As the legislative session continues to hum along, House committees spent much of the past week with budget overviews and approving a few bills.
Among topics addressed were: agricultural property taxes, student suspensions, higher hunting and fishing license fees, medical professionals in Greater Minnesota, peace officer training and ditch mowing.
Before legislators continue the process of setting a state budget for the next biennium, they may raise the spirits of many Minnesotans with Monday’s expected floor vote to allow off-sale liquor sales on Sunday. Could the debate turn into a brouhaha?
As for committee activity? Things are expected to pick up next week with many bills on the docket including a 145-page, wide-ranging tax bill Wednesday. Members are also scheduled to elect four members to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents in a joint legislative session that evening.
Before looking further ahead to next week let’s take a look at what you may have missed this week.
Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture committee considers $660K bill to cover wolf, elk damage
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12536
Lower property taxes for farmers is goal of bill approved by ag committee
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12527
AGRI program shares efforts to advance state’s ag industries
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12522
CIVIL LAW
Owners wouldn’t be obliged to make property safe for trespassers
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12521
EDUCATION
Discrimination concerns arise over student suspension proposal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12539
School choice debate heats up over K-12 tax credit proposal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12537
Community, school partnerships funding proposed
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12538
‘Culturally competent’ teachers could combat special ed disparity, some lawmakers say
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12517
Reading, math corps budgets could see bumps
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12524
ENVIRONMENT
Higher fees proposed as DNR explains billion-dollar budget request
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12518
Minnesota Index: Floral factoids
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12514
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Rural health care problems include lower incomes, fewer doctors
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12541
Pilot project proposed to support parents with disabilities
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12535
Advocates say reform to elder care waiver would improve payment rates
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12530
State could support local health departments with grant program
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12534
Bill would help expand disability services aimed at helping people gain autonomy
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12516
Starting Line: Emergency prescription refills in emergency situations
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12512
HOUSING
‘For Rent’ signs needed to bring jobs to Greater Minnesota?
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12532
Changing ‘townhouse’ definition pits homebuilders against fire officials
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12525
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
House passes veterans memorial location bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12511
PUBLIC SAFETY
Officer diversity training plan breezes through public safety committee
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12528
As demands increase, public safety officials seek more funding
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12519
RECREATION AND TOURISM
Penguin, sloth appear as Como Zoo funding request is presented
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12515
STATE GOVERNMENT
House settles on its permanent rules for biennium
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12542
Dayton’s diversity priority means his staff is growing
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12540
Republicans grill state auditor over lawsuit expenses
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12533
Neu special election win pushes House Republican majority to 20 seats
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12526
‘Drastic’ proposed changes to stadium authority clear first committee
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12523
TAXES
Special account proposed to help state tax filers get what’s coming
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12520
Calls made to change property tax that doesn’t stay local
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12529
TRANSPORTATION
Red light flashers called for at right-turn lane school bus stops
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12513
MnDOT, farmers on different sides of disagreement over ditch mowing
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12531