Almanac: At the Capitol

Lawmakers debate a bill that would commit them to balancing the state's budget and Coleman's team could conclude their arguments in the Senate election trial this week.

View the Capitol Update for February 26, 2009.

Sen. Linda Scheid's Commerce Committee hosted a classic debate on healthcare.  It all started with Mike Burress from the MN Association of Health Underwriters testifying and Chair Scheid jumping in saying "You didn't mean to imply if you work hard you should get better health care?"  The underwriter responded that's exactly what he was saying "just like cars and a home" he thought if you work hard you're entitled to better stuff.  The room full of universal health care supporters loudly gasped.  Scheid responded in shock "Oh, you did mean that" and Burress said "this isn't a socialist state, yet."

Sen. John Marty, who is running for governor and the lead author on the universal health care bill, said we do have socialism, he wondered what police and fire are if not government services provided for all.  Sen.  Ray Vandeveer (R-Forest Lake) added "you think health care is expensive now, what until it's free."  The bill passed of course in the DFL-dominated committee with applause from the audience.  This triggered a great debate on my Facebook page (and to all of your who have employers that block FB, this is further evidence real work is happening along with professional networking):

 Richard Hayano at 2:28pm February 10

I think generally healthcare is a right.. good healthcare is a privilege.

 Mary Lahammer at 2:31pm February 10

Interesting point, thanks for the feedback!

 Nathan Hansen at 2:32pm February 10

No one has the right to steal from me and give to another.

 Stacey Pelika at 2:32pm February 10

I discussed this last week in class - we were comparing the U.S. and Iraq Constitutions, and one of the most notable differences is that access to health care is written into theirs but (obviously) not ours. I don't necessarily think it should be in ours, but it would definitely make the policy debate a lot easier to navigate!

 Mary Lahammer at 2:34pm February 10

Love the debate, I think I have a blog cooking...

The Senate Transportation Committee is taking some interesting action today.  Lawmakers killed an effort to outlaw toll roads, but unanimously passed a requirement for kids 4-8 to use booster seats.  Last year the booster seat legislation became the source of big end of session controversy when the governor essentially asked for it to be removed from a final bill as it was hitting the floor.  So the bill had to be suddenly sent back to conference committee.  Chair Murphy said he just had to buy two boosters and it only cost him 60 bucks so "it's not going to break the bank."  Murph is a grandfather and he's ready to play hardball with the House to get bills through like primary seatbelt which his committee already passed again this year. Gov. Pawlenty's spokesman left the door open a bit this year by saying "We want to work with the legislature to do what we can to promote child safety.  We are hopeful the legislature will be willing to take a reasonable approach as they consider booster seat legislation."

The mother of Brynn Duncan provided emotional testimony as she told the story of her daughter who was paralyzed in a car accident.   Her mom said "a booster seat would have saved her from a spinal cord injury."  Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan) doesn't want the booster seat bill called that, he prefers calling it the "child restraint act" but practically as a mom when a kid is 4+ you call it a booster. The penalty for not having your 4 to 8 year old would be no more than $50.  Current law mandates car seats for kids under 3 and those seats are more expensive, one testifier said "it's a 12 dollar purchase at Target."  The potential opposition to this just won't be at the governor's office, but the House is always a tough spot for any libertarian issues.  Minnesota is one of 6 states left that does not have this requirement.

Sen. Ray Vandeveer (R-Forest Lake) had the bill to outlaw toll roads.  Murphy got Vandeveer to admit it would pretty much have ended the new 35W toll agreement.  The reaction was fascinating, bi-partisan support and opposition.  No one will admit to liking toll roads, but lawmakers don't want to rule them out in tough times so the banishment of tolls was shot down at its first up to bat.   But Vandeveer said "they are a slippery slope."

Gov. Pawlenty hosted some House Republicans and staffers at the governor's mansion last night. They were in the middle of another late night marathon session and got an invite from the big guy. Deputy Minority Leader Tom Emmer gave us the scoop. He said "it was mostly about meatballs and shrimp." Emmer didn't fess up to much policy coming up; he said the governor "conveyed hang in there." Emmer said the subject of Real ID did not come up. We've heard from several Republicans now that they don't want the governor to veto the state opting out of the federal identification mandate. They would rather Pawlenty sign the bill, even though he clearly stated this week it will be vetoed. The alternative is an override, this time it could be conservative Republicans joining with Democrats, unlike the transportation override where it was moderate Republicans making the supermajority. Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark said the anti-Real ID people are an interesting coalition bringing people together like Sen. Mee Moua and Sen. Ray Vandeveer.

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.