March 10, 2010
State Capitol - Marty Owings

The Governor today indicated he was willing to work with the current bonding bill, but reserved the right to use his veto power to trim down the size. Pawlenty told the Fargo Forum that, "The bonding bill incorporates most of our key priorities. It's still too large but it's a bill we can work with and we'll just have to slim it down to something that is more reasonable and responsible and affordable." Pawlenty was not specific about what exactly he would be cutting from the bill.

Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL) who is the Capitol Investment Finance Chair, indicated today that the current bill gives the Governor everything he requested. Hausman indicated that significant cuts were made to make the bill more palatable to the Governor.

March 10, 2010
State Capitol - Marty Owings

Here are just a few bills moving through the Capitol that have gotten our attention that you may find interesting. Here is the list, including the bills author and a note about what is interesting and or controversial about the Legislation:

HF891 (Champion) - Expungement law expanded and modified, courts authorized to modify or suspend collateral sanctions under certain circumstances, and situations limited in which juvenile delinquency criminal record is publicly available.

A small piece of this bill contains a significant change. The law currently requires a law enforcement or government entity to obtain a Judges permission before opening up expunged records. This bill would eliminate the requirement to get a Judges permission.

Status: Bill will be heard on the house floor.

Here are Rep.Champions audio comments regarding this bill:

Here is some aerial footage taken of last years flooding courtesy of the TheUptake.

March 9, 2010
State Capitol - By Marty Owings

Governor Pawlenty sent a letter to President Obama today asking for a Disaster declaration in response to the anticipated spring flooding. Pawlenty states in his letter that, "I have determined the potential severity and magnitude would exceed the capabilities of the state". Pawlenty adds in his letter, "Based on the extensive flood preparedness efforts underway in communities throughout the Red River and Minnesota Basins, I am requesting direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures addressing life-saving/sustaining, property protection, and public health and safety."

March 8, 2010
State Capitol - By Marty Owings

Both the Minnesota House and Senate recently held hearings on Civil Unions, but no votes were taken in either meeting. Some people in the GBLT community voiced criticism over the lack of voting, saying they believe a vote should have been taken, especially in the Senate committee where the believe there's enough support to pass a bill.

Senator Mee Moua (DFL) who is the chair of the Judiciary Committee where the hearing took place says she's surprised at the criticism, since it was GBLT leaders and the bills co-sponsor Sen. John Marty that didn't want a vote to be taken. Moua says that there was concern that the a measure wouldn't make it into law since House support for such a measure was not likely. However, Sen. John Marty (DFL) says he wanted a vote and thinks advancing such a measure helps raise awareness of an important issue.

March 8, 2010
State Capitol - Marty Owings

Republican's Peggy Scott and Amy Koch introduced a bill today that would allow taxpayers to pay more taxes. In a press release today, Scott said, "There are many voices on the left calling for higher taxes. They say they are willing to pay more, so I want to give them that opportunity." Scott goes on to basically say the whole thing is a lark, "This proposal is about the hypocrisy of a vocal minority and the reality that Minnesotans cannot afford higher taxes. We need to reduce government spending, scale-down the bureaucracy and put government in its proper scope."

The bill will be carried in the Senate by Sen. Amy Koch (R).

March 6, 2010
State Capitol - By Marty Owings

After nearly nine months of work and countless negotiating sessions, Law Makers and Governor Pawlenty finally reached a compromise on a plan that will save the General Assistance Medical Care program. Senator Linda Berglin (DFL) emerged from an afternoon meeting in the Governor's office today to say that an agreement had been reached. Berglin said that the agreement required some very significant sacrifices, but that no recipients currently on GAMC were at risk to lose their coverage. Berglin said that the agreement reflected the best they could have hoped for in the current economic climate.