Legislation to re-institute staggered terms for members of the Metropolitan Council was passed by the House 82-48 on April 16.
Sponsored by Rep. Sandra Peterson (DFL-New Hope) and Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury), HF2662/SF2605*, was amended to insert the House language, now goes back to the Senate, where it was originally passed 56-7 on April 10. If the Senate does not agree, a conference committee could work out the differences.
According to its Web site, “The Metropolitan Council is the regional agency of government serving the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area. The Council establishes regional growth policies, and it plans for transportation, aviation, water resources and regional parks and open space. It also provides essential regional services, including bus and rail transit, paratransit services for people with disabilities, and wastewater collection and treatment.”
Sixteen of the 17 members represent a geographic district, and the chair serves at-large. Members are appointed by the governor and serve terms that end with the term of the governor.
Peterson said the council had staggered terms prior to 1994 and the bill would simply reinstate them. “It seems to me this is a bill whose time has come.”
Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) said the proposal was dangerous and could create a situation where 50 percent of the members would be beholden to nobody. “This is a horrible idea and should be rejected.”
A supporter of the bill, Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Mpls), said the bill was a step in the right direction, but he would prefer members of the council be elected in order to provide more accountability.
“This is not the end of the line as far as reform efforts,” Hornstein said. “A lot more has to be done.”