Volume 1, Number 11

Greetings,

April 22, 2013

The legislative session is now in full force and most committee work is wrapping up. In the next four weeks we will be meeting long hours on the Senate floor to consider hundreds of bills. Last week began with two solid days in the Health and Human Services (HHS) Finance Committee discussing the HHS Omnibus Bill (SF1034). Part of this bill includes some of the proposals that I authored to increase food shelf appropriation (SF254), support efforts to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (SF408) and support the Homeless Youth Act (SF565). Below is a summary of the omnibus bills we took up on the Senate floor last week.

Higher Education/Workforce Development Omnibus

The Senate passed the omnibus higher education budget bill on a 46-18 vote, demonstrating our bipartisan commitment to each and every Minnesota student. The bill increases student grants, puts strong cost controls in place, and connects our post-secondary education to the workforce demands of tomorrow. While there is much to praise within our states higher education institutions, the cost of attending these institutions is c learly on an unsustainable path. After more than a decade of cuts and tuition hikes, this bill will invest into Minnesota colleges and universities and the States student grant program. In addition the bill: Invests $42.6 million to freeze tuition at the University of Minnesota for the next two years. Appropriates $80 million to fund college student aid and increase the amount of each grant available to all Minnesotans. Utilizes performance funding metrics to ensure that universities and colleges are providing relevant post-secondary degrees in an efficient manner. Puts forward proposals to study how mentoring can be used to keep students enrolled, increase graduation rates, and provide financial counseling.

State Department and Veterans Omnibus

This bill contains over $12 million in savings through the repeal of the Sunset Commission, business efficiencies at the Secretary of State, IT consolidation through MN.IT, and tax system savings at the Department of Revenue. The bill also incorporated the recommendation of the bi-partisan Compensation Council for salary increases for the governor, constitutional officers, and the legislature. Legislators currently make $31,140 and are set at one-third of the Governor's salary. This proposal would increase the Governor's salary to $123,600. As a result legislative salaries would also increase to $41,200. This change would not take effect until the next statewide election.

Environment, Agriculture, Jobs Omnibus

Key investments made in this legislation include: $30 million to the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF); $25 million to the new Job Creation Fund (replacing JOBZ); $1.5 million to the Global Competitive Initiative, helping Minnesota businesses expand into new, global markets; $15 million to the House and Jobs Growth Initiative; and renewed funding for groups who received money under the competitive grant program last year.

Liquor Omnibus
This bill passed the Senate floor with strong bipartisan support. The bill contained the following provisions: Allows for beer tasting; Allows microdistilleries to provide samples of hard liquor to customers touring the distillery; Creates a beer educator license so individuals can hold classes similar to wine classes; Allows a small, licensed brewer to possess an off-sale brewer license which would authorize the off-sale of beer that was produced and packaged in an amount not to exceed 500 barrels annually. Beer would be sold in growlers (64-ounce containers).

Judiciary Omnibus
This bill includes funding for the states judicial and corrections systems. With a vote of 47 -18, the Senate strongly supported the idea of boosting funding levels and strategically investing to improve government effectiveness in our states justice system .

Regards,

Around the District

Im glad to hear Minnesotans present at the Boston Marathon this past Monday are doing okay. At least 10 Edina and 10 Eden Prairie residents were in attendance, and at least 6 residents from Minnetonka were in the city. Our condolences go out to all of the runners, spectators and families affected. Congratulations to Bloomingtons Oak Grove Middle School. Students at Oak Grove raised over $12,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys annual Pennies for Patients drive, making the school the third-highest Pennies for Patients fundraiser in Minnesota. Way to go Emma Crosby! Miss Crosby, a junior at Edina High School, recently won the silver medal at the 2013 Snowboard Nationals, beating out an Olympic snowboarder in her quest for a medal. Happy Earth Day! There are lots of things going on in the district for chillybut-fun ways to celebrate.

Around the Capitol

Omnibus K-12 bill approved by committeeThe Houses funding plan for Minnesota schools now moves to the taxes committee. Advanced EMT added as permitted ambulance staff Effective Aug. 1, 2013, advanced emergency medical technicians will be a new certification level allowed to serve as advanced life support ambulance staff. Health care proposals go under the knife, move to the House floorThe $11.5 billion omnibus health and human services finance bill would appropriate funding for the needs of infants and children, the mentally ill, and individuals on Medical Assistance. Upcoming tax, finance bills next week could address budget issuesHouse Speaker Thissen: Sales tax provision in tax bill unlikely. Bill addresses common banking problem for seniorsThere is currently no mechanism in state law that would allow a person only to act as an agent and not become a co-owner of the account.

Come visit us at the Capitol! Representative Rosenthal and I enjoyed visiting with a group from the Edina Family Center last week.

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Tweet of the Week

We begin discussion of#HigherEd bill in session. Investing in Minnesota's most valuable resources, our learners and future workforce. #mnleg