Week in Review: March 13-17

Two committee deadlines are down and the third — when committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills — is two weeks away.

A key benchmark toward reaching that final deadline took place Friday afternoon when Gov. Mark Dayton unveiled his supplemental budget based off the state’s projected budget surplus.

Before that, things were hopping in the House with committees meeting day and night. Among issues addressed in the past five days include: collegiate student activity fees, data sharing, elections changes, gas tax revenue, jumbo shrimp, reinsurance program, teacher seniority, terrorism funding and zero-based budgeting.

Before looking ahead to next week which could include the first omnibus finance bill unveiling, 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.

Stay safe out there.

AGRICULTURE

Ag committee approves farm safety bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12667

Jumbo shrimp farms touted as new agriculture industry

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12678

BUDGET

More money for pre-K education, savings are priorities in governor’s revised budget

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12697

Howe pleads case for ‘painful’ state budgeting process

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12680

CIVIL LAW

Governor, lawmakers agree families need help with care costs — but how much?

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12666

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

‘Snow Angel’ grants would provide $4 million for ski areas

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12696

EDUCATION

Teacher seniority no guarantee of job retention under bill that passes House

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12692

Student concurrent enrollment programs seek equal footing

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12671

ELECTIONS

Omnibus elections bill calls for calendar shifts

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12694

Minnesotans could cast ballots marked ‘Challenged’

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12673

EMPLOYMENT

Political workers would not qualify for dislocated worker aid

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12686

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

LCCMR bill moves forward despite substantial changes

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12688

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Advocates call for more cash assistance to help families in need

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12691

Fees strain middle class families with children who are disabled

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12683

Some wanting to marry find they’d be barred from a state program

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12676

Group residential homes seek more funding to support services

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12672

House passes reinsurance program aimed at stabilizing individual market

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12665

HIGHER EDUCATION

Proposed post-secondary programs for students with disabilities offer opportunity

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12685

Mandatory Minnesota State student activity fees could be no more

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12674

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Patchwork of local policies has lawmaker saying ‘no’ to their state aid

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12664

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Making Minnesota better for veterans: Chair says ‘nonpolitical’ approach is best

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12669

PUBLIC SAFETY

Funding a terrorist act deserves a felony charge, bill says

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12687

Not just a metro problem — money sought to target central Minnesota sex traffickers

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12681

Starting line: Gun violence prevention bill hopes to boost community safety

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12660

Sheriffs could refer more inmates for local mental health services

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12668

RECREATION AND TOURISM

Minnesota Zoo seeks $3.75 million in Legacy funding

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12663

STATE GOVERNMENT

State’s IT service needs consolidation, $3 million in cuts proposed

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12690

Increased data sharing sought among government agencies

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12689

‘Deeper type’ of financial audit on CTIB, Met Council draws Otto’s ire

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12684

Push to find budget savings means mid-level agency numbers could dwindle

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12677

State employees could opt out of state’s insurance coverage

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12670

Minnesota Index: Shining a light on government data

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12661

TAXES

Utilities would pay property taxes based on plants’ output

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12662

TRANSPORTATION

Cities make case for more local street funding

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12693

Lawmakers seek solution as more electric vehicles mean less gas tax revenue

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12675

Special license plate would ‘honor those who have fallen’

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12679

Road weight limit exemption sought for ambulances

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12682