Caledonia Argus

A recap of the 2003 legislative session

Posted: 6/3/03

by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Hereís some of the legislative outcomes of the 2003 session and ten-day special session:

ï.08 blood-alcohol: Advanced in the Senate but failed to gain a hearing in the House. Minnesota stands to lose millions in federal transportation funding if provision is not adopted.

House author believes passage a matter of time.

ïNorthstar Commuter Rail: No funding for proposed line emerged from sessions. Transportation bill contains provision calling for Northstar Corridor Development Authority and state officials to determine exact cost of line.

They would seek updated information from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. The proposed commuter rail line would use the railroadís tracks.

ïWomenís right-to-know: Passed by Legislature and immediately signed by Gov. Pawlenty, law stipulates women must receive certain medical information 24-hours prior to undergoing an abortion. Proponents call the law common sense; critics call it an assault on abortion rights.

Gov. Ventura previously vetoed the legislation.

ïPledge of Allegiance: Emotive legislation passed after much debate and earlier failures. Mandates recitation of pledge at least once a week in schools and charter schools. Opt-out provision for school districts offered. Individuals retain right to refuse to take pledge.

ïProfile of Learning: Long running battle over the star-crossed show-me-what-you-know initiative ends with repeal of profile. State currently working on implementing new academic standards emphasizing content. Repeal is a marquee issue for Republicans.

ïConceal carry: Intended to make obtaining a concealed carry gun permit more procedural, less judgmental, bill passed House and Senate with assistance of rural DFLers in Upper House.

DFLers and Republicans unwilling to fix notification provision in the bill. Provision has been interpreted to mean churches and businesses must both post signs and personally inform gun permit holders that guns are not allowed on premises. Bill authors insist that was never their intention.

Senate DFLers argue flaw was pointed out on Senate floor but let go.

About 12,000 Minnesotans currently have permits to carry firearms. According to a Department of Public Safety official, in 2001 some 11,293 gun permits were issued in Minnesota, with 827 applicants denied.

The data is not complete.

Bill author noted that in states with ìshall issueî conceal carry laws, one to four percent of the stateís population applied for permits.

ïMourning dove: Proposed hunting season on mourning doves fails. Lawmakers remark theyíve received as many calls and emails on the proposed hunting season than almost any other issue.

Proponents argue season would be boon to rural Minnesota besides providing toothsome meals. Opponents shout, ìThree coos!î

ïPrairie Island: Legislation permitting unlimited nuclear cask waste storage at Prairie Island until end of current licensure for the two nuclear plants ó in about a decade ó passed. Bill also provides for Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to make recommendation to Legislature on relicensing of Xcelís Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear plant.

Critics charge legislation weakens legislative oversight. Advocates respond by saying itís impossible for PUC to avoid legislative oversight.

ïBar closing time: Legislation allowing for 2 a.m. bar closing time passed. The provision, through sliding fees paid by hospitality industry, is expected to fund 40 to 50 additional state troopers.

This means additional nighttime state patrol presence in much of Greater Minnesota. Cities still can set their own bar closing times.

ïATVs: MnDot commissioner and local government can close roadside ditches after public hearing. DNR must complete forest-by-forest review of state land by December, 2006, with an eye towards either limiting ATV use or closing it.

Under law, state lands would be closed unless posted open to ATVs. But until 2011, state forests are exempt from ìclosed unless posted openî provision unless previously classified.

Transportation: Lawmakers approve $400 million in trunk highway bonding to be used in the metro basically for bottleneck removal and interregional corridor improvements. Itís hoped an equal amount of advanced federal dollars will gained.

HOV lanes approved for tollways. Cost to motorists will vary depending on time of day.

MnDot charged with conducting a study on the feasibility of running a rapid transit system in the I-35W corridor from downtown Minneapolis through the cities of Richfield, Bloomington, and Burnsville.

Total spending for the 2004-05 biennium is $3.8 billion.

ïK-12: Legislature passed a $11.9 billion omnibus funding bill. Supporters call it the best possible under the current projected $4.2 billion deficit.

DFLers call it inadequate ó a step back from the stateís constitutional duty to fund education.

Three additional student contact days for school districts are eliminated. The Jan. 15 teacher contract deadline is eliminated for the biennium.

Levy referendum caps can be increased for four years by the rate of inflation if approved by voters.

Students may enroll in any on-line course offered by an other school district and the district providing the class will receive funding from the studentís school district. Class offering must meet state graduation standards.

The bill waives the two percent staff development reserve fund for the biennium.

ïBonding: The Legislature passed a $217 million bonding bill bringing a small amount of bonding dollars to local projects.

Higher education big winner.

About $109 million in bonding projects were worked out for the University of Minnesota and MnSCU ó items vetoed last session by Gov. Ventura.

Included in the higher education funding is $500,000 for Dakota Technical College project design. Also included is $10 million for Centennial Hall renovations at the St. Cloud State University.

The Water and Soil Resources Board gained about $6 million in bonding with $1.3 million slated to Stillwater Browns Creek.

The National Sports Center in Blaine received $5 million in bonding for its event center.

The Northwest Busway gaining $1 million.

ïEthics complaints: Complaint of Rep. Arlon Lindner, R-Corcoran, dismissed. Lindner had been accused of bringing shame on the House for comments he made on the floor about the Holocaust and AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Controversy took on last turn when House DFL media staffer apologized for comments he made to a black newspaper in which he compared Republicans to white supremacists without hoods.

ïScandal: Legislative auditor concludes Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson did nothing wrong in his handling of a settlement with American Bankers Insurance Group (ABIG).

Allegations were made that the settlement was influenced by a ABIG campaign contribution to the Republican Party.

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