the institu- crease, the agency can use it for what it deems and Patricia Spence, Richard “Pinky” tions the option of setting up a policy for ex- necessary. But in higher education, part of that McNamara, and Ray Waldron for the three at- tenuating circumstances, such as health issues money must go for inflationary increases in large positions. or being called for active military duty. salaries and benefits because it is not part of However, problems arose when House Re- The proposed law would effect a handful the base level. publicans became concerned that Senate of students. “It is unfair when others get a base adjust- DFLers might introduce the name of a candi- Peter Zetterberg, director of institutional ment and MnSCU and the University of Min- date not recommended by the committees at research and reporting at the University of nesota do not,” said Rep. George Cassell the joint convention and get that person Minnesota, said about 535,000 credit hours (R-Alexandria). elected. were taught last fall at the Twin Cities cam- “The issue is consistency,” said Rep. Peggy Republicans contend that legislative lead- pus, with about 5,200 students dropping a Leppik (R-Golden Valley), the committee ers have been circumventing the established class in the final three weeks. chair. regent-selection process for many years for “I believe the same (percentages) are true political reasons. at our Crookston, Duluth and Morris cam- “We need some time to sort out what their puses,” he said. HUMAN SERVICES intentions are,” House Majority Leader Tim Of those students retaking classes, of which Pawlenty (R-Eagan) said during the Feb. 22 there are about 1,000 per semester, Zetterberg Funeral funding goes forward floor session. “We’re not inclined to become said most are enrolled in lower division math, Asset limits imposed by the Minnesota co-conspirators to another round of this body, chemistry or physics courses where a grade of Medical Assistance Program restrict the op- for political or other reasons manipulating the C or better is needed for their major. He said tions for people who want to prepay their fu- merit selection process.” 75 percent of students achieve the needed neral expenses. House Minority Leader Tom Pugh (DFL- grade the second time around. Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) presented a South St. Paul) questioned House Republi- Patrick Opatz, the budget director for bill (HF574) to the House Health and Human cans’ willingness to keep the process in the MnSCU, said system-wide numbers indicate Services Policy Committee Feb. 22 that would open. “It sounds as though you’re trying to that 0.45 percent of students withdraw in the eliminate a disparity in medical assistance eli- make sure there is some arrangement with last two weeks and 1.65 percent retake a gibility requirements.

10 March 2, 2001 To qualify for medical assistance a person below the federal poverty guideline of $696. person whose ethnic heritage is from West must meet certain asset criteria, including no For a couple, the Minnesota standard is $602 Africa, and one member whose ethnic heri- more than $2,000 in an irrevocable burial versus the federal poverty guideline of $938. tage is from East Africa. trust. Current law, however, is inconsistent in People receiving more than the income The Council on Black Minnesotans was es- that it allows a person to put as much as he or standard are subject to a “spend-down” op- tablished in 1980 to advise the governor and she wants into a burial insurance policy with- tion in order to qualify for medical assistance. Legislature on issues facing black people in the out losing eligibility. Under a spend-down, individuals must incur state. The council is also charged with recom- As the law stands, a person with more than medical bills in an amount equal to or greater mending changes to laws to help address those $2,000 in a burial trust must spend it down than the amount by which their income ex- issues. before qualifying for medical assistance. The ceeds the income standard. Walker said prior to her election to the law has not changed that limit in more than a People on medical assistance are also sub- House she served on the committee that made decade, despite the reality that even the most ject to asset limits — currently $3,000 for an recommendations to the governor about who modest funeral costs well above $2,000. individual and $6,000 for a married couple. should be appointed to the board. David’s bill would affect only the type of “We know first hand the difficulty low in- She said the council is supposed to repre- funding a person can use. There is no antici- come seniors have,” said Beth Nelson, speak- sent individuals of all African descent and that pated fiscal impact on the medical assistance ing for the Minnesota Board on Aging. “Their often issues facing African-Americans are dif- program from this change. meager income is not enough for food, cloth- ferent from those facing new African Tim Hoff, a funeral director from St. ing, and other needs.” immigrants. Charles, said many of the people with whom HF1132 would raise the income standard Lester Collins, the council’s executive direc- he works are more comfortable keeping their to 100 percent of the federal poverty guide- tor, said the state’s population of new immi- money in a bank than buying insurance. lines and provide that increases in Social Se- grants from Africa is rapidly increasing. He “It makes no difference to the funeral di- curity benefits are not counted as income until said the state’s Somali population is one rector whether families use insurance or a the first day of the second month following example of a growing community. trust, but it makes a difference to many indi- the publication of the poverty guidelines. “We don’t have the capacity on the board viduals,” Hoff said. The bill would also increase asset limits to to deal with some of the issues,” Collins said. “There’s no abuse in this system. We have $10,000 for a single adult and $18,000 for a Walker said the Council on Asian-Pacific the most stringent consumer protection laws married couple, the same standard the state Minnesotans is required to have representa- in the country regarding funeral trusts,” said prescription drug program uses. tives from different Asian countries. She said Kelly Guncheon, executive director of the In addition, the bill provides that money while a similar requirement is not possible in Minnesota Funeral Directors Association. from child support, social security, and cer- the African-American community, the bill es- “A death is a very emotional time for fami- tain other benefits be excluded as income for tablishes that the state’s increasingly diverse lies,” said Rep. Gary Kubly (DFL-Granite children receiving medical assistance. black community is properly represented. Falls). “We don’t want to make it harder than “I receive $651 a month and $149 is taken it is.” off the top for my medical assistance spend- The committee approved the bill and re- down leaving me with only $502 a month to ferred it to the House Health and Human Ser- live on,” wrote Ellen Hansen in a letter to the RECREATION vices Finance Committee. committee. Hansen, who is from Burnsville, Forest recreation has multiple sclerosis. “Sometimes I don’t eat A plan to transfer the administration of as well as I should because I can’t afford food.” state forest trails, campgrounds, and day-use “We often see people who are unable to Income standard may change areas to other divisions of the Department of meet their needs because of spend-down,” said People on medical assistance have to Natural Resources was presented to the House Sue Krey, program supervisor in long term struggle more than is fair to make ends meet, Environment and Natural Resources Finance care for Dakota County. “This bill would help said supporters of a bill that would raise the Committee Feb. 26. people keep more of their money, stay in their income and asset standards for individuals Under the new DNR plan, campgrounds homes, and be a part of their communities.” who are aged, blind, or disabled, allowing and day-use areas located in state forests will them to keep more of their money. become the responsibility of the Parks and Rep. Kevin Goodno (R-Moorhead) pre- IMMIGRATION Recreation Division, and trails in state forests sented HF1132 to the House Health and Hu- will be administered by the Trails and Water- man Services Policy Committee Feb. 27. The Council changes considered ways Division. This is an executive decision bill was approved and referred to the House The House Governmental Operations and and does not require action by the Legislature. Health and Human Services Finance Commit- Veterans Affairs Policy Committee approved “All forest campgrounds will be reassigned tee. a bill Feb. 26 that would change the represen- to the closest park,” said Bill Morrissey, direc- “This bill is very critical to the economic tation on the state’s Council on Black tor of the Parks and Recreation Division. He survival of people dependent on medical as- Minnesotans. said the transfers would happen over a three- sistance,” said Gene Martinez, representing the The measure now goes to the House Jobs year period, beginning July 1 with regions one Minnesota Consortium of Minnesotans with and Economic Development Finance Com- and five, the northwest and southeast sections Disabilities. mittee. The Senate passed the bill 60-0 Feb. 5. of the state, respectively. The income standard represents the amount SF142 sponsored in the House by Rep. Neva When the transfer is complete, the admin- of money that people on medical assistance Walker (DFL-Mpls) would expand the size of istration of more than 1,000 campsites at 46 are allowed to receive if they are unable to the council from its current 11 members to campgrounds and 44 day-use areas will be work. Currently, that amount is $482 per 13 members. Under the measure the addi- moved from the Forestry Division to parks month for an individual, about 30 percent tional seats would need to be filled by one and recreation. Session Weekly 11 The Forestry Division’s fiscal year 2000 center has more than 2.7 million visitors ev- The bill was sent to the House Commerce, budget allocation for managing those facili- ery year. He said he knew of no instances when Jobs, and Economic Development Policy ties was about $646,000. Approximately a child fell through the 8,000-seat portable Committee without recommendation by an $240,000 of that will be transferred to the bleachers at the facility. 11-9 vote. parks division to cover enforcement expenses, Rep. Len Biernat (DFL-Mpls) offered an Two weeks earlier the committee failed to subject to approval by the Department of amendment that was approved, exempting approve the measure on an 8-8 vote. At that Finance. bleachers installed at the Hubert H. hearing several members expressed concern Campsites not in official campground ar- Humphrey Metrodome from the four-inch re- about the scope and costs of the rulemaking eas, such as boat-accessible sites, will become quirement. The dome will host the men’s col- authority in the bill. the responsibility of the Trails and Waterways lege basketball Final Four this March. HF175, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Ozment Division beginning July 2003. The cost to retrofit the bleachers at the (R-Rosemount), would require that cigarettes Currently, the Forestry Division operates dome would be greater than $100,000, said offered for sale or manufactured in the state almost 2,000 miles of multi-use recreational Steve Maki, executive director of the Metro- must comply with the adopted rules. trails, including ATV, snowmobile, and cross- politan Sports Facilities Commission. State Fire Marshal Tom Brace said a prelimi- country ski trails. The Trails and Waterways Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) said pro- nary cost estimate of writing the rules indi- Division, which already has some involvement viding exemptions solely to state agencies cates it would come to around $24,000. in the management of these trails, will assume didn’t address the “unfunded mandate” im- Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) said that fig- full responsibility July 1. The following year posed under the original legislation on other ure seemed low in comparison to the costs gen- the division will take over hiking, biking, and entities such as school districts, cities, and erally associated with rulemaking procedures. multiple use trails and related facilities. counties. Ozment encouraged the committee not to kill In 2003, the Trails and Waterways Division Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) said there are the measure because of the rulemaking provi- will begin administering canoe and boat ac- other safety issues of greater importance than sion but to allow the bill’s supporters to argue cesses and campsites, along with water-related the issue addressed by the original bleacher the merits of developing cigarettes designed to facilities that are now under the jurisdiction safety bill. She said, as an example, many more go out if the smoker does not take a puff. of the Forestry Division. individuals are injured when they bike with- He said technology for safer cigarettes ex- The rationale behind the transfer is a desire out wearing helmets. ists and many lives could be saved as a result. on the part of DNR Commissioner Al Garber “This is one of the most important pieces for the Division of Forestry to focus its efforts of legislation I’ve carried,” the nine-term on the sustainable management of state for- Cigarette standards revived member said. ests “with an emphasis on timber, forest health, The House Governmental Operations and Tobacco industry representatives testified at forest protection, and private forest manage- Veterans Affairs Policy Committee reconsid- the Feb. 14 hearing that technology for fire re- ment assistance.” ered, and then approved, a bill Feb. 28 that tardant cigarettes does not currently exist and would require the state’s fire marshal to es- that the bill would set Minnesota apart from tablish rules regarding cigarette fire retardant every other state. standards. Ozment said whether safer cigarettes can be SAFETY or already are made and the economic impact of establishing standards is the issue that will be More bleachers exempted TRANSIT TALK discussed by the Commerce committee. He said In 1999 the Legislature approved a law re- safer cigarettes are already on the market. quiring that bleachers taller than 30 inches “Why cut the process short when we can have gaps between seats, floorboards, and save lives? We know cigarettes can be made guardrails that do not exceed four inches. The safer,” he said. previous standard for the size of the gaps was nine inches. Last year exemptions to the four-inch gap TAXES requirement were granted to the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and More renters aid possible Universities system, and private colleges and Renters would be eligible for a larger prop- universities for retractable bleachers that were erty tax refund under a proposal sponsored in place as of Jan. 1, 2001. by Rep. Mark Gleason (DFL-Richfield). The House Governmental Operations and The House Taxes Committee Property Tax Veterans Affairs Policy Committee approved Division heard Gleason’s bill (HF158) Feb. 22 a bill (HF427) Feb. 28 that would grant a fur- but took no action on the measure. Rep. Ron ther exemption to the Minnesota Amateur Erhardt (R-Edina), the division chair, said the Sports Commission. The measure now goes bill would be considered for possible inclu- to the House floor. sion in the omnibus tax package. Rep. Andrew Westerberg (R-Blaine) said not Currently renters can claim a property tax providing an exemption to the commission, a refund if the household’s income exceeds a state agency, was an oversight. PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK certain percentage of income. The state has The commission oversees the National Metropolitan Council Chair Ted Mondale schedules that determine the income thresh- Sports Center in Blaine. Paul Erickson, the gives a Metro Transit budget presentation to olds and refund amounts. executive director of the commission, said the the House Transportation Finance Committee Gleason said his bill would increase the per- Feb. 28. centage of rent constituting property taxes

12 March 2, 2001 from 19 percent to 28 percent. The Depart- ment of Revenue estimates the bill would cost TAXING HEARING more than $70 million annually. Rachel Callanan, representing the Minne- sota Housing Partnership, said the state’s lower-to-moderate income families are facing increasing hardships due to the growing lack of affordable housing in the state. According to a recent Legislative Auditor’s report, the average two-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities metropolitan area has a monthly rent of $794. The report says the va- cancy rate in the metropolitan areas of the state is 1.5 percent, much below the “healthy” rate of 5 percent. Callanan said the partnership supports pro- posals to lower rental property taxes but the auditor’s report showed those tax reductions would not mean lower rents for consumers. Rep. William Kuisle (R-Rochester) asked if the $72 million would be better spent on af- fordable housing or providing the additional PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID rental refund amounts in Gleason’s bill. Nick Dawkins, 18 months, takes a nap as his father, Rep. Andy Dawkins rocks the stroller and Gleason said he thought the refunds would asks a question during a Feb. 22 hearing of the Sales and Income Tax Division of the House have an impact on renters’ ability to afford Taxes Committee. housing. He said the current system allows homeowners to deduct their interest on mort- Tom Briant, the executive director of the 1.65 percent to 1.2 percent would stimulate gage payments from their taxes and thus dis- council, said 30 years ago a Minnesota Su- the growth in some affordable housing. criminates against renters. preme Court decision established that food Currently the tax rate on single-family, resi- sold in vending machines was more like food dential non-homestead property valued at less served in restaurants than food sold in gro- than $76,000 is 1.2 percent. cery stores. Thus, vending machine items, like To prevent a loss of tax base and tax shift- Fairness in vending restaurant food, is subject to the sales tax. ing to other types of properties, the bill would When you buy a carton of milk at your lo- Rep. Connie Bernardy (DFL-Fridley) said increase the state Homestead Agricultural cal convenience store you do not pay sales tax she supports the effort to exempt the healthier Credit Aid to taxing jurisdictions. on the item. Purchase the same carton from a foods and hoped the exemption would mean Mark Brunner, the executive director of the vending machine, and you are paying sales tax. that vendors stocked the machines with more Minnesota Manufactured Housing Associa- The House Taxes Committee Sales and In- healthy foods. tion, said there were more than 3,300 manu- come Tax Division heard two bills March 1, HF858, sponsored by Rep. Ron Erhardt (R- factured homes produced in the state last year. that would address this inconsistency. The Edina), would exempt all types of food sold The industry employs more than 4,800 people. committee took no action on either measure, in vending machines that is currently exempt Mark Lambert, a manufactured park owner, but Rep. Elaine Harder (R-Jackson), the divi- when sold at grocery and convenience stores. said the rate reduction would lead to a growth sion chair, said both would be considered for “The bill is a little more pricey (than in the number of manufactured home parks possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. Paulsen’s bill) but much cleaner,” Erhardt said. in the state. HF502, sponsored by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R- The Department of Revenue estimates the “This brings the benefits of a manufactured Eden Prairie), would exempt drinks contain- cost of HF502 to be around $1.3 million in home owner more in line with single family ing milk and milk products, fruit and fruit 2002-03, while the cost of HF858 would be home owners,” Lambert said. products, vegetables, granola, breakfast and $11.5 million over the biennium. Rep. Mark Gleason (DFL-Richfield) asked energy bars, yogurt and pudding purchased Lambert if the tax rate reduction would be from a vending machine from the sales tax. passed on from the manufactured home park Mark Young, president of the Automatic Manufactured home savings property owners to the homeowners. Merchandising Council and a food service The National Mobile Home Construction and Lambert said that while the rate reduction vendor from St. Louis Park, said the inequity Safety Standards Act passed by the U.S. Congress goes directly to the park owners, residents of taxing food from a vending machine puts in 1974 began defining manufactured homes would benefit too because the bill would vending machine merchants at a disadvantage more as buildings rather than vehicles. allow park owners to hold down their costs. with their main competitors, convenience The House Taxes Committee Property Tax The Department of Revenue estimates the stores. Division heard a bill (HF914) Feb. 26 that cost of the measure would be around He said currently vending machine owners would tax that type of housing in a manner $1.4 million a year. most often absorb the additional costs rather similar to other residential housing. The committee took no action on the bill, than pass them on to consumers and that ul- Rep. William Kuisle (R-Rochester), the but Rep. Ron Erhardt (R-Edina), the division timately the sales tax exemption would lead sponsor of the measure, said reducing the class chair, said it will be considered for possible to lower prices. rate on manufactured home park land from inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Session Weekly 13 T ISSUE: CHILDREN A

through an application process, and many are turned away due to funding limitations. Target Youth intervention groups include high school dropouts and po- Three bills would give millions now to programs that tential dropouts, youth-at-risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system, chemically de- proponents say would save millions later pendent and disabled youth, homeless youth, teen parents, and public assistance recipients. BY THERESA STAHL sponsored by Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Mpls), Christina Sweatt, Youthbuild coordinator in im Carter is making amends. As a board would allocate $1.5 million between 2002- Bemidji, said there are already more than 20 member of Minnesota Youth Intervention 2003 to Youthbuild programs. people on the waiting list for the June orien- JProgram Association, he wants to help pre- Clark says the 25-year-old organization is tation, and they will have more. They hold two vent children from making the same mistakes “impressive,” serving urban, suburban, and orientations every year. he did. rural youth. Youthbuild, which has 12 sites “We have evolved,” Sweatt said. “We use Shoplifting at age eight was his first crime, throughout the state, provides specialized building and teaching trades to teach what and others would follow. He eventually served training in construction and the building young people will need to succeed. two years for armed robbery. He says he has trades fields, computer technician fields, lead- “Most of them do not fit into traditional hurt many people in his life, but it could have ership and basic academic skills, and construc- ways of teaching,” she explained. “They are not all been prevented if someone had intervened tion-based work experience for youth-at-risk weak links. They are stronger than any youth after he was caught shoplifting. of not completing their high school education. out there if we give them the opportunity.” Carter, 21, told members of the House Jobs During the 2000-2001 biennium, the pro- Katrinka Jack is a sophomore in high school. and Economic Development Finance Commit- gram received about $1.5 million. Some of the Through a program at The City, Inc., she has tee that government should foster a safe society, needs for the coming biennium include fund- learned more math skills, how to use levels, he said, by supporting programs that prevent ing to assist program alumni and funding for and how a house is built, along with roofing, youth from ending up in courts and prisons. more computers. concrete work, and teamwork. Carter, who is now a business owner, testi- Those interested in the program must go “You can’t build a house alone,” Jack said. fied Feb. 28 for two bills (HF20 and HF348) “The more people that are there, the more fun that would grant funds to youth intervention and educational experience it is.” programs. Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul) asked “This really doesn’t cost money, but reaps what happens if someone misses a day or benefits,” said Rep. Bob Gunther (R- shows up late for work. Fairmont), the sponsor of HF348. “You miss out on learning — someone has to Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls), sponsor of take up my job,” Jack replied. “They treat it as a HF20, says the programs save millions in crimi- real job, and there are consequences if you’re late.” nal activity. His bill would appropriate In 2000, Minnesota Youthbuild programs $2.5 million to fund 50 youth intervention served 387 young people. Ninety-five units of programs. affordable housing were constructed or reno- HF348 calls for almost $1.5 million to be vated, affecting more than 300 low-income given to youth intervention programs, and and homeless persons. 1 percent allocated to the Youth Intervention Last year 72 percent of participants success- Program Association. “Funding will be used fully completed the program, 85 percent of to expand existing programs to serve unmet those who successfully completed the program needs and to create new programs in obtained their high school diploma or GED, underserved areas of the state,” the bill reads. and 35 percent enrolled in post-secondary Scott Beaty, executive director of the associa- institutions. One-third entered the building tion, says HF348 “promotes and encourages trades, and 70 percent entered employment communities to help their youth.” The ratio of with a starting wage averaging $9 an hour. community dollars to state money for the pro- Mahoney, a pipe fitter by trade, said there grams, including the association, is two to one. is a need for more than just carpenters, and Both bills were laid over and will be con- asked if they received any training in fields sidered for possible inclusion in the PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID such as plumbing, masonry, or pipe fitting. committee’s omnibus bill. Esmeralda Barboza, a student at City Academy, Youthbuilders shadow workers in different A third bill appropriating money to a youth tells members of the House Jobs & Economic De- trades, and “we try to expose them to a num- velopment Finance Committee Feb. 28 how par- intervention program was given an informa- ticipants in the Youthbuild program “work as a ber of different fields,” said Salvador Pachew, tional hearing by the committee. HF1137, team.” Continued on page 31

14 March 2, 2001 T ISSUE: CRIME A

supervision, including $2 million for caseload reductions and $1.5 million for intensive Close scrutiny supervised release. Governor’s recommended $730 million budget for corrections Over the past four years, the Legislature has appropriated about $17 million to reduce prompts skepticism among House members and employees caseloads for probation agents. Since then, caseloads have dropped about three per case BY MICHELLE KIBIGER ment has undergone an extensive review of worker, said Deputy Commissioner Mark Carey. orrections officials are asking for nearly programs and developed a strategic plan. In He said probation is probably the least un- $730 million during the next biennium, addition, the department is embarking on a derstood aspect of corrections. Probation of- Cincluding an aggressive reduction plan in significant plan to reduce the cost of housing ficers do all the behind the scenes work to average per diem cost for adult inmates at the inmates each day at the adult facilities. make sure inmates get back on track and don’t state’s nine correctional facilities. That plan would reduce per diem costs to end up back in the prison system. The recommendation, forwarded by Gov. $77.78 by the end of the fiscal year and fur- At the Feb. 26 hearing, Rep. Rich Stanek Jesse Ventura, actually reflects a $3.98 million ther reduction to $68.72 in the future. (R-Maple Grove), committee chair, asked how reduction in the base budget for the Depart- Ramstad Hvass said she hopes to accomplish much the department had requested from the ment of Corrections. In addition, the per diem that goal in three years. governor for this purpose. He said he didn’t plan would result in about $18 million in re- The plan would also add about 500 beds think $2 million would go far enough. allocations throughout the department for system-wide to help cut costs. In addition, the “What do we really expect to get for other programs. department is keeping about 190 positions open $2 million?” Stanek asked. “Rep. (Dave) Bishop However, members of the House Judiciary and re-assigning other management and line (R-Rochester) has a bill for $16 million over the Finance Committee, which staff to cut per diem costs. biennium. Now that would get us somewhere.” heard budget requests Feb. “I think we’re all con- Several other members, including Murphy 22 and Feb. 26, expressed cerned how far we go,” said and Rep. Wes Skoglund (DFL-Mpls), said they concern that the Deputy Commissioner also wondered what the original request from department’s needs were Dennis Benson. “I don’t the department had been. greater than the governor’s think there’s anything Bishop responded that he had tried to get recommendation would wrong with looking at the original requests from the Department of suggest. national average and using Finance but was denied. He said he’s con- And members of labor that as a guideline. But cerned that the governor’s administration is unions representing cor- where it makes sense, I be- withholding important information. rections employees also lieve it’s in our best inter- Several representatives from the Minnesota suggested that plans to re- est to get as close to that Association of Professional Employees attended allocate money might cre- average as we can. the meeting to express their concern over the ate a hardship for “We shouldn’t be asking tight budget and the per diem reduction plan. employees. the taxpayer to bring $98 Jim Monroe, executive director for the group, Commissioner Sheryl to the table every time we cautioned members not to rely on technology Ramstad Hvass said it’s the have a new inmate.” to compensate for reduced staff. He said he came first time in the Among the changes in from Ohio where such a plan did not work. department’s history offi- the budget is a request for Bob Haag from MAPE also said case work- cials have not asked for an $1.5 million to continue ers are concerned they won’t have adequate time to prepare inmates to go back into the increase in the budget. PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK the department’s efforts “I think it’s wonderful Tim Walsh, director of juvenile services toward integrating the public sector and succeed. for the first time ever that for the Minnesota Department of Correc- CriMNet system. Representatives from AFSCME Council 6 we’re not asking for in- tions, presents the department’s budget In addition, the governor also testified briefly, saying overtime costs are creases,” said Rep. overview at the Feb. 27 House Judiciary has proposed $3 million for high due to the positions being held open by Finance Committee hearing. Mary Murphy (DFL- cost-efficiency improve- the reduction plan. Hermantown). “But I’m really concerned that ments, including enhancements to electronic Though corrections officials say they solic- the numbers are being cut too far. We’ve got fencing at the St. Cloud prison, electronics on ited staff input in developing the per diem re- to make sure that our numbers are absolutely the walls at the Stillwater prison, and electronic duction plan, Haag said employees were not correct.” locks at certain facilities, particularly those con- given a good enough opportunity to comment Ramstad Hvass said the budget is based on verted from former state mental hospitals. about the plan. Ventura’s Big Plan principles of getting the The governor adds $13.7 million to the “A union should not have to come to a com- “best bang for the buck.” She said the depart- department’s budget for community mittee like this with our concerns,” he said.

Session Weekly 15 T ISSUE: EDUCATION A

director of the Lac qui Parle Valley Commu- nity Education Program. “Community edu- Staying after school cation programs are the link between Youth development programs in community education education and the local economy.” Asking for support of Sykora’s bill, seek more state funds Struxness spoke eloquently of the time it takes to make a program work: finding volunteers, BY MARY KAY WATSON organizing activities, and helping those youth fter-school community education has who are “sitting on the fence.” had no increase in state funding in “It’s especially important to reach out to A13 years. high-risk children,” she said. “The time has come for us to give them a little Minnesotans have historically given strong bump,” said Rep. Barb Sykora (R-Excelsior). support to after-school programs for children. The “bump” Sykora offered the House Fam- According to a recent poll survey by the ily and Early Childhood Education Finance Afterschool Alliance, 92 percent of voters say Committee Feb. 28 was a bill that would au- there is a need for places where children can thorize $11 million a year for youth programs go after school for organized activities and in community education. learning opportunities, and 79 percent say the HF646, authored by Sykora, would provide state should help foot the bill. for supervised youth programs during non- Other programs in Minnesota reach out to school hours within established community children after school, and the committee heard education programs. from some of them. To receive state funding for these programs, In 1996, in response to concerns about un- a school district would have to levy according supervised youth and rising juvenile crime to a revenue formula. Money received from rates, the Legislature established after-school the state must be used for “activities that sup- enrichment grants. An appropriation of port the development of social, mental, physi- $10.4 million was made for 2000-01 to 34 cal, and creative abilities of school-age youth.” grantees who provide programming for high- The intent of Minnesota’s Community Edu- risk 9- to 13-year-olds. cation Program is to make use of public school It is the priority of this grant initiative to facilities to provide lifelong learning oppor- involve youth who are struggling academically, tunities for all community members. Pro- at-risk of becoming involved with the crimi- PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID nal justice system, and/or not supervised by grams offered may be wide-ranging, including Carol Thomas from the Department of Children, those for children and youth. It has always Families and Learning testifies before the House an adult during non-school hours. been a state aid and levy program. Family and Early Childhood Education Finance Club Fed is a collaboration of 65 different And after-school programs are important, Committee, Feb. 28 on community education agencies in North Minneapolis that received officials say, because they give children super- funded after-school programs. such a grant. vised, constructive activities and keep them programs because of snowstorms. In listening “Without the programs provided by Club out of trouble. to be certain the radio announced the closings, Fed,” said Farzaneh Kia, the organization’s Schools across the state are currently strug- he heard of six other schools that closed pro- program director, “kids would be in the street, gling to keep their after-school programs going. grams. hanging around. They would rather be in the More than 100 Minnesota school districts are “Six years ago, none of our schools were structured programs — playing sports, being now either at a zero balance or are spending at a open on weekends,” he said. “Without HF626 with their friends.” deficit in their community education budgets. they will all be closed again. And I don’t be- The program is located at 42 sites and offers The problem is especially severe in rural lieve it will be weather-related.” programs such as tutoring, mentoring, arts, and areas. The average total population of districts There is an increasing need for these pro- sports. Kia said school attendance of participants with deficits is 6,000 and their average deficit is grams in all areas of the state. Thirty-four per- in Club Fed has increased overall. $46,000, according to Dennis Carlson of the cent of Minnesota’s 6- to 12-year-olds and Lawmakers voiced concern about measur- Minnesota Community Education Association. 56 percent of 10- to 12-year-olds are left alone ing outcomes for these programs. Carol Tho- Tom Searcy, director of community educa- for some time each week, according to a study mas, of the Department of Children, Families tion for New London-Spicer schools, said by the Urban Institute of Washington D.C. and Learning, acknowledged the difficulties of youth programs in his district have had no “As an educator, farmer, parent, and grand- evaluating after-school programs. She said increase in funding in 13 years. parent, I’m concerned about the future of our data is being collected, and a system of On a recent Sunday, Searcy had to cancel rural communities,” said Bev Struxness, Continued on page 31

16 March 2, 2001 T ISSUE: TRANSPORTATION A

expressed her support for Marko’s bill, HF860. She explained that highways cannot ad- Road funding concerns equately function if planners ignore the With the reduction of license tab fees, legislators seek a more benefits of transit solutions. “Perhaps it’s time we begin rethinking (the steady funding mechanism for transportation projects assumption that) highways are separate from transit systems,” Hausman said. BY JONAS M. WALKER divided revenue from taxes on a vehicle pur- Sam Grabarski, representing the Minneapo- egislators are wrestling with the respon chase into a sales tax and a motor vehicle ex- lis Downtown Council, echoed her thoughts. sibility of ensuring the viability of cise tax. That name was later changed to the His organization represents the largest em- LMinnesota’s transportation infrastruc- motor vehicle sales tax. ployers in downtown Minneapolis, an area ture, a task made all the more difficult in the Since then, the Legislature has added two ad- that is the daily destination and departure wake of reductions in license tab fees, once a ditional taxes directly affecting automobile own- point for more than 220,000 commuters. mainstay for highway funds. ers: license registration fees and the gasoline tax. “We are completely dependant on multi- Now, Minnesotans may have the opportu- Each contributes about one-half the value of the modal transportation systems,” he said. nity to vote on guaranteeing transportation highway tax distribution fund, which is dedi- Grabarski said running express buses along the funding in the state constitution. cated exclusively to the trunk shoulders of congested The House Transportation Policy approved highway fund and the county Twin Cities’ highways miti- three bills on the matter Feb. 27, and referred and municipal state-aid high- gates the need for building them all to the House Transportation Finance way and street funds. additional lanes, something Committee. All would amend the state con- In light of recent declines that local groups have be- stitution, which requires approval by the ma- in state license tab fee rev- gun to oppose and, in some jority of voters in the general election. enue, some legislators are cases, successfully prevent. Though the committee forwarded the bills concerned an important Rep. William Kuisle to the finance committee, discussion at the funding source for road con- (R-Rochester) asked hearing centered around the conflict between struction and maintenance Grabarski about what he saw funding roads and funding transit systems. has been neglected. Accord- as the irony of using automo- HF9, sponsored by Rep. Connie Ruth (R- ing to the Department of bile sales taxes to assist in the Owatonna), would dedicate all revenue from Revenue, the license tab re- funding of alternative trans- the sales tax on motor vehicles to the highway duction will result in a rev- portation systems. Grabarski user tax distribution fund. HF11, sponsored enue reduction of $175 responded that drivers polled by Rep. Andrew Westerberg (R-Blaine), would million to the highway user by his organization routinely dedicate not less than 32 percent of revenue tax distribution fund by fis- supported additional transit from the sales tax on motor vehicles to the cal year 2003. That figure is programs by an overwhelm- highway user tax distribution fund. HF860, nearly 15 percent of the ing majority. sponsored by Rep. Sharon Marko (DFL-Cot- fund’s total revenue. Rep. Tom Workman tage Grove), would establish a multi-modal Statewide, residents and (R-Chanhassen) transportation fund for highway and transit government entities are expressed concern that sub- projects. Her bill proposes that all revenues clamoring for what seems to urban businesses might dis- from the motor vehicle sales tax be dedicated be an ever-shrinking pot of favor transit funding, and to the new fund. funds available for transpor- that a statewide multi- One-third of revenue generated by the mo- tation projects. However, PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID modal fund could politi- Robert E. Vanasek, former speaker of cally alienate central tor vehicle sales taxes now goes to the high- there is a significant differ- the House and now a lobbyist from way distribution fund, with the remainder ence in the solutions legisla- Robert Vanasek & Associates, testifies commercial districts. appropriated to the general fund. Money from tors are proposing. The Feb. 27 before the House Transporta- Grabarski countered that the general fund has been used to compen- variation in the plan under- tion Policy Committee on constitu- suburban businesses were sate the highway distribution fund for revenue scores the differences in tional amendments providing a increasingly in agreement that would have been deposited from the col- transportation sensibility revenue stream for transportion with his organization. “Even projects. lection of license tab fees. found among lawmakers. I was surprised to learn that Beginning in 1967, motor vehicles, like most Sorenson said his group favors the restora- (suburban) chambers of commerce now say other sellable merchandise, became subject to tion of dedicated highway funding to levels transit is their number one priority.” a 3 percent general state sales tax. In response that existed prior to tab fee reduction. to criticism that the tax was among the high- Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) est in the United States, Minnesota later

Session Weekly 17 OLICY P

example, industry exists to maximize profit for shareholders, while universities are generally Public-private partnership focused on merely generating ideas and origi- Speakers emphasize strong bonds between industry and nal thought. For those who seek such partnerships, Allen public universities in research and innovation said, the Georgia and Ohio models can be eco- nomically lucrative for business, intellectually BY JONAS M. WALKER He said traditional relationships between stimulating for academics, and a boost in Lawmakers got a lesson universities and industry were strictly “buy- esteem for a metropolitan area or state. Feb. 22 from regional sell. Now, industry needs brand identity for The seminar comes at a time of conflict economic and technological capturing the best students.” In other words, within the Legislature over the future of the powerhouses on the impor- industry wants access to student innovation University of Minnesota and the Minnesota tance of partnerships between throughout the educational career of that State Colleges and Universities. Allen empha- private venture capital and student. sized that, instead of trying to be all things to public universities. Allen suggested that industry would likely all people, the best universities must intention- The event was part of the feel more comfortable making long-term in- ally pursue “selective excellence.” annual Capitol Forum Series, sponsored by vestment in specific programs if universities Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) expressed Minnesota Technology. This year’s topics fo- could guarantee access to students as early as concern that universities might compromise cused on developing technology and how it their sophomore year. their “Aristotelian virtue of learning for its will shape Minnesota’s future. He also said successful traits of university/in- own sake” by allowing industry to guide pub- On Feb. 22, the topic was “Integrating a dustry collaboration include the sharing of costs licly-funded research. Research University into a Regional Technol- and rewards, the building of relationships “After World War II people had the same ogy Forum.” beyond key actors on both sides, and account- concerns,” Allen responded. “If you leave (ma- Kitty Forbes Vogt of the Georgia Research ability to “diverse constituencies.” He emphasized jor research decisions) to faculty members, we Alliance told House and Senate members of her such partnerships are not appropriate for all fac- can make sure that good people do the right state’s investment in public university-led ulty members, or for all educational programs. thing.” research and development. He also said that cultural barriers between He also added The Ohio State University’s Via specially designed offices funded by the industry and academia constitute significant ethics commission vigorously monitors the re- state, Georgia industry has expanded its relation- barriers to the success of partnerships. For lationships. “The key is disclosure,” said Allen, ships with universities, which in turn referring to the tension between leads to “gains in venture capital in- industry’s need for secrecy and vestment.” The result is that Geor- the public trust, which necessi- gia, and Atlanta specifically, has tates transparency. benefited from an explosion in the Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buf- number of high-tech jobs, she said. falo Township) said, “It takes “Georgia has a proven model for leadership of the University to turning university research into guide this.” Expressing the gener- economic growth,” said Vogt. ally optimistic mood of the as- “Through the Georgia Research sembled lawmakers regarding the Alliance, we connect business, sci- possibility of the University of entific and government leaders to Minnesota engaging in such part- generate start-ups, attract industry, nerships, he said, “There is great enhance jobs and create wealth. potential.” “Technology-driven economies Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) tend to reinforce themselves over was impressed with the idea of time. They are the key to sustained tying compensation of professors economic growth.” to the success of their ideas in the David Allen, assistant vice- marketplace, a scheme he said he president for technology partner- “would like explored more” at the ships at The Ohio State University, University of Minnesota. explained Minnesota could har- “We need risk takers” in the de- ness the economic power of the PHOTOS BY ANDREW VON BANK velopment of agricultural technol- high-tech industry by taking Kitty Forbes Vogt, program manager for the Georgia Research Alliance, and ogy, he said. David Allen, assistant vice-president for technology partnerships at The Ohio advantage of such partnerships. State University speak at the Capitol Forum Series Feb. 22.

18 March 2, 2001 ESOURCES R Minnesota State and Federal Offices U.S. Senators Senator Senator 417 W. Litchfield Ave. Mark Dayton (DFL) Paul Wellstone (DFL) Willmar, MN 56201 818A Hart Senate Office Building 136 Hart Senate Office Building (320) 231-0001 Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 Fax: (320) 231-0006 (202) 224-3244 (202) 224-5641 Fax: (202) 228-2186 Fax: (202) 224-8438 P.O. Box 281 105 S. Second Ave. Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building Suite 100 North Virginia, MN 55792 1 Federal Drive, Suite 298 2550 University Ave. W. (218) 741-1074 St. Paul, MN 55111 St. Paul, MN 55114 Fax: (218) 741-8544 (612) 727-5220 (651) 645-0323 E-mail: Fax: (612) 727-5223 Fax: (651) 645-0704 [email protected] Web site: http://www.senate.gov/~dayton 1-800-642-6041 Web site: http://www.senate.gov/~wellstone

U.S. Representatives

First District Fourth District Seventh District Eighth District Gil Gutknecht (R) Betty McCollum (DFL) Collin Peterson (DFL) James L. Oberstar (DFL) 425 Cannon House 1029 Longworth House 2159 Rayburn House 2365 Rayburn House Office Building Office Building Office Building Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2472 (202) 225-6631 (202) 225-2165 (202) 225-6211 Fax: (202) 225-3246 Fax: (202) 225-1968 Fax: (202) 225-1593 Fax: (202) 225-0699 Suite 108 165 Western Ave. No., Suite 17 Minn. Wheat Growers Bldg. 231 Federal Building 1530 Greenview Drive S.W. St. Paul, MN 55102 2603 Wheat Drive Duluth, MN 55802 Rochester, MN 55902 (651) 224-9191 Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 (218) 727-7474 (507) 252-9841 Fax: (651) 224-3056 (218) 253-4356 Fax: (218) 727-8270 1-800-862-8632 Web site: http://www.house.gov/ Fax: (218) 253-4373 Chisholm City Hall Fax: (507) 252-9915 mccollum Suite 107 316 Lake St. E-mail: [email protected] 714 Lake Ave. Chisholm, MN 55719 Web site: http://www.house.gov/ Fifth District Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 (218) 254-5761 gutknecht/ Martin Olav Sabo (DFL) (218) 847-5056 Fax: (218) 254-5132 2336 Rayburn House Fax: (218) 847-5109 Second District Office Building Brainerd City Hall Mark Kennedy (R) Washington, D.C. 20515 110 Second St. S. 501 Laurel St. 1415 Longworth House (202) 225-4755 Suite 112 Brainerd, MN 56401 Office Building Fax: (202) 225-4886 Waite Park, MN 56387 (218) 828-4400 Washington, D.C. 20515 (320) 259-0559 Fax: (218) 828-1412 286 Commerce at the Crossings Fax: (320) 259-0413 (202) 225-2331 13065 Orono Parkway 250 Second Ave. S. E-mail: Fax: (202) 226-0836 Elk River, MN 55330 Minneapolis, MN 55401 [email protected] (763) 241-0188 205 E. Fourth St. (612) 664-8000 Web site: http://www.house.gov/ Fax: (763) 241-0233 Chaska, MN 55318 Fax: (612) 664-8004 collinpeterson/ (952) 448-6567 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: 1-800-453-9392 Web site: http://www.house.gov/sabo/ Access to e-mail through Web site. Fax: (952) 448-6930 Web site: http:// Sixth District www.house.gov/oberstar/ Third District William P. Luther (DFL) Jim Ramstad (R) 117 Cannon House 103 Cannon House Office Building Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2271 (202) 225-2871 Fax: (202) 225-3368 Fax: (202) 225-6351 Suite 150 8120 Penn Ave. S. 1811 Weir Drive Suite 152 Woodbury, MN 55125 Bloomington, MN 55431 (651) 730-4949 (952) 881-4600 Fax: (651) 730-0507 Fax: (952) 881-1943 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:[email protected] Web site: http://www.house.gov/luther/ Web site: http://www.house.gov/ramstad/

Session Weekly 19 Constitutional Officers Joint Legislative Services Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) Governor State Auditor 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-9002 JESSE VENTURA (IP) JUDITH DUTCHER (DFL) Room 130 525 Park St. LCC Central Accounting State Capitol Suite 400 60 State Office Building...... (651) 296-8890 St. Paul 55155 St. Paul 55103 (651) 296-3391 (651) 296-2551 LCC Subcommittee on Rules 1-800-657-3717 55 State Office Building...... (651) 296-1121 Fax: (651) 296-0674 State Treasurer Claims (Joint Subcommittee on Claims) CAROL JOHNSON (DFL) 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-0099 Lieutenant Governor 303 State Administration Building MAE SCHUNK (IP) 50 Sherburne Ave. Geographic Information Systems Room 130 St. Paul 55155 (GIS) Oversight Office/Subcommittee State Capitol General Information: (651) 296-7091 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-0098 St. Paul 55155 Treasurer’s Office: (651) 282-5032 (651) 296-3391 Legislative Advisory Commission (LAC) Attorney General Fourth Floor, Centennial Office Building Secretary of State MIKE HATCH (DFL) 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-4956 MARY KIFFMEYER (R) Room 102 Room 180 State Capitol Office of Legislative Auditor State Office Building St. Paul 55155 First Floor, Centennial Office Building St. Paul 55155 (651) 296-6196 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-4708 (651) 296-2803 Consumer Division: (651) 296-3353 Election Division: (651) 215-1440 1-800-657-3787 Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women Open Appointments: (651) 297-5845 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-8590 Business Information & Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3949 Uniform Commercial Code: : (651) 296-2803 Joint Subcommittee on Employee Relations (LCC) 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-2963 Minnesota State Agencies Legislative Commission on Health Care Access 309 Capitol ...... (651) 296-4261 (Area code 651) Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) Agriculture ...... 297-2200 65 State Office Building...... (651) 296-2406 Children, Families and Learning ...... 582-8200 Legislative Commission on Pensions & Retirement Commerce ...... 296-4026 55 State Office Building...... (651) 296-2750 Corrections ...... 642-0200 Economic Security ...... 296-3644 Legislative Commission on Planning & Fiscal Policy Employee Relations ...... 297-1184 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-9002 Job Information...... 296-2616 Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) Finance ...... 296-5900 P.O. Box 441 Health ...... 215-5800 Eveleth 55734 ...... (218) 744-7400 Human Rights...... 296-5663 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3704 Mississippi River Parkway Commission Human Services ...... 296-6117 P.O. Box 59159 Labor and Industry ...... 296-6107 Minneapolis 55459-8207 ...... (612) 449-2560 Military Affairs...... 282-4662 Electric Energy Task Force Natural Resources...... 296-6157 Public Safety...... 296-6642 322 Capitol ...... (651) 296-1767 Driver and Vehicle Services ...... 296-6911 Regent Candidate Advisory Council Fire Marshal ...... 215-0500 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-9002 Alcohol and Gambling Board of Trustees Candidate Advisory Council Enforcement Division ...... 296-6979 State Patrol ...... 297-3935 85 State Office Building...... (651) 296-9002 Pollution Control Agency ...... 296-6300 Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board Public Service ...... 296-5120 First Floor South, Centennial Office Building ...... (651) 296-5148 Revenue 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 Taxpayer Assistance ...... 296-3781 Toll Free ...... 1-800-652-9094 Legislative Reference Library Trade and Economic Development...... 297-1291 645 State Office Building...... (651) 296-3398 Office of Tourism ...... 296-5029 Office of the Revisor of Statutes Transportation ...... 296-3000 700 State Office Building...... (651) 296-2868 Veterans Affairs ...... 296-2562

State Information ...... 296-6013 Other Information Numbers House Information...... 296-2146 Federal Information ...... 1-800-688-9889 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3550 White House ...... (202) 456-1414 Senate Information...... 296-0504 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Toll Free ...... 1-888-234-1112 Washington D.C. 20500 State Information ...... http://www.state.mn.us State DFL Party: ...... (651) 293-1200 Legislative Information ...... http://www.leg.state.mn.us State Republican Party: ...... (651) 222-0022 State Independence Party ...... (952) 939-6601

20 March 2, 2001 ILL INTRODUCTIONS F EBRUARY 26 - MARCH 1, 2001 B HOUSE FILES 1144 - 1359

Monday, February 26 HF1155—Abeler (R) HF1164—Gray (DFL) HF1174—Howes (R) Commerce, Jobs & Jobs & Economic Governmental Operations & Economic Development Development Finance Veterans Affairs Policy HF1144—Wilkin (R) Health care provider affirmative con- Homeless prevention school stability Propane education and research Health & Human Services Policy sent to participate in a network under project funding provided and money council established. Attorney general access to health data a category of coverage and disclosure appropriated. limited. of provider’s contract changes HF1175—Vandeveer (R) required. HF1165—Gray (DFL) Taxes HF1145—Boudreau (R) Family & Early Childhood Electronic tax filing requirements Agriculture Policy HF1156—Dehler (R) Education Finance modified. Veterinary medicine cease and desist Health & Human Services Policy Head Start grantee minimum fund- orders authorized. Prescription drug program eligibility ing ensured and money appropriated. HF1176—Vandeveer (R) expanded. Taxes HF1146—Ozment (R) HF1166—Mulder (R) Electronic tax filing requirements Environment & HF1157—Dehler (R) Agriculture & Rural modified. Natural Resources Policy Commerce, Jobs & Development Finance Salt distribution stockpiles design, Economic Development Lamb and wool research, education, HF1177—Gunther (R) construction, and use requirements St. Stephen water and wastewater sys- and marketing assistance program Environment & established. tems grants provided, bonds issued, funding provided and money Natural Resources Finance and money appropriated. appropriated. Blue Earth County board grant pro- HF1147—Mullery (DFL) vided for study of Rapidan Dam, and Commerce, Jobs & HF1158—Osskopp (R) HF1167—Skoe (DFL) money appropriated. Economic Development Taxes Environment & Landlord and tenant property MinnesotaCare provider and pre- Natural Resources Policy HF1178—Lenczewski (DFL) covenant clarified. mium taxes repealed, tobacco settle- Red Lake Watershed district manager Taxes ment proceeds allocated to health position authorized to represent the Metropolitan fiscal disparities pro- HF1148—Mullery (DFL) insurance account, personal income Red Lake Indian Reservation. gram study required and money Crime Prevention tax exemption for dependents pro- appropriated. Judges authorized to set bail at levels vided, health care access fund HF1168—Juhnke (DFL) that protect the public safety. repealed, and money appropriated. Regulated Industries HF1179—Lieder (DFL) Telecommunications infrastructure Governmental Operations & HF1149—Mares (R) HF1159—Pawlenty (R) redundancy required. Veterans Affairs Policy Education Policy Capital Investment Public safety employees assigned to Educational data classification and Local bridge replacement and reha- HF1169—Dorman (R) state patrol to enforce motor vehicle dissemination provided. bilitation and Gillette Children’s Spe- Commerce, Jobs & size and weight laws defined as public cialty Health Care facility prior Economic Development safety officers for purposes of survi- HF1150—Bishop (R) funding provisions modified. Employer safety committee require- vor benefits. Ways & Means ments modified. Budget and forecast procedures HF1160—Davids (R) HF1180—Lenczewski (DFL) technical provisions modified. Health & Human Services Policy HF1170—Dawkins (DFL) Health & Human Services Policy Physician assistants prescribing medi- Family & Early Childhood Aspergillosis; public benefits for diag- HF1151—Mulder (R) cation review provisions modified. Education Finance nosis and treatment of aspergillosis pro- Health & Human Services Policy Early childhood care and education vided as provided for tuberculosis. Psychologist disciplinary actions HF1161—Sertich (DFL) pilot project grants authorized and penalty provisions modified. Governmental Operations & money appropriated. HF1181—Anderson, B. (R) Veterans Affairs Policy Education Policy HF1152—Mulder (R) Minnesota State Retirement System HF1171—Kalis (DFL) Independent School District No. 877, Commerce, Jobs & refunds of contributions authorized Environment & Buffalo, permanently authorized to Economic Development for employees who terminated Natural Resources Finance start school prior to Labor Day. Emergency medical services buildings service at any time in the past. Faribault County Soil and Water Con- in rural Minnesota construction servation District Quad-Lakes project HF1182—Clark, J. (R) matching grants provided through the HF1162—Swapinski (DFL) grant provided and money Commerce, Jobs & Minnesota Investment Fund, and Family & Early Childhood appropriated. Economic Development money appropriated. Education Finance Invention developer contract require- Duluth; St. Louis River community HF1172—Ruth (R) ments modified. HF1153—Mulder (R) recreation, service, and learning cen- Transportation Policy Local Government & ter grant provided and money School bus driver’s licenses checked HF1183—Nornes (R) Metropolitan Affairs appropriated. twice annually. Taxes Local government building project Ambulance service supplies, equip- architect requirement exemption HF1163—Gray (DFL) HF1173—Howes (R) ment, repair, and replacement parts provided. K-12 Education Finance Environment & sales tax exemption provided. Adolescent parenting grant program Natural Resources Finance HF1154—Greiling (DFL) funding provided and money Minnesota Conservation Corps fund- HF1184—Clark, J. (R) Environment & appropriated. ing provided and money appropriated. Education Policy Natural Resources Policy Pupil unit count increased for kin- Metropolitan Mosquito Control dergarten pupils. Commission insecticide use restricted.

Session Weekly 21 HF1185—Smith (R) HF1196—Tingelstad (R) HF1207—Pugh (DFL) HF1218—Rhodes (R) Civil Law Health & Human Services Policy Education Policy Local Government & Revenue recapture act use authorized Tobacco settlement fund modified, Special School District No. 6, South Metropolitan Affairs for collection of specified judgements, medical education endowment fund St. Paul, chemical and alcohol-free Metropolitan Radio Board expiration priority of claims provided, service of sunset extended, healthy kids learn school grant provided and money date extended to 2005. process requirements modified, and endowment fund established, and appropriated. money appropriated. money appropriated. HF1219—Gunther (R) HF1208—Pugh (DFL) Commerce, Jobs & HF1186—Abrams (R) HF1197—Hackbarth (R) Higher Education Finance Economic Development K-12 Education Finance Transportation Policy Debt service tuition rebate provided State fund mutual insurance com- Integration revenue provided for all Metropolitan Council demonstration to public post-secondary students and pany state involvement reduced. members of a multi-district integra- project funding provided for express money appropriated. tion collaborative. bus service between downtown Min- HF1220—Bradley (R) neapolis and one or more cities lo- HF1209—Slawik (DFL) Health & Human Services Policy HF1187—Mulder (R) cated outside the transit taxing Health & Human Services Policy Long-term care; consumer informa- Taxes district, and money appropriated. Patient rights and protections estab- tion and assistance and community- Education agricultural property tax lished, coverages regulated, carrier based care, system reform and credit increased. HF1198—Tingelstad (R) and provider duties specified, and reimbursement, workforce recruit- Health & Human Services Policy remedies provided. ment and retention, and regulation HF1188—Gunther (R) Foster care, adoption assistance, and of nursing pools provided; and money Environment & relative custody assistance advisory HF1210—Evans (DFL) appropriated. Natural Resources Policy task force convened. Health & Human Services Policy Fire training exercise ash disposal Patient rights and protections estab- HF1221—Mares (R) regulated. HF1199—Tingelstad (R) lished, coverages regulated, carrier K-12 Education Finance Taxes and provider duties specified, and Children’s mental health integrated HF1189—Vandeveer (R) Adoption expenses income tax de- remedies provided. services pilot projects funded and Local Government & duction provided. money appropriated. Metropolitan Affairs HF1211—Daggett (R) Election of municipal council mem- HF1200—Tingelstad (R) Taxes HF1222—Dawkins (DFL) bers provided after annexation. Taxes Water treating and pressurizing ma- Commerce, Jobs & Adoption expenses income tax credit terials and equipment sales tax ex- Economic Development HF1190—Dorman (R) provided. emption provided. Manufacturer’s duty to repair, refund, Taxes or replace specified new computers Agricultural processing facility con- HF1201—Westrom (R) HF1212—Bradley (R) defined. struction materials and equipment Taxes Health & Human Services Policy sales tax exemption provided. Poultry litter biomass electrical gen- Health maintenance organizations HF1223—Abeler (R) erating facility construction materi- authorized to offer greater flexibility Health & Human Services Policy HF1191—Juhnke (DFL) als and equipment sales tax exemption in enrollee cost-sharing. Licensed nursing facility annual rate Agriculture & Rural provided. increases established. Development Finance HF1213—Peterson (DFL) Turkey respiratory disease control and HF1202—Westrom (R) Crime Prevention HF1224—Davids (R) prevention research grant provided Taxes Drug dog alert defined as probable cause Health & Human Services Policy to University of Minnesota and money Poultry litter biomass electrical gen- for searches for controlled substances, Medical response unit registration appropriated. erating facility property tax exemp- training objectives required for dogs, provided. tion provided. grants provided for purchase and care HF1192—Abeler (R) of dogs, and money appropriated. HF1225—Osthoff (DFL) Education Policy HF1203—Gunther (R) Environment & Applicants for temporary limited Commerce, Jobs & HF1214—Lipman (R) Natural Resources Finance teaching license or personnel vari- Economic Development Governmental Operations & Saint Paul Greenway Corridor fund- ance permitted to submit applications Home energy assistance trust fund Veterans Affairs Policy ing provided, bonds issued, and by July 1, and conforming rule account established and money Election provisions clarified, and money appropriated. changes provided. appropriated. specified election procedures and re- quirements modified. HF1226—Sertich (DFL) HF1193—Goodno (R) HF1204—Jacobson (R) Environment & Health & Human Services Policy Environment & HF1215—Jennings (DFL) Natural Resources Policy Home and community-based options Natural Resources Finance Governmental Operations & State lands exchange requirements for individuals with disabilities ac- Laurentian Environmental Learning Veterans Affairs Policy modified. cess improvements provided, con- Center funding provided to Mounds Teachers retirement association ser- sumer control provisions modified, View school district and money vice credit purchase authorized for a HF1227—Carlson (DFL) and consumer-directed home care appropriated. teacher at Independent School Health & Human Services Finance demonstration project established. District No. 279, Osseo. Hennepin County nursing facility rate HF1205—Sykora (R) increase authorized and money HF1194—Rukavina (DFL) Commerce, Jobs & HF1216—Mulder (R) appropriated. K-12 Education Finance Economic Development Health & Human Services Finance Declining pupil aid provided for eco- Wine; off-sale wine licenses autho- Comprehensive advanced life support HF1228—Paymar (DFL) nomically distressed school districts rized for supermarkets in metropoli- educational program funding pro- Family & Early Childhood and money appropriated. tan counties. vided and money appropriated. Education Finance Ramsey County ACE (All Children HF1195—Mariani (DFL) HF1206—Evans (DFL) HF1217—Ness (R) Excel) program and Hennepin Education Policy Health & Human Services Policy K-12 Education Finance County Delinquents Under 10 pro- Student loans; public institutions re- Prescription drug rebate program es- Telecommunication access revenue grams funded, and money appropri- quired to adopt student assistance policy tablished and money appropriated. and other connectivity funding pro- ated. for loans in default, and grant eligibility vided, and money appropriated. conforming changes provided.

22 March 2, 2001 HF1229—Mullery (DFL) HF1241—Ness (R) HF1253—Ness (R) HF1265—Greiling (DFL) Crime Prevention Agriculture Policy K-12 Education Finance Education Policy Actions restricted against a driver for Feedlot permitting delegation in cer- School district reserve accounts Charter schools board established and violation of condition of abstinence. tain counties required and support authorized. money appropriated. funding provided, and money HF1230—Boudreau (R) appropriated. HF1254—Workman (R) HF1266—Ness (R) K-12 Education Finance Transportation Policy Agriculture & Library for the blind telecommunica- HF1242—Nornes (R) Driver’s license reinstatement fee al- Rural Development Finance tions system funding provided and Family & Early Childhood cohol-impaired driver education ac- Dairy diagnostics and modernization money appropriated. Education Finance count allocation modified. program additional funding provided Library basic support grant money and money appropriated. HF1231—Erickson (R) appropriated. HF1255—Haas (R) Education Policy Health & Human Services Policy HF1267—Kahn (DFL) School media program staff position HF1243—Ness (R) County social service agencies reim- Governmental Operations & established, school media center study Agriculture Policy bursed for out-of-home juvenile Veterans Affairs Policy initiated, and money appropriated. Feedlot specialist program established placement costs and money Sports wagering games authorized, and money appropriated. appropriated. sports bookmaking licenses provided, HF1232—Rukavina (DFL) and Minnesota active recreation fund Environment & HF1244—Bradley (R) HF1256—Holberg (R) established. Natural Resources Policy Health & Human Services Policy Civil Law St. Louis County school trust land Early and periodic screening, diagno- Best interests of the child factors clari- HF1268—Kahn (DFL) long-term lease authorized. sis, and treatment program require- fied relating to custody proceedings. Commerce, Jobs & ments established, report required, Economic Development HF1233—Haas (R) and money appropriated. HF1257—Goodno (R) Genetic information insurance com- Local Government & Health & Human Services Policy pany use regulated under the Genetic Metropolitan Affairs HF1245—Stang (R) Family and adult self-sufficiency Discrimination Act. Brooklyn Park city economic devel- Commerce, Jobs & program provisions modified. opment authority tax increment use Economic Development HF1269—Kahn (DFL) authorized. Dishonored check collection charges HF1258—Hilstrom (DFL) Environment & provisions modified. Transportation Finance Natural Resources Finance HF1234—Eastlund (R) Brooklyn Center replacement transit Mississippi whitewater trail funding Family & Early Childhood HF1246—Dorman (R) hub design and construction pro- provided and money appropriated. Education Finance Civil Law vided, bonds issued, and money Regional library telecommunications Gas; civil remedies provided for theft appropriated. HF1270—Entenza (DFL) aid grants provided and money of motor fuels. Commerce, Jobs & appropriated. HF1259—Erickson (R) Economic Development HF1247—Eastlund (R) Commerce, Jobs & Currency exchanges, real estate bro- HF1235—Holsten (R) Governmental Operations & Economic Development kers, real property appraisers, resi- Environment & Veterans Affairs Policy Fingerhut, Inc., of Mora employees dential contractors, and collection Natural Resources Finance Veterans home board administration provided extra unemployment agencies continuing education, fees, Forest management money of planned giving donations provided. benefits. costs, duties, rights and recovery fund appropriated. amounts regulated. HF1248—Eastlund (R) HF1260—Dawkins (DFL) HF1236—Rhodes (R) Governmental Operations & Civil Law HF1271—Jaros (DFL) Local Government & Veterans Affairs Policy Custodial and non-custodial parent Commerce, Jobs & Metropolitan Affairs Veterans homes resident deposit terminology neutralized relating to Economic Development House and Senate confirmation of accounts modified. family law. Chiropractors; licensed chiropractors members of the Metropolitan included in preferred provider Airports Commission required. HF1261—Bishop (R) networks. Thursday, March 1 Crime Prevention HF1237—Seifert (R) Corrections; obsolete language re- HF1272—Jaros (DFL) Environment & HF1249—Bishop (R) pealed referencing Regions Hospital, Governmental Operations & Natural Resources Finance Crime Prevention predatory offenders required to dem- Veterans Affairs Policy Lac Qui Parle-Yellow Bank Water- Sex offender assessments ordered. onstrate full compliance with super- Administration department directed shed District Prairie Farm Preserva- vised release, and risk level review to decentralize state agencies and tion and Exhibit Center grant HF1250—Rhodes (R) and reassessment provisions departments. provided and money appropriated. Governmental Operations & modified. Veterans Affairs Policy HF1273—Goodno (R) HF1238—Otremba (DFL) Military discharge certificates classi- HF1262—Wenzel (DFL) Health & Human Services Finance Agriculture Policy fied as private data. Taxes Nursing facility operating cost reim- Minnesota Dairy Supply Manage- Personal and dependent exemption bursement floor established. ment Act established. HF1251—Osskopp (R) income tax deduction provided. Agriculture & HF1274—Anderson, I. (DFL) HF1239—Vandeveer (R) Rural Development Finance HF1263—Greiling (DFL) Regulated Industries Local Government a& Sustainable and organic foods pro- Education Policy Biomass mandate modified to include Metropolitan Affairs grams base funding levels restored Special education services provisions new facility in northern Minnesota Forest Lake special election autho- and money appropriated. modified and money appropriated. that utilizes biomass residue wood rized on whether to increase the size and wood byproducts. of the city council and establish wards. HF1252—Pawlenty (R) HF1264—Kahn (DFL) Jobs & Economic Environment & HF1275—Peterson (DFL) HF1240—Bernardy (DFL) Development Finance Natural Resources Policy Agriculture Policy Governmental Operations & Veterans; homeless or at-risk veter- Urban rivers act draft preparation Organic, natural, and locally grown Veterans Affairs Policy ans housing projects loans and grants required. foods promotion periodical estab- Restrictions on the purchase of re- provided, and money appropriated. lished, and money appropriated. tirement plan service credit for prior military service eliminated. Session Weekly 23 HF1276—Mullery (DFL) HF1287—Ruth (R) HF1298—Jennings (DFL) HF1308—Kelliher (DFL) Civil Law Transportation Finance Local Government & Environment & Crane operator certification and regu- Trunk Highway 14 four-lane express- Metropolitan Affairs Natural Resources Finance lation provided, rulemaking required way segment constructed, environ- Joint powers wastewater treatment County biological survey funded and and civil penalties imposed. mental impact statement prepared, boards authorized to issue bonds. money appropriated. and money appropriated. HF1277—Molnau (R) HF1299—Jennings (DFL) HF1309—Dibble (DFL) Transportation Policy HF1288—Daggett (R) Environment & Commerce, Jobs & Interregional transportation corridor Health & Human Services Policy Natural Resources Policy Economic Development financing procedures, statewide com- Living-at-home block nurse program Driveway damage caused by snow- Brewers; retail and wholesale sales of munications system, and transporta- numbers and funding increased and mobile metal traction device reim- a licensed brewer’s own products tion revolving loan fund provisions money appropriated. bursement provided. permitted. modified, and clarifying changes provided. HF1289—Dawkins (DFL) HF1300—Jacobson (R) HF1310—Abrams (R) Crime Prevention Transportation Policy Governmental Operations & HF1278—Kubly (DFL) Prostitution crimes aggressive initia- Motor vehicle sales tax funds depos- Veterans Affairs Policy Transportation Policy tive provided, criminal penalties in- ited in the highway user tax distribu- Construction; state building official Recreational vehicle combination creased and mandatory minimum tion fund and constitutional authorized to interpret the state build- maximum length increased to 65 feet. sentencing imposed, presentence in- amendment proposed. ing code, annual reports on construc- vestigations ordered for all prostitu- tion-related fees required, HF1279—Hilstrom (DFL) tion, firearm, or drug offenses, and HF1301—Osthoff (DFL) construction fees regulated, and waiv- Commerce, Jobs & money appropriated. Commerce, Jobs & ers of rights requirements prohibited. Economic Development Economic Development Homeowner notice provided prior to HF1290—Howes (R) St. Paul Roy Wilkins Auditorium HF1311—McElroy (R) cancellation of insurance for nonpay- Local Government & planning and design grant provided Commerce, Jobs & ment of premium by a mortgage Metropolitan Affairs and money appropriated. Economic Development escrow servicer. County offices made appointive po- Minnesota money transmitters act sitions under certain circumstances. HF1302—Hackbarth (R) established. HF1280—Seagren (R) Environment & Education Policy HF1291—Boudreau (R) Natural Resources Policy HF1312—Koskinen (DFL) Elementary reading specialist licen- Health & Human Services Policy Natural resources; specified advisory Commerce, Jobs & sure provided, and elementary school Health plan subrogation clause limi- committee expiration dates extended, Economic Development teacher license requirements tation provisions modified. hunting stamp provisions modified, Hearing aids for children insurance modified. snowmobile safety grants carry for- coverage required. HF1292—Goodno (R) ward provided, and money HF1281—Holberg (R) Health & Human Services Policy appropriated. HF1313—Ozment (R) Transportation Policy Family and adult self-sufficiency Environment & Light utility trailers lifetime registra- program provisions modified. HF1303—Boudreau (R) Natural Resources Policy tion provided. Health & Human Services Policy Soil and water conservation district HF1293—Davids (R) Children’s health insurance provi- grants provided for non-point engi- HF1282—Osskopp (R) Commerce, Jobs & sions modified. neering technical assistance, feedlot Agriculture Policy Economic Development water quality management program, Rural finance authority provisions Public service commissioner’s re- HF1304—Nornes (R) and special projects cost-share modified. maining duties transferred to com- Health & Human Services Policy program; and money appropriated. missioner of commerce after Lead poisoning prevention provisions HF1283—Seagren (R) reorganization order No. 181. modified, property sellers required to HF1314—Mares (R) Commerce, Jobs & provide well water test results, and Transportation Policy Economic Development HF1294—Mares (R) obsolete laws repealed. Seat belt offense designated as a Internet sales and leases regulated, Governmental Operations & primary offense. and domain names and agents for Veterans Affairs Policy HF1305—Hackbarth (R) service of process information Post-retirement health care savings Environment & HF1315—Fuller (R) disclosure provided. plan for state employees established Natural Resources Policy Crime Prevention and money appropriated. Environmental assistance revolving State fire marshal additional duties HF1284—Rhodes (R) loan account established and money specified, fire marshal account recre- Governmental Operations & HF1295—Haas (R) appropriated. ated, and money appropriated. Veterans Affairs Policy Governmental Operations & Lottery funds not dedicated to natu- Veterans Affairs Policy HF1306—Howes (R) HF1316—Dawkins (DFL) ral resources trust fund allocated to Volunteer firefighter relief associa- Environment & Taxes arts fund and amateur sports fund. tion consultant conditions imposed. Natural Resources Policy Publicly owned parking facilities tax Minnesota Conservation Corps pro- exemption provided. HF1285—Winter (DFL) HF1296—Abrams (R) gram and decorative forest products Transportation Finance Governmental Operations & provisions modified, sustainable for- HF1317—Dawkins (DFL) Nobles County joint powers transit Veterans Affairs Policy est resources provisions repeal de- Taxes authority grant provided for opera- Legislative days limit repealed and layed, study required, civil penalties Tax increment financing district pool- tion of prairieland transit system and constitutional amendment proposed. imposed, and money appropriated. ing qualifications and permission money appropriated. process modified. HF1297—Dempsey (R) HF1307—Bradley (R) HF1286—Ruth (R) Local Government & Health & Human Services Policy HF1318—Ozment (R) Transportation Finance Metropolitan Affairs Guardianship service providers de- Environment & Traffic flow improvements funded to Office of Strategic and Long-range fined, duties specified, and money Natural Resources Policy eliminate bottlenecks in metro area, planning Authority transfer from appropriated. Environmental fund revenues and at-risk interregional corridors out- municipal board statutory conform- expenditures provided, remediation side metro area improved, annual re- ing changes provided, and delegation fund established, and money ports required, and money by the director authorized. appropriated. appropriated.

24 March 2, 2001 HF1319—Huntley (DFL) HF1331—Skoe (DFL) HF1342—Marquart (DFL) HF1353—Stanek (R) Health & Human Services Policy Taxes K-12 Education Finance Crime Prevention Nursing home pass-through reim- Designated housing projects within Education; isolation index distance Interstate compact for adult offender bursement extended. Native American Indian reservations factor increased for sparsity revenue. supervision adopted, existing com- exempted from property taxes. pact repealed, advisory council cre- HF1320—Lindner (R) HF1343—Evans (DFL) ated, administrator appointed, Local Government & HF1332—Daggett (R) Health & Human Services Policy reports required, and money Metropolitan Affairs Health & Human Services Finance Prescription drug program expanded. appropriated. Hassan Township economic Becker County nursing facility rate development authority authorized. increase provided. HF1344—Thompson (DFL) HF1354—Holsten (R) Health & Human Services Policy Environment & HF1321—Ruth (R) HF1333—Wolf (R) Medical assistance income standard Natural Resources Policy Taxes Education Policy for persons who are aged, blind, or Petroleum tank release cleanup Steele County aggregate materials Teacher contract January 15 deadline disabled increased. provisions modified. production tax imposed. date and penalty repealed. HF1345—Cassell (R) HF1355—Holberg (R) HF1322—Buesgens (R) HF1334—Kahn (DFL) Commerce, Jobs & Crime Prevention Local Government & Governmental Operations & Economic Development Center for Crime Victim Services re- Metropolitan Affairs Veterans Affairs Policy Minnesota Association of Resource organized as a division of the Depart- Metropolitan Council and other re- Former University of Minnesota hos- conservation and development grants ment of Public Safety, powers and lated commissions abolished, owner- pital employees disability coverage provided and money appropriated. duties transferred, grants authorized, ship of metro sports facilities provided. and rulemaking provided. transferred to Minneapolis, wastewa- HF1346—Howes (R) ter control commission established, HF1335—Slawik (DFL) Taxes HF1356—Dorman (R) duties transferred, and money Taxes Sustainable forest property tax pro- Agriculture Policy appropriated. Maximum income tax dependent care gram established, refunds provided Agricultural operation nuisance credit increased, phaseout extended, to certain property owners, tree liability protection expanded. HF1323—Jennings (DFL) and money appropriated. growth tax law repealed, and money Regulated Industries appropriated. HF1357—McElroy (R) Minnesota Energy Security and Reli- HF1336—Mulder (R) Taxes ability Act enacted. Commerce, Jobs & HF1347—Rhodes (R) Commissioner of revenue authorized Economic Development Civil Law to reissue checks for refunds in cases HF1324—Bradley (R) Health insurance; stop-loss fund ac- Tenant impact statement provisions of hardship, and certain uncashed tax Health & Human Services Policy count created and money modified and civil penalties imposed. refunds listed as unclaimed property. Long-term care provisions modified. appropriated. HF1348—Holberg (R) HF1358—Stang (R) HF1325—Johnson, S. (DFL) HF1337—Mulder (R) Judiciary Finance Commerce, Jobs & Crime Prevention Commerce, Jobs & Dakota County criminal justice in- Economic Development Asian-American juvenile crime in- Economic Development formation system improvements Entertainment agencies regulation tervention and prevention grant pro- Health insurance; purchasing alliance grant provided and money repealed. vided and money appropriated. stop-loss fund account created and appropriated. money appropriated. HF1359—Ozment (R) HF1326—Mares (R) HF1349—Molnau (R) Environment & Natural Resources Governmental Operations & HF1338—Haas (R) Taxes Policy Veterans Affairs Policy Commerce, Jobs & County levy for watershed manage- Lottery ticket in lieu tax disposition PERA; service credit purchase for a Economic Development ment separate certification provided. modified, state wildlife management specific individual employed by White Insurers, agents, coverages, benefits, area additions provided, land ex- Bear Lake school district authorized. costs, claims, investments, notifica- HF1350—Ozment (R) changes authorized, and Roseau tions, and disclosures regulated; com- Local Government & County conservation land sale HF1327—Finseth (R) missioner powers and duties Metropolitan Affairs permitted. Environment & provided, and regulation of nonprofit Dakota County authorized to pro- Natural Resources Policy legal services plans eliminated. vide services to Metropolitan Inter- Bear hunting; use of dogs for bear county Association, Dakota County hunting allowed. HF1339—Schumacher (DFL) Agricultural Society, and specified Transportation Policy employees included in PERA. HF1328—Ness (R) Motor vehicle registration taxes lim- If you have Internet K-12 Education Finance ited, motor vehicle sales tax funds HF1351—Abeler (R) access, visit the Limited English proficiency programs dedicated to highway user tax distri- K-12 Education Finance Legislature’s Web page revenue increased. bution fund, and constitutional Local learn and earn programs al- at: amendment proposed. lowed to add additional program slots, HF1329—Goodwin (DFL) subsequent evaluation of student out- http:// Health & Human Services Policy HF1340—Anderson, B. (R) comes provided, and money www.leg.state.mn.us Dental service coverages extended to Local Government & appropriated. porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns for Metropolitan Affairs adults and bridges. Wright County recorder appointment HF1352—Murphy (DFL) permitted. Governmental Operations & HF1330—Clark, J. (R) Veterans Affairs Policy Crime Prevention HF1341—Davnie (DFL) Teachers retirement association an- Felony penalty for aggravated cruelty K-12 Education Finance nuity formula computation modified. to pets imposed. Special education revenue increased, funding for related programs in- creased, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Session Weekly 25 OMMITTEE SCHEDULE M ARCH 5 - 9, 2001 C

JOBS & ECONOMIC Property Tax Division/TAXES Schedule is subject to change. DEVELOPMENT FINANCE 200 State Office Building For information updates, call House Calls 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Ron Erhardt at (651) 296-9283. Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy Agenda: Overview of Tax Increment Financing All meetings are open to the public. Agenda: Budget review of the Department of by Joel Michael, House Research. Sign language interpreter services: Economic Security. Presentation on Tax Increment Financing Report (651) 224-6548 v/tty. by Office of the State Auditor. To have the House committee schedule 10:15 a.m. delivered to your e-mail address, send an Sales and Income Tax Division/TAXES e-mail message to CIVIL LAW ***NOTE ROOM*** [email protected] Basement Hearing Room 500N State Office Building or direct your Web browser to http:// State Office Building Chr. Rep. Elaine Harder ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/scripts/ Chr. Rep. Steve Smith Agenda: HF939 (Howes) Exempts the purchase lyris.pl?join=houseschedule and fill out Agenda: HF209 (Hackbarth) Shooting ranges of equipment and materials used to make the subscription form on the generally accepted practices defined, relation to improvements to certain resorts from sales and Legislature’s Web site. local ordinances specified, closing and relocation use taxes. requirements provided, and nuisance action HF612 (Nornes) Exempts certain purchases by liability granted. MONDAY, March 5 licensed child care facilities. HF281 (Greiling) Civil commitment mentally ill HF627 (Holsten) Exempts the purchase of certain definition and emergency hold standard 7:30 a.m. departure property used in constructing a Hugo city hall modified, early intervention hospital stay from sales & use taxes. TRANSPORTATION FINANCE extended, and specified hearings on medications HF1018 (Milbert) Removes access to amusement Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport combined with civil commitment proceeding. devices from the definition of a taxable service. 6040 28th Ave. S. HF919 (Dawkins) Civil commitment definitions HF633 (Osskopp) Provides for use of tax refunds Minneapolis, Minn. 55450 and procedures modified, patient rights specified, to pay debts for child support before tax offsets. Chr. Rep. Carol Molnau coverage and cost of care provided, voluntary Agenda: Airport tour. consent procedures expanded, court records 12:30 p.m. Members and staff: Meet on east steps of State sealed, and money appropriated. Office Building (outside Secretary of State’s FAMILY & EARLY CHILDHOOD office) at 7:30 a.m. ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL EDUCATION FINANCE RESOURCES FINANCE 5 State Office Building 8:15 a.m. 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Barb Sykora Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten Agenda: HF786 (Abeler) Relating to education; GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & Agenda: Department of Natural Resources community education programs; modifying the VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY Division of Forestry budget presentation. adults with disabilities program. Basement Hearing Room Chris Orr, Anoka-Hennepin Community State Office Building HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE Education. Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes 300S State Office Building Toni Lippert. Agenda: HF550 (Eastlund) Edvest; higher Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik education services office rulemaking authority Agenda: HF342 (Dehler) Higher education LOCAL GOVERNMENT & extended. grants terms and conditions modified. METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS HF116 (Mulder) Respiratory Care Practitioner 200 State Office Building Advisory Council sunset delayed, and athletic K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE Chr. Rep. Jerry Dempsey trainer registration cancelled for nonrenewal 5 State Office Building Agenda: HF652 (Anderson, B.) Eminent domain after two years. Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren proceedings owner costs and fees provided. HF70 (Seifert) Presidential electors designated Agenda: HF480 (Kielkucki) Relating to HF665 (Kielkucki) Regional development and duties specified. education; authorizing funding to establish a commissions and other regional organization voluntary accreditation program to assist school local planning assistance funding provided and HEALTH & HUMAN districts to provide optimal educational support money appropriated. SERVICES FINANCE services; appropriating money. HF867 (Seagren) Hennepin; suburban regional 10 State Office Building HF776 (Kielkucki) Relating to education; park district authorized to set commissioner Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno appropriating money for the Minnesota Learning compensation, boundaries clarified, open Agenda: Continuation of Department of Health Resource Center. meeting law conformity provided, donations and Department of Human Services deep budget HF398 (Seifert) Relating to education finance; accepted, and joint powers agreements overview. exempting agricultural lands from the school authorized. MDH, Management and Support Services. district levy for debt service. HF891 (Olson) Lake improvement districts; MDH, Health Care Access Fund. HF434 (Wagenius) A bill for an act relating to modifying percent of property owners necessary Meeting will resume 15 minutes after session in education; ensuring that all children are able to to petition for creation, termination or holding 10 State Office Building. read by second grade; appropriating money. a referendum on creation. DHS, Economic Support Management. 26 March 2, 2001 HF1016 (Holberg) City and county obligations SF810 (Pogemiller) PERA; Contribution TRANSPORTATION POLICY payment by electronic transfer or credit card increases, benefit modifications, and coverage 5 State Office Building authorized. changes. Chr. Rep. Tom Workman HF855 (Mares) PERA; Contribution increases, Agenda: The DM&E report. REGULATED INDUSTRIES benefit modifications, and coverage changes. Bills to be announced. 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Ken Wolf 10:15 a.m. Agenda: HF118 (Kielkucki) Resolution TUESDAY, March 6 memorializing television networks to reduce CRIME PREVENTION Basement Hearing Room violent and sexually explicit material and produce 8:15 a.m. material that promotes wholesome family values. State Office Building Presentation by Larry Sawyer, Director of EDUCATION POLICY Chr. Rep. John Tuma Government Relations and Civic Affairs for 200 State Office Building Agenda: HF505 (Stanek) Racial Profiling - General Mills. Chr. Rep. Harry Mares Statewide policies and training objectives. Presentation by Larry Schedin, President of Agenda: HF915 (Cassell) Pledge of allegiance Schedin & Assoc. required in all public schools. ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL HFXXXX (Jennings/Wolf) Energy Reliability and HF1028 (Olson) Freedom from censorship in RESOURCES POLICY Regulatory Flexibility Act. Minnesota public schools act enacted. 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment 3 p.m. HEALTH & HUMAN Agenda: HF362 (Westrom) Diesel fuel minimum SERVICES POLICY biodiesel fuel content specified. THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION. 10 State Office Building HF208 (Workman) Resolution urging Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley authorization of funding for modernization of 15 minutes after session Agenda: HF376 (Bradley) Community care waterways. HEALTH & HUMAN options for older adults act providing comprehensive senior care, and money STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE SERVICES FINANCE 300N State Office Building 10 State Office Building appropriated. Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno HF1220 (Bradley) Long-term care; consumer Agenda: HF218 (Krinkie) State Government Agenda: Continuation of morning agenda. information and assistance and community-based care, system reform and Finance Bill. Section 13, proposed budget for Department of 6 p.m. or immediately following session reimbursement, workforce recruitment and (whichever is later) retention, and regulation of nursing pools Employee Relations. provided; and money appropriated. Elections Subcommittee/GOVERNMENTAL HF1324 (Bradley) Provisions for long-term care TAXES OPERATIONS & VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY modified. 200 State Office Building 200 State Office Building HF7 (Eastlund) Nursing facilities, intermediate Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams Chr. Rep. Eric Lipman care facilities for persons with mental retardation Agenda: “Competiveness Under the Governor’s Agenda: HF857 (Kielkucki) Election day and related conditions (ICF/MR), and direct Plan.” registration to require picture identification, care provider rate adjustments provided. Testimony from various major Minnesota additional registration information required, HF559 (Goodno) Nursing facility, intermediate employers. certain felony convictions reported, and care facilities for persons with mental retardation rulemaking authorized. (OCF/MR) and other program rate increase 12:30 p.m. HF479 (Lipman) Election day voter registration provided and money appropriated. AGRICULTURE & RURAL identity and residence requirements modified, HF124 (Folliard) Home care providers required DEVELOPMENT FINANCE election administration practice study requested, to provide notice of service termination, and 10 State Office Building election equipment purchase revolving loan fund state health care program reimbursement rates Chr. Rep. Bob Ness created, and money appropriated. increased for home care providers. Agenda: Association proposals for Minnesota’s HF470 (Abeler) Nursing home operation farmers, Minnesota Farm Bureau; Minnesota 6 p.m. cessation or curtailing notice period extended Farmers Union. and modified. Legislative Commission on Pensions and Overview of Minnesota Veterinarians’ priorities, Note: This meeting will continue at 4 p.m. in Retirement Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association. 112 State Capitol Room 10 of the State Office Building. The bills on the agenda will be presented in the a.m. and Chr. to be elected CAPITAL INVESTMENT public testimony will be taken in the p.m. meeting Agenda: SF451 (Pogemiller); HF712 (Mares) 5 State Office Building time. The discussion surrounding HF 376, HF PERA-Corr; Contribution rate reductions. Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach 1220, and HF 1324 is intended to be a review of SF625 (Tomassoni); HF474 (Rukavina) Eveleth Agenda: Overview of Wastewater Infrastructure the provisions included in the bills in their current P&F; Post retirement increase. Fund. SF358 (Betzold); HF557 (Haas): Osseo Volunteer form. Fire; Special appropriation to offset liability COMMERCE, JOBS & JUDICIARY FINANCE increase. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Basement Hearing Room HF1295 (Haas); SFXXXX (Betzold) Volunteer 200 State Office Building State Office Building Fire; Requiring bonding or insurance for financial Chr. Rep. Greg Davids Chr. Rep. Rich Stanek consultants. Agenda: HF926 (Haas) Relating to health; Agenda: Budget overview for the Minnesota SF190 (Scheevel); HF207 (Rifenberg): Volunteer modifying content and form at requirements for Trial Courts. Fire; Increase in lump sum supplemental benefit Minnesota uniform health care identification and state reimbursement. Session Weekly 27 cards; requiring uniform prescription drug WEDNESDAY, March 7 ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL information to be included on cards; establishing RESOURCES FINANCE requirements for issuance of cards. 8:15 a.m. 10 State Office Building HF903 (Gerlach) Relating to motor vehicles; Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten repealing restrictions on the sale of wagon covers GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & Agenda: Department of Natural Resources Division and similar items. VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY of Forestry budget presentation continued. HF252 (Seifert) Relating to state government; Basement Hearing Room Department of Natural Resources Operations repealing obsolete rules. State Office Building Support budget presentation. HF1084 (McElroy) Relating to financial Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes institutions; modifying investment authority and Agenda: HF289 (Daggett) Four-year terms HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE recordkeeping requirements; regulating certain provided for representatives and senators and 300S State Office Building rates, charges, fees, and disclosures; exempting constitutional amendment proposed. Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik certain unstaffed after-hour drop boxes from HF18 (Mares) Amateur Sports Commission new Agenda: HF977 (Leppik) Minnesota State detached facilities regulation. soccer field grants authorized, criteria Colleges and Universities technical and HFXXXX (Entenza) Commerce Insurance Bill. established, and money appropriated. community college employee unions merged. HF172 (Mares) Cities authorized to provide Witnesses: Ed Schones, Co-President, Minnesota 2:30 p.m. housing assistance for volunteer firefighters or State College Faculty; Larry Oveson, ambulance personnel. Co-President, Minnesota State College Faculty; Subcommittee on Gaming/ Bill Tschida, Vice Chancellor for Human GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & HEALTH & HUMAN Resources, MnSCU. VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY SERVICES FINANCE HF291 (Seifert) Higher education grant stipends 400S State Office Building 10 State Office Building calculation modified relating to Pell grants. Chr. Rep. Mike Osskopp Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno Agenda: HF894 (Osskopp) Casino; card club Agenda: Review of November and February K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE wagering system definitions modified. Forecast changes. 5 State Office Building HF995 (Buesgens) Horse racing license applicant Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren requirements modified, and anti-inflammatory JOBS & ECONOMIC Agenda: HF1186 (Abrams) Relating to medication content maximum amount DEVELOPMENT FINANCE education; providing integration revenue for all increased. 200 State Office Building members of a multidistrict integration HF1021 (Buesgens) Casino licensee authorized Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy collaborative. to detain persons suspected of cheating. Agenda: Continuation of budget reviews for the HF1008 (Juhnke) Relating to education finance; HF1069 (Osskopp) Lawful gambling Department of Trade and Economic qualifying all school districts that implement an organization annual audit requirements Development and Department of Economic integration plan for integration revenue. modified, noon hour bingo authorized, and Security, if necessary. HF1107 (Rukavina) Relating to education; natural disaster relief expenditures permitted Bills to be announced. making non-mining secondary vocational from gambling proceeds. programs more widely available; appropriating HF1070 (Osskopp) Lawful gambling premises TRANSPORTATION FINANCE money. permits to run concurrently with license of 5 State Office Building HF63 (Ness) Relating to education finance; organization and permit fees clarified. Chr. Rep. Carol Molnau restoring funding for secondary vocational Agenda: HF998 (Lieder) Greater Minnesota programming; appropriating money. 4 p.m. transit assistance funding provided and money HF8 (Ruth) Relating to education finance; appropriated. HEALTH & HUMAN restoring funding for secondary vocational HF645 (Marko) Local road improvement fund SERVICES POLICY programming; appropriating money. created, uses specified, fund transfers provided, 10 State Office Building advisory committee established, and money Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley TAXES appropriated. Agenda: Continuation of morning agenda. 200 State Office Building HF140 (Molnau) Local bridge replacement and Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams 7 p.m. rehabilitation authorized, bonds issued, and Agenda: Discussion of proposed changes to money appropriated. HF511 (Sviggum) Governor’s Tax Bill. Sales and Income Tax Division/TAXES Continuation of HF1129 (Abrams) Sales Tax Minneapolis YMCA 10:15 a.m. Recodification. 3335 Blaisdell Ave. Other agenda times may be added. Minneapolis, Minn. CIVIL LAW Basement Hearing Room Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams 12:30 p.m. Agenda: HF511 (Sviggum) Governor’s Tax Bill. State Office Building Chr. Rep. Steve Smith AGRICULTURE POLICY Agenda: HF810 (Swenson) Court administrators 10 State Office Building required to send notice of payment of judgements Chr. Rep. Tim Finseth to specified credit reporting agencies. Agenda: HF791 (Kuisle) Requires a waiver of the HF319 (Bishop) Trial court judgeships increased civil fine in excess of amount required on diary in specified judicial districts and money farmers. appropriated. HF1002 (Ness) Allows an additional member on the Agriculture Utilization Resource Institute (AURI) board of directors. HF1009 (Finseth) Clarifying the definition of agricultural land.

28 March 2, 2001 HF406 (Jennings) Relating to the state Agenda: HF444 (McElroy) Metropolitan Council Brief presentation of the following health care agricultural society, authorizing establishment membership increased to include nonvoting tax bills: of a nonprofit corporation. affiliate members from adjacent Minnesota and HF194 (Mulder) Ambulance services excluded Wisconsin counties. from MinnesotaCare provider tax. COMMERCE, JOBS & HF981 (McElroy) Legislative commission on HF279 (Huntley) MinnesotaCare premium and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT metropolitan government established, oversight other provider taxes repealed, pass-through of 200 State Office Building of Metropolitan Council provided, and legislative savings required, tobacco settlement disposition Chr. Rep. Greg Davids authorization required for council budget and provided, health care access fund contingent Agenda: HF285 (Ness) Relating to liens; programs. repeal provided, and civil penalties imposed. regulating agricultural liens; revising and HF380 (Kubly) MinnesotaCare provider tax and consolidating crop liens and agricultural liens health plan premium taxes repealed, health care on livestock. THURSDAY, March 8 access fund eliminated, hospital surcharge HF778 (Stang) Relating to commerce; regulating repealed, and money appropriated. motor vehicle sales and distribution; specifying 8:15 a.m. HF383 (Haas) Health insurance premium tax unfair and illegal practices by manufacturers, and premium tax on nonprofit health plan distributors, and factory branches. EDUCATION POLICY companies repealed. HF779 (McElroy) Relating to commerce; 200 State Office Building modifying provisions dealing with motor vehicle Chr. Rep. Harry Mares JUDICIARY FINANCE dealer franchise transfers and objections to Agenda: To be announced. Basement Hearing Room establishment or relocation of a franchise. State Office Building HF1245 (Stang) Relating to commerce; HEALTH & HUMAN Chr. Rep. Rich Stanek amending provisions relating to charges SERVICES POLICY Agenda: Budget overview for the Minnesota recipients of dishonored checks may collect from 10 State Office Building Trial Courts continued. persons who write the checks. Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley Budget overview for the Minnesota Supreme Agenda: Presentation on Dental Access Report Court. FAMILY & EARLY CHILDHOOD by DHS. Budget overview for the Minnesota Court of EDUCATION FINANCE HF278 (Nornes) Dentists; medical assistance Appeals. 5 State Office Building reimbursement rate increased for specified Chr. Rep. Barb Sykora dentists, dental hygienists permitted to perform TRANSPORTATION POLICY Agenda: HF681 (Rhodes) Relating to young services under supervision, grant program for 5 State Office Building people; appropriating money for youth outreach community clinics established, and money Chr. Rep. Tom Workman services. appropriated. Agenda: To be announced. Budget Accounts: Abused Children; Children’s HF693 (Goodno) Dentists loan forgiveness Trust Fund; Adolescent Parenting; Male program established, donated dental services 10:15 a.m. Responsibility, Carol Thomas, Department of program created, dental services and provider Children, Families and Learning. requirements modified, reimbursement rates CRIME PREVENTION HF1163 (Gray) relating to education; increased, immunities provided, and money Basement Hearing Room appropriating money for the adolescent appropriated. State Office Building parenting grant program. HF1212 (Bradley) Health maintenance Chr. Rep. John Tuma organizations authorized to offer greater Agenda: HFXXXX (Boudreau) MN Personal LOCAL GOVERNMENT & METROPOLITAN flexibility in enrollee cost-sharing. Protection Act - Permits to Carry Pistols. AFFAIRS HF 1014 (Boudreau) Medical assistance 200 State Office Building reimbursement for special transportation ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL Chr. Rep. Jerry Dempsey services provisions modified. RESOURCES POLICY Agenda: HF326 (Ozment) Local and state Note: The following bills will be discussed during 10 State Office Building government agency denial of requests for action the evening meeting which will begin at 6:30 Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment clarified. p.m. in Room 10 of the State Office Building. Agenda: Groundwater Subcommittee Report, HF371 (Workman) Aggregate resource HF934 (Bradley) Alternative quality assurance Rep. Rod Skoe. protection and development included in local licensing system project for programs for persons Survey of the Groundwater Act of 1989, John government land use comprehensive plans. with developmental disabilities expiration date Helland, House Research. HF416/SF400 (Rifenberg/Kierlin) Hokah extended, requirements modified, and money Minnesota’s Water Supply, DNR Waters. authorized to vacate roads if necessary due to appropriated. extensive damage. HF587 (Huntley) Detoxification services Sales and Income Tax Division/TAXES HF1153 (Mulder) Local government building provided by counties reimbursed by state funds. ***NOTE ROOM*** project architect requirement exemption HF642 (Kahn) National health services corps 200 State Office Building provided. state loan repayment program; disciplinary Chr. Rep. Elaine Harder action grounds established for physicians failing Agenda: HF575 (Kuisle) Expands the individual 1:45 p.m. to meet obligations or repay loans. income tax subtraction for educational expenses. HF1081 (Jacobson) Health care review HF499 (Rhodes) Allows an education subtraction Subcommittee on Metropolitan organization provisions modified, participation or credit for musical instruments used in school. Council and Agencies/ in Internet-based information sharing systems HF548 (Mulder) Allows an education subtraction LOCAL GOVERNMENT & authorized, and specified data release permitted. or credit for musical instruments used in school. METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS HF545 (Anderson, I.) Eliminates the expiration 200 State Office Building date for a Biomass electricity facility construction Chr. Rep. Mark Buesgens materials sales tax exemption.

Session Weekly 29 HF1201 (Westrom) Exempts from the sales tax 3 p.m. JOBS & ECONOMIC purchases of materials and equipment used in DEVELOPMENT FINANCE constructing a biomass electrical generating THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION. 200 State Office Building facility. Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy 6:30 p.m. Agenda: Budget review of the Minnesota Historical Society. STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE HEALTH & HUMAN 300N State Office Building SERVICES POLICY Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie 10 State Office Building 10:15 a.m. Agenda: HF218 (Krinkie) State Government Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL Finance Bill. Agenda: See morning agenda. Section 16, proposed budget for Department of RESOURCES FINANCE Revenue. 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten 12:30 p.m. FRIDAY, March 9 Agenda: Department of Natural Resources Operations Support budget presentation CAPITAL INVESTMENT 8:15 a.m. continued. 5 State Office Building GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE Agenda: To be announced. VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY 5 State Office Building Basement Hearing Room Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren State Office Building COMMERCE, JOBS & Agenda: To be announced. Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Agenda: HF252 (Seifert) Repeal of obsolete rules. 200 State Office Building TAXES Chr. Rep. Greg Davids 200 State Office Building Agenda: HF1053 (Abrams) Relating to insurance; HEALTH & HUMAN Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams revising certain provisions involving state SERVICES FINANCE Agenda: Presentation of the Department of 10 State Office Building regulation of private health coverage; transferring Revenue’s Tax Incidence Study. Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno certain regulatory control; establishing Agenda: Budget overviews of the Veteran’s Home requirements for managed care plans. Board, the Disability Council, Ombudsman for HF905 (Haas) Relating to insurance; simplifying Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and regulation of health insurers and health Ombudsman for Families. maintenance organizations; establishing a task force on small business health insurance; providing appointments.

Committee deadlines set Each year, the House and Senate set deadlines by which most bills must be heard in a committee and forwarded through the legislative process. Family pets Committee deadlines for this year will be Tennesseans can collect when beloved family members are killed officially determined by a joint House-Senate resolution. While that resolution has yet to In Tennessee pets are now legally recog- larger dog roaming the neighborhood at- be approved, it is expected to contain the nized as family members rather than just tacked and killed the Shih-Tzu, who was out- following deadlines and language further defining each deadline. personal property. side doing his business. The first committee deadline will be During 2000, a state law was passed that Cohen introduced the legislation because Friday, March 30. By that date, bills must allows pet owners to collect non-economic he was frustrated with state law that offered pass out of necessary policy committees in damages when the pet is killed by an un- no recourse other than suing for the mon- their house of origin. lawful, intentional or negligent act of an- etary value of the pet — putting pets on par The second committee deadline will be other person or their animal. The law allows with any other personal property loss. He Thursday, April 12. By that date, bills other the owner to collect up to $4,000 in com- said the law attempts to address the grief than those containing appropriations will pensation for the emotional damage that is issues connected with losing a pet. have to be passed out of all policy commit- tees in both the House and the Senate. associated with the loss of a pet. No other state has a similar law, which The third deadline will be Wednesday, Prior to the passing of the law, pet own- only applies to incorporated areas of coun- April 25. All omnibus finance bills will have ers could only recover the cost of replacing ties with populations of 75,000 or more. The to pass out of committee by that date. the animal plus the cost of veterinary bills. law exempts farmers who kill dogs that are Of course, there are exceptions to the The law’s chief sponsor, Sen. Steve Cohen, killing or “worrying” their livestock. deadlines. The taxes committees and rules a Democrat from Memphis, lost his 12-year committees in both bodies are exempt. And (D. Maeda) old Shih-Tzu, T-Bo, in August 1999 when a a bill can be heard after the deadlines if the rules committee in either body grants permission.

30 March 2, 2001 Continued from page 14 a site manager for Youthbuild at The City, Inc., in Minneapolis. He noted that carpentry com- panies are most aggressive in pursuing Youthbuild workers. Jamie Janezich is a case manager for the Ar- rowhead Youthbuild program in Virginia. He Visits by more diverse groups to the Capi- get her husband’s government allowance said that area is losing a lot of jobs, but the people tol are likely the result of an ongoing effort increased. in the program are on their own, earning money, to educate the general public about the leg- Blaisdell was not successful with state and many have moved into unsubsidized hous- islative process. The more citizens learn that elected officials, so she made trips to Wash- ing. It gives youth a sense of community, and they can make a difference in what bills are ington D.C. to confront the Minnesota con- respect for community, he said. introduced and how lawmakers vote, the gressional delegation. She soon was given “This erases a stigma that they’re just run- more they show up to make their voices the name the “Minnesota Blizzard,” for ning around,” Janezich said. “It gives them heard. “storming” the halls of Congress on her opportunities to meet their goals.” Positive activities by organizations like own behalf. Lonnie Thomas, Jr., who attends Summit the League of Women Voters and the Min- The “Blizzard” would converge on the of- Academy in Minneapolis, said there was a time nesota Council of Nonprofits have greatly fices of members of Congress with bellig- when he hated to go to school, but now he increased know-how for people to be erence and determination to get a bill loves it. He wants to go into real estate and directly involved in public policy. introduced for her husband. She also tried business, and buy houses he could fix up and Associations and constituents from many to get a pension for herself, having served sell. Youthbuild paved the way. legislative districts throughout as a nurse at Fort Snelling. “At first I didn’t see my future; now I see it,” the state all have a “Day at the She was such a terror for al- he said. Capitol.” most 20 years, that members And there are a few indi- of the Minnesota delegation viduals who seem to spend such as Knute Nelson, who days, and even weeks, at the was the state’s governor from Capitol promoting their cause. 1893-95, would often go into Continued from page 16 One visitor, who is still fight- hiding when she was in town. measurement is being developed. ing taxes imposed on her prop- The “Blizzard” continued to Rep. Dale Swapinski (DFL-Duluth), who lives erty 15 years ago, continues to nag politicians and business- in the area served by a grant-funded, after-school bring flyers and written mate- men back at home to pay for enrichment program, said the juvenile crime rate rials to the House Post Office her many trips to Washington. in his neighborhood “seems to have fallen” since for the members’ mailboxes. Maria Jane Blaisdell Once there, U.S. senators and the program went into effect. Another is seen daily as he talks representatives gave her small “Juvenile crime has gone down in the north to lawmakers or testifies about the rights sums to return home after she could make side in the past four years,” said Kia. “Can I of the homeless. no headway for her cause. say it’s all due to after-school enrichment pro- Another visitor literally set up an office Like Blaisdell’s actions in the past, and a grams? No, but I know it’s a big factor.” in the hallway on the first floor of the State couple of individuals who now show up at Another program previously receiving state Office Building for preparing and collating the State Capitol, staff and members can financing is Guard Our Youth, which uses materials to hand out to the Legislature. always be assured of having visitors. National Guard armories for after-school pro- While these actions are all demonstra- One unforgettable visitor shows up to grams for at-risk and under-served youth. tions of people being involved in a demo- complain each year, not at the Capitol, but Gary Bloedel, of the state Department of Mili- cratic process, one Minnesotan of note is at the House and Senate Information tary Affairs, said the program serves 75,000 youth possibly the most colorful. Born Maria Jane booths at the Minnesota State Fair. Her is- each year at 13 locations. State funds go to pay a Quiggle, she did not go unnoticed, for she sue, while not reliable, is about eliminat- coordinator for the programs. The facilities are was tall, imposing in stature, and vocal. She ing placement of human waste on public open on a gratis basis. married a Civil War veteran and, through property. She wants to see public toilet Gov. Jesse Ventura has recommended a bud- her advocacy, helped to make the Blaisdell kiosks in neighborhoods and downtown. get increase of 4.8 percent for after-school name well known in the state. She has ranted and complained for four enrichment grants. He has not supported any Mrs. Blaisdell “had an obsession that she or five years now. Someday her problem increases for community education programs, was a person of consequence politically.” may be solved. At least she’s learned where nor has he supported continuing the Guard She made a nuisance of herself on many to express her concerns. Our Youth program. visits during the 1880s from the Blaisdell The committee took no action on HF646, home in Pelican Rapids to St. Paul and Min- LECLAIR GRIER LAMBERT but will consider it for inclusion in the neapolis. Here she would call on prominent committee’s omnibus bill. political leaders and needle them to try and

Photo of Maria Jane Blaisdell from the book 101 Best Stories of Minnesota by Merle Potter, 1956, © Schmitt Publications Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

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

INNESOTA M INDEX FOR MORE INFORMATION

State government finances For general information, call: House Information Office Total state revenues for fiscal year 2001, excluding federal grants, in billions .... $15.86 (651) 296-2146 or Revenue from individual income tax, in billions ...... $5.93 1-800-657-3550 Revenue from sales tax, in billions ...... $4.50 Revenue from other taxes (motor vehicle fuels and licenses, cigarettes To obtain a copy of a bill, call: and tobacco, etc.), in billions ...... $2.05 Chief Clerk’s Office Total state spending, for fiscal year 2001, excluding federal funds, in billions ...... $16 (651) 296-2314 Amount for Pre K-12 education, including family and early childhood education spending, in billions ...... $4.51 To find out about bill introductions or the status of a specific bill, call: Amount for health and human services, in billions ...... $3.32 House Index Office Amount for transportation, in billions ...... $2.06 (651) 296-6646 Amount for property tax aids, in billions ...... $1.71 Amount for higher education, in billions ...... $1.40 For an up-to-date recorded message General Fund spending for fiscal year 2001, in billions ...... $13.12 giving committee meeting times and Fiscal year 2001 state sales tax rate for general items and motor vehicles, agendas, call: as percent...... 6.5 Committee Hotline For liquor, wine and beer sales, as percent...... 9 (651) 296-9283 For motor vehicle rentals, as percent ...... 12.7 2000 sales tax rebate, in millions ...... $635 The House of Representatives can be 1999 sales tax rebate, in billions ...... $1.3 reached on the World Wide Web at: State motor fuels tax, per gallon ...... $.20 http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us Corporate franchise tax, as percent of federal taxable income after numerous adjustments ...... 9.8 Cigarette and tobacco products tax per pack...... $.48 Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. As percent of wholesale price of tobacco products ...... 35 To ask questions or leave messages, Insurance premiums basic tax, as percent of premium paid ...... 2 call: Gambling revenue in fiscal year 2000, in millions...... $160 TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or Percent from the lottery ...... 54 1-800-657-3550 Percent from lawful gambling ...... 45.3 State debt obligations outstanding as of Nov. 1, 2000, in billions ...... $6.6 Check your local listings to watch General obligations, in billions ...... $2.61 House committee and floor sessions on TV. Equipment leases, in millions...... $46 Agency obligations, in billions ...... $3.94 Largest agency obligation (Housing Finance), in billions...... $1.98 General obligation debt authorized, but not yet issued, in millions ...... $772 This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling Source: Minnesota Data Book for Legislators, House Research Department, January 2001. (651) 296-2146 voice, (651) 296-9896 TTY, or (800) 657-3550 toll free voice and TTY.