Almanac: At the Capitol

The Senate passed its victim compensation bill 63-0. It is a very different bill than the one passed by the House a couple weeks ago. The Senate bill caps liability and spends $25 million dollars. The House bill does not cap individual liability and spends $40 million dollars. Minneapolis lawmakers tried to get the Senate version closer to the House, but despite Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller's support, that amendment went down in flames with just half a dozen Democrats supporting it. Two Republicans, Koering and Vandeveer toyed with voting yes, but ultimately switched to a no vote before the voting board closed. Now the bill heads to a conference committee for the House and Senate to work out their differences. The able attorneys Rep. Ryan Winkler and Sen. Ron Latz will be leading the charge. With victims looking down from the Senate Gallery, it was nice to see a moment of bi-partisan harmony. Although many vicitms want the cap lifted and prefer the House version.