SESSION WEEKLY A NON-PARTISAN PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 3, 1995 VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 WEEK IN REVIEW. . . JAN. 26 - FEB. 2, 1995 HIGHLIGHTS Reinventing government . . . Members offer ways to slice, dice, cut, and blend Should the Office of the State Treasurer be eliminated? Should some of the state's public universities be closed? These and other ideas were raised before the Government Efficiency and Oversight Division of the House Ways and Means Committee Jan. 31. Since the phrase 'reinventing government' was coined by a book of the same name in 1992, streamlining state government and improving its efficiency has become a mantra of sorts. At the invitation of division chair Rep. Howard Orenstein (DFL-St. Paul), 14 lawmakers brought forward their ideas for reducing, restructuring, or creating a more efficient state government. Some proposals have been introduced as bills, while others were "off the cuff." The ideas ran the gamut from the flashy to the obscure. (See Jan. 27, 1995, Session Weekly, page 7, for a short description of the committee). Rep. Ron Abrams (IR-Minnetonka) offered eight proposals "for discussion purposes" that he said would rattle the cages of "just about every constituency." He proposed abolishing the Office of the State Treasurer, which he said is a "19th century office. . . and difficult to justify." Instead Abrams proposed combining the duties of the treasurer, auditor, and secretary of state into a single comptroller's office. Currently, nine states have an elected comptroller. Abrams also suggested that the state establish a panel similar to the federal armed services base closing commission to study the state's higher education institutions, because "the Legislature doesn't have the courage to close them." He called the higher education system expensive, overbuilt, and worthy of a serious examination. Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) wants the Department of Gambling reinstated. The former Department of Gaming, established in 1989, was eliminated by lawmakers in 1991. The former commissioner of the department, Tony Bouza, advocated its elimination. Under her proposal (HF138), the department would be composed of three divisions: the pari- mutuel racing division, the gambling control division, and the gambling enforcement division. The Racing Commission, State Lottery Board and Gambling Control Board would be abolished. "This isn't a totally new idea," Kahn said. She said the move would save between $500,000 and $1 million per year. Rep. Linda Wejcman (DFL-Mpls) offered a simple suggestion: Let state employees make suggestions. "Get a form for staff and distribute it with their paycheck," she suggested. "Let's ask them, 'What do we ask you to do that really doesn't matter?'" Wejcman also suggested establishing a 1-800 telephone number for citizens to call and offer suggestions for greater efficiency. Rep. Tom Van Engen (IR-Willmar) said there should be 1-800 numbers so constituents can call each of their elected officials without cost. His campaign committee has established such a service. Rep. Andy Dawkins (DFL-St. Paul) offered an alternative to the governor's proposed Aid Distribution Councils which would divide the pot of local government aid among governments within each county. He wants to tie local government aid to achievement of "appropriate results." The recommendation comes from the Citizen's League. The aid distribution formula should also be changed to reward efficiency, Dawkins said. This "linking funding with results" is what Dawkins called "a carrot approach to delivering efficiency at the local level." At the state level, Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Bovey) said it "wouldn't be a bad idea" to pick a state agency each year and strip their funding away. "Make them justify their function and finances," Solberg said, noting that Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine) has embraced such an idea in the past. Solberg sponsored a bill during the 1994 session (HF272) to eliminate the Department of Public Safety. Because they were "taken to task," Solberg said "they are a better department today because of the exercise we went through . . . they became more efficient." Other members called for a freeze on state fees, a reworking of the Petrofund reimbursement system, and gubernatorial veto authority for administrative rules. Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown), who has introduced three House Advisories calling for, respectively, studies to consolidate victim services offices, ombudsman positions, and youth employment programs, summed up the theme for the day: "There are programs out there that should be consolidated. . . . Could it be done more efficiently? I think it could," Murphy said. -- John Tschida A brief report . . . On the report on the report on reports Rep. Tom Van Engen (IR-Willmar) says there are too many reports reaching his desk. In part, he can blame his legislative colleagues. According to the House Research Department report, Reports Mandated by the 1994 Legislature, more than 200 reports were called for last session. The irony of the report on reports was not lost on Van Engen. He assigned his intern to write a brief report on the report on reports. Van Engen expressed his frustration before members of the Government Efficiency and Oversight Division of the House Ways and Means Committee Jan. 31. "It is physically impossible to read all the material that comes across my desk," he said. Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown) questioned why the Legislature asks for so many reports in the first place. "In the last two years, my [Judiciary Finance] division has mandated 56 reports . . . there's no way my committee could do what all the recommendations [contained in them] say. . . . Let it die, rather than ask for a report," Murphy said. A 1991 law designed to stem the tide of unwanted reports has helped somewhat. Under the law, lawmakers aren't supposed to get copies of reports mandated by the Legislature unless they specifically ask for them. However, that doesn't stop other reports, not mandated by the Legislature, from piling up on lawmakers' desks. Van Engen told members they were welcome to review his intern's report on the report on reports. "But in the spirit of what I am trying to accomplish I won't copy it and won't distribute it unless you ask for it." AGRICULTURE A cooperative renaissance? Minnesota farmers would be encouraged to produce all the ethanol that is used in the state, under a bill approved by the House Agriculture Committee Jan. 30. The bill (HF202) would raise to $30 million per year the amount the state would pay to subsidize the production of ethanol, although the state would actually spend about half that yearly amount in the next two years. The cap is currently at $10 million per year, which proponents of the bill say is not enough to encourage the long-term development of more ethanol plants in Greater Minnesota. Ethanol is made from the fermentation of corn and other agricultural products and has been used as an additive in gasoline to make it burn more cleanly. There are currently five ethanol plants in Minnesota (a sixth will begin production in April) that combined produce a total of 59 million gallons of ethanol per year. That's less than half of the 120 million gallons of ethanol that is consumed per year in Minnesota, most of which is imported from plants in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. Bill sponsor Rep. Doug Peterson (DFL-Madison) argued that raising the cap to $30 million per year would send a message to potential investors in ethanol plants that the state is committed to helping the industry. "If Minnesota doesn't act this year, the window of opportunity is going to be gone," he said. That's because beginning Oct. 1 of this year, gasoline used in automobiles in the 10-county metropolitan area will be required to burn "oxygenated fuel" year round, instead of just during the winter (Oct. 1 to Feb. 1) as is required under current law. (The law was enacted in 1991 because the Twin Cities was in violation of federal Environmental Protection Agency clean air requirements. Adding one part ethanol for every 10 parts of gas is one way to oxygenate gas, although there are petroleum-based additives that can do the same thing.) The need for year round "oxygenated fuel" in the metro area will greatly increase the demand for ethanol. And beginning Oct. 1, 1997, all gasoline sold in the state will have to be oxygenated, which will further increase demand for ethanol. Although the bill was approved on a 13-0 vote, some members questioned why the state should subsidize the industry when several large agricultural conglomerates have already invested heavily in ethanol. And that led to a spirited discussion over whether farmers should share their profits with such large corporations as Cargill, or whether the state should encourage the development of farmer-owned ethanol cooperatives that would keep the profits closer to home. HF202 now moves to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee for further review. Plant Annual Gallons Location (in millions) Operating Plants Marshall 35 Morris 7 Kraft 1 Dundas 1 Winnebago 15 Winthrop* 10 Proposed Plants Benson 15 Claremont 10 Buffalo lake 10 Little Falls 15 RDO 15 Madison 15 Luverne 10 Windom 15 Litchfield 15 Albert Lea 30 CONSUMERS Interest on car lease deposits A landlord is required by law to pay a renter interest on an apartment security deposit, and a new House bill would extend that principle to the business of car leasing. The bill (HF46) would require leasing companies to pay a 5.5 percent interest rate annually on a security deposit put down on a leased vehicle. The measure would apply only to vehicles leased for four months or more and used for personal or family purposes at least 40 percent of the time. Bill sponsor Rep. Walt Perlt (DFL-Woodbury) said the measure, approved by the House Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs Jan. 31, shouldn't cause much controversy and that it was only fair. He called it "something for the people" everyone could agree on. Under the bill, the manufacturer or dealer leasing a vehicle must return the security deposit and interest within three weeks after the termination of a lease or furnish a written statement explaining why any or all of the security deposit is being withheld. Retaining a security deposit and interest in "bad faith" could result in a fine, under the bill. Not only would the leasing company have to pay back the deposit and interest to the individual who leased the car, but the company could be fined the same amount. In addition, the courts could award punitive damages, up to $200, to the person who leased the car, under the bill. Tom Valley of the American Automobile Manufacturers' Association told representatives that the bill would create an "unneeded administrative burden on car manufacturers." The full Commerce, Tourism, and Consumer Affairs Committee is expected to hear the bill next. CRIME More prevention, fewer prisons A state task force is recommending a substantial shift in the way Minnesota's violence prevention dollars are distributed. The Report of the Violence Prevention Advisory Task Force asks that 60 percent of the state's violence prevention dollars go to early prevention programs by the year 2000. Currently, 40 percent of the state's prevention dollars go to programs designed to prevent a crime before it happens. All other dollars go to prevent future crimes after one already has occurred. Fifty-three percent of the $310 million spent last year by the state on prevention efforts went to the prison system, "to care for less than 1 percent of the population," according to the report. "Prevention works," Vivian Jenkins Nelsen, task force co-chair, told the Judiciary Committee Jan. 30. "We have to intervene." The task force report contains 29 formal recommendations, which include ensuring long- term, stable funding for violence prevention efforts, and enacting stronger handgun and automatic weapons control laws. In order to accomplish the funding shift toward early prevention programs, the task force suggests a moratorium on increasing sentences for offenders or reducing sentences for some crimes. It also suggests placing a moratorium on expanding prison space. Holding such a moratorium could prove difficult. Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), also a task force co-chair, noted that once the new 800-bed state prison is opened in 1999, there will still be a shortage of 750 beds, assuming current crime rates and sentencing guideline practices. The Violence Prevention Advisory Task Force was established by the 1994 Legislature and charged with, among other duties, developing measurable violence prevention goals, a state policy and funding plan for such programs, and a way to evaluate the effectiveness of funded programs. Legislation to implement portions of the report's recommendations will be heard later this session. Is anyone there? A telephone hotline for Minnesota students to report crimes at school received a $20,000 state appropriation last year, but only six calls have been placed in the nine months the line has been in operation. Members of the Judiciary Finance Committee Feb. 2 were clearly disappointed by the progress report presented by Don Peterson, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) special agent. "This is a $20,000 appropriation we're talking about, and six calls we're talking about," said committee chair Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL- Hermantown). Half of the appropriation was for a toll-free, 1-800 line and a local line in the Twin Cities, and the other half was for a reward fund that would offer up to $100 for a tip resulting in an arrest and prosecution. None of the reward money has been spent. Calls to the students' crime hotline go to a voice mailbox and are reviewed "every other day" by BCA staff, according to Peterson. The telephone lines, both the statewide 800 WATS line and the local line, cost $50 to $60 per month. "Most kids are raised to use the 911 system," Peterson said. "I anticipate an increase in use of the [crime hotline] as it becomes better known." The hotline has been publicized in mailings from the state Attorney General's Office to school district administrators throughout the state. Committee members suggested that the hotline needed more publicity, including posters in the schools. Rep. Dave Bishop (IR-Rochester) said the students' crime hotline program has "continuing validity" but could be funded at a reduced level. For the record, those crime hotline numbers are: 1-800-657-3760; 643-2187 in the metropolitan area. Grants made easy Organizations vying for crime prevention and youth intervention grants now have "one-stop shopping" to apply for funds. The centralized Prevention and Intervention Funding program administered by the Minnesota Planning agency replaced the old system of calling any of 11 state agencies in search of available grant funds and application requirements. In 1994, the program awarded 204 grants valued at just over $5 million. Barb Yates, director of the Department of Education's Office of Community Collaboration, said the application process is so simple, a "two-page proposal written in pencil" was awarded funds. Grant recipients told House Judiciary Finance Committee members Feb. 2 of the program's benefits. Jackie Starr was awarded a $28,500 Grassroots Collaboration Grant to fund Project Outreach, which uses computers to help 200 young people on the near north side of Minneapolis improve their reading skills. Students come after school and on weekends to the project housed in a local church. Starr said, "We have youth who tell us, 'I use drugs because I can't read.'" The inner city group enlisted volunteers from Minneapolis and Deephaven to make the project work. Laura Schlick, of St. Paul's Hmong American Partnership, was awarded a $50,000 Community- Based Truancy Action Project grant. The dollars funded Peem Tsheej (pronounced PENG CHENG), which is Hmong for "struggle for success." Schlick noted that just as there is a relationship between smoking cigarettes and lung cancer, there is a relationship between truancy and later serious problems that involve the police and courts. Groups seeking state money for their programs can call the Application Hotline at (612) 297-1419 or 1-800-934-7113 and leave a message. Schedules for application workshops are available. Deadlines vary depending on the type of grant. Applications are evaluated by panels that include people who are involved in community-based programs that have received grants. EDUCATION Reactions to budget proposal First graders in the Osakis school district use textbooks that were new when their teachers were kids. That's what Pat Ryan, a high school science teacher in the central Minnesota school district, told the House Education Committee Jan. 31. He and other educators were on hand to testify how the governor's budget recommendations would affect them and their schools. "One teacher told me she contributed $500 of her own money last year to buy things for her class," Ryan said. "The school can't get money for a bus to take students to Fergus Falls for a young writers' conference," he added. The governor's budget calls for a total of $5.6 billion in K-12 spending over the next two years -- up from $5.2 billion in the 1994-95 biennium. His proposal also calls for the elimination of some state mandates that he argues narrowly limit how districts spend state aid dollars. But Ryan and other district officials said the spending increase won't even begin to cover ever- increasing district needs. Voters failed to approve a levy referendum in his district last year. And the rural district of 850 students faces a continued decline in enrollment. Because the state appropriates money on a per-pupil basis, his district loses money when student numbers dwindle, Ryan said. Another educator, Tom Walerius, a math teacher at Robbinsdale High School, said his district has cut all the administrative positions possible in an attempt to keep funding cuts away from students. "Cuts were made away from the classroom, but it still affects students because now teachers have additional responsibilities," Walerius said. "It seems in education there's always a recession. It seems we continually cannibalize some programs in order to sustain other programs." Rep. Becky Kelso (DFL-Shakopee) asked district representatives if the governor's proposal to take money now earmarked for specific programs -- such as reducing class size -- and give it to districts with no restrictions would help or harm them. If the state doesn't direct districts on how to spend particular parts of their appropriations, teacher's unions could use collective bargaining to earmark some of it for increased teacher salaries, said Dennis Morrow, superintendent of Brooklyn Center Public Schools. Jon McBroom, superintendent of Mora Public Schools, said his district employees have been understanding about the tight financial situation, but they've seen few raises. "We couldn't have balanced our budget without them," he said. Mora's school board members will have a hard time determining how much of the state's money to spend on particular programs now that it's not targeted money, McBroom said. Youth Works revisited The 1993 Legislature hit a home run with the Youth Works Act, which allows young people to earn grants for college or technical school while working to improve their communities. A parade of Youth Works participants told a recent meeting of the Judiciary Finance Committee that the program gave them new skills and positive direction in their lives. Full-time participants in the program can earn a living allowance of about $7,640 a year, plus health care benefits and child care if needed. After completing 1700 hours of work, a participant is eligible to receive $4,725 toward higher education tuition. Bill McComas of St. Cloud told committee members that he learned construction skills while working on upgrading facilities at Camp Friendship in Annandale, Minn. The camp serves youth with physical disabilities. Not only did McComas learn construction skills from laying foundation blocks to hanging doors, but his interpersonal skills improved while he was involved in Youth Works. He admitted to being "kind of a sour apple" when he began the program, but his feelings toward others changed. "I'm kind of proud of myself for doing something good," McComas said. "I'm going to stick with the program and I'll have the construction job I always wanted at the end." Alma Tamayo worked at the Bryant Community Center and for a food shelf in Minneapolis. "I want to be a nurse and this is going to help me a lot," she said with regard to the educational benefits of the program. Yohance Moore, who worked on rehabilitating houses on the north side of Minneapolis, said that he will use the educational stipend he earned in the program to study carpentry. "With hope and opportunity you can become a positive force in your community," Moore concluded. Youth Works Act sponsor Rep. Andy Dawkins (DFL-St. Paul) said that the program received $3.9 million in state funding in 1993, which leveraged an additional $6.3 million in local and federal money. In 1994, the Youth Works Act was amended and the program is now coordinated with the federal AmeriCorps program. Youth Works/AmeriCorps projects began in October 1994. Community organizations provide tutors and mentors to program participants. The governor's budget proposal recommends $3.6 million in funding for Youth Works in 1996 and 1997. That would allow the program to continue at its current enrollment of about 360 participants, Dawkins said. ENVIRONMENT Drowning in wetlands Five Minnesota counties are refusing to cooperate with the 1991 Wetlands Conservation Act because they say the law discriminates against counties with lots of wetlands. The law tells local governments that wetlands drained for roads, housing, or other development must be replaced -- if not in another section of the county then somewhere in the state. It maintains state policy requiring no net loss of wetlands in Minnesota. The state's original 12 million acres of wetlands has diminished to less than 3 million acres. Pennington, Beltrami, Marshall, Koochiching and Lake counties contend that the law will stifle economic development in their northern region because no developer is going to want to build in an area where they have to drain wetlands first and then come up with the money to replace them. Under the law, those responsible for draining a wetland, whether a developer building homes or a government entity building a road, must pay to replace the wetland. Most counties that consist of more than 80 percent wetlands are located in northeastern Minnesota and in portions of central Minnesota. Ron Harnack, director of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), mentioned the revolt during a recent meeting of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. The agency oversees compliance with the wetlands act. He said the five northern counties "think they're going to get caught up in litigation" brought by developers unable to proceed with construction projects because the law requires them to spend large sums of money to replace wetlands. Harnack explained that in a county like Koochiching, where 90 percent of the county is made up of wetlands, a developer or local entity would most likely have to drain a wetland to build anywhere and, under the law, replace the wetland. But, because the county already is inundated with wetlands, they'd have to spend the money to restore the wetland in another part of the state. "I think they've got a valid concern," Harnack said. All counties in Minnesota are given BWSR grant money (about $10,000 to $36,000) to administer the wetlands act. Pennington, Beltrami, Marshall, and Koochiching counties have all returned the grant money and said they want nothing to do with the law. Lake County never accepted the money, Harnack said. Under the law, counties don't have a choice; they must participate or face a moratorium on development. But rather than drag the rebellious counties into court, Harnack said his agency would wait until the Legislature had a chance to change the law to help counties with lots of wetlands. The suggestions for change come from a January 1995 report from the Wetland Heritage Advisory Committee. One proposed change would loosen wetland replacement requirements. Currently, any development 400 square feet or more built on a drained wetland requires the wetland be replaced. One proposed change would raise that threshold to 7,500 square feet in counties with 80 percent of their original wetlands intact. Another proposed change would give counties that consist of more than 80 percent wetlands and adopt a plan for preserving them, more flexibility in how they replace wetlands drained for development, roads and other projects. Instead of replacing the wetland acre for acre, those counties could replace a wetland based on its function and value to the environment and humans. So, just because a development takes up four acres of a wetland, a developer may only need to replace one or two acres. Wetlands act as a natural biological filter, preventing sediment from building up in lakes and rivers. Uncontrolled draining of wetlands, usually to make room for new roads or housing and business developments, has contributed to flooding problems in some areas. Wetlands also recharge underground aquifers and provide wildlife and fish habitat. It's a zoo The Minnesota Zoo wants to get rid of free admission days because staff members are having a tough time handling the hefty crowds. As many as 30,000 visitors on certain summer days take advantage of free admission and create chaotic conditions, said Kathryn Roberts, general director of the Minnesota Zoological Garden. The zoo typically hosts about 8,000 to 10,000 visitors on a weekend day in the summer. "It's not a pleasant experience" for visitors and staff at the zoo when the facility is overcrowded, Roberts told members of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee Jan. 30. "There are kids jumping in with the Arctic fox," fights between visitors, graffiti vandalism, and stealing from the gift store on free admission days, Roberts explained. On these days the zoo is "not enjoyable" and people who happen to visit may never return. A Minnesota law requires that the Minnesota Zoological Garden -- which receives about one-third of its annual revenue ($5 million) from the state general fund -- "must be open to the public without admission charges at least two days each month." The Minnesota Zoo has proposed that the free admission days be abolished. Instead, the zoo would distribute some 100,000 free passes for "economically disadvantaged Minnesota citizens" that could be redeemed on any day. Another option proposed by the Minnesota Zoo would be to offer 24 reduced admission days each year. This would offer "affordable access" to the zoo for individuals and families who "live within tight budgets." Roberts also brought lawmakers up to date on a number of new zoo projects. An exhibit of South American fishing cats soon will be created. Fish will be released into a stream running through the exhibit and zoo visitors can watch the felines catch their dinner. Also, a komodo dragon, the world's largest reptile, will be exhibited soon. Another innovation is a high school on the Minnesota Zoo grounds. The School of Environmental Studies, scheduled to open next fall, will be operated by Independent School District No. 196, which serves students in Apple Valley, Rosemount, and Eagan. The 1994 Legislature authorized $25.5 million in bonds for the construction of a shark tank and an expanded dolphin exhibition area and amphitheater at the zoo. Roberts said the exhibits would open in May 1997. The governor has recommended that the Minnesota Zoo's state funding stay level at $10.5 million for the 1996-97 budget period. GOVERNMENT Removing the rules A bill to give the governor the power to suspend administrative rules won approval from the Governmental Operations Committee Feb. 2. Although the Legislature and governor enact law, sometimes state agencies are given "rule-making authority" to detail the nuts and bolts of how a law should work. Sometimes those rules are adopted with little public input, result in a mess of red tape, and undermine the original intent of the law, according to some lawmakers. (There are actually more rules than there are laws.) The bill (HF215), sponsored by Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville), seeks to limit the power of state agencies to adopt rules that adversely affect people and sometimes don't follow the original legislative intent of a new law. It authorizes the governor to suspend all, or a portion, of an existing rule by publishing a notice in the State Register and outlining his or her objections to the rule. If the governor suspends a rule, he or she must introduce a bill during the next legislative session to permanently repeal the rule. If the Legislature doesn't enact the bill, the rule in question bounces back into effect. An amendment added to the bill would prohibit the same governor from suspending the same rule, or part of a rule, twice. The bill also would allow the governor to issue an executive order terminating any pending rule- making proceeding. The order would expire 90 days after the end of the governor's term so that a new governor would have the authority to re-start the rule-making process. Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) opposed the bill, stating that it gave too much authority to the governor. He said he would support a bill that requires all rules to be approved by the Legislature. Greiling said the bill would allow for more accountability and a political check on agency rule- making. The governor, she said, is responsible for the state agencies as head of the executive branch. She and other lawmakers said the bill would likely result in lawmakers drafting clearer laws so agencies don't need to adopt rules to interpret and enforce them. The measure now goes to the House floor for consideration. Redrawing county boundaries A bill to study whether some of Minnesota's 87 counties could be consolidated went before the House Governmental Operations Committee Feb. 2. Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) is sponsoring the bill (HF130) that calls on the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation to study whether it makes sense to consolidate counties and their services. It suggests looking at all sorts of options, including but not limited to organizing Minnesota counties in a fashion similar to the state's 10 judicial districts. Under the bill, the board would have to report its findings to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 1996. A dollar amount for the study has yet to be included in the bill. Some counties have declined in population and the state needs to start thinking about county problems in a more unified way to better offer services and administer state programs, said Kahn, chair of the Governmental Operations Committee. "The consolidation of counties is not a new idea," she said. She proposed a similar idea in 1991, although she called on the State Auditor's Office to study the idea -- not the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation. Back in Minnesota's territorial days, Minnesota had just nine counties, some of which stretched to the Missouri River in what are now the Dakotas. Colleen Landkamer, a commissioner in Blue Earth County and a representative of the Association of Minnesota Counties, asked that county officials be consulted on the study and that more time be devoted to it. She said that the bill in essence only allows six months for the study, not enough time to study all the counties and how they deliver services. Landkamer also asked that no one go into the study presuming some counties need to be eliminated. No one knows that to be true, she said. One potential hitch with the bill is Gov. Arne Carlson's desire to eliminate the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation. The board was created in 1993 and awards grants to local governments that want to work together to share resources and offer better customer service. The board -- in the interest of government efficiency -- also has the power to waive certain rules placed on local governments. Several local government officials were on hand Jan. 31 to tell members of the Governmental Operations Committee how the board has helped them do their jobs better. The bill now goes to the State Government Finance Division. Recognizing Taiwan A resolution calling for the United States to recognize the Republic of Taiwan and asking that it be admitted as a member of the United Nations was given final approval by the House Feb. 2. The vote was 94-27. The resolution, (HF14) calls for "support by the United States government to expedite the full participation of the Republic of Taiwan in the international community." Rep. Mike Jaros (DFL-Duluth), who sponsored the measure, said Taiwan is the 14th largest trading nation in the world. The U.S. established full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979. It severed its diplomatic relations with Taiwan but still maintains trade relations. "The main reason I'm supporting this is I don't like a big country like China to push a little country around," Jaros said. He contended that the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan "because of political differences between mainland China and the U.S." Rep. Dave Bishop (IR-Rochester) amended the bill Jan. 30 to change the country's name from Republic of China on Taiwan to the Republic of Taiwan. He said all references to China should be removed from the bill. Copies of the resolution will be forwarded to Congress and other federal offices. Madison, Anderson, and Moe James Madison won't be there, but House Speaker Irv Anderson, Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, and Gov. Arne Carlson could be. The House gave preliminary approval Feb. 2 to a resolution (HF22) stating that Minnesota is willing to participate in a "Conference of the States" that is designed to get the attention of the U.S. Congress on a variety of issues. It would mark the first such state gathering since 1787 when James Madison and friends got together for the historic Constitutional Convention. The purpose: to limit the scope of the federal government in general and to get Congress to stop "unfunded mandates" in particular. The resolution approved by the House would send a total of seven people to the conference -- three from the House, three from the Senate, and the governor (or another constitutional officer of his choice). Of the legislators from each body, at least one must be from each major political party. The measure was approved only after lengthy partisan debate over the exact number and composition of the delegation. Here's how the conference proposal, which is sponsored by House Speaker Irv Anderson (DFL- Int'l Falls), would work: For the conference to be called, a total of 26 states would need to pass the resolution of participation. The conference would then have to be held within 270 days, probably in Philadelphia sometime this fall, explained Chris Schwarz, who is tracking the issue for the Lexington, Ky.-based Council of State Governments. There, the delegation from every state -- each with one vote -- will attempt to write a "States' Petition to Congress," which would then need ratification by a majority of state legislatures before the petition would be delivered to Congress. "While the petition would have no force of law and would not be binding on Congress, it is likely that Congress would respond," stated a handout from the Council of State Governments. "To ignore the carefully reasoned formal petition of America's state legislatures would be unthinkable." Schwarz said the conference proposal is not as drastic as calling a constitutional convention but not as passive as sending individual resolutions to Congress. The idea was first pushed by Nebraska's Gov. Benjamin Nelson, a Democrat, and Utah's Gov. Mike Leavitt, a Republican. As of Feb. 2, the proposal has been approved by five state legislatures, and approved in at least one body in 10 more legislatures, said Schwarz. The proposal has been introduced in 16 more legislatures, bringing to 31 the number of legislatures in which the proposal is being considered. HIGHER EDUCATION Less for college students Jennifer Swanson, a student at Inver Hills Community College, told members of the House Education Committee Feb. 2 that she's in a no-win situation. Swanson works long hours to pay for classes and books, so she doesn't have much time to study. She wants a degree so she can find a good job, but she doesn't have enough money to pay for her education. "You have to be 24, have a child, or get married just to get financial aid," said Swanson, adding that she wants neither a husband nor a child. She joined 12 others in criticizing the governor's proposed higher education funding for the 1996-97 biennium, which some say won't keep pace with inflation. His proposed budget would spend $2.2 billion on Minnesota's colleges and universities during the 1996-97 two-year budgeting period. Of that money, $969 million would go to the University of Minnesota, $905 million to the merged state university, technical college and community college system, and $244 million to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, which distributes financial aid among its many other duties. The University of Minnesota proposed appropriation represents a 6.6 percent increase over the 1994-95 biennium. But funding for the state's college system would increase just 1.4 percent. A 1993 law calls for state spending on colleges and universities not to exceed $2.04 billion in the 1996-97 biennium. The governor has recommended spending $79.3 million above that cap. But it's not fair to look at that as a spending increase, argued Cecil Smith, a University of Minnesota graduate student, because the cap didn't leave room for inflationary increases. Vicky Smith, president of Austin Community College, said her school will see a 1.6 percent decline next year in state appropriations should the Legislature approve the governor's budget. The community college would have to cut $106,000 from its budget, she said. "To big institutions that's not a great amount of money, but to us that's a significant amount," Smith said. Swanson said that if her school raises tuition, she'll have to drop out. She can't afford to take out any more loans, she said. But Rep. LeRoy Koppendrayer (IR-Princeton) said students should take loans to pay for their education. "I believe in loans. I don't believe in grants," he said. Swanson said she's willing to use loans "within reason" to pay for her education. Currently, her loans total $4,000, she said. HOUSING Checks on apartment managers A bill requiring criminal background checks on potential apartment building managers passed the House Housing Committee Jan. 30 with a tenants' right to privacy amendment attached to it. The bill (HF72), sponsored by Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) and Rep. Charlie Weaver (IR- Anoka), now goes to the House Judiciary Committee. The main focus of the bill stems from the summer abduction and murder of Kari Koskinen, a New Brighton woman believed to have been killed by her building manager. (See Jan. 27, 1995, Session Weekly, page 9.) The bill requires apartment building owners to have the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), or in some cases the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), conduct a criminal history check on building manager applicants who most often have keys to all the apartments. The measure creates the "Kari Koskinen Manager Background Check Act." The tenants' right to privacy amendment, sponsored by Rep. Linda Wejcman (DFL-Mpls), tries to settle complaints from tenants who say too often landlords and managers walk into their apartments unannounced and without any prior notice. The amendment states that a landlord may enter an apartment only with a reasonable emergency, maintenance, or business purpose and only after giving "reasonable" notice. A landlord violation could result in a tenant being released from a lease, recovery of a damage deposit minus any proven damages to the rental property, and a $100 civil penalty for each violation. "It is a matter of common courtesy," Wejcman said. While many tenants rights groups agreed, some landlord groups saw no need for such an amendment. Dianna Wilhelmson of the St. Paul Association of Responsible Landlords said the amendment would limit landlords who need to check on criminal activity in apartments and lease violations. She asked why lawmakers weren't considering a criminal background check on tenants. Weaver estimates a statewide check on apartment manager applicants, sent out by the BCA within 10 days of a written request, would cost $8 to $10. The nationwide check, which includes the fingerprints necessary to access the national computer system, could take up to six months and cost about $50. There is some debate as to who should pay for the search, the apartment owner or the manager applicant. The bill does not say owners cannot hire someone with a criminal background, but if they do, and something goes wrong, there is a greater chance they could be held liable in the courts. Jack Horner of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, said that while he supports a criminal check for building managers, the bill goes too far and is based on one incident and emotional circumstances. He urged lawmakers to keep "common sense" about them. He said the provision calling for nationwide criminal history checks in some cases is unnecessary, too costly, and time consuming. Horner also said the provision requiring that checks be done every two years is unnecessary. HUMAN SERVICES Welfare reform spending A welfare reform bill with $18 million to subsidize child care costs for low- and moderate-income families, thus removing a barrier to their returning to work, passed the House Health and Human Services Finance Division Jan. 27. In all, the bill (HF5) totals about $52 million but with cuts in some public assistance benefits such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children and the elimination of one $24 million state jobs program, the net price tag falls to $23.7 million for the 1996- 1997 two year state budget cycle. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Bob Anderson (DFL-Ottertail), would require all teenage moms to live at home or with a supervising adult and request the elimination of federal rules that some argue discourage welfare recipients from finding work. One waiver would allow welfare recipients to spend more for an automobile, giving them more reliable transportation to and from work. The bill asks that the limit be raised to $4,500 -- up from the current $1,500 limit. A major component of the bill would establish a Work First pilot program. The new program would set out tough penalties, such as losing benefits, if participants don't stick to a contract to search for a job and accept work. The bill does not specify which counties could operate the program. Arguably, the most controversial portion of the bill requires a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion. An amendment to remove that provision from the bill was defeated. In addition to the cost of subsidizing child care for some families, the bill spends: -- $19 million to expand the Minnesota Family Investment Plan to Ramsey, Nobles, and Aitkin counties. The program began in April and is currently a five-year pilot project in seven counties. It allows families to accept lower paying jobs while receiving some public assistance. This helps them gain work experience. -- $7.4 million for general assistance grants for some people who were dropped from the Work Readiness program. This jobs training program would be cut. -- $5 million to the Department of Economic Security to cover the cost of enrolling more disadvantaged children in the Head Start early learning program. -- $2.4 million for the Work First pilot program, which covers a person's rent, utilities, and other expenses during a required job search. -- $2 million for AFDC grants. The bill now goes to the House Health and Human Services Committee. (See Jan. 13, 1995, Session Weekly, page 6 and Jan. 20, 1995, Session Weekly, pages 6-7.) A man's right to know A "woman's right to know" provision, which would require a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion, has been added as an amendment to the welfare reform bill (HF5). So why not add a "man's right to know" provision, too? That's what Rep. Dave Bishop (IR-Rochester) proposed during a Jan. 27 Health and Human Services Finance Division meeting. Under his proposal, a "fertile male" seeking a vasectomy would have to wait at least 24 hours before having the procedure so he could be informed about the procedure's medical risks. The man also would be required to sign a statement acknowledging that he understands the risks associated with the procedure. The fertile male's parents, wife, and her parents, also would have to be notified about the "date, time, and place of the planned vasectomy." This covers what Bishop refers to as the "generational interests" that would be affected by a vasectomy. Bishop, who favors abortion rights, insisted that his amendment was serious. "This is the law in Canada," he said, adding that the Canadians have a 48-hour waiting period before a vasectomy is performed and require counseling for both spouses. The last section of the amendment concerned "severability," and Bishop explained that this is a "legal term" -- it doesn't have anything to do with a vasectomy. Rep. Bob Anderson (DFL-Ottertail), sponsor of HF5, said that if representatives "keep loading this bill down" with amendments, he would move the welfare reform language to another bill. Bishop's amendment failed on a 6-8 vote. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Wet reunion A bill to allow International Falls, Minn., to issue a temporary liquor license to a nonprofit organization was given final approval by the House Jan. 30. The vote was 124-7. The proposal (HF26), sponsored by House Speaker Irv Anderson (DFL-Int'l Falls), would allow alcoholic beverages to be served at Bronco Arena in International Falls for this summer's all-class Falls High School reunion. Passage of the law is necessary because the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on school grounds. The legislation has been endorsed by local school district officials. The bill now moves to the Senate. TAXES County legislatures? We already have a state Legislature. Imagine 87 more, albeit on a smaller scale. That's what you'd have if Gov. Arne Carlson's "radical recommendations" to combine most local government aid in a lump sum for distribution to cities and counties through local "aid distribution councils." And if you thought the Minnesota legislative process was messy, imagine such an aid distribution council making decisions in a city like St. Cloud that lies in three separate counties? That, in a nutshell, was the view of some members of the Tax Committee's Property Tax and Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Division that spent the better part of their Jan. 30 meeting questioning the wisdom of such an arrangement. "All you're doing, in a sense, is creating another legislative body," said Rep. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), referring to the proposed councils. To do that would be to abdicate "a responsibility that is uniquely ours." The governor's proposal is to combine into one "county homestead block grant" the alphabet soup of various state aid that is currently sent directly to local governments. Among those state funds are local government aid (LGA) and homestead and agricultural aid (HACA). By combining and reducing the amount spent by the state to help finance county, city and township operations, the governor argues that the local officials who spend the money would be better equipped to divvy it up efficiently. But several local government representatives begged to differ. Rather than creating an atmosphere of cooperation, there is always the temptation for any local leaders to "fall prey to parochialism," said Jim Mulder, executive director of the Association of Minnesota Counties. In Lyon County, where 60 percent of the population lives in the city of Marshall, what would happen to the city of Lynd that has just 5 percent of the population? he asked. Tim Flaherty, representing the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, also questioned why local governments are being asked to bear such a large share of the proposed cuts. He said that local government aid, which helps many lower wealth cities in Greater Minnesota fund basic services like police and fire protection, has actually dwindled in proportion to the state budget over the past five years. The governor is calling for about a 6.8 percent in reduction in local government aid in the next two- year spending cycle and a 3.2 percent reduction in homestead and agricultural aid. Mulder suggested that the state eliminate many state mandates so counties would have greater flexibility to operate. He said a 1989 study in Blue Earth County showed that a memo or directive was received every six hours and 15 minutes from the state Department of Human Services. It took precious staff time just to read and distribute all that information, he said. Revoking truckers' licenses Truckers caught driving under the influence in the family car would have their commercial drivers' licenses suspended as well, under a bill approved Feb. 1 by the House Transportation and Transit Committee. Currently, those arrested for driving their commercial vehicles while under the influence have both their commercial and personal drivers' licenses suspended. Commercial vehicles include semi-trailer trucks, snow plows, and street cleaning equipment. But a DWI in the family car has no effect on a commercial license held by the same driver. "So what we're saying to people in Minnesota is we don't trust you to drive your Ford Taurus, but you can drive a 40-ton propane truck down the road," said bill sponsor Rep. Charlie Weaver (IR- Anoka). Weaver's bill (HF35) calls for both personal and commercial licenses to be taken away for a DWI crime in a personal vehicle. The two would be revoked concurrently, following the same schedule as the personal driver's license revocation. Weaver said 26 states have similar laws. About 500 commercial vehicle drivers had their personal licenses revoked last year and would have been affected by the bill, said Katherine Burke Moore, director of the Driver and Vehicle Services Division of the Department of Public Safety. Forty people were arrested for driving their commercial vehicles under the influence and lost their commercial licenses, she added. Weaver's bill is a result of a December 21, 1994 accident in Fairfax, Minn. in which a trucker swerved to avoid a school bus one foggy morning and drove into three brothers at the bus stop. Three-year-old Steven Ziegler was killed and his two older brothers were seriously injured. Weaver said he is not drawing any conclusions that the truck driver was drunk or even negligent. However, state records show the driver does have a troubled driving history. His personal driver's license has been suspended four times since 1989 but, his commercial driving record is clean. In Minnesota, first-time DWI offenders lose their license for 15 days, second-time offenders for 90 days, and third-time offenders for 180 days. But Rep. Ted Winter (DFL-Fulda) said the law would mean truck drivers couldn't earn a living. "I think it's a detriment to people and to their entire family to have their livelihood taken away because they maybe got caught the one time in their life they drank more than they should and did something they shouldn't do," Winter said. Weaver said many people use their cars to get to work and could potentially lose salaries if their driver's licenses are taken away. Rep. Leslie Schumacher (DFL-Princeton) said insurance companies often make it hard for trucking companies to insure drivers with drunk driving arrests on their record. "The industry is already self regulating," she said. Tim Connors, a member of Local Union 49 which represents parks keepers, street workers, and highway maintenance crews, also spoke against the bill. The bill now moves to the House floor. It's a Fact Francis H. Shoemaker once boasted, "I go from the penitentiary to Congress, not like a great many Congressmen who go from Congress to the penitentiary." He wasn't kidding. Almost a year to the day after being released from the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan., Francis Shoemaker was elected from Minnesota to an at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1932. Shoemaker was born in Renville County in 1889 and was educated at home by his mother instead of in public school "because, as he would claim later in life, he was more advanced than others and conventional school 'retarded his progress,'" according to the Spring 1989 issue of Minnesota History magazine. After a failed run for Congress in 1930, Shoemaker found himself pursued by federal authorities. Then the ambitious editor of the Organized Farmer, a weekly Red Wing newspaper, Shoemaker was charged with "sending scurrilous and defamatory materials through the mails." Shoemaker had a history of penning scandalous articles. During his failed congressional run he referred to his opponent, August H. Andreson, as a "rodent" and a "jellyfish." U. S. District Court Judge John Sanborn levied a $500 fine and a one-year-and-one-day suspended sentence to the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth. Shoemaker wasn't impressed with the judge's leniency. In a Dec. 26 article entitled "Shoemaker gets Christmas Gift," he wrote an inflammatory version of his own trial. Furious, the judge immediately had the stayed sentence reinstated and Shoemaker went off to prison. After his release on Nov. 4, 1931, Shoemaker returned to his newspaper. In May 1932, he again announced his candidacy for Congress. All seats were elected at-large that year, meaning the top nine vote-getters statewide would be awarded a seat in Congress. Shoemaker finished eighth. There were some who thought an ex-convict shouldn't be seated in Congress. Shoemaker silenced his critics in July 1933 by going to the White House and receiving a presidential pardon for his conviction from Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The remainder of his single term was a tumultuous one, with Shoemaker seeming to favor fisticuffs over public policy. He was arrested four times, "once when he bloodied a Washington neighbor for too much singing of Sweet Adeline," noted Minnesota History . In a bold move for a newcomer, he challenged incumbent Sen. Henrik Shipstead, a fellow Farmer- Laborite, for a seat in the upper body. He lost the primary battle by a 3-to-1 margin. Shoemaker would run unsuccessfully for Congress in the next four elections. A 1946 congressional effort as a Republican also failed. Shoemaker died in a Minneapolis hospital on July 25, 1958. He is buried not far from his birth place in Flora Township's Zion Cemetery in Renville County. Do You Know For the past several years, state and local officials have spent hundreds of hours debating the merits of building a light rail transit system in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. No one, however, is talking about personal rapid transit (PRT) -- a technology developed and patented by former University of Minnesota professor J. Edward Anderson. What is PRT? Under Anderson's Taxi 2000 system, it is like riding a personalized monorail. Instead of large trains, passengers ride in small, computer- controlled vehicles traveling on an elevated track. The electrically powered cars would hold from one to four people and would reach top speeds of 45 miles per hour. Ice, snow, and freezing rain wouldn't affect the car's performance. Users would place a card into a computer similar to an automatic teller machine and an empty vehicle would (theoretically) show up no more than three minutes later. In the early 1970s, PRT was all the rage. In fact, nine different PRT systems across the United States were in various stages of design or development. The 1974 Legislature asked the Metropolitan Transit Commission to produce a detailed study "of an automated fixed guideway system using small vehicles." The PRT system was rejected by the commission. Interest in the technology would wax and wane over the next decade. In 1982, Anderson received a request from a group in Los Angeles "asking him to supply a [PRT] system for the 1984 Summer Olympics," according to Taxi 2000 PRT, a University of Minnesota publication. In a memo to University of Minnesota officials, Anderson noted the request "unfortunately is a bit soon." In February 1984, Anderson and his partners met with Gov. Rudy Perpich, the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and several metropolitan transit officials. They were looking for political and financial backing to build a PRT demonstration track. It never materialized. But Anderson's patented Taxi 2000 PRT system is going to Rosemount, Ill., a Chicago suburb. A three-mile PRT line is planned to connect the O'Hare Expo Center and surrounding hotels with the train and bus stations serving downtown Chicago. It is projected to open to the public in 1999. NOTES To help avoid downtime that can lead to jail house brawls, Minnesota prison inmates, at least those who can afford it, may purchase their own televisions. Deputy Commissioner Jim Bruton, in a Jan. 12 memorandum to Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL- Hermantown), chair of the Judiciary Finance Committee, explained that the television screen can be no larger than 13 inches and the inmate must listen through headphones. The televisions must be purchased through a Department of Corrections' vendor. The question arose after some lawmakers thought taxpayers were footing the bill for personal televisions. Inmates also may purchase weight-lifting equipment with their own money. "On the surface, televisions and weight-lifting equipment appear to be extra amenities that should not be afforded a convicted offender," Bruton wrote. "At the same time, we strive to avoid lengthy periods of idleness for inmates. Idleness spawns safety and security concerns. Televisions and weight-lifting equipment are management tools that allow inmates to be occupied with other endeavors rather than to focus their energy on illicit behaviors." You could call it the zoo to zoo express line. Since May 1994, visitors can travel from the Mall of America to the Minnesota Zoological Garden in Apple Valley by bus. Minnesota Valley Transit buses leave the megamall hourly. The cost is $1.25 during peak hours and $1 at other times. As an incentive, visitors arriving via public transit receive a 20 percent discount off the regular admission price. The Minnesota Zoological Board is also seeking funds from private foundations, schools, and community groups to underwrite zoo visits by economically disadvantaged youth. Financial support is needed to provide free transportation. The power to unilaterally fine school districts that do not meet certain pay equity requirements rests with the Department of Employee Relations, and some members of the State Government Finance Division aren't happy. Rep. Mike Osskopp (IR-Lake City) expressed frustration at a Jan. 30 meeting that his local school district received a more than $300,000 fine without a hearing. Rep. Walter Perlt (DFL-Woodbury) also was frustrated. His district received a $4 million fine. Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia), division chair, said he suspected there would be some bipartisan legislation this session to fix the problem. "Mr. Chairman, you can make book on it," Perlt said. To that Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls), head of the Governmental Operations Committee, which oversees gambling issues, said: "Excuse me, not legally." 1995 Committee Scopes The Minnesota Legislature -- the House of Representatives and the Senate -- is divided into many committees, divisions, and subdivisions. Since thousands of bills are introduced during each two- year legislative session, it is impossible for any one legislator to become an expert in all areas. So, each legislator serves on three to five committees and divisions, which allows him/her to focus on just a few areas of public policy. In a sense, the committee structure forms the heart of the Legislature. Although many people believe that most of the legislative process occurs on the House and Senate floors, it's in committee where most substantive action occurs. It's there where each bill is pored over and dissected, where key amendments are added and sections are deleted, and where recommendations for approval are given or withheld. In an effort to give people a general outline of House activities this session, as well as an indication of where to go with various issues of concern, the Session Weekly staff asked House committee chairs and administrators for brief, general descriptions of the functions of their committees and divisions. More specifically, they asked what topics were likely to be considered this session. For those seeking to determine which committee or division oversees funding for particular state programs and departments, see Jan. 13, 1995, Session Weekly, page 15. Here are the results of the survey -- a list of all committees and divisions, the boundaries of their concerns, and the specific issues they expect to address during the 1995 session. Agriculture Scope: Reviews farm policies and programs to assist Minnesota family farmers; promotes interstate and international trade; develops strategies for marketing agricultural commodities; reviews and enacts legislation covering regulations and inspections of farm pesticides, food, and dairy products; and develops programs to encourage soil conservation. Agenda '95: -- Ethanol funding -- Corporate farming issues -- Rural finance authority loans -- Food safety -- Market access for livestock producers (family farmers) Capital Investment Scope: Recommends objectives and goals in undertaking state debt; reviews the governor's capital budget proposals for state buildings and infrastructure; recommends debt management practices to maintain the state's credit rating; reviews every bill where the good faith and credit of the state is being obligated; and sets overall debt finance limits. Agenda '95: -- Develop emergency capital budget -- Higher Education asset preservation revolving fund -- Strategic plan for locating state agencies -- Review agency directives contained in '94 bonding bill Claims Scope: Considers claims for reimbursement from individuals who have no recourse through administrative or judicial channels. Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Scope: Considers legislation in the areas of consumer affairs, professional licensing, tourism, and small business regulation issues. Agenda '95: -- Consumer protection legislation -- Professional licensing -- Tourism -- Consideration of legislation from the division concerning business regulation. Business Regulation Division Scope: Examines administrative rules and rulemaking and how to limit the impact of regulation on Minnesota's small and main street businesses. Agenda '95: -- Consideration and hearings on legislation to ease the burden of regulation on small businesses in Minnesota. Economic Development, Infrastructure & Regulation Finance Scope: Reviews and recommends funding for the Minnesota State Arts Board, Department of Commerce, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, Council on Black Minnesotans, Council on Spanish Speaking People, Department of Economic Security, Ethical Practices Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Housing Finance Agency, Humanities Commission, Indian Affairs Council, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Interpretive Center, Mediation Services, Minnesota Municipal Board, Minnesota Technology Inc., non-health boards, Department of Public Services, Public Utilities Commission, Safety Council, Office of the Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Economic Development, Uniform Laws Commission, Workers' Compensation Court, World Trade Center. Transportation Finance Division Scope: Reviews and recommends funding for all transportation- and transit-related areas, including the Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council Transit Operations, the Department of Public Safety (transportation areas), and the Transportation Regulation Board. Agenda '95: -- Transportation funding -- Transit funding -- Effects of trucking deregulation Education Scope: Handles K-12 and post-secondary educational policy, statewide school and higher education funding, and the structure of public education. Agenda '95: -- School/higher education funding -- Structure/reorganization of the Department of Education and the Higher Education Coordinating Board -- Special education -- Proposed state board rule on graduation requirements -- Redesign of teacher education programs K-12 Education Finance Division Scope: Provides policy direction and funding for the state's K-12 education system, which includes all public school districts, academies, the Department of Education, education finance (school aids), Minnesota Center for Arts Education, public libraries, and the Permanent School Fund. Agenda '95: -- Education funding -- Property taxes -- Removal of caps -- Special education -- Department of Children and the Graduation Rule Higher Education Finance Division Scope: Determines operating and capital budgets for the technical colleges, community colleges, and state universities (the three separate systems will be part of the Higher Education Board as of July 1, 1995); the Higher Education Board; the Higher Education Coordinating Board, including financial aid and programs for students at both public and private institutions; and the Higher Education Facilities Authority. Agenda '95: -- Higher education budget -- Financial aid and tuition policy -- Reports, mandates, litigation, and free speech issues -- Developmental education -- The merger University of Minnesota Finance Division Scope: Determines operating and capital budgets for the University of Minnesota and selected programs at the Mayo Medical School. Agenda '95: -- Overall level of state funding for the University of Minnesota -- University of Minnesota bonding requests -- Consideration of University 2000 strategy (funding implications and policy direction) -- The effect of legislative decisions regarding student financial aid on the University of Minnesota -- Concerns regarding state specials and state mandates dealing with higher education in general. Environment & Natural Resources Scope: Examines issues relating to pollution, waste management, wildlife protection, forestry and mining, groundwater protection, solid waste reduction recycling, and hunting and fishing regulations and promotion. Agenda '95: -- Wetlands Conservation Act revisions -- Timber harvesting practices and forest management -- Regulation of air toxics: stationary and mobile sources, including auto emissions -- Non-point source water pollution: wastewater treatment, feedlots -- Land use policies -- The "Unholy Troika": unfunded mandates, risk assessment, and private property rights to undermine public health and environmental protection Environment & Natural Resources Finance Scope: Oversees the budgets of state agencies: Academy of Science, Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Utilization Research Institute, Board of Animal Health, Ethanol Development, Environmental Assistance Office, Hazardous Substances Injury Compensation Board, Horticulture Society, Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Commission, Minnesota Zoo, Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Science Museum, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Voyageurs National Park. Agenda '95: -- Agency budgets for 1996-97 -- Review of fees -- Vehicle Emissions Program -- Ethanol Producers Subsidy Program Ethics Scope: Sets procedures for dealing with ethical problems and hears legislation regarding ethical standards for elected officials and legislative staff. General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Scope: Reviews election concerns, veterans issues, and miscellaneous legislation. Agenda '95: -- Veterans issues, such as cutbacks in service -- Elections -- Ethics -- Term limits -- Size of Legislature -- Unicameral legislature Elections Division Scope: Reviews election concerns. The committee also holds initial confirmation hearings for individuals nominated to the Minnesota Ethical Practices Board. Agenda '95: -- Elections -- Ethics -- Term limits -- Size of Legislature -- Unicameral legislature Financial Institutions & Insurance Scope: Reviews laws pertaining to banks, savings and loans, and credit unions; examines consumer rights in insurance and availability of insurance for individuals and companies and other aspects of the insurance industry. Agenda '95 -- Auto insurance medical benefits provided through managed care plans -- Financial institution re-codification -- Insurance issues relating to MinnesotaCare Governmental Operations Scope: Reviews any bill that substantially changes or creates a new state department, agency, commission, board, or bureau; deals with public employee pension plans, state workers' employment and salary issues, administrative rules, and gambling legislation. Agendas '95: -- Reform of administrative rule-making process -- Improved oversight of state agency contracting -- Reorganization of gambling agencies Gambling Division Scope: Reviews legislation concerning gambling policies. Oversees various agencies responsible for gambling oversight, including the Minnesota State Lottery, Gambling Control Board, and the Minnesota Racing Commission. State Government Finance Division Scope: Reviews and recommends appropriations for state departments, commissions, agencies, and other accounts: Administrative Hearings Office, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, contingent accounts, Department of Administration, Department of Employee Relations, Department of Finance, Department of Military Affiars, Department of Revenue, Department of Veterans Affairs, Disabled American Veterans, joint legislative commissions, Gambling Control Board, Legislature, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, Minnesota Planning Office, Minnesota Racing Commission, Minnesota State Lottery Board, Minnesota State Retirement System, Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the State Auditor, Office of the Treasurer, Public Employees Retirement Association, Salary Supplement, State Board of Investment, tort claims, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Agenda '95: -- Budget for Fiscal Years 1996-1997 Health & Human Services Scope: Receives all bills relating to health issues and various social services in the state; reviews issues relating to health maintenance organizations; deals with the licensing of health care providers and social workers; reviews and recommends welfare programs, policies, goals, objectives, and reforms. Agenda '95: -- Welfare reform -- MinnesotaCare revisions -- Health and Human Services Omnibus Budget Health & Human Services Finance Division Scope: Reviews administrative and legislative funding proposals administered by the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health, the Council on Disabilities, the Veterans Home Board, all health-related licensing boards and ombudsman offices. The recommendations of the Health and Human Services Finance Division are forwarded to the House Health and Human Services Committee MinnesotaCare Finance Division Scope: Reviews administrative and legislative funding proposals for the series of health care reform initiatives known as MinnesotaCare. The recommendation of the MinnesotaCare Division are forwarded to the House Health and Human Services Committee. Agenda '95: -- Addressing recommendations of the State Health Care Commission -- Universal coverage -- Future funding Housing Scope: Examines all aspects of housing programs and policy; focuses on preventing homelessness and preserving existing affordable housing; and targets community-based revitalization and rehabilitation. Agenda '95: -- Housing affordability and expanded homeownership opportunities -- Links between job development and housing needs -- Lead hazard reduction -- Housing choices/fair housing -- Tenant and landlord issues International Trade & Economic Development Scope: Examines Minnesota's economic and job needs, emphasizing world competitiveness; and makes recommendations to enhance the state's economic strength. Agenda '95: -- Expanding economic development and job creation in Minnesota -- Development of the Minnesota Office of Foreign Affairs as an independent state agency -- State agency decentralization and relocation to rural and Greater Minnesota -- Interrelationships between education and how we prepare students for the global economy -- Focus on facilitating economic development through increase of exports and expansion to new markets Judiciary Scope: Reviews all areas of Minnesota's criminal justice system, including sentencing practices, corrections policies, law enforcement issues, prosecution and public defender services, probation services, and the operation of the courts. Also reviews all areas of civil law, including family law and civil liability. Responsible for data practices policies, including the classification of government data as public or private. Agenda '95: -- Various issues related to sexual predators and criminal sexual conduct, including proposed new sentencing policies and improved investigative tools. Judiciary Finance Scope: Oversees the budgets of state agencies related to corrections, courts, and law enforcement, including those of the Board of Judicial Standards, Board of Public Defense, Court of Appeals, Department of Corrections, District Court, Ombudsman for Corrections, Crime Victims Ombudsman, Private Detectives Board, Department of Public Safety (criminal justice sections), Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, Sentencing Guidelines Comission, Supreme Court, and Tax Court. Agenda '95: -- Expansion of prisons and jails -- Crime prevention efforts -- Providing adequate court service Labor-Management Relations Scope: Considers unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and labor standards concerning issues about hours worked, wage paid, working conditions, and job training programs and deals with certain public employee labor issues, with the exception of pensions. Agenda '95: -- Workers' compensation -- Minimum wage -- Labor and business issues -- PELRA Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Scope: Examines local government and makes recommendations concerning the relationship between state and local governments; examines local governments' jurisdiction, control, and bonding authority; reviews metropolitan agencies' structures, goals, and programs; and considers changes to the transportation system, sewers, roads, bridges, parks, and airports, and other improvements that enhance the livability of the metropolitan area. Agenda '95: -- Land use planning and growth management -- Unfunded mandates and other barriers to efficient local government -- Metropolitan livability -- Local government investment practices Regulated Industries & Energy Scope: Examines controls on state regulated industries, such as liquor, telephone, and gas and electric utilities; and reviews the state's energy policy. Agenda '95: -- Alternative forms of regulation for providers of local telephone service -- Proposed exemption of small telephone companies from regulation -- Renewal of area development rate and competitive rate statutes Rules & Legislative Administration Scope: Establishes the budget for the House; approves personnel matters; recommends House rules and joint rules of the House and Senate; designates bills for consideration as Special Orders; and acts on bills and resolutions referred to the committee. Agenda '95: -- Administrative procedures for the House -- Personnel policies -- Home budget -- House and joint rules -- Constitutional amendments Taxes Scope: Reviews bills that affect state income, sales and use, excise, and property tax policy. The committee also hears bills regarding state aid to municipalities and counties. Agenda '95: -- Controlling property tax increases -- Ensuring a fair system for children and caregivers -- Distribution of local government aids -- Fair tax system for all Minnesotans Property Tax & Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Division Scope: Reviews various property tax-related issues, prepares property tax provisions for the Omnibus Tax Bill. Agenda '95: -- Property tax burdens and K-12 education costs -- Local government aids/property tax relief -- county aid reform -- Taxation of wind power -- Payment -- in lieu of taxes -- TIF reform -- Limited Market Value/This Old House Sales & Income Tax Tax Division Scope: Reviews legislation that involves state taxes; prepares state tax provisions for the Omnibus Tax Bill. Agenda '95: -- Tax system treatment of children, credits, etc. -- MinnesotaCare financing -- Green taxes/subsidies -- Gambling taxes Transportation & Transit Scope: Addresses policy matters concerning highways, trucking, transit systems, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Public Safety. Agenda '95: -- Transportation funding -- Light rail -- Highway maintenance -- Driver's license issues -- Truck Regulation Board Ways & Means Scope: Sets House spending and revenue targets and considers money bills passed by finance and tax divisions and committees. Agenda '95: -- House budget resolution -- Cost of government resolution -- Review of governor's budget -- Passage of bill financing state government -- Hear bills rereferred from the Government Efficiency and Oversight Division Government Efficiency and Oversight Division Scope: Generation of legislation and review of ideas to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of government programs, with the goal of better serving those who pay for and those who receive government programs. Agenda '95: -- State government restructuring to eliminate or change outdated programs -- Identification of ways to reduce state barriers to local government efficiency and innovation -- Investigation and oversight of questionable laws or questionable decisions by those administering laws -- Oversight and improvement of government purchasing, personnel, and contracting laws and policies. New members . . . Larsen's priorities include crime, taxes, education When she decided to run for the Legislature, Rep. Peg Larsen (IR-Lakeland) didn't have to look far for a core of dedicated campaign workers. Her four children were enthusiastic helpers. "They all got strongly involved in my campaign," said Larsen. "They door-knocked with me -- they were probably one of my strongest support systems." Not to mention her husband, Tom ("because he put up all my signs"), and her father-in-law, who lives with the Larsens for six months of the year. The former mayor of Lakeland (just across the St. Croix River from Hudson, Wis.) unseated incumbent DFLer Pam Neary of Afton last November. Larsen served four years on the Lakeland City Council, first winning an office for which no one had filed. (She launched a write-in campaign and won with 58 votes.) She was appointed mayor in 1991, and then ran unopposed for the position in 1992 with 98 percent of the vote. Larsen said her legislative priorities reflect her constituents concerns about rising taxes and crime. "People were concerned about the crime issue, which is kind of a surprise for Washington County -- you don't think of that as a high crime area," Larsen said. But residents in the suburbs to the east of St. Paul wondered if government had the "wisdom to prevent [crime] at early stages in the school district, rather than just building new prisons." Construction of a new jail in Washington County generated a lot of controversy within her district, said Larsen. Voting to bring back the death penalty in Minnesota would be an "extremely difficult decision" for Larsen. "My bottom line is that if someone commits a heinous crime against society, it is not our responsibility to feed and educate and take care of that person for the rest of their life," she explained. Larsen concedes that "there's no middle ground -- either you're going to have the death penalty or you're not. At this point in time I would probably vote in favor of the death penalty." Government efficiency and holding the line on taxes will be at the top of Larsen's legislative agenda. With her teaching experience and four children in the public schools, education issues will also get a lot of attention. "Each school district and each school within the district has certain needs and they can't be mandated by the state," said Larsen, adding that school districts should be "free to use their funds as they need them, whether they need computers, or new desks, or textbooks." While she's lived in Minnesota for 23 years, Larsen originally hails from Pittsburgh and attended the University of Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania. Her varied career includes being the director of recreation and volunteer services in a home for the chronically ill and working as a clinical service manager at the Hennepin County Medical Center. She also worked at the Minneapolis Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Larsen married and stayed at home for a time while raising her son and three daughters. For the past four years, Larsen worked as an educational assistant with kindergarten and first grade special needs students in the Stillwater schools. "We had children who ranged from autistic to mildly retarded," she said. "I learned quite a bit from those kids. They give you a wonderful perspective on life and a smile that could warm your heart." Larsen admits to falling in love with Minnesota and is dedicated to maintaining its "quality of life" for her children and their generation. She said she will judge legislation by how it improves the lives of her constituents: "Those are the people who put me here. But I think you also have to be able to look past that and see how it's going to affect the entire state of Minnesota." --Mordecai Specktor District 56B Population: 32,555 Distribution: 74.52 percent urban; 25.48 percent rural County: Washington Largest city: Woodbury (portion) Location: east Metro Unemployment rate: 3.32 percent Residents living below poverty level: 3.61 percent 1992 presidential election results: Bush/Quayle 32.87 percent Clinton/Gore 39.95 percent Perot/Stockdale 26.12 percent Other: 1.06 percent Committee Deadlines If you're following a bill that has yet to receive a hearing in the Legislature this session, you've got plenty of time. The first committee deadline is more than six weeks off. Each year the House and Senate set deadlines by which most bills must be heard by a committee. The deadlines serve to weed out some of the several thousand bills introduced each year. The first committee deadline is Friday, March 31. That means all bills must be passed out of all policy committees in their house of origin to receive further consideration this session. If a House bill hasn't been approved by House policy committees by the deadline, but its Senate companion has, the bill has met the committee deadline. By the second committee deadline -- Friday, April 7 -- all bills other than those containing appropriations, must be passed out of all policy committees in both the House and the Senate. The deadline does not apply to the finance committees/divisions or the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, the Taxes Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee. By Friday, April 21, all appropriations bills must clear their policy and finance committees and move to the Ways and Means Committee. Of course, there are exceptions to the deadlines. Any lawmaker may try to convince the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, which includes leaders from both party caucuses, to hear a bill after the deadlines. New members . . . DFLer Marko a big fan of House television endeavor A few years ago, Rep. Sharon Marko worked with the Bloomington City Council to help it broadcast council meetings on a public access cable station. One night as she sat in the production room behind the scenes she found herself talking to the screen as council members debated issues. "I thought to myself, 'I can do this again.'" Marko, who had previously served on a local community board near St. Charles, Ill., entered politics again and became a council member in Newport where she has lived since moving to Minnesota in 1985. She later became deputy mayor. The first-term DFL lawmaker from the Cottage Grove-Newport-St. Paul Park area, then traveled another campaign trail and journeyed into the Minnesota House. Political debate and discussion has long been a part of Marko's life. Her father was a Democrat and her mother a Republican. "So, I heard a lot. . . . I remember Sunday news programs sitting around and listening to them go back and forth." She was born in Kentucky and has lived in nine other states. Many of her early travels involved her family. The work of her father, a nuclear physicist and cancer researcher, took the family of 11 around the country. Marko graduated from Indiana University in communications and then moved to Colorado. "I graduated from college and it was one of those things where I got in the car and headed west. I found a place I liked and opened an antique shop." She later moved to St. Charles, Ill., where the civics lessons learned during childhood followed her. While there she wrote, edited and distributed a community newspaper as well as served on the small community's local board. During her tenure on the board she helped to start a mosquito abatement program. "It was a problem. We had a lot of farm land and standing water. . . . They were just terrible." She came to Minnesota in 1985 to enroll in a performing arts graduate program at the University of Minnesota. There Marko, who has played Mark Antony in a stage production of Julius Caesar, had a class with WCCO television newscaster Dave Moore who helped foster an interest in television. She used that knowledge to help local governments use public access cable television to communicate with their constituents. After working with the city of Bloomington to televise its council meetings and host a weekly public affairs program called Bloomington Today, she started her own business and developed a government television network in south Washington County so governments in the area could watch and learn from one another. She is a big fan of the House endeavor to televise floor sessions and some committee meetings on public access cable television. "I think it is a wonderful way to communicate to the public. I think we should do more." Her areas of legislative interest run the gamut but they center on transportation issues and government efficiency. "We've got a lot of congestion in my district," she said. She wants to upgrade the I-494 Wacouta Bridge (a major river crossing) and Highway 61 to a full access freeway system. Good roads and bridges are needed in her district, she said. Without them, the district "can't entice good solid commercial/industrial business" and increase the tax base for schools, local governments, and the state. And, she said, there is a lot of vacant commercial/industrial land available and ready for development in the area. "I think it is important to the health of the entire Metro. If there is a piece of the machine that is not working right, you replace the part." She said a bill may not be necessary to upgrade Highway 61 and the Wacouta Bridge. Marko, who has been named vice chair of the House Transportation and Transit Committee, said she hopes to work through the Department of Transportation and convince them it is a priority. She also plans to introduce a bill to continue the research and development of the Saints Road Project, a St. Cloud-based group that has already constructed prototype vehicles -- including a full- size passenger bus -- that collect power from sections of the road and become energized as vehicles pass over them. The 1994 Legislature appropriated $200,000 for the Department of Transportation to study the road-powered electric vehicles and compare it to light rail transit systems. Marko also wants to help promote government efficiency to get counties and cities to work together and share resources. "You can share, you can save and you can provide a better service." --K. Darcy Hanzlik District 57B Population: 32,034 Distribution: 97.25 percent urban; 2.75 percent rural County: Washington Largest city: Cottage Grove Location: southeastern Metro Unemployment rate: 5.16 percent Residents living below poverty level: 4.38 percent 1992 presidential election results: Bush/Quayle 25.18 percent Clinton/Gore 47.59 percent Perot/Stockdale 26.52 percent Other: 0.71 percent In the Hopper . . . Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 1995 Bill Introductions Monday, Jan. 30 HF265--Dorn (DFL) Governmental Operations Lawful purpose expenditures to include contributions to certain compulsive gambling programs. HF266--Rest (DFL) Governmental Operations Surviving spouse benefit expenditures authorized for children's medical or dental treatment. HF267--Tunheim (DFL) Education School districts authorized to levy for creation of Internet connections, and money appropriated. HF268--Seagren (IR) Education School districts authorized to use facilities revenue for equipment uses. HF269--Carlson (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules requiring pay-per-call telephone services to include state tax amount in advertisements. HF270--Seagren (IR) Health & Human Services Medical care savings account act adopted. HF271--Dorn (DFL) Governmental Operations Teacher Retirement Association member provided bounce-back annuity. HF272--Lynch (IR) Judiciary Interference with privacy crime to include intrusion on occupants of hotel sleeping rooms and tanning booths. HF273--Pellow (IR) Transportation & Transit Collector motor vehicle license plate transfer and reissue authorized, and fees imposed. HF274--Pelowski (DFL) Education School district capital expenditure and staff development fund use provided for teacher computer training. HF275--Molnau (IR) Agriculture Farm crisis assistance personnel employment status clarified. HF276--Anderson, I. (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources St. Louis County; school trust land sale required. HF277--Rukavina (DFL) International Trade & Economic Development Board of Invention state money use prohibition removed. HF278--Weaver (IR) Financial Institutions & Insurance Genetic discrimination act adopted. HF279--Solberg (DFL) Judiciary Public defender dismissal causes restricted, and dismissal and appeal procedures provided. HF280--Sviggum (IR) Transportation & Transit School bus driver employment requirements modified. HF281--Vickerman (IR) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare modifications provided. HF282--Perlt (DFL) Governmental Operations Vacation leave donations provided for a Department of Administration employee. HF283--Kahn (DFL) Governmental Operations Legislature required to establish annual state budgets. HF284--Perlt (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Metropolitan Mosquito Control District and Commission abolished, penalties provided, and money appropriated. HF285--Winter (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Windom; ethanol facility tax increment financing district exempted from statutory restrictions. HF286--Weaver (IR) Environment & Natural Resources Angler's right-to-know act adopted, and water pollution discharge notification and posting required. HF287--Abrams (IR) Taxes Information service (1-900) calls tax repealed. HF288--Seagren (IR) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare modifications provided. HF289--Jefferson (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Election law modification and clarification provided. HF290--Pugh (DFL) Health & Human Services Nursing home moratorium exception added, medical assistance reimbursement provisions expanded, and money appropriated. HF291--Swenson, H. (IR) Agriculture Shared savings loan program exempted from state and agency cost recovery. HF0292--Hugoson (IR) Labor-Management Relations Workers' compensation benefits and procedures modified, and penalties provided. HF0293--Jaros (DFL) Governmental Operations St. Louis County employee authorized service credit purchase for on-leave military service. HF294--Cooper (DFL) Education Teachers provided continuous licensure. HF295--Haas (IR) Transportation & Transit Brooklyn Park; Trunk Highway No. 252 noise barrier construction required. HF296--Mulder (IR) Judiciary Firearms; right to keep and bear arms not abridged and constitutional amendment proposed. HF297--Holsten (IR) Judiciary Firearms; right to keep and bear arms not abridged and constitutional amendment proposed. HF298--Weaver (IR) Transportation & Transit Locomotive audible warning signal sounding regulated by cities. HF299--Jaros (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Minors provided simulated elections. HF300--Erhardt (IR) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare modifications provided. HF301--Erhardt (IR) Health & Human Services Medical care savings account act adopted. HF302--Smith (IR) Transportation & Transit Interstate Highway No. 394 authorized additional lane using existing paved surface. HF303--Luther (DFL) Health & Human Services Service animals; grant provided to Helping Paws Inc., and Department of Human Services commissioner report required. HF304--Smith (IR) Health & Human Services AFDC; Aid for Families with Dependent Children recipient school participation requirements specified. HF305--Cooper (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Local government financial audit provisions clarified. HF306--Cooper (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Polling place hours of operation designated by local governments. HF307--Pelowski (DFL) Education Higher Education Coordinating Board abolished, and higher education services office and higher education administrators council established. HF308--Paulsen (IR) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare modifications provided. HF309--Rest (DFL) Transportation & Transit Trunk Highway No. 169 in New Hope noise barrier construction project granted high priority status. HF310--Smith (IR) Taxes Rebuilt passenger vehicle value determined by purchase price for taxation purposes. HF311--Kahn (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Municipal governing body members provided two year term of office. HF312--Jacobs (DFL) Rules & Legislative Administration Budget; Congress memorialized to ratify balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. HF313--Hackbarth (IR) Financial Institutions & Insurance Gross premium insurance company tax rates changed. HF314--Finseth (IR) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Term limits; legislative and executive service limited and constitutional amendment proposed. HF315--Finseth (IR) Taxes Used farm machinery sales tax exemption extended permanently. Thursday, Feb. 2 HF316--Bakk (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Cook County; tax-forfeited land sale authorized to Grand Portage band of Chippewa. HF317--Ostrom (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections School board election district dissolution procedures authorized, and school board member at-large elections provided. HF318--Lieder (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Fair campaign practices campaign material information provisions modified. HF319--Johnson, R. (DFL) Health & Human Services Family Investment Program federal waiver request required for program expansion. HF320--Dorn (DFL) Health & Human Services Nursing facility rental per diem adjustment allowed. HF321--Jennings (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Deer; authorization continuation provided for residents under the age of 16 to take a deer of either sex. HF322--Pugh (DFL) Taxes Apartment property tax class rate reduction provided over a two-year period. HF323--Dawkins (DFL) Housing Landlord deemed billpayer and customer of record on utility accounts in single-metered multi-unit residential buildings. HF324--Lieder (DFL) Transportation & Transit Bridge construction and reconstruction bond issuance authorized and proceeds appropriated as grants to political subdivisions. HF325--Carruthers (DFL) Judiciary Minnesota bail reform act adopted; pretrial release on bail denial permitted; pretrial and postconviction release provisions modified; and constitutional amendment proposed. HF326--Tomassoni (DFL) Education Advertising on school buses authorized, and restriction provided. HF327--Johnson, V. (IR) Transportation & Transit Gasoline excise tax rates modified, and motor vehicle excise tax proceed allocation provided to the transit assistance fund. HF328--Mares (IR) Education Department of Education appropriated money to fund 1994-1995 biennium deficiencies. HF329--Jennings (DFL) Judiciary Firearms; right to keep and bear arms not abridged and constitutional amendment proposed. HF330--Wejcman (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Unlawful discrimination complaint employer actions restricted; Human Rights Act violations statute of limitations lengthened; and sexual harassment case evidence admission limited. HF331--Clark (DFL) Health & Human Services Patients bill of rights privacy provisions modified. HF332--Anderson, R. (DFL) Health & Human Services Emergency medical services regulatory board established. HF333--Davids (IR) Health & Human Services Emergency medical services regulatory board established. HF334--Kalis (DFL) Health & Human Services Emergency medical services regulatory board established. HF335--Osthoff (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Fair campaign practices; campaign signs prohibited within 100 feet of polling places regardless of when erected. HF336--Pugh (DFL) Health & Human Services Youth intervention program grants provided, and money appropriated. HF337--Otremba (DFL) Agriculture Elk crop damage compensation procedures modified. HF338--Knoblach (IR) Governmental Operations Office of the State Treasurer eliminated and constitutional amendment proposed. HF339--Wenzel (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Local government official compensation limits revised. HF340--Pugh (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Motor vehicle sales dealership establishment and relocation regulated. HF341--Skoglund (DFL) Education Compulsory education requirements modified for children under the age of seven. HF342--Garcia (DFL) Transportation & Transit High-speed bus service pilot project established by the Metropolitan Council in the metropolitan area. HF343--McCollum (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Recall provided for elected state officers and constitutional amendment proposed. HF344--Leighton (DFL) Judiciary Common Interest Ownership Act modified, curative and validating law for mortgage foreclosures changed, and assignment form and record provided. HF345--Cooper (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Kandiyohi County; tax-forfeited land sale authorized. HF346--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services First responder defined. HF347--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services Emergency medical services regulatory board established. HF348--Kinkel (DFL) Judiciary Child support arrearage interest accrual provisions modified. HF349--Smith (IR) Housing Tenant issuance of dishonored check to landlord for rent constitutes theft. HF350--Pugh (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance Medicare supplement plans required to provide coverage for equipment and supplies for the management and treatment of diabetes. HF351--Dempsey (IR) Environment & Natural Resources Red Wing provided combined sewer overflow grants, and money appropriated. HF352--Sviggum (IR) Rules & Legislative Administration Budget; Congress memorialized to ratify balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. HF353--Opatz (DFL) Education Higher Education Board abolished; and merger of community colleges, state universities, and technical colleges repealed. HF354--Vickerman (IR) Regulated Industries & Energy Small gas utility franchise rate regulation exemption provided for incidental utility service. HF355--Girard (IR) State Government Finance Division/ Governmental Operations Appropriations; earlier appropriations supplemented. HF356--Erhardt (IR) Taxes Recreational property owners allowed to vote on bonding and property tax questions where the recreational property is located, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF357--Smith (IR) Taxes Property subject to probate exempted from tax delinquency and accrual of penalties. HF358--Wolf (IR) Regulated Industries & Energy Public Utilities Commission rehearing application time limit provisions modified. HF359--Dorn (DFL) Judiciary Deadly force peace officer policy modified. HF360--Pugh (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Combined angling license authorized for married couples with at least one spouse age 65 or over, and fee established. HF361--Farrell (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Contamination cleanup grant project costs to include site tests and studies. HF362--Bertram (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Town boards authorized to establish petty cash imprest fund for claims payment. HF363--Winter (DFL) Agriculture Farmer-Lender Mediation Act sunset date eliminated. HF364--Pugh (DFL) Governmental Operations Lawful purpose expenditures; gross profit percentage increase provided for expenditure for allowable expenses. HF365--Jennings (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance No-fault automobile insurance taxi coverage priorities regulated. HF366--Pugh (DFL) Governmental Operations Gambling Control Board membership increased. HF367--Macklin (IR) Judiciary Municipal subcontractor prompt payment provided; and statutory lienholder rights and performance bond provisions modified. HF368--Munger (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Soil and water conservation districts provided annual fund allocation. HF369--Ness (IR) Education School district noncompliance authorized with certain state education mandates that are not fully funded. HF370--Farrell (DFL) Judiciary Cause of action provided for public disclosure of private facts. HF371--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Truancy service center pilot projects established, community based truancy action projects implemented, and money appropriated. HF372--Bishop (IR) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Town governments and organized towns dissolved; dissolved town territory governance provided; and county and city powers and duties modified. HF373--Jaros (DFL) International Trade & Economic Development International affairs office established, and money appropriated. HF374--Dempsey (IR) Regulated Industries & Energy Large electric power generating plant certificate of need proceeding exemption provided in certain cases. HF375--Perlt (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Local government pay equity law noncompliance penalties modified. HF376--Van Engen (IR) Judiciary Department of Economic Security data classification provided. HF377--Entenza (DFL) Judiciary DWI; vehicle forfeiture penalties provided for failure to appear at trial for designated driving while intoxicated offenses. HF378--Solberg (DFL) Education Independent School District No. 698, Floodwood, provided interactive television grant. HF379--Haas (IR) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Cities permitted to close certain unlawful businesses. HF380--Dawkins (DFL) Housing Metropolitan area homestead program established; contract for deed home purchase assistance provided; construction community impact statements required; rental tax equity pilot project established, and money appropriated. HF381--Haas (IR) Judiciary Department of Economic Security employees obligated to communicate certain threats. HF382--Wolf (IR) Regulated Industries & Energy Small electric utility franchise rate regulation exemption provided. HF383--Marko (DFL) Transportation & Transit Motor vehicle head and tail lamp violations clarified; trailer brake requirements specified; commercial motor vehicle inspection report retention required; and license plate covering prohibited. HF384--Hackbarth (IR) Environment & Natural Resources Fishing contest financial security required. HF385--Long (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Metropolitan Airports Commission and Metropolitan Council airport planning report requirements modified. HF386--Frerichs (IR) Economic Development, Infrastructure & Regulation Finance State departments appropriations bill. HF387--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services Emergency services workers employment requirements modified. HF388--Tompkins (IR) Health & Human Services Dental services exempted from regulated all-payer option and MinnesotaCare provider tax. HF389--Wolf (IR) Regulated Industries & Energy Public Utilities Commission rate suspension period provisions clarified. HF390--Lynch (IR) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare modifications provided. HF391--Girard (IR) Labor-Management Relations Workers' compensation benefits and procedures modified, and penalties provided. HF392--Van Engen (IR) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare modifications provided. HF393--Leighton (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Occupational safety and health investigation data access provisions modified. HF394--Rest (DFL) Ways & Means Legislative appropriations reduced, and governor directed to reduce executive agency appropriations. HF395--Marko (DFL) Transportation & Transit Road powered electric vehicle (RPEV) demonstration project and study appropriated money. HF396--Tompkins (IR) Regulated Industries & Energy Memorializing television networks to reduce violence and sex on television. HF397--Dempsey (IR) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Hastings tax increment financing district modified. HF398--Carruthers (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Elevator mechanic registration and regulation required, and money appropriated. HF399--Perlt (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Secretary of state; filings regulated, and service of process provisions specified. HF400--Brown (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Municipal unincorporated land annexation elections required in certain circumstances. Minnesota Index Minnesota crime and corrections Annual average cost, per prisoner, in Minnesota Correctional facilities $27,803 Number of gunshot wounds treated at Hennepin County Medical Center, 1992 165 Minnesota homicides, 1993 145 Percent of all criminal offenses that were violent crimes, 1993 8 Minnesota state prison population, as of Jan. 9, 1995 4,452 Adult prison population, 1974 1,200 Current California prison population 125,000 Juvenile delinquency petitions filed in Minnesota, 1993 27,856 Percent increase, since 1988 33 Number of those for felony offenses 1 in 3 Students in grades 7-12 who dropped out of school in the 1992-93 school year 1 in 25 Number of school suspensions, 1993-94 school year 32,476 Percent increase over 1991-92 39 Minnesotans aged 12 and older on probation 1 in 42 Minnesotans under age 10 arrested for a weapons violation, 1993 11 For larceny 388 Minnesota teens aged 13 and 14, as a percentage of total state population 3 Percent of serious crimes committed by those teens, 1993 14 Adult felons on probation, 1984 10,091 in 1993 24,667 Incidents of sexual harassment reported to school administrators, 1993-94 school year 2,200 Average number of rapes per day in Minnesota, 1993 7 Average number of DWI arrests per day, 1993 89 Percent of 4,000 surveyed Minnesotans who "expected to be threatened or attacked in the coming year," 1993 21 Percent who actually were attacked the previous year 4 Minnesotans arrested who were male, 1993 8 in 10 Minnesota juveniles arrested who were male, 1993 5.8 in 10 Sources: Task Force on Programming, Evaluation and Planning for the Juvenile Offender; Synopsis of Survey on Juvenile Programming, commissioners of corrections and human services; A Report of the Violence Prevention Advisory Task Force, Minnesota Department of Public Safety; Overview of Crime in Minnesota 1993, Minnesota Planning, Criminal Justice Center.