House Democrats introduce a plan to let counties raise taxes to lessen the impact of state budget cuts, the Senate passes booster seat requirements, the Family Council is concerned with anti-bullying legislation, and environmentalists ask the governor to get green jobs going.
Budget and tax discussions, ethanol reformulation, and anti-bullying legislation lead this week's legislative news.
Mary discusses tweaking the election process with Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and examines a proposal to change vehicle restraint laws for children in this episode.
News of the week from the Capitol.
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie joins Mary to discuss changes to the state elections process.
House members Melissa Hortman and Joyce Peppin debate a proposal that would require the use of motor vehicle restraints for everyone under the age of eight.
House members Melissa Hortman and Joyce Peppin debate a proposal that would require the use of motor vehicle restraints for everyone under the age of eight.
Monday, February 2, 2009 - 4:34 pm
Sen. Joe Gimse (R-Willmar) proposed moving money from mass transit to school busing. 95 of the 100 million dollars would come from the metro, just 5 million would come from greater Minnesota. Needless to say, it's not going to happen. Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) says the idea will not get a hearing-- so dead on arrival as most suspected.
Nothing divides lawmakers faster than rural versus metro and this idea smacks of that. We've seen party lines crumble over the years as rural lawmakers routinely grapple with members from the metro. Gimse said it was a "setting of priorities" and said many superintendents are excited. The Senator who knocked off former Majority Leader Dean Johnson said it would be fair because metro districts would get the same per-pupil transportation model as the rest of the state. Gimse has been rather quiet (and likeable) for a guy who beat one of the most recognizable lawmakers at the Capitol, but this idea won't get much more attention after today. It was the first news conference he's headlined after being up here a couple of years now.
Mary takes a close look at Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposed budget and David Gillette introduces us to Minnesota's very own Indiana Jones in this week's episode.
An overivew of the budget discussions, the latest from the Senate recount, and the rest of the weeks political news.
Mary breaks down the governor's budget proposal.
Opening arguments in the Senate election trial, Republicans make a push for photo identification for voting, and separate groups look to the federal stimulus package to fund transportation and child health care programs.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 6:00 pm
The governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin announce an initiative to share services, a Senate committee passes a new seat belt law, and hearings are held on providing health insurance for the unemployed.
View the Capitol Update for January 13, 2009.
The governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin announce an initiative to share services, a Senate committee passes a new seat belt law, and hearings are held on providing health insurance for the unemployed.
