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State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
OP/ED COLUMN
Notes from the Capitol
By State Rep. Paul Anderson
Hearings have begun regarding changes made to the “Green Acres” law during the last legislative session. The House Veterans’ and Ag Finance Committee held a hearing Jan. 21 that had approximately 20 interested parties testifying.
One thing seems certain; that is, there will be some kind of revision to the law, which allows ag land to be assessed at its value for agricultural production and not at a higher value, such as for development. It’s a huge topic in Stearns County and other areas that surround the Twin Cities metro area. More on this subject next week.
All eyes were on Washington D.C. last Tuesday for the inauguration of President Obama. As part of the week-long celebration, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar hosted a party Monday for state residents that featured Minnesota delicacies. Among the 20 or so favorites served-up were rosettes from Larry Kittleson of Starbuck. Larry – a Pope County Commissioner and a baker by trade – has a thriving business that sends his Norweigen favorites all over the country.
Evidently, Klobuchar also likes the rosettes from Starbuck because this is the second time she's ordered treats from Kittleson. So, along with such favorites as chocolate-covered potato chips from Perham, a case of 200 rosettes from Starbuck was in our nation’s capital for last week’s inauguration.
Was in Melrose last Sunday for their Lions’ Club breakfast, which was excellent. While there, Faith and I got the opportunity to tour the Melrose Area Museum, which is located right across the street from St. Mary’s Church. Roger and Jean Paschke showed us around the building –which used to serve as a convent – and we were very impressed.
The various rooms have themes that range from military history to city history, tracing how the area was settled. Melrose even had its own cigar factory years ago and also has a link to famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. The surrounding towns that comprise the Melrose school district are also featured at the museum. If you are at all interested in our early history, stop in and visit the museum in Melrose.
Education will be a top focus this session in St. Paul. Our K-12 Finance Committee met last week and heard testimony from various interests, ranging from rural schools to those in the metro, and from teachers, school boards and administrators.
The school board group compiled a list of mandates that districts must adhere to … and the list covered nine pages! Things such as when schools can open for the year (right now statute says that schools cannot begin before Labor Day), graduation standards, and school bus safety training are all mandated by the state.
Complying with all these requirements takes addition time, energy, and money. It would certainly appear to me that if funding is not adequate, some of these mandates should be repealed.
Til next week, thanks for the honor.
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Rep. Anderson encourages constituents to contact his new office with input regarding any state legislative issue. He can be reached on the web at www.house.mn/13A and via email at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn. To contact Anderson by phone, call (651) 296-4317. Mail can be sent to Rep. Paul Anderson, 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.
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