Session Weekly February 28, 2003, Volume 20, Number 8

FEBRUARY 28, 2003 VOLUME 20, NUMBER 8

In this issue:

IMMIGRANT FARMING PLAN

U OF M REGENTS, NANOTECHNOLOGY, AND MORE

HF561-HF667 ESSION S Weekly Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. During the 2003-2004 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 Services 175 State Office Building Agriculture • 5 Higher Education • 9 Local Government • 12 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Children • 5 Housing • 9 Military • 13 (651) 296-2146 or Education • 6 Human Services • 10 Recreation • 14 1-800-657-3550 Energy • 7 Humanities • 10 Safety • 14 TTY (651) 296-9896 Government • 8 Insurance • 11 Transportation • 15 Director Health • 8 Law • 11 Barry LaGrave Assistant Director LeClair G. Lambert FEATURES At Issue: Environment— A bill moving through the House would move the Min- Editor/Assistant Director nesota Conservation Corps to the nonprofit sector. • 16 Michelle Kibiger Assistant Editor At Issue: Higher Education— A joint House-Senate education committee nomi- Mike Cook nated a slate of candidates for the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents Art & Production Coordinator Feb. 26. • 17 Paul Battaglia At Issue: Technology— A Minnesota technology institute hopes to be on the cut- Writers ting edge of an emerging scientific advancement called nanotechnology • 18 Miranda Bryant, Patty Janovec, Jeff Jones, Tom Lonergan People— Gov. Orville Freeman, the state’s first DFL governor and later agriculture secretary to two presidents, died Feb. 20. He was 84. • 19 Chief Photographer Tom Olmscheid People — Rep. Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield) hopes he can connect his back- Photographers ground in agriculture, business, and education as a new representative. • 20 Andrew Von Bank, Kristine Larsen People — Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Mpls) brings a background in several com- Office Manager munity organizations, including the Metropolitan Council, to his new role as a Nicole Wood legislator. • 21 Staff Assistants Christy Novak, Joseph Rude People — Rep. Dean Simpson (R-New York Mills) has moved to the Legislature after more than two decades in local government. • 22 Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is published weekly during the legislative session by the People — Rep. Judy Soderstrom (R-Mora) first got to know her district as a real Minnesota House of Representatives Public estate agent and then by running for the Minnesota House. • 23 Information Services, 175 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes DEPARTMENTS/RESOURCES to Session Weekly, Public Information Services, Minnesota House of Representatives, It’s a Fact: Employee input 4 Committee Schedule (March 3-7) 29 175 State Office Building, St. Paul, Resources: 2003 Minnesota House of Reflections: 1920s economy 31 MN 55155-1298. Representatives and Senate 24, 25 Minnesota Index: State Parks 32 Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, Bill Introductions (HF561 – HF667) 26 30% post-consumer content. On the cover: A Capitol visitor walks through the light streaming from one of the French doors on the second floor of the Capitol as temperatures reached over 40 degrees.

— Photo by Kristine Larsen 2 February 28, 2003 IRST READING F★ ★ ★

obtaining loans have squeezed dairy farmers, particularly those with herds of less than 100 Opening up opportunities cows. Several farmers testified in support of the bill, Bill would allow farmers from other countries to own and and farm-related organizations, including the operate Minnesota dairy farms Farm Bureau, Minnesota Dairy Leaders Roundtable, Livestock Development Authority and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Associa- BY TOM LONERGAN Minnesota with 16 million people and 1.2 tion, submitted statements of support. he farmer’s market is global and million dairy cows. During the last 10 years, Harv Schoon of Verndale, said his 900-cow Minnesota may tap other parts of the he said, Dutch farmers have moved to other dairy farm has been for sale for a year. “My Tworld to find more dairy farmers. continents as well as to the states of Michigan, phone hasn’t rung,” said Schoon. He’s cut A bill approved Feb. 26 by the House Agri- Indiana, and Iowa. 23 of 30 workers and laid off a veterinarian culture Policy Committee would ease the “We’d prefer they were in Minnesota,” for his herd. “I don’t have the money to in- state’s restrictions on foreign ownership of Markham said. vest,” he said. “If I did, it farmland. Sponsored by Rep. Greg Blaine Minnesota is the could be profitable.” (R-Little Falls), HF447 could potentially open only state in the nation Ron Tobkin, a farmer the state’s doors to farmers from other coun- that doesn’t recognize from Perham, said the tries. Bill supporters say it could bolster the holders of the invest- bill easing restrictions state’s declining dairy industry. ment visas as “perma- on farm ownership Rural Minnesota “is in a crisis situation,” nent residents” for the could be the dairy Blaine said, citing the struggles faced by dairy purpose of owning industry’s “only salva- and livestock farmers. “This is not a cure all farmland. Last year tion.” He attended a or a complete answer,” he said. “It is a tool.” Iowa changed its farm January trade show in There was no discussion of the bill’s cost, if ownership law to rec- the Netherlands with any, to the state. ognize the visa holders. farm business represen- The bill, referred to the House Civil Law Minnesota also re- tatives and said that Committee, would amend state law to broaden stricts certain forms of Dutch farmers would be the definition of a “permanent resident alien corporate farm owner- interested in buying ex- of the United States” to include holders of ship. isting Minnesota farms E-2 investment visas. The state’s restric- or starting new ones. The federal government allows citizens of tion on farmland own- Roger Heller, of the countries that have a treaty with the United ership is not Minnesota Dairy Broker States to remain in the country under special “anti-immigrant,” said Association, spoke in visa status because they’ve invested in an eco- Rep. Kent Eken (DFL- support of the bill. He’s nomic enterprise. The visa remains in effect Twin Valley), who op- visited farms in the as long as the person operates the business. poses the bill. “The law Netherlands and said However, the state’s “alien farm law” which keeps absentee owners Dutch farmers “want to requires that 80 percent of a farming enter- from other countries take a look” at the state. prise be owned by a U.S. citizen or a perma- taking wealth out of the “They are interested in nent resident alien does not currently state,” Eken said. living in Minnesota.” recognize holders of the investment visas. There are now less Rep. Mary Ellen Doug Spanier, a policy analyst with the state than 6,500 dairy Otremba (DFL-Long Agriculture Department, said families from farms in the state, Prairie) asked Heller the Netherlands, Ireland, and Canada have down from 7,800 just why there was an as- contacted the state. “They want to become citi- two years ago, accord- sumption a Dutch zens and farm here,” Spanier said. It can take ing to the Agriculture farmer could operate a up to five years for a person to gain citizen- Department. A No- dairy farm profitably, ship after permanent resident status, he said. vember 2002 depart- given depressed milk PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Kurt Markham, director of agricultural ment survey of 700 Harv Schoon of Verndale, who milks 900 cows, prices and other difficult marketing services, said the department sup- state dairy farmers re- testifies before the House Agriculture Policy conditions, compared to ports the bill. Farmers from the Netherlands ported that more than Committee Feb. 26 in favor of a bill that would state farmers. can’t expand in their home country, he said, one-third of the re- lift restrictions on immigrants to own farmland “The Dutch have a because of urban sprawl and restrictions on spondents doubted in the state. dairy ethic,” Heller said, dairy herds. “They need to move,” Markham they’d be milking cows in 10 years. Low milk including “a love of cows and a love of the in- said. The country is one-fifth the size of prices, high operating debt and difficulty dustry.” He said the bill does not imply

Session Weekly 3 Employee input Freeman started idea whereby workers’ ideas saved the state money Gov. Orville Freeman expended consid- year the board rewarded 56 employees for erable energy, and wind with several lengthy suggestions that saved taxpayers more than Dairy operations such as this one could be pur- speeches, crusading for reorganization of $20,000 and that resulted in better and more chased and operated by farmers who immigrate government in the mid- to late-1950s. Three rapid services.” to Minnesota from other countries, under a bill times toward the end of that decade he pro- The board’s five members all worked for moving through the House. posed plans for reshaping the state’s meth- the state. State law required that they served Minnesota farmers are “not efficient.” A farm ods of providing government services. on the board in addition to their regular du- broker in four states, Heller said, “neighbor- These pleas are chronicled in a number of ties and received no additional compensation. ing states don’t have dairy farms for sale. Min- speeches he delivered to the Legislature. Under the auspices of the state’s Depart- nesota does.” Farms remain on the market for In 1955, the Legislature enacted some of ment of Administration, the board and the “a long, long time,” Heller added. Freeman’s proposals, but a legal glitch in system it oversaw created so many suggestions Dennis Ritter, a Melrose dairy farmer and the engrossment process following enact- that after the first decade, additional staff was member of the Stearns Country Dairy Advi- ment rendered them invalid. However, one required to assist with its operation. An in- sory Committee, said there were at least 40 thing stuck – a 1955 session law authorized tern was granted in 1968 to help keep up with farms for sale in the state. “If Minnesota is the State Employees suggestions. going to have a viable dairy industry, the law Merit Award Board. The 1969 report of needs to be changed,” Ritter said. Amending Appointed by the the board commented the law would give farmers “the right to sell to governor, members on the situation, stat- interested buyers,” he said, “to grow our de- of the board were ing, “It became appar- clining dairy industry.” charged with encour- ent to the board The committee rejected an amendment, aging and soliciting members that if the sponsored by Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar), suggestions from state employees sug- which would have restricted ownership by in- state employees re- gestion system was to vestment visa holders to 640 acres of state ag- garding ways state survive, some reorga- ricultural land. Juhnke said the state’s farmers government could be nization and full-time are concerned about “foreign ownership and more efficient. The Secretaries at the University of Minnesota staff was required.” corporate ownership.” He said the amendment board would also are presented with awards of appreciation That year, additional was “comfort language.” make recommenda- in 1955. funds were appropri- “I have trouble putting limitations on busi- tions about the suggestions, and measure ated for support staff and publicity. From ness,” Blaine said. “We don’t cap growth on financial savings realized as a result of the 1969 to 1972, the suggestions received by businesses in other areas.” employees’ suggestions. the board increased from 169 to more than The bill would require the investment visa And for their good stewardship, employ- 900. And savings calculated from the sug- holders purchasing state farmland to report ees could receive cash rewards. gestions rose above $500,000 for the three- the purchase to the state within 30 days of the “The public employee is often criticized year period from 1970 to 1972. transaction. in a general and sweeping fashion for be- According to board reports, the highway Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City), a history ing part of a sprawling bureaucracy with department, now the state Department of teacher, drew a similarity between easing the questionable efficiency,” Freeman said in a Transportation, offered the most sugges- state’s farm ownership restriction with the speech to the Legislature in February 1959. tions, and also received the highest amount nation’s encouragement of European immi- “The truth is – and our experience of the in cash rewards. The highest award overall gration under the Homestead Act in 1862. “We last four years is evidence of this fact – that was typically about $500. are a nation that provides opportunity,” he our employees are eager to improve the The Legislative Reference Library only has said. work of our government. They need only reports through 1972 for the merit award Tim McNamara, vice president of AgStar leadership that is interested in such im- board. However, it wasn’t until 1984 that the Financial Services, a farm credit company, said provement and they will respond with en- law authorizing the board was repealed. the state’s restrictive law puts it at a “signifi- thusiasm and dedication.” In its place, lawmakers authorized the cant disadvantage” compared to other agricul- Freeman also suggested that the most ef- commissioner of the Department of Ad- tural states. “People will immigrate,” he said. fective evaluations of government efficien- ministration to create an endowment fund “The question is will they come here?” cies occurred in the day-to-day activities of to reward state agencies and state employ- There are 9,000 fewer dairy farmers in the state employees. However, because of the ees for “improving productivity and service state than there were in 1990, he said, and 33 “undramatic” nature of those activities, quality.” That law says gift money must be percent fewer cows. “The bogeyman here is not they often go unnoticed and unappreciated. used to establish the fund and interest earn- alien farm ownership or large farm owner- “The successful operation of our merit ings may be appropriated for awards. ship,” said McNamara. “It’s no dairy farms.” award board, created in 1955, is one striking (M. Kibiger) The bill has no Senate companion. illustration,” Freeman said. “For example, last Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

4 February 28, 2003 IGHLIGHTS F EBRUARY 20 - 27, 2003 H★ ★ ★

Inspections of stores carrying low risk items (R-Excelsior), said it would lessen centers’ de- ★ AGRICULTURE could be cut to once every three years, and in- pendence on outside substitute teachers. Ex- spections of stores selling perishable foods and perienced aides are a logical alternative, she Recommended reductions high risk items that involve more food han- said, because they are familiar with the chil- A 50 percent cut in ethanol producer pay- dling could also occur less frequently, dren they would supervise. “You tend to trust ments and a change in the way the payments Hugoson said. Stores selling high-risk foods your own people that you’ve trained in your are determined top a list of agriculture-related are now inspected annually. own facility rather than bringing in a sub,” budget reductions proposed by Gov. Tim The committee took no action on the pro- Sykora said. Pawlenty for the 2004-05 biennium. posal at the meeting. Similar legislation passed in 1999 is set to Commissioner Gene Hugoson outlined the expire this year. Opponents of that legislation Department of Agriculture’s proposed two- suggested changes that appear in this year’s year budget Feb. 20 for members of the House version and many now support the measure, Agriculture and Rural Development Finance ★ CHILDREN Sykora said. Committee. Ann Kanner-Roth, who represents Child Substitute teachers The governor recommended a $134.6 mil- Care Works, a coalition of child-care provid- Licensed child-care providers would gain lion total agriculture budget for fiscal years ers in Minnesota, was one of those opponents increased flexibility in filling-in for absent 2004-05, including $70.7 million in state gen- three years ago. But with the addition of pro- teachers, under a bill approved by the House eral funds. That amount is $6.4 million less visions for parental notification and four Health and Human Services Policy Commit- than appropriated for the current biennium months of on-site experience for the aides, tee Feb. 26. ending June 30. About one-half of the Kanner-Roth says her organization now sup- HF419 would allow “experienced aides” to department’s budget is supported by license ports the measure. “This legislation helps continue filling in for teachers without super- and inspection fees, a number that would be child-care centers to be more flexible with their vision for up to one-quarter of a center’s daily increased under the governor’s proposal. staff while doing no harm to the children in hours, as long as notice is posted in the class- Pawlenty would cut the ethanol credit paid to their care,” she said. room. Experienced aides must be at least 20 13 mostly rural-based ethanol production plants Rep. Fran Bradley (R-Rochester) said post- years old, be certified in first-aid and CPR, and from 20 cents to 10 cents a gallon effective ing notices about the aides in classrooms made have a minimum of two years of child-care July 1, 2003 and total annual ethanol payments them seem a bit like criminals. “I hope we will experience, including at least four months at to a producer would be capped at $1.5 million learn to respect that someone with two years that center. They are not required to have compared to the current $3 million. The changes of experience can be trusted, maybe even more teaching certification. would result in the state keeping $32.5 million than someone coming right out of (teacher during fiscal years 2004-05. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Barb Sykora The governor also wants the formula determining quarterly ethanol payments to be con- ZOO DAY ditioned on whether at least 51 percent of an ethanol production business is directly owned by farmers. The payments are now based on a plant’s eligible production capacity. Pawlenty would also dedicate 10 percent of the state’s ethanol appropriation for “financial hardship payments” to plants in economic difficulty. The financial hardship payment of 5 cents per gallon would be in addition to a plant’s base payment. The proposed changes would require amending state law. “I don’t believe it’s going to hurt all of (the industry),” Hugoson said regarding the governor’s proposal. “Some (plants) will have problems.” The department’s operational budget would be cut 10 percent, or $4.2 million, for 2004-05. Vacated positions would not be filled in the department and layoffs could also occur, Hugoson said. That could lead to 15 full-time position cuts and potentially affect the regularity of food inspections. PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK The department inspects approximately Russell Thomas, 20 months, of Roberts, Wis. gets up-close and personal with an African hedge- 6,000 grocery stores and food processing fa- hog handled by zoo volunteer Sue Olson during the annual Minnesota Zoo Day at the Capitol cilities annually and contracts with local gov- Feb. 27. ernments to inspect several thousand more.

Session Weekly 5 certification) education.” districts because of differences in the value of Additional unallotment Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long their property tax base. Additional fiscal year 2003 budget cuts to Prairie) felt differently. “When I look at a sign Bradley Lundell, executive director of K-12 supplemental education programs and in a classroom that says ‘experienced aide,’ Schools for Equity in Education, which repre- grants were announced Feb. 25 by state that’s a positive thing for me,” she said. sents 54 school districts, said his group Finance Commissioner Dan McElroy. The bill, which has no Senate companion, “strongly supports” the governor’s education On Feb. 7 Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced now goes to the House floor. budget. He said the proposal offers “the larg- $21.2 million in cuts to the education pro- est single increase” in equalization aid to dis- grams. The revised “unallotments” made by tricts since the formula was established in the governor’s administration brought the to- 1991. “This is a giant step in the right direc- tal current year budget reductions in educa- ★ EDUCATION tion,” Lundell said. tion programs to $25.9 million. The cuts do He said the proposed formula increase in not affect the classroom instruction budgets School funding concerns the equalization aid is important, because with of K-12 education. While spared the cuts proposed for other no increased state aid to education proposed Officials from the Department of Children, state programs, K-12 public education won’t by the governor for the next two years, “more Families and Learning reviewed the cuts for remain unscathed during the 2004-05 bien- and more districts will be seeking money the House Education Finance Committee. nium despite a “hold harmless” budget pledge through the referendum levy.” Previously unannounced cuts included from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The committee took no action on the $3.2 million to the Minnesota Economic Op- That was the message from representatives governor’s proposal at the meeting. portunity Grant program, which provides of the state school board association and the skills and information to low-income resi- teachers’ union who testified Feb. 26 before the dents to help them toward self-sufficiency, and House Education Finance Committee. $500,000 to Head Start Innovation Grants, Teacher leaves of absence “There will be cuts in education,” said Bob which are awarded to innovative proposals that Leaves of absence for public school teach- Meeks, representing the Minnesota School meet federal Head Start goals, but go beyond ers to teach at a charter school would be more Boards Association. “No one should be fooled.” the basic performance standards. The admin- strictly defined, under a bill approved Feb. 25 Cheryl Furrer, representing Education Min- istration also cut an additional $850,000 from by the House Education Policy Committee. nesota, said the statewide teachers union was the telecommunication access account. That Sponsored by Rep. Carla Nelson (R-Roch- glad education wasn’t “hit as hard” as other account was cut $1.5 million earlier this ester), HF424 would amend state law by plac- state spending areas, but the governor’s bud- month. ing a five-year length on such leaves granted get proposal, “really isn’t an increase. Class- Previously announced grant cuts were ei- by a school district. The law now allows a leave rooms will not be untouched,” she said. “All ther reduced by contractual obligations, al- to be granted for the number of years re- things have an impact on the classroom.” ready committed spending, or reflected a quested by a teacher. The bill would also give The committee also heard testimony from 30-day notice to grant recipients the adminis- school boards the authority to consider ex- several parents and administrators for early tration was required to follow. tending a teacher’s leave beyond five years. childhood and student after-school programs, The administration recovered $2.2 million State law now requires a school district to ex- which face cuts in the governor’s proposal. from Tax Increment Financing district accounts tend the leave at the teacher’s request. According to the nonpartisan House Fiscal and about $1.3 million from special education “Five years is sufficient time for a charter Analysis Department, the governor’s 2004-05 accounts monitored by the education depart- school to become established and for teachers biennium budget proposes spending $12 billion ment. All the additional revenue was transferred to determine if it’s a good fit,” said Nelson, who in state general funds for K-12 education and to the state’s general fund under “unallotment” is a teacher. early childhood education. The other major piece authority state law provides the executive branch Speaking in support of the bill was Jerry of the revenue pie for public education is prop- to balance the state’s budget. Williams, superintendent of Rochester Public erty taxes. Locally generated revenue will pro- The state constitution requires the budget Schools. He said defining the length of leaves vide $2.8 billion in education funding during the be balanced on June 30, 2003, the end of the would help districts find substitutes willing to next two years, according to the governor’s current fiscal year. The Pawlenty administra- fill the position a teacher vacates by transfer- proposal. tion began cutting the budget in early Febru- ring to a charter school. Statewide revenue per pupil will increase by ary after the Legislature failed to reach an There are 78 charter schools operating in $6 for fiscal year 2004, according to the House agreement to erase an anticipated the state, under a law the Legislature approved fiscal analysis, a 0.1 percent increase from the $356 million budget deficit for fiscal 2003. current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2003. in 1991. Under current law, school districts Between fiscal years 2004 and 2005, statewide must grant a teacher’s written request for a revenue per pupil does not increase at all. leave to teach in a charter school, and teachers “It is flat funding going forward as far as maintain reinstatement rights to the position Getting the best workers general education revenue goes,” said Rep. they vacated, as well as seniority, salary, and Companies in the process of hiring new Alice Seagren (R-Bloomington), the commit- insurance rights under their union contract employees often have a hard time getting good tee chair. with the school district. information about the candidates. Representatives of rural school districts and Referred to the House floor, the bill would Employers, says Rep. Jim Knoblach districts considered to have low property take effect the day after enactment by the Leg- (R-St. Cloud), are reluctant to pass on signifi- wealth applauded the governor’s proposed islature. A companion bill in the Senate cant information about their employees to budget for increasing referendum equalization (SF450), sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden other companies for fear of expensive lawsuits funding. That funding is meant to equalize tax (IP-Rochester), has been referred to the Sen- resulting when an employee thinks the infor- levy revenue disparities between school ate Education Committee. mation shared hurt their chance to get a job.

6 February 28, 2003 He says the result can have dangerous conse- quences when information that might be TAX-FREE ZONES passed along deals with violent behavior, illegal activity, or sexual misconduct in the work- place. On Feb. 26, the House Civil Law Commit- tee approved a Knoblach-sponsored bill (HF480) that would seek to ease communica- tion between employers by making it harder to bring suit against companies that relay certain types of information. It next goes to the House floor. The bill would allow companies, without consent from the employee, to pass along basic employment information like wages and job description as well as written disclosures of any instances of theft, harassment, violence, or other illegal conduct that has been documented in the employee’s record. Employees wanting to bring suit based on release of that information would have to meet a high burden of proof by showing clear and con- vincing evidence that the information was both knowingly incorrect and harmful to them. PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID A provision in the bill dealing specifically Louis Jambois, a senior executive officer with the Department of Trade and Economic Devel- with schools would require districts to share opment, uses graphics to describe Job Opportunity Building Zones during a Feb. 27 hearing of the House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee. documented information about sexual misconduct or violence towards a student. Such and referred to the House Environment and Olmsted County, said the seven “mass burn” information is already public if an employee Natural Resources Policy Committee. plants combust about 547,000 tons of solid was fired as a result of the misconduct, but the HF208 would also amend state law to allow waste per year. The three plants burning solid bill specifies the information must be shared a waste-to-energy facility to be defined as “eli- waste derived fuel consume about 887,000 even if the employee resigned. gible energy technology,” joining other renew- tons of solid waste annually. Representatives of Minnesota’s business com- able sources that generate electricity, including A coalition of 16 environmental, recycling, munity testified that the bill would help them hire solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric. and conservation groups opposed the bill. the best possible workers and ensure the safety Seven combustion plants in the state now “The burning of trash pollutes our envi- of their employees and the public. burn residential and commercial mixed mu- ronment with deadly emissions of dioxins and Labor union representatives testified against nicipal solid waste, generating 100 megawatts the neurotoxin mercury,” according to a state- the bill, saying employees would not be made of electricity that’s used by utilities for backup. ment from Minnesotans for an Energy-Effi- aware of what information had been shared They’re located in Rochester, Minneapolis, cient Economy. The group said solid waste between employers. They also claimed the high Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Perham, Fosston, and incineration “competes with the tried-and- burden of proof it would set up would make near Red Wing. Another three plants in Elk true energy conservation system of recycling.” it virtually impossible for employees to suc- River, Red Wing, and Mankato combust refuse Incineration plant advocates said waste cessfully prove an employer lied about their derived fuel that’s prepared from mixed solid combustion was a clean source of energy due work record and they were convincingly waste. to recently adopted federal air emission stan- harmed as a result. Kuisle said that amending the law would dards and pollution control equipment the A similar bill passed both houses of the Leg- allow the solid waste burning plants to sell plants have installed in recent years. islature in 2001, but stalled in a conference their electricity at higher rates to utilities. State A companion bill (SF135), sponsored by committee. law promoting the development of renewable Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IP-Rochester), awaits a No Senate companion for this year’s bill has energy requires privately held utilities, munici- hearing in the Senate Commerce and Utilities been introduced. pal power agencies, and generation and trans- Committee. mission cooperatives to purchase 10 percent of their power supply from renewable sources ENERGY by 2015. ★ Supporters said the waste burning plants Schools savings plan A bill making it easier for schools and mu- Turning trash into energy could double the income they receive from nicipalities to enter into long-term energy sav- A bill (HF208), sponsored by Rep. William utilities if the energy they produced was clas- ings plans was approved Feb. 25 by the House Kuisle (R-Rochester), would amend state law sified as “renewable.” The plants are public- Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs to allow energy produced by waste combus- private partnerships developed during the past Committee. tion plants to be considered as a source for 20 years by county governments to reduce the Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Wardlow renewable energy. It was approved Feb. 26 by number of solid waste landfills in the state. (R-Eagan), HF394 now moves to the House the House Regulated Industries Committee Gene Mossing, solid waste manager for floor.

Session Weekly 7 The bill would extend the maximum length so as not to affect the state’s tuition reimburse- Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission be- of a guaranteed energy savings contract from ment program for those in the National Guard come self-sufficient, primarily through fees that 10 to 15 years. Under a 1983 law, school dis- with whom there are educational reimburse- would then be deposited in the state’s general tricts and municipalities can enter into agreement contracts. fund to offset the agency appropriation. ments for energy efficiency improvements, Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL-St. Paul) asked Finally, money for public broadcasting such as new lighting and heating and cooling about the total reduction in grants to the would be reduced by 24 percent. Haas said in systems. The upgrades are paid from the en- Vinland Center, which helps disabled veterans lieu of money given to public broadcasters for ergy cost savings over a period of time; no in their efforts to overcome barriers to employ- equipment upgrades in recent years, such as upfront cash payment is required. The entity ment. Rep. Bill Haas (R-Champlin), the com- $7.8 million two years ago, they should look receives the full benefit of lower energy costs mittee chair, said that department officials told into having the broadcasters provide legisla- after the upgrades have been paid. him there are similar services available feder- tive television coverage for free. Extending the maximum contract length ally, but at a better rate. would make it easier for entities to purchase Included under the heading of reorganiza- back-up generators, said Perry Schmidt, presi- tions and consolidations is the moving of the dent of Energy Services Group in Minneapo- Capitol Area Architectural and Planning ★ HEALTH lis. Generators often can’t be paid off in 10 Board to the Administration Department with years due to the cost of the machine and the a 20 percent reduction to its base budget. Reporting changes amount of the rate rebate from the utility com- Furthermore, $500,000 in funding is ap- Saying he hoped to strip away some legisla- pany, he added. proved for moves associated with reduced tively imposed red tape, Rep. Fran Bradley (R- The bill does not require that contracts be budgets or reorganizations. “The goal is to re- Rochester) brought a bill before the House fixed at 15 years; a lesser number of years duce space and rent costs,” King said. Health and Human Services Policy Commit- would be allowed. The governor’s plan also calls for the Min- tee Feb. 24 that would eliminate some report- Schmidt said 47 states in the nation have nesota Gambling Control Board and Minne- ing requirements for Minnesota hospitals. similar statutes, with the maximum contract sota Racing Commission to become entirely The bill (HF278) would repeal a law requir- length varying from 10 to 25 years. supported by fees. Tom Barrett, executive di- ing health care providers other than nursing Wardlow said he has not encountered any rector of the Minnesota Gambling Control homes to report expenditures above $500,000 opposition. Informed of the bill were associa- Board, said fees now cover about 37 percent in value. Such expenditures could include buy- tions representing townships, cities, and coun- of the agency’s budget. ing new pieces of medical equipment, offer- ties, as well as the Minnesota State Colleges Pawlenty is also recommending that the Cam- ing new types of medical services, or and Universities system. paign Finance and Public Disclosure Board and expanding facilities. A Senate companion bill (SF300), sponsored by Sen. Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins), awaits a committee hearing. BUDGET FORECAST RELEASED

★ GOVERNMENT Trimming state budgets Under Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget reduction plan for the next biennium, the budgets for the Legislature and the state’s constitu- tional officers would be reduced by 15 percent. That was just one idea presented to the House State Government Finance Committee Feb. 25. No action was taken at the meeting. “The governor wanted to provide a very broad brush in these areas,” said Merrill King, an executive budget officer with the Depart- ment of Finance. That same 15 percent reduction is proposed for the Administration, Employee Relations, and Finance Departments. PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID However, the Department of Revenue would State Economist Tom Stinson announces that the state is projected to be an additional face just a 6 percent base reduction, which can- $11 million short for the current biennium and $14 million short for 2004-05 biennium during not come from areas that would affect the the Feb. 27 release of the February economic forecast. Dan McElroy, the state finance commissioner, said that the budget proposal offered by state’s ability to collect revenue. Pawlenty on Feb. 18 includes changes that would solve the $11 million deficit for the fiscal The Department of Military Affairs would year that ends June 30. be reduced by just 1.5 percent to help ensure Although stating there are no big surprises in the forecast, McElroy and Stinson said the that there are sufficient numbers of soldiers threat of war and hopes of a fiscal stimulus package at the federal level will determine if the to respond to federal and state emergencies forecast will result in an additional downturn. Although it would be unusual, McElroy did not rule out releasing another forecast before the legislative session concludes. that may arise. The reductions are proposed

8 February 28, 2003 The reports, submitted to the Department thereby forcing the systems to use other meth- According to the housing agency’s legisla- of Health, are not required before the money ods to reduce costs, such as freezing employee tive director, Tonja Orr, the budget cuts would is spent, but the department has authority to benefits and salaries. result in the following: curtail an organization’s future spending if it In addition, $30 million from each system • 418 fewer housing units being served under does not consider the project necessary. would be moved to the State Grant Program in the Challenge and Urban Indian programs, The law represents a way for the state to the Higher Education Services Office. This is “to both of which fund new construction and make sure extravagant or unnecessary pur- ensure financial access and choice for rehabilitation of housing for rental and chases aren’t adding to the increase in health Minnesota’s students,” McElroy wrote. Total state homes-for-ownership; care costs. grant funding would equate to a 23 percent in- • 30 fewer households receiving rental assis- “This reporting requirement was put into crease over the current biennium level. tance under the Bridges program, which place in the early ’90s when we were informed Heather Johnston, a budget officer with the serves extremely low-income individuals about rapidly rising health care costs,” said Department of Finance, said that state grant with serious and persistent mental disabili- Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth). “We all funding is expected to be about $54 million short ties while they wait to qualify for federal or know those costs are on the rise again at two of demand this biennium and the money would other permanent housing subsidy to three times the rate of inflation.” also account for an expected 3 to 4 percent en- programs; Bradley said if anything, the reports submit- rollment increase at the university and MnSCU • 300 fewer households being granted home ted in conjunction with the law have proven institutions. She said a cap would remain in place foreclosure counseling or homeowner that such expenditures are not the cause of for private college students. training under resident and organizational rising costs. Out of 600 reports submitted The grant program stopped taking applica- and support programs, that fund since the law’s adoption in 1992, the Health tions Jan. 10 to ensure grants it already prom- homebuyer education and foreclosure Department has only taken action on two, ised for this year could be fulfilled. prevention; Bradley said. Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Robbinsdale) • 450 fewer households receiving down pay- Rep. Char Samuelson (R-New Brighton) questioned whether the $54 million number ments and closing-cost assistance under said hospitals deserve a break from govern- is accurate, noting that Higher Education Ser- the homeowner assistance program; ment bureaucracy. “I think there are too many vices Offices officials have a record of request- • 16 fewer households receiving mortgage or times when facilities like hospitals and nursing more money for grant needs, receiving it, rehabilitation assistance under the Tribal ing homes have to spend a lot of time as well and then not using it. The unused money was Indian Housing program; and as money preparing reports that end up going then cancelled back to the general fund instead • 63 fewer households receiving deferred loans somewhere else, like into the circular file, when of going elsewhere for higher education. “I for home rehabilitation under the rehabili- it’s all over,” she said. don’t mind a little fudge factor, but not mil- tation loan program. Huntley said he agrees with decreasing hos- lions of dollars,” he said. The latter three programs, which constitute pitals’ reporting loads, but he would prefer to Heegaard said Pawlenty understands those the home ownership loan programs, are see the $500,000 requirement raised rather concerns and is recommending that office of- funded through a combination of state appro- than repeal the law altogether. ficials consult with people outside their office priations, bond proceeds, and repayments of The committee approved the bill and re- when forecasting state grant need. “We do loans. ferred it to the House Health and Human Ser- agree that over the last 10, 20 years there have In addition, an unknown number of house- vices Finance Committee. A Senate companion been some remarkable inconsistencies, some holds wouldn’t be created or rehabilitated, and (SF505), sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden of that has been within their control and some some existing rentals wouldn’t receive rental (IP-Rochester), awaits committee action. has not,” she said. assistance under the Housing Trust Fund. The Many members had questions about how fund helps extremely low-income households the systems will respond to the proposed re- that in fiscal year 2002 had a median income ductions, and how will that affect tuition rates. of less than $6,000. More than 40 percent of ★ HIGHER EDUCATION Rep. Doug Stang (R-Cold Spring), the com- those residents were people of color. mittee chair, said answers to those questions And, an unknown number of landlords may Governor recommendations should be received next week when represen- opt out of the federally assisted housing pro- In the 2004-05 biennium, Gov. Tim tatives of the university and MnSCU are ex- gram (Section 8 funding) due to a reduction Pawlenty is recommending funding reduc- pected to begin testifying. in special Minnesota Housing Finance Agency tions to both the University of Minnesota and incentives and rehabilitation loans for new or Minnesota State Colleges and Universities existing owners. Federally subsidized housing (MnSCU) system. tenants are generally among the lowest income “The university and MnSCU share in a ★ HOUSING households served by the agency, according to 14 percent reduction in operational funding, Living arrangement woes documentation provided by officials. $179 million for the university and $174 million The proposed 2004-05 state allocation for Low-income individuals, as well as those of for MnSCU,” state Finance Commissioner Dan the agency is $69.5 million — a 12 percent, or color or with disabilities, would have their McElroy wrote in a letter to legislators. $9.6 million, reduction from the previous housing subsidies and assistance programs cut However, Susan Heegaard from the biennium. or reduced under the governor’s 2004-05 bi- governor’s office told the House Higher Edu- State appropriations are less than ennial budget plan. cation Finance Committee Feb. 24 that 15 percent of the total agency budget. Bond The situation was spelled out Feb. 26 by the Pawlenty’s plan would help lessen the impact proceeds represent 44 percent, with federal Minnesota Housing Finance Agency before to students in a couple of ways. funds and agency resources comprising the the House Jobs and Economic Development First, Pawlenty proposes that tuition in- balance. creases be limited to 15 percent annually, Finance Committee.

Session Weekly 9 Security. His comments came at the meeting ★ HUMAN SERVICES of the House Jobs and Economic Development ★ HUMANITIES Finance Committee. Fighting for funds There are eight Centers for Independent Liv- Board funding eliminated People with disabilities, many in wheel- ing in the state: Hibbing, Rochester, Mankato, State funding for the Minnesota Humani- chairs, packed a hearing room Feb. 25 to pro- St. Cloud, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, ties Commission would be cut completely if test the proposed elimination of state funding Marshall, and the Twin Cities. The agency also Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed 2004-05 bud- for the Centers for Independent Living. provides independent living skills training, get is ultimately approved. The centers help people with disabilities live information and referral services, peer coun- The non-profit, founded in 1971 in affilia- independently, at times helping them move seling, and advocacy services. tion with the National Endowment for the from nursing homes or helping them remain Independent living encourages individuals Humanities, provides leadership, resources, in their personal residences. Their clients’ dis- to make their own decisions. Assistance may and programs that advance the study of hu- abilities include cognitive, mental and emo- include offering wheelchair ramps, interpret- manities and enhance the work of schools, tional, physical, hearing, and vision disorders. ers for those with hearing impairments, or colleges, and cultural organizations through- Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed 2004-05 bien- audiotape versions of printed material for out the state. nial budget eliminates $1.87 million annual those with visual impairments. President Stanley Romanstein said the com- funding beginning in 2004 to the Centers for The unique feature of the agency is that no mission has been encouraged by Pawlenty’s Independent Living, leaving them without state one is turned away based on diagnosis, geo- call for greater attention to content in class- funding. The agencies receive about $1.39 mil- graphic location, age, income, or severity of rooms. The Minnesota Humanities Commis- lion in funding from the federal government. disability. sion, he said, works consistently to provide “This cut hurts,” said Harry Mares, commis- “We catch the people that fall through the content and knowledge to Minnesota’s teach- sioner of the state Department of Economic cracks,” said David Hancox, executive direc- ers for classroom use. tor of the Metro Center For example, Romanstein said, the commis- for Independent Living, sion sponsored a two-day seminar on world on behalf of all the cen- religions in August 2001. That education ters. “We serve the helped teachers explain the Islamic faith to stu- people that nobody else dents when certain Islamic fundamentalists will serve.” were linked to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The agency served The commission is at a loss to understand 3,537 people in 2002. the proposed elimination of state funding, Thirty-five people were which represents one-third of its budget, moved from nursing Romanstein said. The state appropriation in homes and 225 individu- fiscal years 2002-03 was slightly more than als were aided in avoiding $2 million, much of which is used to match institutionalization, sav- federal funds. In addition to the proposed ing the state $2.6 million, 2004-05 state appropriation elimination, the Hancox said. 2003 budget shortfall fix had the governor Budget cuts would cutting $240,000 from the humanities mean the agency could commission. only serve 707 people. “I’m confused, my colleagues are confused, Only seven individuals and so are the 35,000 Minnesotans with whom could be moved from we work directly every year,” said Romanstein, nursing homes and testifying Feb. 20 before the House Jobs and 45 prevented from insti- Economic Development Finance Committee. tutionalization, Hancox No one from the governor’s office was at the said. committee meeting to comment. The Budget reductions governor’s budget summary, however, says would require the that despite the budget cut, funding for the agency to lay off 48 full- humanities is the second highest in the Mid- time employees, many west, second only to Michigan. of whom have disabili- The National Endowment for the Humani- ties, he added. ties recently released a five-year assessment of Nearly 400 letters pro- the Minnesota Humanities Commission’s testing the budget cuts work, finding it exemplary. have been sent to legisla- “The national endowment has called us a tors and the governor model and an inspiration for the rest of the from Centers for Inde- nation,” Romanstein said. Dean Boyington, left, of Maple Grove and Steve Oachs of Mankato listen pendent Living clients. The commission also promotes family lit- Feb. 25 as David Hancox and Randy Sorenson tell the House Jobs and The committee took eracy, offers humanities grants, and sponsors Economic Development Finance Committee the effects Gov. Tim no action on the pro- forums to encourage older adult learning in Pawlenty’s proposed budget cuts would have on Centers for Independent the humanities. Living and their clients. posed cuts at the meeting.

10 February 28, 2003 ★ INSURANCE CYBER TROOPER Terrorism coverage Insurance coverage for acts of terrorism, which now is automatic on commercial property fire insurance policies, would be offered only for an additional fee under a bill that received committee support Feb. 13. Sponsored by Rep. Tim Wilkin (R-Eagan), HF267 was approved by the House Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Policy Committee and will be forwarded to the House floor. As it stands now, federal law requires commercial property fire insurance policies to include acts of foreign terrorism, even if the policy expressly states that terrorism is not covered. The special terrorism measure, which was temporary, was invoked through the federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Capt. Jay Swanson of the Minnesota State Patrol shows members of the House Transportation Under HF267, insurance companies would Policy Committee the computer located on the console of his patrol car as part of a Feb. 26 no longer be required to automatically pro- demonstration showing how the Departments of Public Safety and Transportation are using vide terrorism coverage on fire insurance poli- Intelligent Transportation Systems. cies. Clients instead would be given the choice to purchase the additional coverage. “We don’t tell our jurors about this system,” of the wrongdoers pay more,” he said. The bill applies only to commercial prop- he said. “We require them to apportion fault, The bill would increase the burden on the erty; residential insurance is excluded. but we don’t tell them that the person they judiciary at a time when budget cuts are al- Beverly Turner, a government affairs repre- found 20 percent at fault may be required to ready forcing cuts in to the state’s courts, said sentative for the St. Paul Companies, said her pay up to 100 percent of the damages.” Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound). firm supports the bill, as does the American Bill supporters said current law is unfair to The House passed a similar bill in 2001, but Insurance Association and the Insurance Fed- both local governments and to the rich. it never reached a vote in the Senate. This year’s eration of Minnesota. Wilkin added that he has “School districts and local units of govern- Senate companion (SF95), sponsored by Sen. received bipartisan support for the measure. ment are often seen as the ‘deep pockets’ when Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), awaits Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park) is the person or entity most responsible for the committee action. sponsoring a companion bill (SF176) in the damage is unable to pay,” said Rep. Joe Opatz Senate. It awaits a committee hearing. (DFL-St. Cloud). Rep. Eric Lipman (R-Lake Elmo) said, “If Clean up your work you are wealthy, you are held to a different le- A bill aimed at reducing the amount of graf- ★ LAW gal standard, because you can pay. That’s not fiti appearing on Minnesota walls, fences, and in the best traditions of justice.” train cars was approved by the House Civil Awarding damages Holding up photos of two young men killed Law Committee Feb. 25. Minnesota’s joint and several liability law, by drunk drivers, House Minority Leader Matt While graffiti is already punishable in crimi- which provides a way for an injured person or Entenza (DFL-St. Paul) said many such cases nal courts, HF339 would allow graffiti victims organization to collect damages even if a li- deal with drunken drivers who frequently do to collect up to three times the actual prop- able party is unable to pay its portion, would not have insurance. Current law has allowed erty damages from the offender in civil court. be significantly altered, under a bill passed by victims and families to get more compensa- Courts may order offenders to clean up the the House Feb. 24. tion for medical expenses from insured bar graffiti themselves as an alternative to paying Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Johnson owners who, while not mostly at fault, know- damages. If the offender were a minor, the bill (R-Plymouth), HF75 was approved 81-51. ingly served the intoxicated person alcohol and would make parents liable for up to $1,000 in Current law states that courts can force a did not keep them from driving. damages, plus attorney’s fees. defendant assigned at least 15 percent of the Rep. Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. Paul) esti- The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jim Davnie liability in a civil case to pay any costs other mated that less than 1 percent of personal in- (DFL-Mpls), told committee members that defendants are unable to pay themselves. jury cases fall under the disputed law. “It’s a graffiti — defined as any unauthorized mark- The bill would move the 15 percent thresh- rare instance, and it’s a dilemma. Who should ings scratched or painted onto someone else’s old to 50 percent and would eliminate a pro- pay more than their fair share?” he asked. If property that are visible to the public — is vision that can force defendants found less someone with 80 percent liability is unable to destructive and unsightly, and often produces than 15 percent liable to pay up to four times pay anything, Pugh said, the bill would leave fear in the community. that percentage under the same circumstances. the victim stuck with 80 percent of medical Davnie, another Minneapolis resident, and On the floor, Johnson called the existing law costs even though they were awarded the full two law enforcement officials all testified that “blatantly unfair.” amount. “I’d say, in that instance, let’s have one the bill would help bring more offenders to

Session Weekly 11 justice because of lower standards of evidence funding from the Federal Emergency Manage- by the county, according to state law. In this required in civil courtrooms. “A criminal court ment Agency in 2000 to deal with tornado way, Mulder said, Minnesota counties are es- requires either an eyewitness or a confession,” damage. That money was counted as part of sentially an extension of the state and have said Jack Baker, an attorney and resident of the revenue base from which state cuts are cal- little control over budgeting in certain pro- Minneapolis’ Lyndale neighborhood. “In the culated. grams, he added. civil courts, a preponderance of the evidence Considered “clearly fungible” were property The spectrum of county services include: is sufficient to impose liability.” taxes, franchise taxes, gravel and gambling • highway maintenance, A letter to the committee from the Minne- taxes, local government aid, Homestead Agri- • tax collection, sota Defense Lawyer’s Association opposed the cultural Credit Aid (HACA), taconite aid, in- • planning and zoning services, provision making parents pay for their terest earnings, and net transfers from • public health offices, children’s damages, saying the high costs of enterprise funds. • criminal prosecution, attorney’s fees combined with the $1,000 sanc- Steve Larson, mayor of New Brighton and • jails, tion was “further punishing parents for acts spokesperson for the North Metro Mayors • human services, of children of which they had no knowledge Association, said the 22 cities in the north cen- • soil and water conservation districts, and probably no control.” tral and northwestern Twin Cities suburbs • county extension services, The group also worries about giving civil have been responsible with taxpayers’ contri- • economic development, courts the power to order a defendant to clean butions and state aid. • solid waste management (recycling), up their graffiti. “The (association) believes it “Collectively, we have contained spending • recording of land records, and is best left to the criminal courts to determine growth near the rate of inflation and well be- • out-of-home placements for children in un- appropriate community service for those who low the level of increases at the county and safe homes. violate criminal statutes, rather than create this state levels,” he said. The latter alone cost counties $180 million kind of statutory indentured servitude.” Pawlenty’s proposal would cut city aid by in 2002, Mulder said. The committee approved an amendment 29 percent from previous funding forecasts. “Counties will face some heavy lifting to that would give rail cars and other forms of Cuts in city aid, as a percent of total city rev- meet the challenges presented by the transportation the same protections. enues for 2000, would average 3.8 percent in governor’s budget proposal,” said Jan Fransen, A companion bill (SF40), sponsored by Sen. calendar year 2003 and 7.3 percent in 2004. county coordinator for Jackson County. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls) awaits action by the The maximum cut to any one city is proposed For instance, she said, property tax levy lim- full Senate. at 5 percent in 2003, and 9.5 percent in 2004. its allowed Jackson County to gain only an If ultimately approved, total aid to cities additional $40,500 over 2002. However, em- would be set at $1.07 billion in 2004-05, a re- ployee insurance costs rose by 17 percent, or duction of $435 million. $158,000, of which the county paid $64,000, ★ LOCAL GOVERNMENT requiring employees to contribute the remainder. Clarifying fund uses County aid concerns Counties also expressed concern about the With the majority of the state’s 800-plus cit- Calling proposed cuts in state aid an ex- governor’s desire to change the county aid pro- ies and 87 counties railing against proposed treme challenge, county representatives spoke grams to a new formula based partly on need. cuts in local government aid, nonpartisan Feb. 25 before the House Taxes Committee House Research staff released documentation against specifics of a proposed 20 percent cut Feb. 24 examining revenue calculations. in overall state aid during the next biennium. The research came in response to testimony Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposal would reduce Sharing revenues by cities and counties before the House Taxes county aid as a percent of total county rev- The city of Biwabik would have to share Committee in the days since the Feb. 18 re- enues by an average of 1.6 percent in calendar property tax revenues from a golf and ski release of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed year 2003 and 2.8 percent in 2004. The maxi- sort with a township, under a bill approved 2004-05 biennium budget. City and county mum cut to any one county would be 2 per- Feb. 26. representatives say the cuts, based on 2000 city cent in 2003 and 3 percent in 2004. Aid to Following approval by the House Local revenues, are flawed due to inclusion of funds counties would total $722.8 million in the next Government and Metropolitan Affairs Com- that are restricted to a certain use and there- biennium, a reduction of $189.4 million. mittee, HF306 now moves to the House floor. fore cannot be used to plug budget holes However, the reduction number climbs to Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia), the elsewhere. $450 million with the imposition of new fees, bill’s sponsor, said the matter started a few House researchers placed the funds on a said Jim Mulder, executive director of the As- years ago when Biwabik wanted to annex the scale of “clearly fungible,” meaning that this sociation of Minnesota Counties. Giant’s Ridge Golf and Ski resort from White money could be used in a variety of ways, to Those increases come with the elimination Township. A dispute ensued due to White “mostly restricted.” of programs the counties are financially com- Township’s concern about loss of property tax Examples of restricted funds are hotel/mo- mitted to, and imposition of new fees and revenues. tel tax proceeds, which must be spent on tour- charges. Programs involved are wetland miti- Rukavina said the region was already ism promotion; tax increments dedicated to gation and preservation, state-mandated troubled by the 2001 closure of the LTV Steel tax-increment financing debt service, local county audits, intermediate care facilities for Mining Company plant in Hoyt Lakes, which sales tax, and special assessments. the mentally retarded, and the proposed place- had been a large employer. So, he said, he asked A specific example of special revenues that ment of certain felons in county jails. the two local government entities to work are restricted comes from Granite Falls, said Unlike local government aid for cities, state through their issues. Gary Carlson, representing the League of Min- funds for counties are given directly to pro- The process eventually settled following nesota Cities. The city received special grams, which in many cases must be offered mediation, said Don Samuels, who added that

12 February 28, 2003 he had encountered no matter more difficult Feb. 13 by the Senate State and Local Govern- noted that he does not have a position on the than this in 23 years on the White Township ment Operations Committee and referred to bill. Calculating the population annually Board. the Senate Taxes Committee. brings the matter in line with market value, “The whole process took almost two years,” which has always been determined annually Samuels said. for fire pension state aid. The September 2002 agreement, spelled out Zikmund said firefighter pensions vary. Firefighter pensions in a 20-page document, contains a permanent Firefighters in larger cities may receive A new means of calculating population revenue sharing provision that would be en- $250,000 after 20 years of service while those would help growing communities pay acted upon final approval of HF306. The bill in small town may get $10,000. But larger city firefighter pensions, under a bill approved would become effective upon approval of both firefighters could respond to 100 interior Feb. 26 by the House Local Government and the Biwabik City Council and the White Town- structure fires in their career compared to two Metropolitan Affairs Committee. ship Board. on the part of a small-town firefighters. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Strachan The state statute that would ensue with pas- HF427 has no Senate companion. (R-Farmington), HF427 now moves to the sage of HF306 would be applicable for only House floor. six years. However, the agreement between Under current law, the state distributes aid Biwabik and White Township would continue to municipalities for firefighter retirement into perpetuity. funds based on a formula that considers the A companion bill (SF279), sponsored by ★ MILITARY municipality’s market value and its popula- Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), tion in the last statewide federal census. The Earning full pay awaits committee action. bill would allow the population figure to be State and local government employees in the drawn annually from accounts by the Metro- military reserve could soon receive a salary politan Council, the state demographer, or the differential payment when called to active duty. Agency reorganization census — whichever is the most recent. The House Governmental Operations and A bill that would change the composition In this case, municipalities are defined as Veterans Affairs Policy Committee approved of an Alexandria area economic development cities, towns, park districts, the University of HF294, which would require a state employer agency was approved Feb. 25 by the House Minnesota, and as an American Indian tribal to pay any net amount of salary lost to an Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs government entity located on a reservation. employee if called to service. The bill now Committee. Strachan said the bill would make the fund- moves to the House State Government Finance A similar bill was passed last year, allowing ing mechanism fairer for growing Committee. the city of Alexandria and the townships of municipalities. Rep. Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti), the bill spon- Carlos, Alexandria, and La Grand to form an Growing communities would benefit while sor, told the committee Feb. 26 that a similar economic development authority. It failed to those with declining populations would lose, bill was passed in 1991 during the Persian Gulf become effective when Carlos backed out of said Nyle Zikmund, spokesperson for the Min- War and repealed in 1996. the agreement. Since then the town of Garfield nesota State Fire Chiefs Association, who Col. Dennis Lord, executive director of the has come on board. Sponsored by Rep. Torrey Westrom CAPITOL LUNCH (R-Elbow Lake), HF245 would require economic development authority members to levy a tax to fund its activities, with each entity’s share based on its taxable market value. The bill would not allow the economic development group to sell general obligation bonds for capital projects. Also provided are provisions for additional entities joining, as well as for the withdrawal of current members. Jason Murray, representing the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission, said all participating entities have signed agree- ments to join the economic development authority. Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka) said last year’s bill was the first he could remember allowing an economic development authority through a joint powers agreement between cities and townships. He approved of the arrangement, he added. The bill now moves to the House Taxes PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Committee. Janelle Rohr of West St. Paul feeds her 2-year-old daughter, Clara Dubuc, some lunch Feb. 27 A companion bill (SF151), sponsored by between participating in a rally for support of children’s early care and education programs Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), was approved and meeting with her House member, Rep. Tom Pugh.

Session Weekly 13 Minnesota National Guard, explained that He said he was called into a 1998 conference lower ranking soldiers are paid less by the mili- committee at 3 a.m., and asked to write lan- ★ SAFETY tary than in most civilian jobs. Because of the guage appropriating funds for the course. salary difference, some soldiers are suffering Rep. Philip Krinkie (R-Shoreview), the com- Changes to conceal carry bill great financial hardship in serving the coun- mittee chair, told commission officials most Business owners and event organizers who try for periods of time ranging from 12 to 24 of the problems could have been solved with don’t want handguns carried onto their pre- months. “This bill will show your support for an “easy response” of informing legislators mises would need to purchase a “locked, per- those going over and participating in the war,” about delays in the project. He said he brought sonalized, storage space” for patrons to place Lord said. the commission before the committee after a their guns under a provision added to this He further explained that Minnesota has private citizen inquired about the golf course. year’s incarnation of “conceal-carry” legisla- about 18,000 reservists, 500 of whom are state Herb Brooks, a commission board member, tion in the House. employees. He said that many of them are of wanted to know why previous legislative con- The amended version of HF261, approved higher rank in the military so the salary dif- cerns were first discussed with commission- by the House Judiciary Policy and Finance ferential wouldn’t apply to them. But for the ers, but this time he first learned of the Committee Feb. 26, would also require those lower ranking soldiers who are paid less, the controversy by reading it in the newspaper. He establishments to post a sign stating their bill would help them significantly. said there have previously been formal discus- policy near the main entrance. The bill defines an eligible member as a sions about the issue. Then he pointedly asked The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Lynda Boudreau United States Armed Forces reservist, or a Krinkie if it was he who spoke with the media (R-Faribault), said the added language was a National Guard member who was a state em- before talking to the commission, saying, “The response to business groups that wanted to be ployee when ordered to active military service media says it was you.” sure establishments had the option to refuse on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The committee did Krinkie said he hadn’t and reiterated that a entry to people carrying guns under the re- not discuss whether any costs may be associ- private citizen informed him of the situation. laxed handgun permitting restrictions the bill ated with the bill. Brooks asked for a name or if the citizen would set up. It is modeled, in part, after a law A Senate companion (SF117), sponsored by worked in the golf business. Krinkie responded in Arizona, which Boudreau said has the Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), awaits com- that the issue is not about how and why the country’s strongest restrictions on where guns mittee action. committee is meeting. “We need to get back to can be carried in public. the issue,” he said. No representatives from the business com- When completed, the project would include a munity testified at the hearing, but Rep. three-hole learning center, driving range, 18-hole Michael Paymar (DFL-St. Paul) expressed ★ RECREATION putting course, a nine-hole course for small concern that the provision would force busi- events, an 18-hole course, and a multi-purpose nesses in his district to purchase lockers and Golf course funding clubhouse facility. It is located near the National keys for use by gun owners without allowing Representatives of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Center in Blaine. them to recoup the cost. Under the provision, Sports Commission told the House Capital Committee members requested a timeline of businesses are not allowed to charge owners a Investment Committee Feb. 26 that ground is the construction set to begin this spring. Also, fee for gun storage. to be broken for the National Children’s Golf they requested information on the private funds The bill, which supporters say would make Course this spring, instead of the originally collected to help in the total estimated cost of the more consistent law enforcement’s role as to intended time frame three years past. $9 million to $12 million project. whom a permit to carry a handgun in public Legislators demanded to know why the $3.1 million one-time state funding had been spent, but most of the golf facility does not exist. Paul Erickson, the commission’s executive director, attributed the delay to complications regarding 340 acres of land adjacent to the project that must be retained by the Metro- politan Airports Commission. The commission was initially given the land by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Erickson said that because the course will partially be built on commission land the FAA must analyze the project, a process sometimes known to take up to nine years. He said commissioners weren’t aware of those circumstances when funds were appropriated in 1998. A February 2003 legislative audit found no wrongdoing with regard to the progress of the project, but noted, “The Amateur Sports Com- mission must bear some responsibility for the controversy that has developed regarding the use of these appropriations.” Erickson said the commission should have Tim Grant, representing Conceal Carry Reform Now, testifies before the House Judiciary Policy and been clearer in the language written to give the Finance Committee Feb. 26 in support of a bill that would change law enforcement authority in the commission funds to “develop” a golf course. granting of permits to carry a gun. 14 February 28, 2003 could be granted, specifies that signs posted Gray said the department has proposed re- els of traffic delay, project letting dates will not at events and in businesses must be printed in ducing general fund expenditures, which make be evenly distributed; our ability to field in- black block letters at least 1.5 inches high on a up less than 1 percent of the department’s pro- spect and manage multiple construction lime green background. The sign must be at posed 2004-05 budget of $3.6 million for the projects will be impacted, which may result in least 648 square inches and placed no more biennium. Those reductions would affect project start and completion delays.” than 4 feet from the entrance at a height of 4 Greater Minnesota transit operations. However, Gray testified, key performance to 6 feet above the floor. Donna Allan, director of the department’s indicators will not be affected by the Business owners would have the right to ask transit office, said the staff would make sure reductions. someone to leave if they do not lock up their that cuts are distributed equitably to the vari- Of the other administrative cuts proposed, gun. A person refusing to leave would face a ous smaller transit authorities throughout the many of them would be absorbed by commu- fine up to $25, but would not have to give up state. She said they would begin with a 10 per- nications staff in the department, Gray said. their weapon. cent cut to all organizations, but would evalu- Overall, the department anticipates reduc- The committee rejected an amendment of- ate cuts to keep transit systems from shutting ing employees by about 295. Gray said that is fered by Rep. Cy Thao (DFL-St. Paul), which down as a result of cuts. within normal attrition rates and the depart- would have excluded the cities of Minneapo- The remainder of the cuts for the biennium ment expects actual layoffs to be minimal. lis, St. Paul, and Duluth from having to recog- would come from trunk highway fund expen- Several members expressed concern about nize handgun permits issued under the bill. ditures – primarily those in the administra- the staff reductions. Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL- The bill next goes to the House Ways and tive areas of the department. Willmar) asked for a specific breakdown of the Means Committee. Of the proposed $84 million in reductions, full-time positions to be eliminated. Its Senate companion (SF222), sponsored Gray said, $53.5 million would come from According to budget documents, the trunk by Sen. Pat Pariseau (DFL-Farmington), state road operations, and $27.5 million from highway fund reductions would free up money awaits committee action. A Republican effort agency support. The road funding cuts would for additional construction projects, which to pull the bill out of committee for a Senate not affect specific projects, Gray said, but in- will be proposed later this session. floor vote failed on Feb. 20. stead would be absorbed by MnDOT pro- No reductions are proposed for local road grams such as investment and planning, projects in the budget. operations and road maintenance, and elec- In addition, the budget proposal would re- tronic communications. duce the aeronautics fund budget by $846,000. ★ TRANSPORTATION According to budget documents, “The time A separate hearing on that aspect of the bud- to get bare pavement will increase following get is planned for a future date. Transportation Department budget snow events; incident management response The committee took no action on the pro- Officials from the state Department of Trans- may deteriorate and contribute to higher lev- posals at the meetings. portation testified before the House Transpor- tation Finance Committee Feb. 25 and 26 about their proposed budget for 2004-05. LIQUID LOBBYISTS The department and the governor recom- mend a $3.8 billion budget for the coming biennium, a reduction from $4.6 billion in 2002-03. State funding for the department primarily comes from the trunk highway fund. Expenditures in the department are reflective more of collecting funds from various sources and distributing the money through a program of state, county, and local road and bridge improvement projects. The department also receives a significant amount of federal funds for projects and programs. Kevin Gray, chief financial officer for the department, presented the proposed budget in terms of products and services provided. They were broken down into four main areas: • $384 million for multi-modal functions, such as transit and transit administration, airports, freight regulation, and motor carrier regulation; • $1.9 billion for state road projects; • $1.36 billion for local roads; and PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK • $122 million for general department support, Jessie Rock, left, of Moorhead and her niece, Hannah Brady, right, a sixth-grader from Glyndon, such as the commissioner’s office, finance are among the hundreds of Minnesotans from across the state gathered in the Capitol Ro- operations for the department, human re- tunda Feb. 25 to participate in the Protect Our Water Lobby Day rally, sponsored by the Minne- sota Environmental Partnership. sources, maintenance, and administration, and technology developments.

Session Weekly 15 T ISSUE: ENVIRONMENT A ★ ★ ★

The following is a select list of non-cabinet ‘Tree Army’ state agencies and programs that would undergo partial or total elimination of state funding under Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget recommendations for Bill would move Minnesota Conservation Corps from the fiscal years 2004 and 2005.

Department of Natural Resources to the nonprofit sector Minnesota Gambling Control Board Minnesota Racing Commission Minnesota Campaign Finance and BY NICOLE WOOD Natural Resources Department officials Public Disclosure Board n response to the state’s fiscal woes, Gov. Tim have said that their plan to cut the program is Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission Minnesota Horticulture Board Pawlenty has directed state agencies to step not a reflection of the work of the corps vol- Minnesota Technology Inc. Iback and review their core missions. Cer- unteers and employees. Rather, the program Minnesota Humanities Commission tain programs that don’t meet those primary is viewed more as a jobs program than a core Minnesota State Council on Disabilities function criteria would be made independent, natural resources function. Minnesota Film Board and Snowbate Program under the governor’s budget proposal for the Under the bill, future funding would come Tourism Loan Program next biennium. from federal grants, corporate and individual One program poised to make that transition donations, service fees, and an annual state ap- Program descriptions and an explanation of the governor’s recommendations can be found is the Minnesota Conservation Corps, a public propriation reduced from $2.4 million in fis- on the Department of Finance Web site: http:// service organization that provides young men cal year 2002 to a proposed $1.2 million www.finance.state.mn.us and women between the ages of 15 and 26 with beginning in fiscal year 2004. practical outdoor work experience protecting The bill would allow the program to take that the work of these young men is so thor- and enhancing the state’s natural resources. with them tools, equipment, and whatever oughly justified and, in addition, the benefits The House Environment and Natural Re- funds remain at the end of the fiscal year. Also, to the men themselves are so clear that the ac- sources Policy Committee reviewed a bill the nonprofit would retain office space in state tual annual cost will be met without much op- Feb. 25 that would transfer the program from facilities and would be granted preferred bid- position or much complaint.” the Department of Natural ding status on state In the past, Minnesota participants in the fed- Resources to an existing pri- contracts. State agen- eral conservation corps built state parks and vate nonprofit corporation. cies would, however, roads, planted trees, cleared portages, and con- “This is a chance to be more be required to certify structed dams and fire lookout towers. Their entrepreneurial and grow the that Minnesota Con- legacy remains in more than 400 log and stone program … without being servation Corps con- structures across 27 Minnesota state parks. No- tied into the state budget tract workers would table projects include the dam at the headwaters cycles,” said Rolf Hagberg of not displace state of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park and the Friends of the Minnesota employees. impressive stonework at Gooseberry Falls along Conservation Corps, the non- The Minnesota the Lake Superior North Shore. profit designated under the Conservation Corps is “You are participating in the greatest con- bill (HF407) to assume re- “kind of a copycat of servation movement the country has ever sponsibility for the operation the old CCCs,” said the known and as a direct result of this participa- July 1, 2003. bill’s sponsor Rep. tion you have gained a revitalized outlook on Minnesota Conservation Larry Howes life,” wrote Fechner to the enrollees in his 1936 Corps participants build (R-Walker), referring Christmas greeting, as quoted in David R. trails, restore wetlands and to the Civilian Conser- Benson’s Stories in Log and Stone: The Legacy prairies, plant trees, and re- vation Corps, a De- of the New Deal in Minnesota State Parks. spond to natural disasters pression-era public The concept of public service to the environ- such as the 1999 Boundary works program initi- ment was briefly revived as a federally-funded Waters wind storm and the This 4 X 6 oil painting depicting three Civil- ated by President Youth Conservation Corps in the 1970s. The 2000 Granite Falls tornado. ian Conservation Corps enrollees and the Franklin D. Roosevelt. Minnesota Conservation Corps in place today Corps members logged tools of their trade was displayed at the Between 1933 and was created by the 1981 Legislature. 1939 World’s Fair in San Francisco. more than 20,000 hours in- 1942 more than 3 mil- The bill now moves to the House Govern- Photo courtesy of National Association of Civilian specting boats and educat- Conservation Corps Alumni Web site. lion unemployed men mental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy ing anglers about harmful participated in Committee. exotic species in 1999 and 2000, according to Roosevelt’s Tree Army, as it was commonly called. A Senate companion (SF336), sponsored by the program’s Web site. “This kind of work must go on,” wrote Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), awaits its first Conservation corps members make up one- Roosevelt in a 1934 letter to CCC Director committee action. third of the state’s wildfire fighting force, Robert Fechner. “I believe that the Nation feels Hagberg told the committee.

16 February 28, 2003 T ISSUE: HIGHER EDUCATION A ★ ★ ★

cants made the process of elimination very difficult” and all finalists would “serve the Serving the state university with distinction.” Five candidates are recommended by a joint House-Senate This council’s role in the selection process has been in place since 1988. Before then can- committee to sit on the university’s Board of Regents didates simply nominated themselves and were not screened. The governor appointed candidates until a court ruling gave those powers BY MIKE COOK Even in troubled times, a spot on the to the Legislature in 1929. hree people are one vote away from be university’s board is highly sought after. However, the Legislature does not always ing part of a board that has great power “Every business, every agency, every insti- fulfill its role. T in determining the future of Minnesota. tution has to play the hand it’s dealt. If every- In 2001, lawmakers anticipated some politi- Two others are one vote away from returning. body jumped off the boat when the waves got cal maneuvering during the joint convention Clyde E. Allen, Jr. of Moorhead, John high, we’d have nobody steering the boat,” Reed and could not agree to meet. Frobenius of St. Cloud, David Metzen of South said. “It’s more fun during easy times, but it’s Because no joint meeting of the bodies con- St. Paul, and Patricia Simmons from Roches- more rewarding during tough times.” vened that year, former Gov. Jesse Ventura ter were recommended at a Feb. 26 joint meet- Metzen, like Reed a regent for six years, said chose the five regents on July 31, 2001. There ing of House and Senate education everyone also has a love for the institution. was an additional choice that time because a committees to serve on the University of Min- “Whatever I am today I owe to the University replacement was needed for a regent who died nesota Board of Regents. of Minnesota,” he said, noting that he has three during his term. Though not initially recommended, Board degrees from the institution. He calls serving However, this year, lawmakers do not an- Chair Maureen Reed of Stillwater was also “the ultimate public service for me.” ticipate a repeat of the 2001 situation, though nominated. State law says there must be one regent from moves may be made during the joint conven- The quintet must now be confirmed at a each of Minnesota’s congressional districts tion to adjust the current slate of candidates. March 3 joint convention of the House and and four at-large members, one of whom must “I don’t know what the outcome of any votes Senate. By law, regents must be selected by be a university student. will be on the floor, but hopefully the broader May 7 of each odd-numbered year or a date Provisions to select the regents were estab- Legislature will conclude that we are forward- agreed to by concurrent resolution. lished as part of the university charter in 1851, ing a balanced slate of names,” said Sen. Steve The only governmental body in the state that and incorporated into the state constitution Kelley (DFL-Hopkins), chair of the Senate seven years later. Education Committee. Currently those Additionally, state law permits the Legisla- seeking to be re- ture to take action on those appointed by a gent must file an governor two years prior — it has done that application with four times since 1929. the Regent Candi- In 1935, three of Gov. Floyd B. Olson’s four date Advisory 1933 appointments were approved by the Leg- Council. The 24- islature. Four years later the Legislature remember council jected all regents selected by Gov. Elmer then reviews the Benson. Gov. Wendell Anderson fared much applicants and se- better in 1975 when all of his 1973 appoint- lects candidates to ments were approved, as were five others. interview for the The education committees recommended four seats up for Ventura appointees Frank Berman, Peter Bell, reappointment current chair of the Metropolitan Council, each odd-num- Richard “Pinky” McNamara, and student-re- bered year. The PHOTO BY KRISTINE LARSEN gent Lakeesha Ransom be approved. council received 66 Regent candidates Clyde Allen Jr., left, answers a question as Arthur Brandli, McNamara was the only one recommended by center, and former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, right, look on during a regent applications the joint education committees in 2001. Feb. 26 joint meeting of the House and Senate education committees. The com- this time and inter- The joint committee recommended that the mittee recommended Allen to be named a University of Minnesota regent to viewed 18 appli- represent the Seventh Congressional District. other Ventura appointee, Jean Keffeler, a re- cants in January. gent from 1989 until resigning in 1996, be re- is elected by the Legislature, the 12-member State statute requires that between two and placed by Reed. board governs the university. One-third of the four names be forwarded to the joint educa- After the meeting, Reed and Keffeler ex- board is open for appointment every two years. tion committee for each open position. changed pleasantries with Keffeler saying, “You Therefore, members serve staggered, six-year Rondi Erickson, the council chair, said “The know the university will have my continued terms. breadth of experience and expertise of appli- support.” Reed said she knew it would. Session Weekly 17 T ISSUE: TECHNOLOGY A ★ ★ ★

and develop for the area,” Klungtvedt said. As for the Rushford Institute for Technol- ogy, if created, it would be a non-profit orga- The next big thing nization, consisting of a research laboratory, business services, and an education division. Small Minnesota town looks for state help to be on the Start-up ventures wishing to conduct re- leading edge of emerging technology search would be the lab’s focus, with businesses paying royalties on products successfully developed from the laboratory. BY MIRANDA BRYANT conducted a nanotechnology summit in Already underway is the education compo- uspend your beliefs about the workings of April 2000. Experts attended, including the nent of the institute. The local school system nearly every product you’ve ever known. U.S. president’s advisor on nanotechnology. was the first in the country to develop a S Imagine instead prescription drugs treat- But of the cities invited to explore becoming nanotechnology graduation standard. And a ing pain the moment they touch your mouth’s potential hosts to the nanotechnology indus- partnership with Winona Technical College is membrane. Supercomputers functioning from try, only Rushford showed. creating what is only the second two-year tech- a wristwatch. Airplanes becoming invisible by “We asked ourselves could we do it?” said nical degree in the country. blending into their surroundings. Buildings and Kevin Klungtvedt, program coordinator for The Rushford Institute for Technology started machines repairing themselves. And clothing the Rushford Institute of Nanotechnology. A its state financing campaign recently by seeking alerting its wearer to environmental hazards. trio of Rushford businessmen decided its $5 million over the next three years from the state. The technology for such advances — called small town would be ideal for small high-tech Sponsored by Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston), nanotechnology — is not relegated to imagina- nanotechnology companies. The industry can HF176 made its first appearance Feb. 11 before tion. It’s well on its way. And if a group of busi- be based virtually anywhere, due to its small- the House Commerce, Jobs, and Economic ness people has its way, it’s a science that will be scale operations and transferable qualities. Development Policy Committee. However, partially funded by the state of Minnesota. And Rushford has the added benefit of a low Davids amended the bill to make the appropria- A bill to fund the Rushford Institute for cost of living, they said. tion open-ended. Delineating the appropriation Technology, still on the drawing board, has So the businessmen set out to make in the midst of a budget crisis could limit the been approved by one House committee. bill’s success, he said. In simple terms, nanotechnology is the di- The bill was approved rect manipulation of atoms and molecules at and forwarded to the the atomic level, or the most basic level at House Jobs and Eco- which matter exists. According to Thomas nomic Development Kenny of Stanford University, a nano’s size Finance Committee, equates to the amount by which fingernails where it awaits a hear- grow each second, or the thickness of a drop ing. A companion bill of water spread over a square meter. (SF243), sponsored by To understand why nanotechnology can go Sen. Bob Kierlin (R- where no science has before, consider how Winona), awaits action Minnesota Technology Magazine described it. at the Senate Finance “Typically, creating a product, such as a chair, Committee. means taking something larger than the de- While Minnesota sired finished product, such as a tree, and whit- lawmakers study fi- Images courtesy of the NAS Nanotechnology Gallery and K. Eric Drexler tling it down. Nanotechnology starts with These diagrams illustrate molecular structures that could be created via nancing a new industry, individual molecules and builds them up.” nanotechnology. In their actual forms, they would not be visible to the others wonder if doing This construction method is similar to Mother human eye. The one on the left is a molecular representation of two shafts so won’t create in- Nature’s own building mechanism. and their gears. On the right is a molecular model of nanotube gears. creased competition for The beauty of nanotechnology, according to state funds. Rep. Tony industry experts, is that it has applications in Rushford into a nanotechnology center. They Sertich (DFL-Chisholm) said that funding a nearly every aspect of modern life. The Univer- educated the community about the industry next-century venture to create jobs sounded like sity of Minnesota says nanotechnology will revo- and hoped the word would spread about the idea behind the Minnesota Minerals 21st lutionize science, medicine, and manufacturing Rushford’s willingness to host the next biggest Century Fund. Sertich and other Iron Range leg- and will prove crucial to the continued success thing to the Industrial Revolution. islators criticized Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s 2003 bud- of many of Minnesota’s leading companies. It did. get fix, which used $49 million from a fund, And how did the small, southeast Minnesota Aveka Inc., a 3M spin-off firm located in intended to help start-up and enterprising min- town of Rushford, population 1,600, get involved Woodbury, decided to open a plant in Rushford ing facilities. in a race for dominance in a little-known indus- to make nano-sized metal-particle products. At the federal level, nanotechnology received try that, according to one account, generates “This is the type of industry the Rushford President Bush’s support in the form of a $45.5 billion a year in sales worldwide? Institute of Nanotechnology plans to attract $710 million request in his 2003 budget. It began when the University of Minnesota 18 February 28, 2003 EOPLE P★ ★ ★

officials, he called on National Guard troops to shut down the plant and declared martial law. A federal court later rebuked his decision. A tireless advocate Despite the resulting loss of labor support, Freeman sought an unprecedented fourth two- Former governor Freeman fought for Minnesotans, others as year term as governor in 1960. He gave John F. governor, federal agriculture secretary, and citizen activist Kennedy’s nominating speech at the Democratic National Convention that year and was rumored to be his second choice for vice president. BY JEFF JONES speech therapy allowed him to speak again, but Sensing Kennedy’s Catholicism was hurting innesota’s first DFL governor, Orville L. he bore a noticeable scar on the side of his face. him among Minnesota Lutherans, Freeman Freeman, died from complications While finishing law school, Freeman worked prepared a statewide television address to de- Mfrom Alzheimer’s Disease Feb. 20 at with then-Minneapolis Mayor Humphrey to nounce religious bigotry. The move backfired age 84. form the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. The and cost Freeman more votes in the guberna- Freeman, governor from 1955-61, would go two were said to represent the party’s right wing. torial election. on to become the U.S. Secretary of Agricul- Freeman helped Humphrey win election to In the end, Kennedy won the state by 22,000 ture for two presidents and a life-long advo- the U.S. Senate in 1948 and became party chair- votes and Freeman lost to Republican Elmer cate of ending hunger worldwide. man before losing a race for attorney general in L. Andersen by about the same margin. Freeman grew up in south Minneapolis and 1950 and his first bid for governor in 1952. Freeman’s support was not forgotten, however, entered the University of Minnesota during the Two years later Freeman edged incumbent as Kennedy called on him to become secre- Great Depression where his research and rhe- Gov. C. Elmer Anderson, by running on a plat- tary of agriculture. torical skills impressed classmate Hubert H. form of improving schools and highways, In a 1999 interview, Freeman recalled tell- Humphrey, who recruited him for the debate eliminating government waste and red-tape, ing Kennedy, “‘One of the greatest paradoxes team. The two became close friends and trav- and improving the morale of state employees. is we have a big food surplus and a world full eled the country debating the merits of Presi- He was 36 at his inauguration. of hungry people, and I want to do something dent Roosevelt’s New Deal policies. Freeman’s As governor, Freeman supported an income about it.’ He agreed wholeheartedly with that.” charisma also got him elected president of the tax over a sales tax to fill state coffers and fund As secretary, Freeman began what would be- student body All University Council, where he social programs during the economic prosper- come his true life’s work. He traveled the globe first met Jane Shields, who had been elected sec- ity of the 1950s. He oversaw an expansion of to help develop assistance programs for the poor retary. The two were married in 1942. business and industry in the state, led trade in the United States and around the world. “Every decision, every problem — we shared delegations to Scandinavia and East Asia, and After Kennedy’s assassination, Freeman convened a legisla- stayed on as agriculture secretary for President tive committee to Johnson until 1969. examine ethics in He spent the next 25 years advocating for state government. use of American knowledge and capital to help That committee improve the agricultural economies of devel- issued recommen- oping nations. dations about lob- “I have said more than once that the world’s bying, campaign two biggest problems are the Big Bomb and the financing, and small farmers,” he wrote in 1983. “If we could conflicts-of- increase the income of the billion small farmers interest in the leg- around the world … most of the world’s prob- islative and execu- lems would be well on their way to solution.” tive branches. Between 1971 and 1995, Freeman chaired a DFL and Labor consulting firm in New York, headed the United Party representa- Nations Association of the United States, served tives controlled the on President Jimmy Carter’s commission on House during world hunger, led the Agricultural Council of

PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Freeman’s six years America, and helped develop St. Paul’s World Jane Freeman, center, wife of the late Orville Freeman, clasps the hands of her in office, but con- Trade Center and the University of Minnesota’s children, Constance, left, and Michael, right, at the memorial service for the former servatives in the Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs. governor and U.S. agriculture secretary in the Capitol Rotunda Feb. 27. state Senate Freeman retired to Minnesota in 1994. He them,” he said later in life. “Through the years, blocked many of the social reforms he advocated. would later help his son, Mike, who ran for she was right there.” A pivotal moment in Freeman’s tenure came governor in 1998. Serving as a U.S. Marine, Freeman’s jaw was in 1959 when he decided to intervene in a “I have been very fortunate to have had these shattered by a sniper’s bullet in the South Pacific potentially violent strike at the Wilson Meat opportunities,” he said in 1999. “I have done in 1943. Eight months of hospitalization and Packing Co. in Albert Lea. At the request of local my best to contribute to a better world.”

Session Weekly 19 EOPLE P★ ★ ★

placed in operating deficit status by the state Department of Children, Families and Learn- Making connections ing. During the 2001-02 school year, 33 districts, including Hayfield, were in statutory Demmer brings backgrounds in agriculture, business, and operating deficit, as were eight charter schools. education to his new role as state representative The state works with school districts to eventually balance their books. Demmer favors a state education policy BY TOM LONERGAN how things work.” The University of Minne- that’s more focused on elementary and sec- Most legislators take notes, but the tools of sota graduate has a degree in agricultural busi- ondary school basic academics. Toward that modern technology, such as personal digital as- ness administration. He’s a member of the end, he’s sponsored HF517, which would re- sistants (PDAs), are only slowly creeping into leg- House Agriculture Policy, Agriculture and name the department the Minnesota Depart- islators’ daily lives. For Rural Development Finance, Education Fi- ment of Education, as recommended by Gov. first-term Rep. Randy nance, and Education Policy committees. Tim Pawlenty. “Changing the name of the Demmer (R-Hayfield), all His district 29A, west of Rochester, includes agency is just one small step to take us in that tools toward learning his Dodge County and part of Olmsted. New resi- direction,” Demmer said. new job are valuable. dential subdivisions characterize the eastern He struggles to define what should be in- “Back home I’m portion of Demmer’s district, which includes cluded under the K-12 education umbrella. known as the computer two Rochester precincts. Rochester’s job Adult and community education programs in guy,” said Demmer, who growth in health care and information tech- school districts are valuable, Demmer said, brings a varied back- nology during the 1990s led to a residential “but are really outside of the kids. While it’s Rep. Randy Demmer ground in business, edu- boom in small towns like Byron, west of the very important that a 30-year old immigrant cation, and agriculture to the Legislature. The city. As a result, land management and gets help with learning English, should that 46-year-old owns a computer and accounting software company, is part owner of three auto “The challenge is how to manage a growing rural residential population with parts stores, and was a school board member agriculture. The state and county have a role, but it (annexation) starts as in Hayfield for more than 10 years. Deb Towey has been an employee of a local issue. We should not be telling someone in Byron, Minnesota Demmer’s computer business for the past what they should be doing with their farmland.” 19 years. “When I introduce him as ‘my boss,’ — Rep. Randy Demmer he goes, ‘No, we work together,’” she said. The company helps small businesses and farmers annexation issues have become increasingly be under K-12 education?” in southeastern Minnesota automate and up- important, Demmer said. Demmer won his election last November by date their financial records. “The challenge is how to manage a growing more than 3,000 votes (18 percent) in a dis- Wendy Shannon, superintendent of Byron rural residential population with agriculture,” trict he describes as conservative. “Even the Public Schools, has worked with Demmer on he said. “The state and county have a role, but Democrats are conservative,” he added. The education issues. “He’s going to be helpful to it (annexation) starts as a local issue. We Independence Party candidate garnered school districts in the state,” Shannon said. “He should not be telling someone in Byron, Min- 11.45 percent of the vote. has really learned what our issues are. He un- nesota what they should be doing with their His campaign motivator was his wife, Kathy, derstands the negotiations process and bud- farmland.” a nurse with Mayo Health Systems. “She’s the get issues.” Agriculture remains a backbone of his dis- biggest reason I’m here,” Demmer said. They Demmer said “an interest in being a part of trict, Demmer said. “We have to keep agricul- have three daughters, ages 20, 18 and 13. making decisions” was why he ran for the ture productive and profitable. It’s a huge House. For a decade, he was a constituent of industry.” ISTRICT House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) and Demmer said he wants to see the state’s D 29A Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna). Sviggum urged K-12 education funding formula changed. 2002 population: 36,793 Demmer to run after re-districting in 2002 Families with fewer children, and fewer rural Largest City: Rochester moved Hayfield, Demmer’s home, into a newly residents across the state in general, contrib- drawn district with an open House seat. “The Counties: Dodge, Olmsted ute to declining enrollment in rural schools, Location: southeast Minnesota timing was good for me,” said Demmer, who he said. “We have to find a fair and equitable has also raised corn and soybeans and now Top concern: “We have some major chal- way to fund rural districts. It troubles me that lenges. As we go forward, my hope is that rents the farmland he owns. we have so many districts in statutory operat- “I don’t come with a specific agenda,” we listen to people on both sides of the ing deficit.” aisle and not act out of haste.” Demmer said. “But I’m not one to sit back and When a school district falls below a certain – Rep. Randy Demmer do nothing. I want to be effective and learn level in its unreserved operating funds, it’s

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of that, he said he strongly believes that the budget “should not be balanced on the backs Lifetime advocate of hard working public employees,” including the state’s teachers. He said teachers need After years of working in the community to organize others to to be compensated with competitive wages and make change, Hornstein wants to do the same in the House benefits and he’s heard from constituents that have expressed great disappointment with the governor’s proposed wage freeze on teachers. BY PATTY JANOVEC the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, which A key bill he will be working on this year Watching the news and keeping abreast of still exists. would give tax credits to individuals who pur- current events was a family affair while Rep. Gov. Jesse Ventura appointed Hornstein to chase hybrid cars. He says a whole range of Frank Hornstein (DFL-Mpls) was growing up. the Met Council in December 2000, which was national security and environmental issues can Although his family his first experience in direct public service. The be addressed by promoting the use of tech- wasn’t politically active, new role enabled him to work on the key is- nology already in existence. some very specific values sues that were important to him from the be- Hornstein said he hopes to meld his faith- came through during his ginning: affordable housing and the based values, rooted in Judaism, with his com- formative years: faith, environment. He served the council until mitment to public service. His wife, Marcia justice, and respect for January 2003. Zimmerman, is senior rabbi at Temple Israel others. He’s now making a different kind of impact in Minneapolis. The Legislature is a place for Hornstein’s parents as a legislator, and he says there is a certain people to bring their religious values to work, survived the Holocaust, power vested in public officials to bring forth but not impose them on others, he said. Rep. Frank Hornstein and immigrated to the the ideas of their constituents. He’s “really “No one can separate the personal and po- United States after World War II. As a result, proud to represent constituents in so many litical, you are who you are, your faith he was always aware of the need to fight for those who struggle with injustice. His family “No one can separate the personal and political, you are who has “seen the worst, and America has provided us with the best.” you are, your faith tradition.” He traces his political activism back to the — Rep. Frank Hornstein first Earth Day in 1970. Hornstein was in fifth grade, and he said was so moved by the thought of protecting the environment that he ways, it really reflects the things I’ve worked tradition,” he said. walked home from school instead of taking the on all along.” A few personal goals include being an ef- carpool. Later he picked up litter around the Although Hornstein didn’t have an oppo- fective representative and advocate of the dis- neighborhood. nent while running for the House, Melissa trict by responding to calls and letters from Growing up at a time of war in Vietnam and Manderschied, events coordinator for the his constituency, trying to enact legislation during the fight for civil rights, the idea of campaign, said that didn’t stop him from even though he’s not a member of the major- making change through collective action im- pounding the pavement. ity caucus, and being a strong voice on behalf pressed him greatly, he said. In college he “He felt it was important to meet those in of the environment, children, and immigrants. learned he could make a career of organizing his district even though he didn’t have to,” she “These are the reasons people sent me here.” people to do just that. Soon he was helping said, adding that he is sincerely genuine when meeting people. She said she feels that’s one residents in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood DISTRICT 60B deal with crime issues and affordable hous- of the reasons he makes a great legislator. She D 60B ing. Later, while helping to organize explained how he shows “follow up and care over an extended period of time” with those 2002 population: 36,739 Minnesota’s chapter of Clean Water Action, he Largest City: Minneapolis said he became more familiar with electoral he meets. Hornstein’s district contains both lakes County: Hennepin issues because of his exposure to the environ- Location: southwest Minneapolis Calhoun and Harriet, an area he said has a di- ment at the State Capitol. Top concern: “I think that if education is verse constituent base with many renters and While promoting recycling and reducing a top priority for the state, then we need homeowners. An issue important to his dis- landfills, he said he got excited about how faith to compensate teachers accordingly— and environmental groups were interested in trict includes one that city and suburbs can particularly if we are serious about at- a metropolitan agenda. At the time the Met- come together on: transportation. Even tracting bright and talented new ropolitan Council was addressing issues of af- though the political parties have different phi- teachers to the field. Competitive wages fordable housing, urban sprawl, and losophies, he says common ground can be and benefits need to be assured.” transportation, but there was nobody holding found. – Rep. Frank Hornstein it accountable, he said. Hornstein then formed The top issue on his list is education. As part

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Simpson says he’s interested in learning more about the tax-free zones the governor has A new challenge proposed to promote development. He said the area is expected to grow from 55,000 to After more than two decades in local government, Simpson 80,000 people in the next 10 years, and most sees move to state level as the next logical step of them will be retiring in the area. “We’re see- ing a tremendous amount of growth in our lakes, and we want to make sure we meet wa- BY PATTY JANOVEC Simpson says his district consists of ter quality, and provide the quality of life for For Rep. Dean Simpson (R-New York Mills), 14 towns ranging in population from 100 to the people.” his decision to run for office was part com- 5,000. While the district has concerns of a Like all first-year legislators, Simpson got a mitment to public service and part love of small community, big businesses such as Lund, taste of a tough issue early when members policy dialogue. a boat producer, employ many residents. “We began the session with intense discussions in As mayor of New York have a lot of excellent manufacturing compa- hopes of hammering out the first round of Mills for 25 years, nies out there, but a lot of products are hauled budget cuts. “As a freshmen the whole process Simpson said he gained in,” he said. Because of that, Simpson said, he is exciting. I was amazed at how fast the pro- plenty of experience, not looks forward to making sure the district con- cess started.” to mention what he tinues to have access to roadways. Looking ahead to the budget resolution for learned by owning and “Economic development is a huge issue, the next biennium, Simpson said, “I have to operating two grocery with the struggling of the farm economy it’s believe with the help of the outstate legisla- stores in the area. just making it harder and harder,” he said. tors, that we’re going to get through this bud- Rep. Dean Simpson He started the busi- Otter Tail County was one of the leading get proposal and make strong commitments nesses from the ground up with no staff, and dairy producers in the state, but the industry to rural Minnesota.” he says he now employs between 75 and 100 people. “I have to believe with the help of the outstate legislators, He first considered running for the position when the former representative for his district, that we’re going to get through this budget proposal and Roxann Daggett, asked if he’d be interested in make strong commitments to rural Minnesota.” the House seat. With his children grown and — Rep. Dean Simpson out of school, Simpson said he felt it was his next step in the process of public service. is downsizing so rapidly that the district needs Admittedly not happy about the cuts to “I have the look of a rural person with a to provide other ways of employing people, ethanol, Simpson said the governor did what strong business background,” he said. With Simpson said. “We have to create jobs for those he had to do and respects him for that. How- experience in maintaining a good-sized pay- people, those people have children, those chil- ever, in moving forward with the next round roll, developing advertising, and living in ru- dren go to school, we need to maintain our of budget cuts, Simpson said he and other ral area, he says he knows what it takes to be school systems,” he said. “Declining enrollment Greater Minnesota representatives will have to successful. And he said he believes those same is an issue throughout the state.” work hard to give their communities a voice skills will help in the decision-making process He also said the small farmers use the ser- and help maintain long-term viability. of representing his district. vices and goods in the community to supply Allan Berube, Simpson’s campaign trea- their farms. On the other hand the big manu- ISTRICT surer, said that Simpson “takes an active role,” facturers in the district tend to bring in semi DISTRICT 10B when working with people. “He’s always asked loads of goods “from whomever, wherever” to ‘What can we do as a team?’” The two have fulfill their needs. “The downturn is hard on a 2002 population: 36,552 been friends for years and are cabin neighbors. small community,” he said. Largest city: Wadena At one point while Simpson was mayor, the On a state level, Simpson said, you can’t con- Counties: Becker, Otter Tail, Wadena Location: west-central Minnesota city looked to upgrade its park equipment. trol prices in such a global market. But the state Top concern: “Creating jobs in rural areas Berube explained how Simpson took initiative can keep tax rates at a competitive edge for in the project, getting developers and financers is my top issue.” farmers, and develop other sources of income — Rep. Dean Simpson in place. “He started the ball rolling in getting like ethanol and biomass products. “Whether donations.” Along with parks, Simpson also sup- it’s less dependency on foreign oil, whether it’s ported efforts to build more apartments in the wind power on our farms, homegrown prod- city. Again, Berube said, Simpson’s initiative was ucts we need to promote,” he said. at the forefront, saying “He’s able to look at issues in a broad sense.”

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Policy, Judiciary Policy and Finance, and Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Believing in herself committees. “I asked for judiciary,” she said. “The rea- After defeating a longtime incumbent, Soderstrom brings her son is that I have regularly gone into the Mora trust, faith to the House of Representatives jail (Kanabec County Jail) and the Pine City jail (Pine County Jail) with Bible study, and I probably have about 30 people I correspond BY MIKE COOK name recognition.” with in prisons around the state because I’ve When you walk into the office of Rep. Judy She laughs a little when noting how that led met them (in jail).” She also recently organized Soderstrom (R-Mora), you see her district ev- to confusion for a few folks who thought their a group of legislators for a tour of the Lino erywhere you look. neighbors were moving when they saw the Lakes prison. Adorning the walls are Soderstrom campaign sign in the yard think- Soderstrom said she wishes more could be pictures and other items ing it was a realty sign. done at the local level possibly with groups, for the annual Mora “I knew I was going to do this and I thought such as local churches, taking interest in the Vasaloppet cross-coun- it would be so exciting,” she said of her deci- first-time offenders or offenders that have long try ski race, items from sion to run. Her husband of 40 years is retired been a part of the system, and are ready to a fur trading shop in and was not as enthusiastic at first, but once make a change. Pine City, and a pie tin she received the party endorsement she said Being on three diverse committees could be from Braham, which in he began saying things like “We could put signs considered a challenge, but she sees a connec- 1990 was officially rec- here, and do this or that.” tion between them. For example, “A lot of Rep. Judy Soderstrom ognized as the Home- One of Soderstrom’s two daughters, people that are in the prison system, their fami- made Pie Capital of Minnesota. On the tables Bethany, said her dad calls himself “Mr. Judy lies are on welfare or they need to be cared for are books about the city of Sandstone and Soderstrom.” that way,” she said. Kanabec County, and the fire of 1894 that de- Bethany is also in St. Paul, working as a leg- Soderstrom said she knows that solving the stroyed much of Hinckley, along with brochures from many communities she “I would like to help improve government efficiency by represents. The one thing missing is a sign from the re- funding only what is essential. Also, I would like to encour- alty company she has owned for 13 years. In- age government to work more closely with nonprofit, private, stead those signs are all around the district that and faith-based groups.” she grew up in and to which she returned to — Rep. Judy Soderstrom raise her family after leaving for a few inter- vening years. islative assistant for the Education Policy budget deficit will be difficult. She said she After seven years working in Minneapolis, Committee and for Erickson. thinks the governor has a good proposal, yet Soderstrom returned to Mora in the late 1960s. Soderstrom defeated former Rep. Loren she remains open to other ideas. She has heard She and her husband, Ronald, then started at- Jennings, a nine-term DFL incumbent, by from a number of people who will be affected. tending local Republican party meetings, 7.2 percent in the general election. There were “I feel badly that they’re going to feel the pain,” which eventually led to her attendance at nu- also two third-party candidates. “It was very she said. “Nobody wants to cut.” merous state conventions. satisfying because not many people thought I Soderstrom ran for a House seat in late 1997 could beat him,” she said. DISTRICT 8B when former Rep. Leroy Koppendrayer was D 8B Bethany wasn’t one of skeptics. “I knew right appointed to the Public Utilities Commission, away that she’d win,” she said. “I didn’t have but she was defeated by Rep. Sondra Erickson 2002 population: 36,998 any doubt.” (R-Princeton) for the party endorsement. The Largest city: Mora Those who know her well say this has to do two remain friends and are now seatmates on Counties: Isanti, Kanabec, Pine in large part with Soderstrom’s personality. the House floor. Location: east-central Minnesota “She’s such a committed person, compas- Undeterred, she continued her party in- Top concern: “I would like to help im- sionate, and a woman of faith,” Erickson said. volvement and when the redistricting bound- prove government efficiency by fund- “It’s against her being to tell a lie,” said Bethany, aries were announced last year, Soderstrom ing only what is essential. Also, I would who added, “We have friends that are hardcore said she knew right away that she would run. like to encourage government to work Democrats and they said they would vote for “I saw that the district included all of more closely with nonprofit, private, her because they trust her.” Kanabec County,” she said. “Being in real es- and faith-based groups.” Soderstrom, who was born the same day and tate for 20 years I know all the roads and lots — Rep. Judy Soderstrom year as Rep. Jim Rhodes (R-St. Louis Park), sits of people. Plus with my real estate company on the House Health and Human Services named Soderstrom Realty there was instant

Session Weekly 23 2003 Minnesota House of Representatives Members Phone Phone District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296- District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296-

48B Abeler, Jim (R) ...... 369 ...... 1729 63B Larson, Dan (DFL) ...... 287 ...... 7158 43B Abrams, Ron (R) ...... 585 ...... 9934 44B Latz, Ron (DFL) ...... 225 ...... 7026 42A Adolphson, Peter (R) ...... 597 ...... 3964 40B Lenczewski, Ann (DFL) ...... 237 ...... 4218 19A Anderson, Bruce (R) ...... 437 ...... 5063 66A Lesch, John (DFL) ...... 223 ...... 4224 3A Anderson, Irv (DFL) ...... 321 ...... 4936 1B Lieder, Bernie (DFL) ...... 323 ...... 5091 27B Anderson, Jeff (R) ...... 583 ...... 4193 2B Lindgren, Doug (R) ...... 523 ...... 4265 39B Atkins, Joe (DFL) ...... 221 ...... 4192 32A Lindner, Arlon (R) ...... 417 ...... 7806 35A Beard, Michael (R) ...... 451 ...... 8872 56A Lipman, Eric (R) ...... 567 ...... 4244 51B Bernardy, Connie (DFL) ...... 337 ...... 5510 22A Magnus, Doug (R) ...... 515 ...... 5505 59A Biernat, Len (DFL) ...... 303 ...... 4219 67A Mahoney, Tim (DFL) ...... 289 ...... 4277 12B Blaine, Greg (R) ...... 387 ...... 4247 65B Mariani, Carlos (DFL) ...... 203 ...... 9714 19B Borrell, Dick (R) ...... 545 ...... 4336 9B Marquart, Paul (DFL) ...... 311 ...... 6829 26B Boudreau, Lynda (R) ...... 559 ...... 8237 57B McNamara, Denny (R) ...... 577 ...... 3135 29B Bradley, Fran (R) ...... 563 ...... 9249 53B Meslow, Doug (R) ...... 377 ...... 5363 25A Brod, Laura (R) ...... 581 ...... 4229 58A Mullery, Joe (DFL) ...... 209 ...... 4262 35B Buesgens, Mark (R) ...... 445 ...... 5185 6B Murphy, Mary (DFL) ...... 343 ...... 2676 45B Carlson, Lyndon (DFL) ...... 283 ...... 4255 30A Nelson, Carla (R) ...... 571 ...... 0573 61A Clark, Karen (DFL) ...... 307 ...... 0294 46A Nelson, Michael (DFL) ...... 231 ...... 3751 24B Cornish, Tony (R) ...... 487 ...... 4240 17B Nelson, Peter (R) ...... 433 ...... 5377 25B Cox, Ray (R) ...... 413 ...... 7065 10A Nornes, Bud (R) ...... 471 ...... 4946 31B Davids, Gregory (R) ...... 379 ...... 9278 47B Olsen, Stephanie (R) ...... 531 ...... 4280 62A Davnie, Jim (DFL) ...... 241 ...... 0173 16B Olson, Mark (R) ...... 501 ...... 4237 49A DeLaForest, Chris (R) ...... 503 ...... 4231 15B Opatz, Joe (DFL) ...... 277 ...... 6612 29A Demmer, Randy (R) ...... 371 ...... 9236 45A Osterman, Lynne (R) ...... 431 ...... 4176 28A Dempsey, Jerry (R) ...... 575 ...... 8635 11B Otremba, Mary Ellen (DFL) ...... 247 ...... 3201 6A Dill, David (DFL) ...... 315 ...... 2190 52B Otto, Rebecca (DFL) ...... 393 ...... 3018 27A Dorman, Dan (R) ...... 579 ...... 8216 37B Ozment, Dennis (R) ...... 479 ...... 4306 23B Dorn, John (DFL) ...... 201 ...... 3248 42B Paulsen, Erik (R) ...... 459 ...... 7449 17A Eastlund, Rob (R) ...... 449 ...... 5364 64B Paymar, Michael (DFL) ...... 253 ...... 4199 2A Eken, Kent (DFL) ...... 329 ...... 9918 31A Pelowski, Gene (DFL) ...... 295 ...... 8637 58B Ellison, Keith (DFL) ...... 229 ...... 8659 1A Penas, Maxine (R) ...... 553 ...... 9635 64A Entenza, Matt (DFL) ...... 267 ...... 8799 20A Peterson, Aaron (DFL) ...... 313 ...... 4228 41A Erhardt, Ron (R) ...... 591 ...... 4363 40A Powell, Duke (R) ...... 411 ...... 4212 16A Erickson, Sondra (R) ...... 407 ...... 6746 39A Pugh, Thomas (DFL) ...... 273 ...... 6828 21B Finstad, Brad (R) ...... 353 ...... 9303 44A Rhodes, Jim (R) ...... 443 ...... 9889 4A Fuller, Doug (R) ...... 525 ...... 5516 5A Rukavina, Tom (DFL) ...... 279 ...... 0170 37A Gerlach, Chris (R) ...... 533 ...... 5506 26A Ruth, Connie (R) ...... 415 ...... 5368 50A Goodwin, Barbara (DFL) ...... 331 ...... 4331 50B Samuelson, Char (R) ...... 423 ...... 0141 54A Greiling, Mindy (DFL) ...... 259 ...... 5387 41B Seagren, Alice (R) ...... 477 ...... 7803 24A Gunther, Bob (R) ...... 485 ...... 3240 21A Seifert, Marty (R) ...... 357 ...... 5374 47A Haas, Bill (R) ...... 569 ...... 5513 5B Sertich, Anthony (DFL) ...... 233 ...... 0172 48A Hackbarth, Tom (R) ...... 409 ...... 2439 14A Severson, Dan (R) ...... 389 ...... 7808 22B Harder, Elaine (R) ...... 509 ...... 5373 57A Sieben, Katie (DFL) ...... 211 ...... 4342 66B Hausman, Alice (DFL) ...... 245 ...... 3824 10B Simpson, Dean (R) ...... 473 ...... 4293 13A Heidgerken, Bud (R) ...... 359 ...... 4317 55B Slawik, Nora (DFL) ...... 317 ...... 7807 46B Hilstrom, Debra (DFL) ...... 239 ...... 3709 33A Smith, Steve (R) ...... 543 ...... 9188 8A Hilty, Bill (DFL) ...... 207 ...... 4308 8B Soderstrom, Judy (R) ...... 439 ...... 0518 36A Holberg, Mary Liz (R) ...... 349 ...... 6926 3B Solberg, Loren (DFL) ...... 309 ...... 2365 34B Hoppe, Joe (R) ...... 537 ...... 5066 14B Stang, Doug (R) ...... 375 ...... 4373 60B Hornstein, Frank (DFL) ...... 227 ...... 9281 36B Strachan, Steve (R) ...... 345 ...... 1069 4B Howes, Larry (R) ...... 351 ...... 2451 28B Sviggum, Steve (R) ...... 463 ...... 2273 7A Huntley, Thomas (DFL) ...... 335 ...... 2228 23A Swenson, Howard (R) ...... 517 ...... 8634 54B Jacobson, Carl (R) ...... 429 ...... 7153 33B Sykora, Barb (R) ...... 403 ...... 4315 7B Jaros, Mike (DFL) ...... 291 ...... 4246 65A Thao, Cy (DFL) ...... 215 ...... 5158 43A Johnson, Jeff (R) ...... 401 ...... 5511 63A Thissen, Paul (DFL) ...... 301 ...... 5375 67B Johnson, Sheldon (DFL) ...... 243 ...... 4201 49B Tingelstad, Kathy (R) ...... 507 ...... 5369 13B Juhnke, Al (DFL)...... 281 ...... 6206 18B Urdahl, Dean (R) ...... 521 ...... 4344 59B Kahn, Phyllis (DFL) ...... 255 ...... 4257 52A Vandeveer, Ray (R) ...... 529 ...... 4124 60A Kelliher, Margaret Anderson (DFL) ...... 261 ...... 0171 62B Wagenius, Jean (DFL) ...... 251 ...... 4200 18A Kielkucki, Tony (R) ...... 367 ...... 1534 61B Walker, Neva (DFL) ...... 213 ...... 7152 56B Klinzing, Karen (R) ...... 539 ...... 1147 12A Walz, Dale (R) ...... 527 ...... 4333 15A Knoblach, Jim (R) ...... 453 ...... 6316 38B Wardlow, Lynn (R) ...... 491 ...... 4128 20B Koenen, Lyle (DFL) ...... 327 ...... 4346 55A Wasiluk, Scott (DFL) ...... 217 ...... 1188 34A Kohls, Paul (R) ...... 421 ...... 4282 51A Westerberg, Andrew (R) ...... 549 ...... 4226 53A Krinkie, Philip (R) ...... 365 ...... 2907 11A Westrom, Torrey (R) ...... 381 ...... 4929 30B Kuisle, William (R) ...... 565 ...... 4378 38A Wilkin, Tim (R) ...... 551 ...... 3533 9A Lanning, Morrie (R) ...... 593 ...... 5515 32B Zellers, Kurt (R) ...... 557 ...... 5502 List as of Feb. 28, 2003. *All rooms are in the State Office Building unless otherwise noted, St. Paul, MN 55155

24 February 28, 2003 2003 Minnesota Senate Members Phone Phone District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296- District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296- 66 Anderson, Ellen (DFL) ...... 120 Cap...... 5537 54 Marty, John (DFL) ...... 323 Cap...... 5645 52 Bachmann, Michele (R) ...... 141 SOB ...... 4351 38 McGinn, Mike (R) ...... G-19 SOB ...... 7-8073 6 Bakk, Thomas (DFL) ...... 301 Cap...... 8881 39 Metzen, James (DFL) ...... 322 Cap...... 4370 40 Belanger, William (R) ...... 113 SOB ...... 5975 41 Michel, Geoff (R) ...... 151 SOB ...... 6238 61 Berglin, Linda (DFL) ...... 309 Cap...... 4261 67 Moua, Mee (DFL) ...... 235 Cap...... 5285 51 Betzold, Don (DFL) ...... 111 Cap...... 2556 28 Murphy, Steve (DFL) ...... 306 Cap...... 4264 50 Chaudhary, Satveer (DFL) ...... 317 Cap...... 4334 25 Neuville, Thomas (R) ...... 123 SOB ...... 1279 64 Cohen, Richard (DFL) ...... 317 Cap...... 5931 17 Nienow, Sean (R) ...... 105 SOB ...... 5419 26 Day, Dick (R) ...... 147 SOB ...... 9457 33 Olson, Gen (R) ...... 119 SOB ...... 1282 60 Dibble, D. Scott (DFL) ...... 111 Cap...... 4191 34 Ortman, Julianne (R) ...... G-21 SOB ...... 4837 18 Dille, Steve (R) ...... 103 SOB ...... 4131 19 Ourada, Mark (R) ...... 145 SOB ...... 5981 14 Fischbach, Michelle (R) ...... 129 SOB ...... 2084 65 Pappas, Sandra (DFL) ...... 120 Cap...... 1802 47 Foley, Leo (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 4154 36 Pariseau, Pat (R) ...... 117 SOB ...... 5252 21 Frederickson, Dennis (R) ...... 139 SOB ...... 8138 59 Pogemiller, Lawrence (DFL) ...... 235 Cap...... 7809 43 Gaither, David (R) ...... 107 SOB ...... 4314 63 Ranum, Jane (DFL) ...... 120 Cap...... 7-8061 42 Hann, David (R) ...... G-27 SOB ...... 1749 53 Reiter, Mady (R) ...... 132D SOB ...... 1253 58 Higgins, Linda (DFL) ...... 328 Cap...... 9246 45 Rest, Ann (DFL) ...... 205 Cap...... 2889 23 Hottinger, John (DFL) ...... 208 Cap...... 6153 35 Robling, Claire (R) ...... 143 SOB ...... 4123 13 Johnson, Dean (DFL) ...... 121 Cap...... 3826 24 Rosen, Julie (R) ...... G-23 SOB ...... 5713 49 Johnson, Debbie (R) ...... 135 SOB ...... 3219 4 Ruud, Carrie (R) ...... 109 SOB ...... 4913 48 Jungbauer, Michael (R) ...... 115 SOB ...... 3733 11 Sams, Dallas (DFL) ...... 328 Cap...... 7-8063 44 Kelley, Steve (DFL) ...... 205 Cap...... 7-8065 3 Saxhaug, Tom (DFL) ...... 124 Cap...... 4136 31 Kierlin, Bob (R) ...... 127 SOB ...... 5649 46 Scheid, Linda (DFL) ...... 303 Cap...... 8869 30 Kiscaden, Sheila (IP) ...... G-15 SOB ...... 4848 29 Senjem, David (R) ...... G-17 SOB ...... 3903 15 Kleis, Dave (R) ...... G-25 SOB ...... 6455 2 Skoe, Rod (DFL) ...... 124 Cap...... 4196 37 Knutson, David (R) ...... 133 SOB ...... 4120 62 Skoglund, Wesley (DFL) ...... 124 Cap...... 4274 12 Koering, Paul (R) ...... 131 SOB ...... 4875 7 Solon, Yvonne Prettner (DFL) ...... 303 Cap...... 4188 20 Kubly, Gary (DFL) ...... 306 Cap...... 5094 27 Sparks, Dan (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 9248 9 Langseth, Keith (DFL) ...... 122 Cap...... 3205 1 Stumpf, LeRoy (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 8660 10 Larson, Cal (R) ...... 153 SOB ...... 5655 5 Tomassoni, David (DFL) ...... 321 Cap...... 8017 56 LeClair, Brian (R) ...... 149 SOB ...... 4166 22 Vickerman, Jim (DFL) ...... 226 Cap...... 5650 32 Limmer, Warren (R) ...... 121 SOB ...... 2159 16 Wergin, Betsy (R) ...... 125 SOB ...... 8075 8 Lourey, Becky (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 0293 55 Wiger, Charles (DFL) ...... 226 Cap...... 6820 57 Marko, Sharon (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 7-8060 *Capitol or State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 For phone numbers, contact Senate Information at 651-296-0504 Minnesota House and Senate Membership

A Rep. Maxine Penas-(R) A Rep. Jim Knoblach-(R) A Rep. Randy Demmer-(R) A Rep. Jeff Johnson-(R) A Rep. Katie Sieben-(DFL) B Rep. Bernie Lieder-(DFL) B Rep. Joe Opatz-(DFL) B Rep. Fran Bradley-(R) B Rep. Ron Abrams-(R) B Rep. Denny McNamara-(R) 1 Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf-(DFL) 15 Sen. Dave Kleis-(R) 29 Sen. David H. Senjem-(R) 43 Sen. David Gaither-(R) 57 Sen. Sharon Marko-(DFL) A Rep. Kent Eken-(DFL) A Rep. Sondra Erickson-(R) A Rep. Carla Nelson-(R) A Rep. Jim Rhodes-(R) A Rep. Joe Mullery-(DFL) B Rep. Doug Lindgren-(R) B Rep. Mark Olson-(R) B Rep. William Kuisle-(R) B Rep. Ron Latz-(DFL) B Rep. Keith Ellison-(DFL) 2 Sen. Rod Skoe-(DFL) 16 Sen. Betsy L. Wergin-(R) 30 Sen. Sheila M. Kiscaden-(IP) 44 Sen. Steve Kelley-(DFL) 58 Sen. Linda Higgins-(DFL) A Rep. Irv Anderson-(DFL) A Rep. Rob Eastlund-(R) A Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr.-(DFL) A Rep. Lynne Osterman-(R) A Rep. Len Biernat-(DFL) B Rep. Loren A. Solberg-(DFL) B Rep. Peter (Pete) Nelson-(R) B Rep. Gregory M. Davids-(R) B Rep. Lyndon R. Carlson-(DFL) B Rep. Phyllis Kahn-(DFL) 3 Sen. Tom Saxhaug-(DFL) 17 Sen. Sean R. Nienow-(R) 31 Sen. Bob Kierlin-(R) 45 Sen. Ann H. Rest-(DFL) 59 Sen. Lawrence J. Pogemiller-(DFL) A Rep. Doug Fuller-(R) A Rep. Tony Kielkucki-(R) A Rep. Arlon Lindner-(R) A Rep. Michael Nelson-(DFL) A Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher-(DFL) B Rep. Larry Howes-(R) B Rep. Dean Urdahl-(R) B Rep. Kurt Zellers-(R) B Rep. Debra Hilstrom-(DFL) B Rep. Frank Hornstein-(DFL) 4 Sen. Carrie L. Ruud-(R) 18 Sen. Steve Dille-(R) 32 Sen. Warren Limmer-(R) 46 Sen. Linda Scheid-(DFL) 60 Sen. D. Scott Dibble-(DFL) A Rep. Tom Rukavina-(DFL) A Rep. Bruce Anderson-(R) A Rep. Steve Smith-(R) A Rep. Bill Haas-(R) A Rep. Karen Clark-(DFL) B Rep. Anthony (Tony) Sertich-(DFL) B Rep. Dick Borrell-(R) B Rep. Barb Sykora-(R) B Rep. Stephanie Olsen-(R) B Rep. Neva Walker-(DFL) 5 Sen. David J. Tomassoni-(DFL) 19 Sen. Mark Ourada-(R) 33 Sen. Gen Olson-(R) 47 Sen. Leo Foley-(DFL) 61 Sen. Linda Berglin-(DFL) A Rep. David Dill-(DFL) A Rep. Aaron Peterson-(DFL) A Rep. Paul Kohls-(R) A Rep. Tom Hackbarth-(R) A Rep. Jim Davnie-(DFL) B Rep. Mary Murphy-(DFL) B Rep. Lyle Koenen-(DFL) B Rep. Joe Hoppe-(R) B Rep. Jim Abeler-(R) B Rep. Jean Wagenius-(DFL) 6 Sen. Thomas M. Bakk-(DFL) 20 Sen. Gary Kubly-(DFL) 34 Sen. Julianne E. Ortman-(R) 48 Sen. Michael J. Jungbauer-(R) 62 Sen. Wesley J. Skoglund-(DFL) A Rep. Thomas Huntley-(DFL) A Rep. Marty Seifert-(R) A Rep. Michael Beard-(R) A Rep. Chris DeLaForest-(R) A Rep. Paul Thissen-(DFL) B Rep. Mike Jaros-(DFL) B Rep. Brad Finstad-(R) B Rep. Mark Buesgens-(R) B Rep. Kathy Tingelstad-(R) B Rep. Dan Larson-(DFL) 7 Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon-(DFL) 21 Sen. Dennis R. Frederickson-(R) 35 Sen. Claire A. Robling-(R) 49 Sen. Debbie J. Johnson-(R) 63 Sen. Jane B. Ranum-(DFL) A Rep. Bill Hilty-(DFL) A Rep. Doug Magnus-(R) A Rep. Mary Liz Holberg-(R) A Rep. Barbara Goodwin-(DFL) A Rep. Matt Entenza-(DFL) B Rep. Judy Soderstrom -(R) B Rep. Elaine Harder-(R) B Rep. Steve Strachan-(R) B Rep. Char Samuelson-(R) B Rep. Michael Paymar-(DFL) 8 Sen. Becky Lourey-(DFL) 22 Sen. Jim Vickerman-(DFL) 36 Sen. Pat Pariseau-(R) 50 Sen. Satveer Chaudhary-(DFL) 64 Sen. Richard J. Cohen-(DFL) A Rep. Morrie Lanning-(R) A Rep. Howard Swenson-(R) A Rep. Chris Gerlach-(R) A Rep. Andrew Westerberg-(R) A Rep. Cy Thao-(DFL) B Rep. Paul Marquart-(DFL) B Rep. John Dorn-(DFL) B Rep. Dennis Ozment-(R) B Rep. Connie Bernardy-(DFL) B Rep. Carlos Mariani-(DFL) 9 Sen. Keith Langseth-(DFL) 23 Sen. John C. Hottinger-(DFL) 37 Sen. David L. Knutson-(R) 51 Sen. Don Betzold-(DFL) 65 Sen. Sandra L. Pappas-(DFL) A Rep. Bud Nornes-(R) A Rep. Bob Gunther-(R) A Rep. Tim Wilkin-(R) A Rep. Ray Vandeveer-(R) A Rep. John Lesch-(DFL) B Rep. Dean Simpson-(R) B Rep. Tony Cornish-(R) B Rep. Lynn Wardlow-(R) B Rep. Rebecca Otto-(DFL) B Rep. Alice Hausman-(DFL) 10 Sen. Cal Larson-(R) 24 Sen. Julie Rosen-(R) 38 Sen. Mike McGinn-(R) 52 Sen. Michele Bachmann-(R) 66 Sen. Ellen R. Anderson-(DFL) A Rep. Torrey Westrom-(R) A Rep. Laura Brod-(R) A Rep. Thomas W. Pugh-(DFL) A Rep. Philip Krinkie-(R) A Rep. Tim Mahoney-(DFL) B Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba-(DFL) B Rep. Raymond Cox-(R) B Rep. Joseph Atkins-(DFL) B Rep. Doug Meslow-(R) B Rep. Sheldon Johnson-(DFL) 11 Sen. Dallas C. Sams-(DFL) 25 Sen. Thomas M. Neuville-(R) 39 Sen. James P. Metzen-(DFL) 53 Sen. Mady Reiter-(R) 67 Sen. Mee Moua-(DFL) A Rep. Dale Walz-(R) A Rep. Connie Ruth-(R) A Rep. Duke Powell-(R) A Rep. Mindy Greiling-(DFL) B Rep. Greg Blaine-(R) B Rep. Lynda Boudreau-(R) B Rep. Ann Lenczewski-(DFL) B Rep. Carl Jacobson-(R) 12 Sen. Paul E. Koering-(R) 26 Sen. Dick Day-(R) 40 Sen. William V. Belanger Jr.-(R) 54 Sen. John Marty-(DFL) This document can be made available in alternative A Rep. Bud Heidgerken-(R) A Rep. Dan Dorman-(R) A Rep. Ron Erhardt-(R) A Rep. Scott Wasiluk-(DFL) formats for people with disabilities by B Rep. Al Juhnke-(DFL) B Rep. Jeff Anderson-(R) B Rep. Alice Seagren-(R) B Rep. Nora Slawik-(DFL) calling the House at Sen. Dean E. Johnson-(DFL) Sen. Dan Sparks-(DFL) Sen. Geoff Michel-(R) Sen. Charles (Chuck) W. Wiger-(DFL) 13 27 41 55 (651) 296-2146 voice, A Rep. Daniel Severson-(R) A Rep. Jerry Dempsey-(R) A Rep. Peter Adolphson-(R) A Rep. Eric Lipman-(R) (651) 296-9896 TTY or the Senate at B Rep. Doug Stang-(R) B Rep. Steve Sviggum-(R) B Rep. Erik Paulsen-(R) B Rep. Karen Klinzing-(R) (651) 296-0504 voice 14 Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach-(R) 28 Sen. Steve Murphy-(DFL) 42 Sen. David Hann-(R) 56 Sen. Brian LeClair-(R) or (651) 296-0250 TTY Session Weekly 25 ILL INTRODUCTIONS F EBRUARY 24 - 27, 2003 B ★ ★ ★ HOUSE FILES 561 - 667

Monday, Feb. 24 HF573—Blaine (R) HF585—Nornes (R) Environment & Natural Resources Policy Governmental Operations & HF561—Gerlach (R) Crow Wing County tax-forfeited land sale Veterans Affairs Policy authorized. Commerce, Jobs & Certified public accountants authorized to perform annual audits for county nursing homes. Economic Development Policy HF574—Latz (DFL) Tobacco sales to minors uniform mandatory pen- Transportation Finance HF586—Hilstrom (DFL) alties imposed, mitigating circumstances defined, and electronic age verification required. St. Louis Park; Trunk Highway 100 reconstruction Transportation Finance and expansion authorized, bonds issued, and money Brooklyn Park; Highway 252 expansion plans fund- appropriated. HF562—Blaine (R) ing provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. Environment & Natural Resources Finance HF575—Gerlach (R) HF587—Urdahl (R) Little Falls; Hennepin Paper Company property State Government Finance environmental cleanup funding provided, bonds Taxes issued, and money appropriated. Art expenditures in state-financed buildings Rural Minnesota Catch-Up Credit tax credit pro- limited. vided for job creation and retention. HF563—Rukavina (DFL) HF576—Wasiluk (DFL) Taxes HF588—Brod (R) Governmental Operations & Mining occupation tax rate and computation modi- Commerce, Jobs & fied, and taconite tax production inflation adjust- Veterans Affairs Policy Economic Development Policy ment implementation delayed. Teacher retirement association rule of 85 early Township authority granted to require natural gas retirement incentive extended to a specified 1983 utilities to obtain a franchise from the township. HF564—Borrell (R) retiree. Governmental Operations & HF589—Haas (R) HF577—Juhnke (DFL) Veterans Affairs Policy Education Policy Governmental Operations & Open meeting law violations administrative rem- Elementary pupil transportation required for pu- edy provided, and civil penalties prescribed. Veterans Affairs Policy pils living more than one mile from school. State vehicle assignment prohibited to governor’s HF565—Borrell (R) staff, commissioners, and deputy and assistant com- HF590—Haas (R) missioners. Civil Law Health & Human Services Policy Government data practices complaints adminis- Child-care assistance fraud prevention provisions HF578—Brod (R) trative remedies provided. adopted. Jobs & Economic Development Finance HF566—Howes (R) Arlington regional sludge management project HF591—Sykora (R) grant contract extended. Environment & Natural Resources Policy Taxes Turtle license exemption provided to supply turtles Age-based income tax exclusion authorized for HF579—Juhnke (DFL) for nonprofit turtle racing. long-term capital gains. Environment & Natural Resources Policy HF567—Marquart (DFL) Deer hunting extended period authorized for sick HF592—Vandeveer (R) minors unable to hunt during the regular season. Taxes Health & Human Services Policy Detroit Lakes tax increment pooling authorized to Adult foster care licensing provisions modified. HF580—Erickson (R) meet certain debt service obligations. Education Policy HF593—Lenczewski (DFL) HF568—Marquart (DFL) School district curriculum and instruction required Taxes premised on abstinence until marriage. Environment & Natural Resources Finance Local government aid tax base definition modified Red River basin water management funding pro- to include tax increment financing captured tax HF581—Sykora (R) vided, and money appropriated. capacity. Education Finance HF569—Holberg (R) Education price index created, general education for- HF594—Lenczewski (DFL) mula allowance adjusted, and money appropriated. Transportation Finance Health & Human Services Policy Lakeville; I-35 and Highway 50 interchange funding Liquid oxygen access and regulation study required. HF582—Olson, M. (R) provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs HF595—Abeler (R) HF570—Gerlach (R) Lake improvement district creation and termina- Health and Human Services Finance tion provisions modified. Transportation Finance Supportive housing and managed care pilot project Bloomington; Cedar Avenue bus transit way funding funding provided, and money appropriated. HF583—Nornes (R) provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. Higher Education Finance HF596—Westrom (R) HF571—Marquart (DFL) Higher education facility authority statutory debt Judiciary Policy and Finance limit increased. Transportation Policy Harming a service animal criminal penalties and Restricted farm work license conditions for oper- restitution provided. HF584—Opatz (DFL) ating a motor vehicle modified. Education Policy HF597—Huntley (DFL) HF572—Samuelson (R) Tenth grade students allowed to participate in the Taxes post-secondary enrollment options program. Health & Human Services Policy Duluth economic development tax increment fi- Adult foster care license capacity expanded. nancing district established for aircraft related facilities.

26 February 28, 2003 HF598—Jaros (DFL) HF610—Kohls (R) HF623—Hackbarth (R) Taxes Civil Law Environment & Natural Resources Policy Aircraft repair facility construction materials and Civil actions against long-term care providers regu- Vapor recovery equipment required for gasoline equipment sales tax exemption provided. lated, government data use prohibited, non- deliveries in the metropolitan area. economic damages limited, and time period im- HF599—Huntley (DFL) posed on bringing actions based on tort against a HF624—Seifert (R) Taxes long-term provider. Governmental Operations & Duluth restaurant, hotel, and motel tax proceeds Veterans Affairs Policy dedicated to debt service on DECC and Great Lakes HF611—Boudreau (R) Local government impact notes provided for state Aquarium improvements. Health and Human Services Policy agency rule proposals, and aggregate cost of com- Oncologist referrals regulated. pliance determined. HF600—Marquart (DFL) Education Finance HF612—Knoblach (R) HF625—Westrom (R) Referendum tax base replacement aid made Governmental Operations & Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs permanent. Veterans Affairs Policy Central Lakes Region sanitary sewer district Legislative candidate expenditure reporting re- established. HF601—Peterson (DFL) quirements provided. Jobs & Economic Development Finance HF626—Nornes (R) West Central Growth Alliance pilot marketing pro- HF613—Kahn (DFL) Education Finance gram funding provided, and money appropriated. Regulated Industries Electronic library funding provided for schools, Minneapolis authorized to issue an on-sale wine libraries, and other media centers. HF602—Erickson (R) and malt beverage license to the Southern Theatre. Commerce, Jobs & HF627—Kuisle (R) Economic Development Policy HF614—Lipman (R) Transportation Finance Auto glass repair and replacement regulation Transportation Finance Transportation funding provided, and money ap- provided. Highway 5 in Lake Elmo and Baytown Township propriated. safety improvements funding provided, bonds is- HF603—Kielkucki (R) sued, and money appropriated. HF628—Kohls (R) Education Policy Civil Law Low-performing school student enrollment HF615—Biernat (DFL) Emergency notification actions liability limitation options established. Transportation Policy provided. Installation of illegal motor vehicle window and HF604—Olson, M. (R) window treatments prohibited. HF629—Walker (DFL) Transportation Finance Civil Law Highway 10 reconstruction design funding pro- HF616—Finstad (R) Equal rights for women provided by proposed con- vided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. Health & Human Services Policy stitutional amendment. Prescription drug assistance program established HF605—Olson, M. (R) through the Board on Aging, and appropriations HF630—Marquart (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Finance transferred. Taxes State park fees modified, state park campsites re- Truth in taxation notice of proposed property taxes quired to remain open in peak months, and report HF617—Soderstrom (R) and public hearings dates advanced. required. Health & Human Services Policy Prescription drug assistance program established HF631—Sieben (DFL) HF606—Smith (R) through the Board on Aging, and appropriations Education Policy Health & Human Services Policy transferred. Teachers authorized to take a two-year leave of Health care services prior authorization require- absence to teach in a charter school. ments modified, provider contracting requirements HF618—Smith (R) established, claims payment provisions modified, Health & Human Services Policy HF632—Abeler (R) utilization profiling regulated, and certain disclo- Abortion; reporting required on notification be- Health & Human Services Policy sures required. fore abortions are performed on a minor or speci- Long-term care insurance availability and quality fied other women, and civil penalties imposed. expanded, and legislative task force established. HF607—Huntley (DFL) Taxes HF619—Rhodes (R) HF633—Solberg (DFL) Duluth tax increment expenditures outside the Governmental Operations & Taxes boundaries of the district authorized. Veterans Affairs Policy Business incubator property tax exemption Sports board gambling authorized. extended. HF608—Solberg (DFL) Taxes HF620—Kielkucki (R) HF634—Holberg (R) Hospital and clinic construction materials ex- Governmental Operations & Civil Law empted from the sales tax for a specified facility. Veterans Affairs Policy Health data released to county human and social Social dice game conduct provisions clarified. services departments in order to coordinate benefits and services. Thursday, Feb. 27 HF621—Ellison (DFL) Regulated Industries HF635—Paymar (DFL) HF609—Kelliher (DFL) Minneapolis authorized to issue an on-sale wine Governmental Operations & Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs and malt liquor license to the Guthrie Lab. Veterans Affairs Policy Minneapolis authorized to establish a community Lobbyist and principal filing report requirements planning and economic development department. HF622—Strachan (R) modified. Regulated Industries Emergency 911 telephone system modified to require multi-line systems to provide caller location; and special county, city, and school district levies provided. Session Weekly 27 HF636—Hausman (DFL) HF648—Swenson (R) HF660—Samuelson (R) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Environment & Natural Resources Policy Transportation Finance St. Paul; park and trail improvements funded in the Private wildlife shooting preserves authorized any- I-35W expansion and reconstruction planning Meeker Island lock historic site area, bonds issued, where in the state. funds provided, bonds issued, and money and money appropriated. appropriated. HF649—Swenson (R) HF637—Hausman (DFL) Agriculture Policy HF661—Rhodes (R) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Chronic wasting disease control and wildlife health Taxes St. Paul; park and trail improvements funding pro- management provided, and money appropriated. Hopkins tax increment financing district extended. vided for the Meeker Island lock historic site area, and money appropriated. HF650—Biernat (DFL) HF662—Abeler (R) Transportation Policy Health & Human Services Policy HF638—Cornish (R) Traffic signal enforcement authorized through use Health plan coverages for handicapped children Taxes of photographic evidence. regulated to include requirement of notice regard- Military pension income tax deduction provided. ing termination of coverage upon attainment of HF651—Boudreau (R) the limiting age. HF639—Juhnke (DFL) Taxes Environment & Natural Resources Policy Medford local sales and use tax authorized. HF663—Borrell (R) Electric assistive devices authorized on state trails. Transportation Finance HF652—Lesch (DFL) St. Michael; Highway 241 reconstruction as a four- HF640—Powell (R) Judiciary Policy & Finance lane expressway funding provided, bonds issued, Transportation Finance Child endangerment crime expanded to include and money appropriated. Dakota County Highway 42 improvements funding manufacture of controlled substances in the pres- provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. ence of a child. HF664—Eastlund (R) Civil Law HF641—Thao (DFL) HF653—Olsen, S. (R) Child support guidelines provided. Health & Human Services Policy Health & Human Services Policy Food assistance for non-citizens extended, and Post-adoption services requirements modified to HF665—Murphy (DFL) Minnesota Family Investment Program exemp- require release of non-identifying history of birth Taxes tions, extensions, and sanctions modified. family. Proctor authorized to impose an additional sales tax if approved at election, and fund uses specified. HF642—Stang (R) HF654—Bernardy (DFL) Governmental Operations & Judiciary Policy & Finance HF666—Murphy (DFL) Veterans Affairs Policy Controlled substance anologue definition and treat- Governmental Operations & Fantasy sports leagues authorized at retail estab- ment provided, and penalties prescribed for sale Veterans Affairs Policy lishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. and possession of amphetamine and gamma hy- Duluth teacher retirement association employee droxybutyric acid. and employer contributions payment authorized HF643—Kuisle (R) for a specified current employee. Transportation Policy HF655—Biernat (DFL) Motor vehicle registration, dealer transaction, in- Transportation Policy HF667—Thissen (DFL) surance regulatory responsibilities, truck weigh- I-94 designated as the Purple Heart Trail. Governmental Operations & ing, and drivers’ license expiration provisions Veterans Affairs Policy modified. HF656—Lenczewski (DFL) Military certificates of discharge classified as Governmental Operations & private data. HF644—Anderson, I. (DFL) Veterans Affairs Policy Governmental Operations & Hennepin County supplemental retirement plan Veterans Affairs Policy modified to allow county administrator to approve State procurement general preference extended for certain participation requests. Frequently called numbers in-state vendors. (Area code 651) HF657—Nelson, P. (R) Information, House HF645—Paulsen (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs 175 State Office Building ...... 296-2146 Commerce, Jobs & Counties authorized to require dedication of land Toll free ...... 1-800-657-3550 Economic Development Policy for public parks. TTY, House ...... 296-9896 Technology business licensing provisions modified. Toll free ...... 1-800-657-3550 HF658—Slawik (DFL) Chief Clerk of the House HF646—Buesgens (R) Transportation Policy 211 Capitol ...... 296-2314 Governmental Operations & Safe School Zone Law modified relating to speed Information, Senate Veterans Affairs Policy limits. 231 Capitol ...... 296-0504 Gaming machines provided, and horse racing purse Toll free ...... 1-888-234-1112 payments established. HF659—Gerlach (R) TTY, Senate ...... 296-0250 Commerce, Jobs & Toll free ...... 1-888-234-1112 HF647—Swenson (R) Economic Development Policy Secretary of the Senate Health & Human Services Policy Auto insurance authorized to cover damage to 231 Capitol ...... 296-2343 Nicollet County nursing home construction mora- glass on the same basis as damage to other parts of Voice mail/order bills ...... 296-2343 torium exception provided, and special provisions an automobile. Legislative Reference Library for moratorium exceptions modified. 645 State Office Building ...... 296-3398 Governor’s Office 130 Capitol ...... 296-3391 Attorney General’s Office 102 Capitol ...... 296-6196 Secretary of State’s Office 180 State Office Building ...... 296-2803

28 February 28, 2003 OMMITTEE SCHEDULE M ARCH 3 - 7, 2003 C ★ ★ ★

MONDAY, March 3 Education Finance Agriculture and Rural Development Room: 10 State Office Building Finance 11:45 AM Chair: Rep. Alice Seagren Room: 5 State Office Building Agenda: Continuation of comments and review Chair: Rep. Elaine Harder THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION of the governor’s 2004-2005 budget proposal. Agenda: Minnesota Board of Animal Health: Dr. William Hartmann, DVM, MS; Dr. Benjamin 12:00 PM Environment and Natural Resources Policy Pomeroy, Minnesota Veterinary Medical Joint House-Senate Convention Room: 5 State Office Building Association. House Chamber Chair: Rep. Tom Hackbarth Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute: Agenda: To be announced. Edgar Olson, Executive Director; Max Norris, Director of Technology and Commercial TUESDAY, March 4 Taxes Development- Marshall. Room: 200 State Office Building Minnesota Horticulture Society:Marjee Chair: Rep. Ron Abrams Righeimer, CEO, Executive Director. 8:15 AM Agenda: Hearings (bills originally scheduled for Health and Human Services Policy Feb. 27, and others to be determined): 2:30 PM Room: 10 State Office Building HF172 (Lenczewski) Local government aid city Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Chair: Rep. Lynda Boudreau aid base reduced as aid appropriations increase. Room: 200 State Office Building Agenda: To be announced. HF593 (Lenczewski) Local government aid tax Chair: Rep. Jerry Dempsey Note: that this is not the regularly scheduled day base definition modified to include tax increment Agenda: HF213 (Blaine) Local fire departments for the committee. financing captured tax capacity. reimbursed for extinguishing certain motor vehicle fires, local authority granted to collect Transportation Finance 12:30 PM unpaid bills for certain emergency services from Room: 500S State Office Building Governmental Operations and Veterans nonresidents, and money appropriated. Chair: Rep. William Kuisle Affairs Policy HF312 (Dill) Cook County hospital district levy Agenda: MnDOT budget presentation: state road Room: Basement Hearing Room inflation adjustment authorized. construction, state road operations and Chair: Rep. Jim Rhodes maintenance, federal funds, general support and Agenda: HF555 (Krinkie) Duplicating and State Government Finance buildings. printing service requirements relating to Room: 500N State Office Building administration department repealed, and Chair: Rep. Bill Haas Education Policy outside service contracts authorized. Agenda: Presentations by the following: Office Room: 200 State Office Building HF534 (Seifert) Good cause rule exemption of the Attorney General; Office of the Secretary Chair: Rep. Barb Sykora notice requirements imposed. of State; and Office of the State Auditor. Agenda: HF517 (Demmer) Department of HF407 (Howes) Minnesota Conservation Corps Children, Families and Learning renamed the transferred to the Friends of the Minnesota Civil Law Department of Education. Conservation Corps, assets transferred, and Room: 5 State Office Building HF365 (Johnson, J.) Kindergarten through grade money appropriated. Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg 12 unneeded mandates eliminated. HF585 (Nornes) Certified public accountants Agenda: HF110 (Smith) Family law reform and authorized to perform annual audits for county recodification including provisions Environment and Natural Resources nursing homes. relating to marriage dissolution, child custody, Finance child support, maintenance, and property Room: 5 State Office Building Commerce, Jobs, and Economic division. Chair: Rep. Dennis Ozment Development Agenda: Office of Environmental Assistance Room: 10 State Office Building review of Governor’s proposed budget. Chair: Rep. Greg Davids Continuation of Department of Natural WEDNESDAY, March 5 Agenda: HF359 (Rukavina) Mining owners and Resources fee increase proposal. operators duties specified when operations are 8:15 AM Jobs and Economic Development Finance discontinued. Transportation Finance Room: Basement Hearing Room HF536 (Simpson) Joint underwriting association Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther coverage and market assistance responsibilities Room: 200 State Office Building Agenda: Testimony: Youth Build, Youth modified. Chair: Rep. William Kuisle Intervention Project, MN Youth, Learn to Earn. HF276 (Lipman) Washington County Baytown Agenda: HF251 (Beard) State airports fund HF3 (Magnus) Job Opportunity Building Zones. special well construction area disclosure required transfers restoration required. before property sales and development. 10:15 AM Environment and Natural Resources Transportation Finance Finance Judiciary Policy and Finance Subcommittee on Transit Room: 5 State Office Building Room: Basement Hearing Room Room: 200 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Dennis Ozment Chair: Rep. Steve Smith Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg Agenda: HF462 (Tingelstad) Metropolitan parks Agenda: Overview of governor’s recommendations Agenda: To be announced. system operation and maintenance funding by the Public Defense Board. provided, and money appropriated.

Session Weekly 29 HF255 (Dill) Snowmobile trail easements contributions and solicitations prohibited Environment and Natural Resources acquisition funding provided to connect during special legislative sessions. Finance the Willard Munger State Trail to the North HF553 (Kielkucki) Optional election of certain Room: 5 State Office Building Shore State Trail, and money appropriated. town offices provided. Chair: Rep. Dennis Ozment HF498 (Dill) Cook County leased state lands Agenda: To be announced. lease rates modified. Higher Education Finance Room: 300S State Office Building Education Policy Health and Human Services Finance Chair: Rep. Doug Stang Room: 200 State Office Building Room: 10 State Office Building Agenda: University of Minnesota response to Chair: Rep. Barb Sykora Chair: Rep. Fran Bradley the governor’s budget recommendations for Agenda: HF472 (Olson) School district opt out Agenda: Continuation of governor’s budget fiscal years 2004 and 2005. procedures provided regarding certain state proposals presentation by the Minnesota Testimony from University of Minnesota mandates. Department of Human Services. President Robert Bruininks. Other bills will be added.

Jobs and Economic Development Finance Transportation Policy Jobs and Economic Development Finance Room: Basement Hearing Room Room: 200 State Office Building Room: Basement Hearing Room Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther Chair: Rep. Ron Erhardt Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther Agenda: To be announced. Agenda: Discussion of traffic congestion in the Agenda: Budget overviews, Department of Trade Twin Cities metropolitan area. and Economic Development, Department of 10:15 AM Labor and Industry. 2:30 PM Judiciary Policy and Finance 10:15 AM Room: Basement Hearing Room State Government Finance Chair: Rep. Steve Smith Room: 500N State Office Building Judiciary Policy and Finance Agenda: Overview of governor’s recommendations Chair: Rep. Bill Haas Room: Basement Hearing Room by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Agenda: Presentation by the following: Chair: Rep. Steve Smith Department of Military Affairs; Department of Agenda: To be determined. Education Finance Veterans Affairs; and related veterans Room: 10 State Office Building organizations. Education Finance Chair: Rep. Alice Seagren Room: 10 State Office Building Agenda: To be announced. Civil Law Chair: Rep. Alice Seagren Room: 5 State Office Building Agenda: To be announced. Taxes Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg Room: 200 State Office Building Agenda: HF327 (Hackbarth) Shooting range Taxes Chair: Rep. Ron Abrams generally accepted practices defined; Room: 200 State Office Building Agenda: To be announced. and relation to local ordinances, closing and Chair: Rep. Ron Abrams relocations, and nuisance liability provided. Agenda: Presentation of Study on Local 12:30 PM Government Aid by State Auditor Awada. Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Other business that may properly come before Agriculture Policy Room: 200 State Office Building the committee. Room: 5 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Jerry Dempsey Chair: Rep. Howard Swenson Agenda: Bills to be announced. Environment and Natural Resources Policy Agenda: Overview of Animal Agriculture Generic Room: 5 State Office Building Environmental Impact Statement. Chair: Rep. Tom Hackbarth Regulated Industries Agenda: To be announced. Governmental Operations and Veterans *** Note: *** Change in meeting room Affairs Policy Room: 10 State Office Building 12:30 PM Room: Basement Hearing Room Chair: Rep. Torrey Westrom Chair: Rep. Jim Rhodes Agenda: To be announced. Commerce, Jobs and Economic Agenda: HF361 (Kielkucki) Special election Development procedures for town officials provided. Room: 10 State Office Building HF390 (Erickson) Elections conducted by mail; THURSDAY, March 6 Chair: Rep. Greg Davids county auditor approval requirement Agenda: Bills to be announced. eliminated. 8:15 AM HF391 (Olsen) School districts authorized to Agriculture and Rural Development convert, by election, from election by district to Health and Human Services Finance Finance election at large. Room: 10 State Office Building Room: 5 State Office Building HF471 (Knoblach) School district election Chair: Rep. Fran Bradley Chair: Rep. Elaine Harder primaries required. Agenda: Continuation of governor’s budget Agenda: To be announced. HF503 (Kielkucki) Ballot preparation provisions proposal presentation by the Minnesota clarified. Department of Human Services. Ways & Means HF504 (Kielkucki) Ballot questions limited to Room: 200 State Office Building those meeting all deadlines. Chair: Rep. Jim Knoblach HF539 (Dorman) Campaign and election Agenda: To be announced.

30 February 28, 2003 Republican wins seat The third special election so far this year was won by Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) in District 32B Feb. 25. Zellers, the House Republican Caucus director of public affairs, won with 58.32 percent of the vote, compared to the 38.24 percent for DFLer Mick Ganley. Will Lines, the Indepen- As the Legislature battled over what should However, the good times were not going dence Party candidate, earned 3.35 percent. be taxed to secure state financial stability some to last forever. With the Zellers win, Republicans now hold 75 years ago, it was looking for a more equi- During the 1920s, agricultural grain an 81-53 margin in the House. table method for everyone to pay a fair share prices declined as the flourmill industry di- His room number and committee assign- of the costs for running the state. versified to make breakfast cereals and other ments had not been finalized when this edi- At that time, the state relied on a few spe- products. A major wealthy owner in the tion of Session Weekly went to press. His office cific taxes, including the ore and railroad taxes, lumber industry moved his company to the phone number will be (651) 296-5502. but personal income taxes had not yet been Pacific Northwest, while the owners of the The special election was needed because widely approved. As a result wealthy individu- mines were returning few revenues to the former Rep. Rich Stanek resigned in January als who had moved west, or those who di- state on the Iron Range. to become commissioner for the Department rected mining interests from the east coast, In hopes of stopping the downward slide, of Public Safety. controlled successful legislators pushed for a Rep. Duke Powell (R-Burnsville) and Rep. businesses and industry wider range of taxation Rebecca Otto (DFL-Marine on St. Croix) also and did not pay specific during the mid- to won special elections earlier this year. taxes based on the suc- late-1920s, but with no cesses of those busi- success. nesses to support the One factor they state’s coffers. wanted to enhance by The state moved 1928 was the average Minnesota State Agencies into the 20th century wage for all industries. (Area code 651) as a thriving economy, A Minneapolis grocery store in 1920. Including farm labor, Administration ...... 296-6013 partially because of its the average was only Agriculture ...... 297-2200 isolation in the Upper Midwest with no $1,490 per year. That may have seemed like Toll Free ...... 1-800-967-2474 competition from Chicago some 410 miles a lot to some because at the time Coca-Cola Children, Families and Learning . 582-8200 away. The insight and productivity of cost 5 cents per bottle, bread was 9 cents a Commerce ...... 296-4026 Corrections ...... 642-0200 knowledgeable individuals and wealthy en- loaf, chickens cost 38 cents per pound, Economic Security ...... 296-3711 trepreneurs who moved to the area helped 47 cents would buy a dozen eggs, and a top Toll Free ...... 1-888-GET-JOBS to build the state as an important resource of the line Elgin bicycle cost $32.45. Employee Relations ...... 297-1184 for the rest of the country. Just when things were starting to turn Job Information Hotline ...... 296-2616 The cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis around, the October 1929 crash of the stock Finance ...... 296-5900 Health...... 215-5800 became a railroad hub that connected the market and eventual failures of more than Human Rights ...... 296-5663 west with cities east of the Mississippi River. 10,000 banks started “The Great Depres- Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3704 Duluth thrived as a port for exporting ore sion” in the state and across the country. Human Services ...... 297-3933 and grain across Lake Superior to the east, It took a few years, but the Legislature fi- Labor and Industry ...... 284-5000 and immigrants from western Europe nally settled on new personal income tax Toll Free ...... 1-800-342-5354 Military Affairs ...... 282-4662 moved to mine the Iron Range, work in laws to change the state’s revenue base. Natural Resources ...... 296-6157 manufacturing in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Darker days behind them, the state and Toll Free ...... 1-888-MINNDNR and till the fertile land and raise animals to its people would once again become eco- Pollution Control Agency ...... 296-6300 feed others in the east and south. nomically strong within a few years. Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3864 Minnesota’s lumber industry was also in — LECLAIR GRIER LAMBERT Public Safety ...... 282-6565 its prime as thousands of trees were cut on Driver and Vehicle Services ..... 296-6911 Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society Fire Marshal ...... 215-0500 a weekly basis to be used for papermaking Alcohol and Gambling and building construction. Enforcement Division ...... 296-6979 State Patrol ...... 282-6871 Revenue Taxpayer Assistance ...... 296-3781 Trade and Where to find information Economic Development ...... 297-1291 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3858 House Public Information Services magazine, educational brochures for all ages, and Office of Tourism ...... 296-5029 175 State Office Building member directories, and televised coverage of the Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3700 (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 legislature. All information is available at no charge. Transportation ...... 296-3000 House Public Information Services is a non- Most of what this office publishes can be Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3774 partisan office that provides committee meet- viewed on the Legislature’s World Wide Web Veterans Affairs ...... 296-2562 ing schedules; legislator information; and pub- page. To connect, point your Web browser at: lications, including the Session Weekly news http://www.leg.mn

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: ERIK PAULSEN MINORITY LEADER: MATT ENTENZA

INNESOTA M INDEX FOR MORE INFORMATION

For general information, call: Minnesota State Parks House Information Office Approximate number of acres in Minnesota State Park system ...... 244,000 (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 Number of state parks ...... 66 State recreation areas ...... 6 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: Approximate acres of land within state parks that are under privatly owned ....43,000 Chief Clerk’s Office Funds in 2002 bonding bill dedicated for land acquisition ultimately (651) 296-2314 line-item vetoed by Gov. Jesse Ventura, in millions ...... $3 Funds needed for those currently willing to sell, in millions ...... $6 To find out about bill introductions or Of the top 25 travel attractions in the state, number that are state parks ...... 6 the status of a specific bill, call: Number of visitors to Minnesota parks in 2000, in millions ...... 8.5 House Index Office Approximate percentage from out of state ...... 20 (651) 296-6646 Approximate percentage of all visits that are for camping ...... 10 For an up-to-date recorded message Contributions to the state economy by out-of-state park visitors, in millions ...... $40 giving committee meeting times and Visits to most popular state park in 2000 (Fort Snelling) ...... 595,125 agendas, call: Second most popular (Gooseberry Falls) ...... 573,395 Committee Hotline Miles of road in the state parks...... 332 (651) 296-9283 Miles of trail...... 1,255 Number of historic districts or landmarks in state parks ...... 62 The House of Representatives can be Parks that contain Rustic Style resources, a design philosophy that reached on the World Wide Web at: emphasizes natural features rather than man-made ones, which http://www.house.mn are listed on the National Register of Historic Places ...... 22 State rank in terms of oldest park system in the country ...... 2 Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. Year Itasca State Park became state’s first park ...... 1891 To ask questions or leave messages, Largest number of state parks added in a single year (1963) ...... 11 call: Acres in the Big Bog Recreation Area, the largest bog in the TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or 48 contiguous states ...... 9,100 1-800-657-3550 Annual operating budget for state parks, in millions ...... $23.6 Percentage derived from user fees ...... 33 Check your local listings to watch Average spent per day in local communities by day visitors to state parks ...... $22 House committee and floor sessions Average spent by those that stay overnight...... $28.50 on TV. Parks where the camping and lodging season was shortened through Memorial Day 2003 due to budget reductions ...... 24 Senate Information Number of seasonal naturalist and interpretive intern positions cut ...... 24 (651) 296-0504 Percentage reduction in resource management efforts ...... 30 1-888-234-1112 Cost of annual state park vehicle permit effective May 1, 2003 ...... $20 Senate Index Daily permit ...... $4 (651) 296-5560 Cost of a semi-modern campsite (with showers) ...... $12 Site without showers...... $8 This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling Sources: Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Historical Society, Parks & Trails Council of (651) 296-2146 voice, (651) 296-9896 TTY, or Minnesota, Minnesota Office of Tourism (800) 657-3550 toll free voice and TTY.

32 February 28, 2003