SESSION WEEKLY
A NON-PARTISAN PUBLICATION OF THE 
MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JANUARY 13, 1995
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2

WEEK IN REVIEW. . . JAN. 5 - 12, 1995
HIGHLIGHTS

Electoral reform commission seeks 'system shakeup'

     Minnesotans are accustomed to primary elections 
falling on a Tuesday in September and to lots of 
names appearing on the primary ballot.
     But that ought to change, Secretary of State Joan 
Growe told the House General Legislation, Veterans 
Affairs and Elections Committee Jan. 9.
     The Growe Commission on Electoral Reform wants 
to shorten the political infighting season by moving 
the primary to August, better control who appears 
on a primary ballot, and hopefully increase voter 
participation.
     The 18-member commission focused on the 
primary election -- where members of the same 
political party face off to determine who advances 
to meet candidates from an opposing party or 
parties in the November general election. 
     Primary elections have traditionally had low voter 
turnout. One faction holds that the political 
infighting which pits IR against IR or DFLer against 
DFLer turns voters off.
     The Growe commission wants to hold the primary 
election earlier in the campaign season to give 
candidates more time to debate issues and voters 
time to explore the differences between general 
election candidates.
     The commission, in a draft report, recommends 
that the Legislature pass laws in time for the 1996 
state elections that would:
-- Move primary election day to sometime during 
the first two weeks of August, on either a Tuesday 
or a Saturday. Rep. Jim Rhodes (IR-St. Louis Park) 
suggested that Saturday would be a bad day for 
his constituents, many of whom are Jewish.
-- Require major party candidates for state and 
federal offices to receive at least 20 percent of the 
vote on any ballot for that office at the party 
endorsing convention before their name could be 
placed on a state primary election ballot. If a 
candidate didn't receive the 20 percent, he or she 
could still make the ballot by submitting a petition 
signed by the number of eligible voters equal to 
10 percent of persons voting on the nomination 
for that office at the last state primary.
-- Rename the primary election the "party 
nominating election" so the public would better 
understand just what a primary election does.
-- Produce a voters' guide for the public with 
information on where and how to vote, the 
candidates running for office, and constitutional 
amendments up for public vote. (A similar 
proposal failed in 1993.)
-- Permit corporations to make tax deductible 
donations to the Office of the Secretary of State to 
promote voter participation in precinct caucuses 
and elections on a non-partisan basis.
-- Move the date of precinct caucuses to the first 
weekend in April instead of in March and hold 
them during daytime hours so more people can 
participate.
     The recommendations partially come out of 
concern for the decreasing -- some would say 
dismal -- number of people participating in 
Minnesota's grassroots precinct caucuses and 
district and state nominating conventions. Citizens 
involved in those processes decide which 
candidates receive the party endorsement and 
appear on the ballot.
     Growe said she believes if candidates know they 
must garner 20 percent at the endorsing 
conventions, they'll encourage people to go to the 
precinct caucuses to root for them.
     She pointed out that the commission is "not locked 
into anything," and that a June or July primary date 
might work as well as an August date. "We decided 
there was something wrong with every single 
month and every single day." But, she added, "we 
can't do a whole lot worse than where we're at 
now," referring to the September primary.
     The commission was looking for a way to "shake 
up the system," Growe said. And during the process, 
"strengthen political parties." She pointed out that 
the recommendations do not touch any current laws 
regarding general elections.
     Committee chair Rep. Tom Osthoff (DFL-St. Paul) 
and Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Bovey) both pointed 
out that precinct caucuses present a problem 
because most people have no desire to participate.
     "Extreme groups are stacking each precinct," 
making it difficult for regular folks to offer ideas, 
Solberg said. "People have been turned off by who 
is showing up at [precinct caucuses and 
conventions] and what their agenda is."
     Osthoff suggested that in odd years caucuses could 
be held to decide each party's platform, leaving the 
election year caucuses just to deal with candidate 
selection.
     The Growe commission suggestions are expected 
to be drafted into a bill and referred to the 
Elections Division of the House General Legislation, 
Veterans Affairs and Elections Committee.
-- K. Darcy Hanzlik

No lawyers for kids

     A crisis is rapidly developing in the juvenile 
courts, say public defenders. 
     A 1994 law created a new category of young 
offender, the "extended jurisdiction juvenile." 
Fourteen- to 17-year-olds who are repeat offenders 
or have committed serious crimes are now entitled 
to legal counsel and a jury trial. If found guilty, 
they could face adult sanctions -- including prison -- 
if they violate the conditions of a juvenile penalty.
     A $2.6 million appropriation to hire more public 
defenders to address an anticipated increase in 
juvenile caseloads was vetoed by Gov. Arne Carlson. 
Public defenders say this situation could shut down 
the juvenile court system.
     Amid introductions at the first House Judiciary 
Finance Committee meeting Jan. 12, John Stuart, 
state public defender, and Richard Scherman, chief 
administrator of the Board of Public Defense, made 
an urgent appeal for help.
     "We are in very, very serious trouble throughout 
the state handling public defender cases in the 
juvenile area," said Scherman. His agency has met 
with judges and court administrators and 
determined that by March 1 a "crisis will begin to 
occur."
     Stuart said that public defenders have begun 
doing legal "triage" -- providing services to juveniles 
in detention and ranking other cases on a priority 
basis. He said the public defenders have been 
researching the legality of asking courts for 
continuances and postponements of cases. (Juvenile 
offenders, by law, are entitled to a jury trial within 
30 days after they are arrested.)
     Rep. Jim Farrell (DFL-St. Paul), who is on leave as 
a public defender in Ramsey County, said, "The 
system will just stop if there are not enough 
lawyers to defend people." He explained that adults 
can often be persuaded to plead guilty to a crime 
and accept a lesser sentence, but "with juveniles it's 
a lot more difficult because they're scared, and you 
have parents involved. I can't imagine what it's 
going to be like now, saying, 'Well, you have the 
right to a jury trial.'"
     Both Farrell and Scherman said that a backlog of 
cases will soon clog the system. The worst 
alternative, according to Scherman, is that "we can't 
provide the service." He said that a court could 
order the Department of Finance to appropriate the 
vetoed $2.6 million in order to get the juvenile 
justice system back in working order.

Reinventing performance

     After nearly two years of preparation, 21 state 
departments and agencies are now ready to have 
their performance reports examined by members of 
the State Government Finance Division of the House 
Governmental Operations Committee. A 1993 
Minnesota law requires the agencies to file annual 
performance reports detailing their purpose and 
goals.
     Division members will spend January discussing 
the documents.
     Lawmakers called for the performance reports in 
hopes of using  them for information when passing 
laws and budgets pertaining to the agencies, said 
Deputy Legislative Auditor Robert Brooks. He 
addressed division members Jan. 11. 
     Lawmakers can look at the documents to find an 
agency's goals, plans for how to reach those goals, 
and statements on how the agency is progressing 
toward them, Brooks said.
     The 21 agencies range from the Minnesota 
Historical Society to the Minnesota Pollution Control 
Agency. At 416 pages, the Department of Human 
Services issued the longest report, Brooks said. The 
Office of the Legislative Auditor is currently 
reviewing the reports to ensure they're in 
acceptable form and to tell agencies how they could 
improve them.
     Last year, the division approved a $250,000 
expenditure for the Department of Finance to write 
a computer program that will help standardize the 
reports, Brooks said.
     The performance reports are available to the 
public, he added.

MinnesotaCare review

     Sometimes Minnesota Department of Human 
Services employees feel like they work at an 
insurance company, Helen Yates, the agency's 
assistant commissioner, told members of the 
MinnesotaCare Finance Division of the House Health 
and Human Services Committee Jan. 12.
     Yates' agency coordinates and administers the 
complex MinnesotaCare program, which provides 
state-subsidized health insurance for "the working 
poor," as she called them.
     So agency staff people are left to determine which 
low-income Minnesotans are eligible for Medical 
Assistance and General Assistance Medical Care, 
and which are eligible for MinnesotaCare.
     Yates gave division members an overview of the 
program, which lawmakers will again revisit this 
year. The MinnesotaCare law has been amended 
each year since the program began in 1992.
     Current law promises universal health coverage 
for all uninsured Minnesotans by July 1, 1997, but 
does not provide funding to meet the goal. 
     Current funding for MinnesotaCare comes from a 2 
percent tax on health care providers, hospitals, 
pharmacies, and wholesale drug distributors which 
is funneled to a dedicated state fund. Additional 
revenue will come in January 1996, when health 
plan companies such as health maintenance 
organizations and Blue Cross-Blue Shield will begin 
to pay a 1 percent tax on the premiums they 
receive.
     Program enrollees must have lived in the state at 
least 180 days and have been uninsured four 
months before receiving MinnesotaCare. They also 
have to prove they're not eligible for employer-
subsidized insurance, Yates said.
     Beginning last October, single people and members 
of families without children (with incomes less than 
125 percent of federal poverty guidelines) became 
eligible for the program. 
     Currently, about 75,000 Minnesotans use the 
program, Yates said. Most enrollees pay a sliding-
fee premium based on a percentage of their income. 
For example, a family of three with a monthly 
income of $1,500 would pay a $57 monthly 
premium. Co-payments are also charged for certain 
services.
     Rep. Kris Hasskamp (DFL-Crosby) suggested 
increasing the number of health services requiring 
a co-payment. 
     But sometimes small co-payments, such as $5, cost 
more than $5 to process, said Rep. Lee Greenfield 
(DFL-Mpls), who helped draft the original 
MinnesotaCare legislation. Low-income people may 
not even be able to make such a small co-payment, 
he added.
     Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-North St. Paul), said she 
may support co-payments made on a sliding scale, 
though many of those co-payments would be small.
     "A single person earning $4.50 per hour isn't even 
eligible for MinnesotaCare, so people with lower 
incomes than that would have a hard time paying," 
she said. 
     A single person working full-time at such a wage 
would exceed the income limitation for program 
eligibility.

Health care 'freeloaders'

     Minnesotans will pay more to smoke their 
cigarettes, cigars, and pipes if a recommendation of 
the Minnesota Health Care Commission is adopted. 
     Increasing the tax on cigarettes by 40 cents per 
pack -- and a comparable tax increase on other 
tobacco products -- would reduce smoking by 10 
percent (much more among adolescent smokers), 
and would pay for expanding MinnesotaCare health 
coverage, supporters said.
     The summary of the commission's MinnesotaCare 
financing recommendations was presented at a Jan. 
11 meeting of the Legislative Commission on Health 
Care Access.
     The financing study suggestions coincided with 
the release of a report by the state Department of 
Health that found that health care costs associated 
with smoking came to $470 million in 1992. That 
represents a 32 percent increase from the $355 
million in smokers' medical bills in 1990.
     MinnesotaCare, the state's subsidized medical 
insurance program for low-income workers, calls 
for all Minnesotans to have some form of health 
insurance by July 1, 1997.
     To help achieve that goal, the study also 
recommends penalties for some people -- primarily 
young men -- who presumably could afford health 
insurance but choose not to carry it.
     A "freeloader penalty" ($500 for an individual or 
$600 for a couple) is recommended as an incentive 
to encourage these people to obtain coverage, which 
would reduce premiums for those who already 
have health insurance. 
     Tom Swain, chair of the Minnesota Health Care 
Commission, said there are about 124,000 people in 
the state who are "voluntarily uninsured" -- those 
who make more than 275 percent of the federal 
poverty guideline but choose not to purchase health 
insurance. People with insurance unwittingly 
subsidize the "voluntarily uninsured."
     Money from the freeloader penalty would go to a 
community health insurance pool, which would 
then be used to pay health care providers for the 
costs of treating uninsured people.
     A workable, affordable, state-subsidized health 
insurance program "boils down to the fact that 
everyone must be in the system and paying in," 
said David Haugen, acting interim director of the 
Minnesota Health Care Commission.
     Swain explained that in 1997 people will have to 
show proof that they have health insurance or face 
a fine. 
     While the 1994 MinnesotaCare law promised 
universal health coverage to all uninsured 
Minnesotans by July 1, 1997, the financing study 
recommends extending that deadline by two years. 
     The 1994 MinnesotaCare law mandated that the 
Minnesota Health Care Commission examine health 
care financing and tax systems, and make 
recommendations to the Legislature for 
development of a "stable, long-term funding 
system." 

Regional housing policy 

     The Legislature should give the Metropolitan Council the 
authority for developing a regional housing policy in the 
metropolitan area, according to a Citizens League report 
unveiled before the Housing Committee Jan. 9. 
     Since the Twin Cities housing market spans the 
metro area, a process should be created by the 
Metropolitan Council "for devising the regional 
solutions that are so urgently needed," stated the 
report.
     A precedent for the regional approach is the 
Metropolitan Land Use Planning Act of 1976, which 
empowered the Metropolitan Council to draw up a 
regional growth management strategy. Local units 
of government were required to devise their own 
compatible plans.
     The report also suggested a number of goals to 
reduce poverty and to make housing more available 
across the metro region for low-income people.
     Among ways to achieve the housing goal is the 
recommendation that "income and property tax 
policies that penalize low-income people and 
subsidize sprawl should be revised." 
     In the interest of economic equity, Minnesota 
should "phase out the preference for homestead 
property in the property tax code," and state 
income tax deductions for interest on home 
mortgages should be capped. The revenue gained 
from these measures would go to other forms of 
housing assistance based on financial need. The 
report urges the state to lobby Washington to 
likewise reduce tax benefits for home ownership 
and increase housing subsidies for the poor.
     Current government housing policies "contribute 
to the concentration of poverty in the inner 
portions of the metropolitan area," according to the 
report. 
     Racial discrimination, city development policies, 
federal income tax benefits for homeowners, and 
state property tax policy that "favors homestead 
property and penalizes rental property" have led to 
a shortage of affordable housing in the inner city. 
     "Public policies set the rules of the game," said 
Mary Anderson of the Citizens League. "The Twin 
Cities are feeling some of the ill effects of these 
policies now.
     "What happens in Burnsville is related to what 
happens at Franklin and Chicago [avenues] in 
Minneapolis." 

Working on welfare

     A welfare reform bill that would require some 
new Minnesota welfare recipients to take part in a 
tough new jobs program and mandate that all 
teenage moms on welfare live at home, was heard 
in the House Health and Human Services Committee 
Jan. 12.
      About 200 people attended the hearing, many of 
whom objected to what they considered the 
punitive tone of the bill and its underlying 
assumption that people on welfare are lazy.
     People "will take initiative when given the 
opportunity," said K.J. Jakobson of Winona, Minn, a 
single mother.
     Patricia Gradine, a former welfare recipient who 
went to school and worked her way off public 
assistance, explained why she needed government 
help in the first place. She explained how her 
husband announced he was leaving her as she lay 
in a hospital bed shortly after giving birth to her 
second child. Since then she said she has received 
no child support. 
     "Make males who walk out responsible," Gradine 
said.
     A major component of HF1 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.
     Only people not receiving Aid to Families with 
Dependent Children (AFDC) or other welfare could 
participate. They would receive medical assistance, 
child care assistance, and help in enforcing child 
support orders.
     The new program would require participants to 
begin a job search within seven days, and require 
that they spend at least 32 hours per week (for up 
to eight weeks) searching for a job.  
     Participants could not refuse any job offer that 
met their physical or mental abilities so long as the 
job pays minimum wage and meets government 
health and safety standards.
     After eight weeks searching for a job, individuals 
who fail to land work (for at least 32 hours per 
week), or fail to earn a net income equal to their 
traditional welfare benefits, would be required to 
work in a public service job for up to four months.
     Participants who fail to attend the Work First 
orientation or fail to develop a job search plan 
within seven days would be terminated from the 
program. But it is not clear whether they could still 
receive other traditional public assistance benefits.
     Participants who are terminated from any of the 
jobs would not be eligible to apply for public 
assistance for at least six months, under the bill. 
Individuals who quit a job on the Work First 
program would immediately be assigned to a 
temporary public service job.
     Rep. Bob Anderson (DFL-Ottertail), sponsor of HF1 
and chair of the House Health and Human Services 
Committee, said the committee's finance division 
will decide how much money to spend on the 
programs in his bill. Money is expected to be 
appropriated to subsidize childcare costs for low - 
to moderate income families. 
     Some of the other highlights in the measure 
would:
-- Require all teenage parents on welfare to live at 
home with their parents or supervising adult, 
except in special circumstances, such as an 
abusive home. A waiver of federal rules would be 
required.
-- Allow individuals on Aid to Families with 
Dependent Children (AFDC) to work more than 99 
hours per month and remain eligible for public 
assistance. A waiver of federal rules would be 
required.
-- Request the elimination of other federal rules that 
some argue discourage welfare recipients from 
finding work. One waiver request would allow the 
state to offer an additional year of medical 
assistance and child care benefits for families 
working their way off AFDC. Currently, they 
receive just one year of those benefits. Another 
waiver request 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.
-- Repeal the state's Work Readiness jobs training 
program and require families on general 
assistance to participate in a food stamp 
employment and training program.
-- Require several state agencies to work together to 
design a system that allows welfare recipients 
who are working to receive their federal and state 
tax credits in monthly installments instead of in 
one lump sum at the end of the year. The money 
could be used to supplement their regular pay 
checks.
-- Require welfare recipients participating in the 
state STRIDE jobs training program, who also are 
going to vocational school or college, to work a 
minimum of 16 hours a week at either a paying 
job or volunteering with a public or nonprofit 
agency. They must agree to search for and accept 
any offer of suitable employment after completing 
their education or training. Volunteer work 
includes taking parenting classes. Failure to 
comply would bring about penalties, such as an 
individual losing control of their cash benefits. The 
state could instead issue vouchers specifically tied 
to rent, utilities, and other payments. In some 
cases, the benefits could be cut.
     Sharon Rolenc, a single mother on welfare taking 
classes and studying 60-70 hours a week to 
graduate within four years (before her child care 
assistance ends), challenged lawmakers to put 
themselves in her shoes and "see if you could 
handle an extra 16 hours a week."
-- Require welfare recipients participating in the 
state STRIDE jobs training program and seeking 
their high school equivalency, to work at least 16 
hours a week in either a paying job or 
volunteering. "Volunteer work" would include 
attendance in parenting classes. They also must be 
in class at least six hours a week and meet 
attendance and progress requirements as outlined 
by their caseworker. Failure to comply with these 
requirements would result in penalties, such as 
those listed above.
-- Expand the Minnesota Family Investment Plan 
program to Ramsey, Nobles, and Aitkin counties. 
This public assistance program began in April and 
is currently a five-year pilot project in seven 
counties (Hennepin, Anoka, Dakota, Sherburne, 
Mille Lacs, Todd, and Morrison). The program 
allows families to accept lower paying jobs while 
receiving some public assistance. This helps them 
gain work experience. It also requires the family 
to sign an agreement on what steps they'll take 
toward employment and self-sufficiency. If they 
don't abide by the agreement, they could lose part 
of their public assistance. Finally, the program 
eliminates some of the welfare rules that 
discourage marriage. Eligibility depends on 
economic factors and income, not on whether a 
parent is absent or unemployed.
     The Health and Human Services Committee will 
continue hearing public testimony on HF1 Jan. 17.

Notes

     House Concurrent Resolution Number Two seemed 
a fairly innocent two-paragraph measure when it 
came before the House Jan. 12. But the vote wasn't 
without lighthearted controversy.
     Senators needed House approval to skip their Jan. 
19 session. The Senate planned to meet the 
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of that week, 
take Thursday off, and not reconvene until the 
following Monday. 
     But the Minnesota State Constitution says that 
each legislative body must agree to the other's 
intent to adjourn for more than three days, 
excluding Sundays. The provision keeps lawmakers 
from packing their bags, heading home, and 
refusing to negotiate with the other body.
     Normally, the Senate meets Monday, Tuesday, and 
Thursday, but senators and representatives plan to 
gather Wednesday, Jan. 18 to hear the governor's 
State of the State address. Senators weren't keen on 
meeting for a fourth day on Thursday, so the 
resolution was required.
     Just before the House vote on the resolution, 
Minority Leader Steve Sviggum asked Carruthers 
what would happen if legislators didn't approve it. 
     "We'd have an unhappy and unruly Senate," 
Carruthers answered, "But perhaps they always 
are."
     By voice vote, legislators granted the Senate's 
request. 

     So who checks to be sure a full gallon is what you 
get at your local gas station pump? The Weights 
and Measures Division of the Department of Public 
Service, that's who. 
     Public Service Commissioner Kris Sanda told 
members of the House Regulated Industries and 
Energy Committee Jan. 9 that the division checks 
the accuracy of each of the state's 34,000 gas 
pumps.
     They also monitor the state's 12,000 retail scales, 
225 livestock scales, 3,400 vehicle scales, 110 
railroad track scales, and more.
     The division's 40 employees issue either a yellow 
or a red tag to pumps and scales that are out of 
compliance. Yellow tags give the owner 30 days to 
fix the faulty equipment; red tags immediately halt 
the use of the equipment until it can be fixed or 
replaced to meet department standards.

     The state can't build its new 800-bed prison on 
the selected site in Braham, Minn., because the soil 
there isn't solid enough to support such a massive 
structure, Jim Bruton, deputy commissioner of 
institutions for the Minnesota Department of 
Corrections, told Judiciary Committee members Jan. 
11.
     Bruton explained that other sites in Braham are 
now being explored. As a backup, however, soil 
samples are being taken from a site in Rush City, 
which was the state's number two choice for the 
prison, and in St. Cloud, which ranked third. 
     The prison is scheduled to open in the year 2000, 
Bruton said.

     Minnesota telephone customers are paying an 
extra dime per month -- in addition to the standard 
14 cent-per-month 911 service fee -- to help 
blanket the state with "enhanced" 911 service. The 
surcharge was authorized by the 1994 Legislature.
     Enhanced 911 technology displays a caller's phone 
number, location, and closest ambulance location on 
a dispatcher's computer screen.
     Jim Beutelspacher, 911 product manager for the 
state Department of Administration's 
Telecommunications Division, explained to members 
of the Regulated Industries and Energy Committee 
Jan. 9 that approximately 77 percent of the state 
now has enhanced 911 service.
     Cellular phone customers are exempted from the 
additional 10 cent surcharge. It seems only fair, 
since "the technology doesn't exist" to provide 
enhanced 911 service to cellular phones, 
Beutelspacher said.

     Minnesota's prison population is booming, Jim 
Bruton, deputy commissioner of institutions for the 
Minnesota Department of Corrections, told members 
of the House Judiciary Committee Jan. 11.
     As of Jan. 9, the state prison population stood at 
4,452. 
     Today, the Minnesota Correctional Facility at 
Stillwater holds 1,372 inmates. That's 200 more 
prisoners than were in the entire Minnesota state 
prison system in 1974.
     Even though the growth is significant, the problem 
is an enviable one for many other states. In 
California, where the general population is about 
seven times that of Minnesota's, the prison 
population is 125,000 -- more than 28 times that of 
Minnesota's.
     Thirty-nine states are under federal order to 
expand prison space due to overcrowding and other 
reasons. Minnesota is not among them.

Youth in Government
Students explore complex business of 
government

     Nearly 1,100 high school students came to the 
Capitol Jan. 5 - 8 to participate in the Youth in 
Government Program sponsored by the YMCA.
     The students gave speeches, crafted legislation, 
and held debates on the floor of the House, often 
sounding like the lawmakers who usually occupy 
the mahogany desks.
     The program exposes students to the nuts and 
bolts operations of all three branches of state 
government -- legislative, judicial, and executive. 
     By electing legislative officers, attending 
committee hearings, and drafting and passing bills, 
the students got a hands-on view to help them 
better understand the lawmaking process. 
     They also took part in mock Supreme Court 
proceedings to learn the nuances of the judicial 
branch. 
     Representing each of the state's cabinet-level state 
agencies helped students develop an understanding 
of the executive branch.
     When the Youth in Government Program first 
began in Minnesota 49 years ago, it was simply a 
model legislature and a youth governor was chosen 
to represent the executive branch. The program, 
then known as Youth and Government, was held 
every two years. In 1965, it became an annual 
event.
     A Youth in Law program, begun in 1975, added a 
model Supreme Court. A year later, the first full 
Executive Cabinet Program came along. Eventually, 
the Secretary of State and Attorney General 
programs were added. 
     Other programs have since been added to give the 
program a more "true to life" flavor, including a 
press corps (both video and newspaper) and a 
lobbying program.
     Youth in Government participants also have had 
the opportunity to participate in model sessions in 
other states. Alabama, Illinois, Texas and Wisconsin 
each have received Minnesota students in their 
programs and, with the exception of Texas, each 
have sent student delegates to Minnesota.

New members . . .
McElroy focuses on workers' comp, 
affordable housing, transportation

     He plays bridge on the Internet and considers 
himself a bleacher bum with his nephews at 
basketball games. He transformed a three-
employee travel business with $1 million in sales 
into a business with 85 employees and $35 million 
in sales, which he later sold.
     Rep. Dan McElroy, a first-term 
Independent-Republican lawmaker from Burnsville, 
has a wide array of experiences he plans to bring to 
the House. The history major from the University of 
Notre Dame has been the mayor of Burnsville for 
about eight years and served on the city council 
before that.
     His transition into politics was accidental.
     About 14 years ago, the Burnsville city 
government annoyed some local people when it was 
about to split its public safety department into 
separate police and fire departments.
     One of those people, McElroy, attended the city 
council meeting, his first direct experience in 
Minnesota politics. He was bothered by the way the 
city administration was pushing through the idea 
with little public input.
     "The process was the problem," he said, not 
necessarily that some city leaders wanted to split 
the department.
     McElroy, 46, now owns a travel agency 
management consulting firm and said his business 
experience helps in the Legislature. "Government is 
a business owned by its customers."
     The difference, he said, is that government doesn't 
have competition so it also needs to serve a 
marketplace function and put the brakes on 
spending and programs people may want but can't 
afford.
     McElroy said he doesn't plan to introduce a lot of 
his own legislation this year. He said he wants to 
learn the House system first. 
     His interests include workers' compensation, 
affordable housing, and transit issues.
     The administration of workers' compensation is 
something that can be streamlined without 
reducing benefits to injured workers. If you cut 
costs, you can lower the premiums, he said.
     He points to the owner of a roofing business in 
Minnesota paying $1.09 for every $1 of payroll for 
workers' compensation and a roofer in North 
Carolina paying 20 cents for every $1 of payroll.
     He has served on the governor's council on 
affordable housing and said he plans to oppose any 
House bill mandating local governments offer 
specific levels of affordable 
housing.
     Instead of mandates he prefers local governments 
offer incentives to encourage developers to build 
affordable housing in their community.
     Regarding transportation, McElroy is concerned 
about Minnesota's involvement with Light Rail 
Transit. "Light Rail Transit is not a magic panacea." 
Buses and carpooling are necessary and LRT must 
be concentrated in an area where lots of people go 
to and from the same place to be effective and 
affordable.
     McElroy said he is excited about the legislative 
session but added: "I liken it to a dog chasing a 
school bus. What do you do when you catch it? I'm 
working hard to learn the answer to that."
-- K. Darcy Hanzlik
District 36B

Population: 32,679
Distribution: 100 percent urban
County: Dakota
Largest city: Burnsville
Location: southcentral Metro
Unemployment rate: 2.96 percent
Residents living below poverty level: 3.64 
percent
1992 presidential election results:
Bush/Quayle     36.26 percent
Clinton/Gore     36.88 percent
Perot/Stockdale     26.13 percent
Other:     0.73 percent

New members . . .
'Political life' came unexpectedly for former 
White Bear mayor

      The Legislature and its players will offer newly elected
Rep. 
Harry Mares the perfect setting to apply all sorts of 
psychological theories.
     For years he has taught White Bear 
Lake High School students social psychology -- the 
study of how the attitudes, motivations, and 
behavior of an individual influence, and are 
influenced by, groups.
     "It'll be an interesting study," the 
first-term Independent-Republican from White 
Bear Lake said.
     The 56-year-old football and gymnastics coach 
evolved into political life.
     He was born and raised in Racine, Wis., one of 
seven children. "The first two boys were named 
Tom and Dick. My father named the boys. Then I 
came along and he had to name me Harry."
     He began teaching in Rochester, Minn., then taught 
in California for a while. He returned to Minnesota 
to teach in White Bear Lake in 1966.
     While his first wife was pregnant with their 
fourth child, it was discovered she had cancer. She 
died in 1975 and Mares later married a high school 
friend who was widowed and had three children of 
her own.
      "All I can say is my wife is a saint," he said, 
explaining that at one time she was raising seven 
children under the age of nine.
     The family was united by its size. Mares fondly 
remembers Sundays when he and his wife would 
line up the kids, cut their nails, and wash their hair. 
One of his children has cystic fibrosis, and it took a 
family effort to take care of her.
     With the kids pretty much grown in 1985, Mares 
was looking for a change and an announcement in 
the White Bear Press caught his eye -- the city was 
looking for volunteers to serve on policy 
committees.
     That's where it all started and his political career 
has quickly snowballed.
     In January 1986, he was appointed to the White 
Bear Lake Planning Commission. "I had no idea of 
political life," he said. 
     In November 1989, he was appointed to an 
uncompleted term on the White Bear Lake City 
Council. In March 1990, he won a full council term. 
In March 1991, he was elected mayor with 70 
percent of the vote.
     In November 1993, he was elected mayor again. 
"There were only seven votes against me and five 
of them were for Barney," he said.
     "I was happy as mayor, but this opportunity 
presented itself," Mares said, referring to his House 
campaign. "I never intended to be on the council. I 
never intended to be mayor. I never intended [to 
be in] the Legislature.
     "I don't know if anything prepares you for the Legislature."

But, he added: "I'm glad for the experience I've had at the 
local government level."
     Mares' legislative agenda will focus on his areas of
expertise: 
education and local government. 
     "Education is a big item on my agenda. . . . We've 
asked the school to assume a lot of responsibility in 
the social issues. . . . The question has to be asked: 
'What role do we want education to play?'
     If it is to be a social institution, then define its 
social roles and assign it a proper budget. If it is to 
be an educational institution, then define that and 
fund it properly."
     If he gets his wish, he will sponsor and pass a bill 
in his first term to eliminate unfunded mandates 
imposed by state government on school districts. 
Those are programs and services state government 
requires school districts to offer but doesn't fund. 
He already has introduced a bill on the topic this 
session.
     On state funding for local governments, Mares said 
he understands local governments are a target. 
Many, he said, are run efficiently, but some are not.
     Local governments need to share resources, plan 
ahead, set goals, and save for the future. As mayor 
of White Bear Lake, he developed a strategic plan 
before drafting a budget, the priorities of which 
were outlined by 35 citizens and leaders in the 
community.
     "My local government experience should be a big 
help as a legislator. "I've been there," Mares said.
--K. Darcy Hanzlik

District 55A

Population: 32,921
Distribution: 98.44 percent urban; 1.56 percent 
rural
Counties: Ramsey, Washington
Largest city: White Bear Lake
Location: northeastern Metro
Unemployment rate: 3.26 percent
Residents living below poverty level: 4.26 
percent
1992 presidential election results:
Bush/Quayle     30.88 percent
Clinton/Gore     43 percent
Perot/Stockdale     25.12 percent
Other:     1 percent

Do You Know

     It's true lawmakers sometimes need a break after 
some particularly hectic legislative sessions. Fifty-
five years, however, is a little extreme.
     That's what Thomas Smullen, a former lawmaker 
from Le Sueur County, took between his terms in 
the Legislature.
     When Smullen began in the Minnesota House in 
1875, the state was still a teenager -- railroads had 
expanded rapidly, farms numbered 46,500, and 
lumber and flour mills were big employers.
     Smullen left only to return about 55 years later, 
serving in the Senate during the 1931 and 1933 
sessions, an era of the Great Depression. At the time 
there were multiple Minnesota bank failures, farm 
prices were in a slump, and 70 percent of 
Minnesota iron range workers were without jobs.
     Smullen was born in New York City on April 14, 
1852, and came to Le Sueur County in 1863, 
according to the Minnesota Legislative Manual. He 
was 22 when he began his legislative career and 
when he returned, 78.
     It is unclear why Smullen left the Legislature 
after 1875, but he did continue his work in 
government. Over a period of 20 years, he was 
mayor of Le Sueur, registrar of deeds, and city 
assessor. He was a municipal judge for 12 years. He 
also was deputy bank examiner under Gov. John A. 
Johnson, and during World War I, a county food 
administrator and county director of the public 
safety 
commission.

It's a Fact

     Recent changes in Minnesota's ethics and 
campaign finance laws have made it clear to the 
public that state lawmakers are not beholden to 
special interests.
     But few remember that a similar wave of public 
opinion concerning legislative ethics led to radical 
changes in state law in 1912.
     "Taking government away from the 'interests' and 
returning it to the people became the slogan of the 
times" -- so it was written in Minnesota: Political 
Maverick by the Minnesota Historical Society.
     It was the peak of the Progressive movement in 
1912, the same year that Theodore Roosevelt 
abandoned the Republican Party and ran for 
president as an Independent. Although he lost the 
election, he carried the state of Minnesota.
     "In the disillusionment of the early 1900s . . . the 
badge 'independent' began to stand for virtue and 
high principle, while a vote 'for the man and not the 
party' came to mean a vote for honesty in 
government," according to the historical society 
book.
     And so during a 13-day special session, Minnesota 
lawmakers enacted sweeping changes to state law: 
a statewide political primary election, direct 
election of U.S. senators (previously chosen by 
legislators), and campaign spending limits. The 
session also brought us the law which prohibits the 
distribution of campaign materials on election day.
     "In thirteen days the legislature completely 
revolutionized the state's present political system," 
wrote the Minneapolis Journal on June 18, 1912.




Committee Information
1995-96 House of Representatives 

Agriculture
487 State Office Building     296-4247

Meets: Mon., 10 a.m. in Room 200*

Members: 18
Chair: Wenzel-DFL
Vice Chair: Peterson-DFL

Cooper-DFL
Dauner-DFL
Davids-IR
Finseth-IR
Harder-IR
Hugoson-IR
Jaros-DFL
Koppendrayer-IR
Kraus-IR
Lourey-DFL
Molnau-IR
Otremba-DFL
Sarna-DFL
Schumacher-DFL
Swenson, H.-IR
Winter-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Patrick J. Plonski     296-4172
Committee Legislative Assistant
Mary Hollenbeck     296-6860


Capital Investment
543 State Office Building     296-4240

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 12:30 p.m. in 
Room 500N*

Members: 17
Chair: Kalis-DFL
Vice Chair: Trimble-DFL

Bishop-IR
Brown-DFL
Clark-DFL
Davids-IR
Dawkins-DFL
Dempsey-IR
Knoblach-IR
Lieder-DFL
McElroy-IR
Ostrom-DFL
Rhodes-IR
Simoneau-DFL
Skoglund-DFL
Solberg-DFL
Van Dellen-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Pat Lindgren     296-5398
Committee Legislative Assistant
Kathleen K. Bruss     296-4271


Claims
565 State Office Building     296-4265

Meets: Call of the chair

Members: 
Chair: Olson, E.-DFL


Dauner-DFL
Ozment-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator/
Committee Legislative Assistant
Dorothy M. Sawyer     296-7427


Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs
563 State Office Building     296-4219

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 12:30 p.m. in Room 10*

Members: 28
Chair: Sarna-DFL
Vice Chair: Hasskamp-DFL

Bradley-IR
Daggett-IR
Entenza-DFL
Erhardt-IR
Farrell-DFL
Goodno-IR
Holsten-IR
Jennings-DFL
Kelso-DFL
Kinkel-DFL
Kraus-IR
Luther-DFL
Lynch-IR
Milbert-DFL
Mulder-IR
Murphy-DFL
Ness-IR
Pellow-IR
Perlt-DFL
Peterson-DFL
Pugh-DFL
Rice-DFL
Smith-IR
Swenson, D.-IR
Swenson, H.-IR
Tomassoni-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Elizabeth A. Cozatt     296-5318
Committee Legislative Assistant
Dianne Ruppert     296-4279


Business Regulation Division
537 State Office Building     296-0518

Meets: Mon., Wed., 12:30 p.m. in  Room 500N*

Members: 14
Chair: Jennings-DFL
Vice Chair: Entenza-DFL

Farrell-DFL
Holsten-IR
Luther-DFL
Milbert-DFL
Mulder-IR
Ness-IR
Pellow-IR
Peterson-DFL
Rice-DFL
Sarna-DFL
Swenson, D.-IR
Swenson, H.-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Elizabeth A. Cozatt     296-5318
Committee Legislative Assistant
Dianne Ruppert     296-4279


Economic Development, Infrastructure & 
Regulation Finance
381 State Office Building     296-4262

Meets: Mon., Wed., Thurs., 8 a.m. in 
Room 300N*

Members: 14 
Chair: Rice-DFL
Vice Chair: Mahon-DFL

Clark-DFL
Frerichs-IR
Garcia-DFL
Harder-IR
Johnson, B.-DFL
Kalis-DFL
Leighton-DFL
Lieder-DFL
Molnau-IR
Ozment-IR
Wolf-IR
Workman-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Jennifer B. Saliture     297-2869
Committee Legislative Assistant
Mary Pat Speltz     296-4178


Transportation Finance Division
517 State Office Building     296-5091

Meets: Tues., Fri., 8 a.m. in Room 500S*

Members: 10
Chair: Lieder-DFL
Vice Chair: Garcia-DFL

Clark-DFL
Frerichs-IR
Harder-IR
Kalis-DFL
Leighton-DFL
Molnau-IR
Rice-DFL
Wolf-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Todd Iverson     296-5528
Committee Legislative Assistant
Mary Pat Speltz     296-4178


Education
379 State Office Building     296-4255

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 8 a.m. in Room 200*

Members: 33
Chair: Carlson-DFL
Vice Chair: Bertram-DFL

Bettermann-IR
Dauner-DFL
Dehler-IR
Dorn-DFL
Entenza-DFL
Greiling-DFL
Johnson, A.-DFL
Kelley-DFL
Kelso-DFL
Kinkel-DFL
Koppendrayer-IR
Kraus-IR
Leppik-IR
Limmer-IR
Mares-IR
Mariani-DFL
Ness-IR
Olson, M.-IR
Opatz-DFL
Orenstein-DFL
Orfield-DFL
Paulsen-IR
Pelowski-DFL
Schumacher-DFL
Seagren-IR
Swenson, H.-IR
Sykora-IR
Tomassoni-DFL
Tuma-IR
Tunheim-DFL
Weaver-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Nancy K. Conley     296-4374
Committee Legislative Assistant
Dori Vaughan     296-3367


K-12 Education Finance Division
539 State Office Building     296-5510

Meets: Mon., Wed., Fri., 8 a.m. in Room 500N*

Members: 13
Chair: Johnson, A.-DFL
Vice Chair: Schumacher-DFL

Bertram-DFL
Carlson-DFL
Entenza-DFL
Koppendrayer-IR
Mares-IR
Mariani*-DFL
Ness-IR
Orfield-DFL
Seagren-IR
Tomassoni-DFL
Tunheim-DFL
Weaver-IR
*Ex-officio member

Staff
Committee Administrator
Ray Frost     296-5508
Committee Legislative Assistant
Joan M. Sweeney     296-1340


Higher Education 
Finance Division
453 State Office Building     296-2451

Meets: Mon., Wed., Fri., 8 a.m. in Room 400N*

Members: 9
Chair: Kinkel-DFL
Vice Chair: Pelowski-DFL

Bettermann-IR
Carlson-DFL
Dehler-IR
Dorn-DFL
Orenstein-DFL
Paulsen-IR
Tuma-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Susan M. Burns     296-4091
Committee Legislative Assistant
Jan C. Horner     296-5496


University of Minnesota 
Finance Division
415 State Office Building     296-1072

Meets: Mon., Wed., Fri., 8 a.m. in Room 400S*

Members: 9
Chair: Kelso-DFL
Vice Chair: Opatz-DFL

Carlson-DFL
Kelley-DFL
Kraus-IR
Leppik-IR
Limmer-IR
Mariani-DFL
Sykora-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Susan M. Burns     296-4091
Committee Legislative Assistant
Urszula M. Gryska     296-5492


Environment & 
Natural Resources
479 State Office Building     296-4282

Meets: Wed., Fri., 10 a.m. in Room 200*

Members: 24
Chair: Munger-DFL
Vice Chair: Wagenius-DFL

Bakk-DFL
Boudreau-IR
Dempsey-IR
Finseth-IR
Garcia-DFL
Haas-IR
Hackbarth-IR
Hausman-DFL
Jacobs-DFL
Johnson, V.-IR
Leighton-DFL
Leppik-IR
Lindner-IR
McCollum-DFL
Milbert-DFL
Orfield-DFL
Otremba-DFL
Ozment-IR
Pellow-IR
Peterson-DFL
Trimble-DFL
Tuma-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Elizabeth R. Goihl     296-8879
Committee Legislative Assistant
Norma S. Christensen     296-7175


Environment & 
Natural Resources Finance
597 State Office Building     296-4929

Meets: Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m. in 
Bsmnt. Hrg. Rm.*

Members: 14
Chair: Brown-DFL
Vice Chair: Hausman-DFL

Finseth-IR
Hackbarth-IR
Holsten-IR
Johnson, V.-IR
Larsen-IR
Lynch-IR
Munger-DFL
Osthoff-DFL
Peterson-DFL
Sarna-DFL
Trimble-DFL
Wenzel-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Scott G. Croonquist     296-7185
Committee Legislative Assistant
Teri T. Edison     296-7171


Ethics
565 State Office Building     296-4265

Meets: Call of the chair

Members: 10
Chair: Olson, E.-DFL
Vice Chair: Smith-IR

Bettermann-IR
Davids-IR
Greiling-DFL
Mahon-DFL
Orenstein-DFL
Pugh-DFL
Van Engen-IR
Workman-IR
McGuire*-DFL
Tompkins*-IR
*Alternates to the Ethics 
Committee

Staff
Committee Administrator/
Committee Legislative Assistant
Dorothy M. Sawyer     296-7427

Financial Institutions 
& Insurance
365 State Office Building     296-4331

Meets: Wed., 10 a.m. in Room 10*

Members: 18
Chair: Simoneau-DFL
Vice Chair: Lourey-DFL

Abrams-IR
Bertram-DFL
Carlson-DFL
Davids-IR
Delmont-DFL
Dorn-DFL
Girard-IR
Greenfield-DFL
Huntley-DFL
Mares-IR
Molnau-IR
Onnen-IR
Ostrom-DFL
Paulsen-IR
Tomassoni-DFL
Worke-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Carol A. Kummer     296-4281
Committee Legislative Assistant
Paula J. Hoover     296-9194


General Legislation, 
Veterans Affairs & 
Elections
585 State Office Building     296-4224 

Meets: Mon., 12:30 p.m. in Room 300N*

Members: 18
Chair: Osthoff-DFL
Vice Chair: Opatz-DFL

Anderson, Bruce-IR
Boudreau-IR
Commers-IR
Davids-IR
Greiling-DFL
Jefferson-DFL
Knight-IR
McCollum-DFL
Munger-DFL
Orfield-DFL
Pawlenty-IR
Pelowski-DFL
Rhodes-IR
Rostberg-IR
Simoneau-DFL
Solberg-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Virginia E. Lanegran     296-2909
Committee Legislative Assistant
Kristine M. Henry     296-5342


Elections Division
577 State Office Building     296-8659

Meets: Thurs., 12:30 p.m. in Room 300N*

Members: 10
Chair: Jefferson-DFL
Vice Chair: McCollum-DFL

Anderson, Bruce-IR
Boudreau-IR
Commers-IR
Greiling-DFL
Osthoff-DFL
Pawlenty-IR
Pelowski-DFL
Solberg-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Virginia Lanegran     296-2909
Committee Legislative Assistant
Kristine M. Henry     296-5342


Governmental Operations
367 State Office Building     296-4257

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 10 a.m. in 
Bsmnt. Hrg. Rm.*

Members: 22
Chair: Kahn-DFL
Vice Chair: Tomassoni-DFL

Anderson, Bruce-IR
Dehler-IR
Dempsey-IR
Dorn-DFL
Farrell-DFL
Greiling-DFL
Jefferson-DFL
Johnson, B.-DFL
Kinkel-DFL
Knight-IR
Knoblach-IR
Mares-IR
Olson, M.-IR
Osskopp-IR
Osthoff-DFL
Pawlenty-IR
Perlt-DFL
Pugh-DFL
Rostberg-IR
Rukavina-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Jacquelyn B. Rosholt     296-4112
Committee Legislative Assistant
Judith  Richardson     296-7173


Gambling  Division
533 State Office Building     296-3248

Meets: Fri., 10 a.m. in Room 500N*

Members: 9
Chair: Dorn-DFL
Vice Chair: Perlt-DFL

Dehler-IR
Kahn-DFL
Knoblach-IR
Mares-IR
Olson, M.-IR
Pugh-DFL
Tomassoni-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Brad Lehto     296-5367
Committee Legislative Assistant
Judith Richardson     296-7173


State Government 
Finance Division
471 State Office Building     296-0170

Meets: Mon., Wed., 10 a.m. in Room 400S*

Members: 14
Chair: Rukavina-DFL
Vice Chair: Greiling-DFL

Anderson, Bruce-IR
Farrell-DFL
Jefferson-DFL
Johnson, B.-DFL
Kahn-DFL
Knight-IR
Knoblach-IR
Osskopp-IR
Osthoff-DFL
Pawlenty-IR
Perlt-DFL
Rostberg-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Brad Lehto     296-5367
Committee Legislative Assistant
Debra M. Fastner     296-8857


Health & Human Services
437 State Office Building     296-4946

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 10 a.m. in Room 10*

Members: 22
Chair: Anderson, Bob-DFL
Vice Chair: Wejcman-DFL

Boudreau-IR
Bradley-IR
Cooper-DFL
Delmont-DFL
Greenfield-DFL
Haas-IR
Hasskamp-DFL
Huntley-DFL
Jennings-DFL
Lindner-IR
Lourey-DFL
Marko-DFL
McCollum-DFL
Mulder-IR
Onnen-IR
Otremba-DFL
Tompkins-IR
Van Engen-IR
Vickerman-IR
Worke-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Timothy C. Adams     297-1934
Committee Legislative Assistant
Barbara A. Klossner     296-9463


Health & Human Services 
Finance Division
375 State Office Building     296-0173

Meets: Mon., Wed., Fri., 8 a.m. in Room 10*

Members: 14
Chair: Greenfield-DFL
Vice Chair: Otremba-DFL

Anderson, Bob-DFL
Boudreau-IR
Delmont-DFL
Jennings-DFL
Lindner-IR
Lourey-DFL
Marko-DFL
Mulder-IR
Onnen-IR
Tompkins-IR
Vickerman-IR
Wejcman-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Victor A. Thorstenson     296-2317
Committee Legislative Assistant
Marguerite  Maloney     296-7189


MinnesotaCare Finance Division
549 State Office Building     296-4346

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 8 a.m. in Room 10*

Members: 10
Chair: Cooper-DFL
Vice Chair: Huntley-DFL

Anderson, Bob-DFL
Bradley-IR
Haas-IR
Hasskamp-DFL
Lourey-DFL
McCollum-DFL
Van Engen-IR
Worke-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Victor A. Thorstenson     296-2317
Committee Legislative Assistant
Shirley M. Covert     296-5322


Housing
503 State Office Building     296-0294

Meets: Mon., 12:30 p.m. in Room 500S*

Members: 16
Chair: Clark-DFL
Vice Chair: Mariani-DFL

Dauner-DFL
Dawkins-DFL
Greenfield-DFL
Harder-IR
Kinkel-DFL
Lindner-IR
McElroy-IR
Olson, M.-IR
Seagren-IR
Skoglund-DFL
Sykora-IR
Trimble-DFL
Tuma-IR
Wejcman-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Cathy A. Strobel     296-1540
Committee Legislative Assistant
Kevin J. Morgel     296-6586


International Trade & Economic Development
559 State Office Building     296-4246

Meets: Wed., 12:30 p.m. in Room 500S*

Members: 20
Chair: Jaros-DFL
Vice Chair: Hasskamp-DFL

Bakk-DFL
Girard-IR
Hackbarth-IR
Hausman-DFL
Jefferson-DFL
Johnson, A.-DFL
Koppendrayer-IR
Larsen-IR
Leighton-DFL
Long-DFL
Molnau-IR
Osskopp-IR
Pawlenty-IR
Rukavina-DFL
Simoneau-DFL
Sykora-IR
Van Dellen-IR
Wagenius-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Joseph H. Dodge     296-4283
Committee Legislative Assistant
Susan J. Maher     296-4180


Judiciary
477 State Office Building     296-4330

Meets: Mon., Wed., 10 a.m. in 
Bsmnt. Hrg. Rm.*

Members: 20
Chair: Skoglund-DFL
Vice Chair: Pugh-DFL

Bishop-IR
Brown-DFL
Dawkins-DFL
Entenza-DFL
Limmer-IR
Luther-DFL
Lynch-IR
Macklin-IR
McGuire-DFL
Murphy-DFL
Orenstein-DFL
Pelowski-DFL
Rhodes-IR
Seagren-IR
Smith-IR
Solberg-DFL
Swenson, D.-IR
Van Engen-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Greg. W. Bergstrom     296-5396
Committee Legislative Assistant
Laurie M. Nistl     296-5497

Judiciary Finance
557 State Office Building     296-2676

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 8 a.m. in Room 500N*

Members: 14
Chair: Murphy-DFL
Vice Chair: Farrell-DFL

Bishop-IR
Broecker-IR
Luther-DFL
Macklin-IR
McGuire-DFL
Olson, E.-DFL
Pellow-IR
Pugh-DFL
Skoglund-DFL
Smith-IR
Swenson, D.-IR
Wejcman-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
John P. Curry     296-5533
Committee Legislative Assistant
Mary Ann Goschy     296-7191


Labor-Management 
Relations
551 State Office Building     296-5516

Meets: Mon., 12:30 p.m. in Room 200*

Members: 18
Chair: Johnson, B.-DFL
Vice Chair: Leighton-DFL

Bakk-DFL
Bettermann-IR
Daggett-IR
Goodno-IR
Haas-IR
Johnson, A.-DFL
Mahon-DFL
McGuire-DFL
Murphy-DFL
Paulsen-IR
Perlt-DFL
Rukavina-DFL
Vickerman-IR
Wenzel-DFL
Wolf-IR
Worke-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Mary E. Faust     297-8168
Committee Legislative Assistant
Nancy K. Anderson     296-1544


Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs
591 State Office Building     296-0171

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 12:30 p.m. in Room 200*

Members: 22
Chair: Long-DFL
Vice Chair: McGuire-DFL

Bertram-DFL
Broecker-IR
Finseth-IR
Garcia-DFL
Johnson, V.-IR
Kelley-DFL
Krinkie-IR
Larsen-IR
Mahon-DFL
Mariani-DFL
Opatz-DFL
Orfield-DFL
Osskopp-IR
Otremba-DFL
Rostberg-IR
Schumacher-DFL
Tompkins-IR
Weaver-IR
Wenzel-DFL
Worke-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
John Skare     296-8880
Committee Legislative Assistant
Elizabeth L. Murphey     296-5402


Regulated Industries 
& Energy
485 State Office Building     296-4231

Meets: Mon., 10 a.m. in Room 10*

Members: 20
Chair: Jacobs-DFL
Vice Chair: Kelley-DFL

Anderson, Bob-DFL
Delmont-DFL
Dempsey-IR
Erhardt-IR
Hausman-DFL
Holsten-IR
Huntley-DFL
Jennings-DFL
Kelso-DFL
Mahon-DFL
Olson, E.-DFL
Olson, M.-IR
Onnen-IR
Ozment-IR
Tunheim-DFL
Vickerman-IR
Wolf-IR
Workman-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Grania E. McKiernan     296-8826
Committee Legislative Assistant
Laura M. DeRose     296-2955


Rules & 
Legislative Administration
459 State Office Building     296-3709

Meets: Call of the chair
Members: 17
Chair: Carruthers-DFL
Vice Chair: Lynch-IR

Abrams-IR
Anderson, I.-DFL
Bettermann-IR
Delmont-DFL
Jacobs-DFL
Koppendrayer-IR
McCollum-DFL
Munger-DFL
Pawlenty-IR
Rest-DFL
Sarna-DFL
Sviggum-IR
Trimble-DFL
Weaver-IR
Winter-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Todd B. Rapp     296-1023
Committee Legislative Assistant
Mary Ellen Langenberger     296-5356


Taxes
443 State Office Building     296-4176

Meets: Tues., Thurs., 10 a.m. and Fri., 8 a.m. in Room 
200*

Members: 25
Chair: Rest-DFL
Vice Chair: Dawkins-DFL

Abrams-IR
Anderson, I.-DFL
Bakk-DFL
Carruthers-DFL
Commers-IR
Daggett-IR
Dauner-DFL
Erhardt-IR
Girard-IR
Goodno-IR
Hugoson-IR
Jacobs-DFL
Jaros-DFL
Krinkie-IR
Long-DFL
Macklin-IR
Milbert-DFL
Olson, E.-DFL
Ostrom-DFL
Sviggum-IR
Van Dellen-IR
Wagenius-DFL
Winter-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
P. Joshua Downham     296-8875
Committee Legislative Assistant
Lillian A. Pohlkamp     296-9552


Property Tax & Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 
Division
407 State Office Building     296-5505

Meets: Mon., Wed., 8 a.m. in Room 200*

Members: 13
Chair: Winter-DFL
Vice Chair: Dauner-DFL

Abrams-IR
Anderson, I.-DFL
Daggett-IR
Girard-IR
Goodno-IR
Jacobs-DFL
Long-DFL
Macklin-IR
Olson, E.-DFL
Ostrom-DFL
Rest-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Robert D. DeBoer     296-5376
Committee Legislative Assistant
Lillian A. Pohlkamp     296-9552


Sales & Income Tax Division
579 State Office Building     296-4192

Meets: Mon., Wed., 8 a.m. in Room 500S*

Members: 13
Chair: Milbert-DFL
Vice Chair: Bakk-DFL

Carruthers-DFL
Commers-IR
Dawkins-DFL
Erhardt-IR
Hugoson-IR
Jaros-DFL
Krinkie-IR
Rest-DFL
Sviggum-IR
Van Dellen-IR
Wagenius-DFL

Staff
Committee Administrator
Robert D. DeBoer     296-5376
Committee Legislative Assistant
Lillian A. Pohlkamp     296-9552


Transportation & Transit
509 State Office Building     296-9635

Meets: Wed., 12:30 p.m. & Fri., 10 a.m. in Room 10*

Members: 22
Chair: Tunheim-DFL
Vice Chair: Marko-DFL

Bradley-IR
Broecker-IR
Cooper-DFL
Frerichs-IR
Hugoson-IR
Kalis-DFL
Kelso-DFL
Knight-IR
Krinkie-IR
Lieder-DFL
Mahon-DFL
Mariani-DFL
McElroy-IR
Osthoff-DFL
Rhodes-IR
Schumacher-DFL
Tompkins-IR
Wagenius-DFL
Winter-DFL
Workman-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Lois J. Knutson     296-8893
Committee Legislative Assistant
Barbara  Moehrle     296-4171


Ways & Means
445 State Office Building     296-2365

Meets: Call of the chair

Members: 20
Chair: Solberg-DFL
Vice Chair: Luther-DFL

Abrams-IR
Anderson, Bob-DFL
Anderson, I.-DFL
Bishop-IR
Brown-DFL
Carlson-DFL
Carruthers-DFL
Frerichs-IR
Girard-IR
Kahn-DFL
Kalis-DFL
Krinkie-IR
Orenstein-DFL
Ozment-IR
Rest-DFL
Rice-DFL
Sviggum-IR
Weaver-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Dan Kane     296-6970
Committee Legislative Assistant
Maxine J. Wiech     296-4371


Government Efficiency & 
Oversight Division
529 State Office Building     296-4199

Meets: Call of the chair

Members: 14
Chair: Orenstein-DFL
Vice Chair: Delmont-DFL

Abrams-IR
Brown-DFL
Davids-IR
Entenza-DFL
Girard-IR
Krinkie-IR
Marko-DFL
Opatz-DFL
Ozment-IR
Rukavina-DFL
Solberg-DFL
Weaver-IR

Staff
Committee Administrator
Dan Kane     296-6970
Committee Legislative Assistant
Maxine J. Wiech     296-4371

Name Pronunciation Guide
1995 Minnesota House of Representatives

Abrams, Ron
Anderson, Bob
Anderson, Bruce
Anderson, Irv
Bakk, Thomas     (BOCK)
Bertram, Jeff
Bettermann, Hilda
Bishop, Dave
Boudreau, Lynda     (Boo-DROH)
Bradley, Fran
Broecker, Sherry     (BRO-ker)
Brown, Chuck
Carlson, Lyndon R.
Carruthers, Phil     (ka-RUH-thers)
Clark, Karen
Commers, Tim     (COMM-erz)
Cooper, Roger
Daggett, Roxann     (DAG-et)
Dauner, Marvin     (DOWN-er)
Davids, Gregory M.
Dawkins, Andy
Dehler, Steve     (DAY-ler)
Delmont, Mike
Dempsey, Jerry
Dorn, John
Entenza, Matt
Erhardt, Ron     (AIR-hart)
Farrell, Jim
Finseth, Tim
Frerichs, Don L.     (FRAIR-icks)
Garcia, Edwina     (gar-SEE-a)
Girard, Jim
Goodno, Kevin
Greenfield, Lee
Greiling, Mindy     (GRY-ling)
Haas, Bill     (HAHZ)
Hackbarth, Tom     
Harder, Elaine
Hasskamp, Kris
Hausman, Alice
Holsten, Mark
Hugoson, Gene     (HUE-go-son)
Huntley, Thomas
Jacobs, Joel
Jaros, Mike     (YAHR-ohs)
Jefferson, Richard H.
Jennings, Loren
Johnson, Alice M.
Johnson, Bob
Johnson, Virgil J.
Kahn, Phyllis
Kalis, Henry J.     (KAH-liss)
Kelley, Steve
Kelso, Becky
Kinkel, Anthony G. "Tony"
Knight, Kevin
Knoblach, Jim     (NOB-lock)
Koppendrayer, LeRoy     (COPE-en-dryer)
Kraus, Ron     (CROUSE)
Krinkie, Phil
Larsen, Peg
Leighton Jr., Robert     (LAY-ton)
Leppik, Peggy
Lieder, Bernie     (LEED-er)
Limmer, Warren
Lindner, Arlon
Long, Dee
Lourey, Becky     (LOR-ee)
Luther, Darlene
Lynch, Teresa
Macklin, Bill
Mahon, Mark P.     (MAY-on)
Mares, Harry     (MAIRS)
Mariani, Carlos     (mar-ee-ON-ee)
Marko, Sharon
McCollum, Betty     (mah-CALL-um)
McElroy, Dan     (MACK-el-roy)
McGuire, Mary Jo
Milbert, Bob
Molnau, Carol     (MOLE-now)
Mulder, Richard
Munger, Willard     (MUNG-er)
Murphy, Mary
Ness, Robert "Bob" 
Olson, Edgar
Olson, Mark
Onnen, Tony     (AH-nen)
Opatz, Joe     (OH-patz)
Orenstein, Howard     (OR-en-steen)
Orfield, Myron
Osskopp, Mike     (OZ-cop)
Osthoff, Tom     (AHST-hoff)
Ostrom, Don     (OH-strom)
Otremba, Ken     (oh-TREM-ba)
Ozment, Dennis     (AHZ-ment)
Paulsen, Erik
Pawlenty, Tim     (paw-LENTY)
Pellow, Richard
Pelowski Jr., Gene
Perlt, Walter E.
Peterson, Doug
Pugh, Thomas     (PEW)
Rest, Ann H.
Rhodes, Jim
Rice, James I.
Rostberg, Jim
Rukavina, Tom     (roo-ka-VEENA)
Sarna, John J.
Schumacher, Leslie     (SHOE-mocker)
Seagren, Alice
Simoneau, Wayne     (SIM-en-oh)
Skoglund, Wesley J. "Wes" (SKOHG-lund)
Smith, Steve
Solberg, Loren
Sviggum, Steven A.     (SWIG-um)
Swenson, Doug
Swenson, Howard
Sykora, Barbara     (sick-OR-ah)
Tomassoni, David     (tom-a-SONY)
Tompkins, Eileen
Trimble, Steve
Tuma, John
Tunheim, Jim     (TON-hyme)
Van Dellen, H. Todd
Van Engen, Tom
Vickerman, Barb
Wagenius, Jean     (wa-GEEN-yus)
Weaver, Charlie
Wejcman, Linda     (WAITS-man)
Wenzel, Stephen G.     (WEN-zel)
Winter, Ted
Wolf, Ken
Worke, Gary D.     (WORK-ee)
Workman, Tom

Name Pronunciation Guide
1995 Minnesota Senate

Anderson, Ellen R.
Beckman, Tracy L.
Belanger, William V., Jr.     (be-LAN-jer)
Berg, Charles A.
Berglin, Linda
Bertram, Joe, Sr.
Betzold, Don
Chandler, Kevin M.
Chmielewski, Florian     (shim-a-LES-kee)
Cohen, Richard J.
Day, Dick
Dille, Steve     (DILL)
Finn, Harold R. "Skip"
Flynn, Carol
Frederickson, Dennis R.
Hanson, Paula E.
Hottinger, John C.     (HOT-in-jer)
Janezich, Jerry R.     (JAN-a-zitch)
Johnson, Dean E.
Johnson, Douglas J.
Johnson, Janet B.
Johnston, Terry D.
Kelly, Randy C.
Kiscaden, Sheila M.     (kiss-KAY-den)
Kleis, Dave     (KLYSE)
Knutson, David L.
Kramer, Donald L.
Krentz, Jane
Kroening, Carl W.     (KROH-ning)
Laidig, Gary W.     (LIE-dig)
Langseth, Keith
Larson, Cal
Lesewski, Arlene J.     (leh-SES-ski)
Lessard, Bob     (les-SARD)
Marty, John
Merriam, Gene
Metzen, James P.
Moe, Roger D.
Mondale, Ted A.
Morse, Steven
Murphy, Steve L.
Neuville, Thomas M.     (NEH-vill)
Novak, Steven G.
Oliver, Edward C.
Olson, Gen
Ourada, Mark     (or-AHD-a)
Pappas, Sandra L.
Pariseau, Pat     (PARIS-oh)
Piper, Pat
Pogemiller, Lawrence J.     (PO-ga-miller)
Price, Leonard R.
Ranum, Jane B.     (RAN-um)
Reichgott Junge, Ember     
     (RYSH-got YOUNG)
Riveness, Phil J.     (RIV-ness)
Robertson, Martha R.
Runbeck, Linda
Sams, Dallas
Samuelson, Don
Scheevel, Kenric J.     (SKAY-vel)
Solon, Sam G.     (SOH-lun)
Spear, Allan H.
Stevens, Dan
Stumpf, LeRoy A.     (STUMF)
Terwilliger, Roy W.     (ter-WILL-i-ger)
Vickerman, Jim
Wiener, Deanna     (WINE-er)

Q & A

Q. Is there a legislative "Blue Book" available? What 
is in it? Where and how do I get one?

A. The Minnesota Legislative Manual, more 
commonly called the "Blue Book," is prepared and 
published by the Office of the Secretary of State 
every two years. The book contains a brief history 
of the state, the state constitution, a photographic 
directory of the Legislature, maps of legislative 
districts, directories of the executive and judicial 
branches of state government, returns of primary 
and general elections, and other information 
regarding state government. Copies are published 
about six months after the beginning of the new 
legislative session.
     To obtain a free copy, call 296-2805 or mail your 
request to: Office of the Secretary of State, 180 
State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, 
MN, 55155-1299. Each lawmaker is furnished with 
a supply of Blue Books, so you also may contact 
your local lawmaker for a copy.
     Separate from the Blue Book is the Official 
Directory of the Minnesota Legislature, more 
commonly called the "Red Book," and the Members 
Directory, more commonly called the "Green Book," 
both of which are published by the House Public 
Information Office.
     The Green Book is published early in the first 
session of the biennium, but not before committee 
assignments are finalized. This sometimes doesn't 
occur until two or three weeks after the opening 
day of the session. 
     The Green Book includes House and Senate 
members' names, addresses, phone numbers, 
biographies, and photos, as well as information 
about House and Senate offices, committee 
schedules, committee assignments, state 
constitutional officers, and U.S. congressional 
representatives.
     The Red Book is published in the middle of the 
first session of the biennium. It includes the 
contents of the Green Book with all  necessary 
updates, as well as information about commissions, 
House and Senate rules, constitutional and statutory 
provisions, and other relevant information.
     This book cannot be published until the rules in 
both the House and Senate are adopted; in the past, 
late assignments to joint legislative commissions 
have also delayed publication of the book. In 1993, 
the Senate did not approve its rules until May.
     To obtain a copy of either the Green Book or the 
Red Book call the House Public Information Office at 
296-2146. 

In the Hopper . . . Jan. 6 - 12, 1995
Bill Introductions

HF21--Milbert (DFL)
Taxes
Property tax levy increase reverse referendum 
allowed in counties and certain cities.

HF22--Anderson, I. (DFL)
Rules & Legislative Administration
Tenth Amendment; Conference of States 
memorialized to convene Council of State 
Governments to restore balance to federal system.

HF23--Delmont (DFL)
Ways & Means
Public contracts for consultant, professional, and 
technical services reported to House Ways and 
Means and Senate Finance committees.

HF24--Solberg (DFL)
Financial Institutions & Insurance
Homeowner's insurance claim prompt payment 
required.

HF25--Johnson, A. (DFL)
Education
Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 appropriation 
caps repealed.

HF26--Anderson, I. (DFL)
Regulated Industries & Energy
International Falls authorized to issue temporary 
on-sale intoxicating liquor license for sales on 
property owned by a school district.

HF27--Anderson, I. (DFL)
Transportation & Transit
Areawide transportation partnerships or other 
regional entities created by the commissioner of 
transportation bound by open meeting law.

HF28--Dauner (DFL)
Education
Independent School District No. 548, Pelican Rapids, 
authorized to transfer funds from general fund to 
capital expenditure fund.

HF29--Tunheim (DFL)
Transportation & Transit
Recreational vehicle combination sunset provision 
repealed.

HF30--Vickerman (IR)
Agriculture
Wholesale food handler license fees changed.

HF31--Munger (DFL)
Environment & Natural Resources
Legislative Electric Energy Task Force initial report 
deadline extension provided.

HF32--Jaros (DFL)
Judiciary
Retired court administrators authorized to 
solemnize marriages.

HF33--Dawkins (DFL)
Health & Human Services
Neuroleptic medication administration and 
prescription provisions modified.

HF34--Pawlenty (IR)
Judiciary
Controlled substance offender sentencing court 
adjudication stay authority limited.

HF35--Weaver (IR)
Transportation & Transit
Commercial motor vehicle limited license issuance 
restricted for persons having committed certain 
offenses with private vehicles.

HF36--Weaver (IR)
Judiciary
Minnesota manager background check act adopted.

HF37--Lourey (DFL)
Local Government & Metro Affairs
Glen or Kimberly in Aitkin county allowed alternate 
annual meeting day.

HF38--Johnson, V. (IR)
Taxes
Veterinarians exempted from sales tax for horse 
and agricultural production animal care material 
purchases.

HF39--Jacobs (DFL)
Education
Interactive television revenue availability extended 
to school districts in economic development region 
eleven.

HF40--Erhardt (IR)
Labor-Management Relations
Workers' compensation benefits and procedures 
modified, and penalties provided.

HF41--Limmer (IR)
Health & Human Services
Human services public assistance eligibility 
provisions modified, work first program detailed 
and established, and money appropriated.

HF42--Worke (IR)
Health & Human Services
Human services public assistance eligibility 
provisions modified, work first program detailed 
and established, and money appropriated.

HF43--Van Dellen (IR)
Health & Human Services
Human services public assistance eligibility 
provisions modified, work first program detailed 
and established, and money appropriated.

HF44--Ness (IR)
Health & Human Services
Human services public assistance eligibility 
provisions modified, work first program detailed 
and established, and money appropriated.

HF45--Rest (DFL)
Taxes
Technical tax corrections bill, providing clarification 
and administrative changes.

HF46--Perlt (DFL)
Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Motor vehicle lease security deposit interest 
prompt payment required, and remedies provided.

HF47--Wagenius (DFL)
Taxes
Solid waste generator assessment provisions 
modified and terminology clarified.

HF48--Bertram (DFL)
Taxes
Firefighter state aid funding increase provided.

HF49--Bertram (DFL)
Regulated Industries and Energy
Stearns County authorized to issue an intoxicating 
liquor license in Farming Township.

HF50--Schumacher (DFL)
Health & Human Services
Geographic nursing home group modification 
provided for determination of facility 
reimbursement rates.

HF51--Johnson, R. (DFL)
Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs
Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Training Center 
non-state cost financing by local governments 
authorized.

HF52--Bertram (DFL)
Transportation & Transit
Drivers' license and state identification card holders 
allowed to wear headwear in drivers' license and 
identification card photographs in certain cases.

HF53--Lourey (DFL)
Judiciary
Grandparent and great-grandparent visitation 
rights expanded.

HF54--Bakk (DFL)
Environment & Natural Resources
Constitutional officers to assert the state's 
ownership and control over certain waters and 
public lands.

HF55--Molnau (IR)
Environment & Natural Resources
Motor vehicle temporary registration provided for 
the purpose of emissions inspections.

HF56--Swenson, H. (IR)
Education
School district noncompliance with unfunded state 
program mandates authorized.

HF57--Onnen (IR)
Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs
Cemetery maintenance employment relationship 
and local government liability provisions specified.

HF58--Simoneau (DFL)
Environment & Natural Resources
Motor vehicle emission inspection requirement 
waived for newer vehicles.

HF59--Bertram (DFL)
Taxes
Used farm machinery sales tax exemption extended 
permanently.

HF60--Osthoff (DFL)
Gen Legislation, Veterans Affairs, & Elections
School board election transition schedule error 
corrected.

HF61--Onnen (IR)
Health & Human Services
Long-term care localization advisory commission 
established, and report and plan required.

HF62--Onnen (IR)
Rules & Legislative Administration
Unicameral legislature provided, and constitutional 
amendment proposed.

HF63--Schumacher (DFL)
Education
Independent School District No. 727, Big Lake, 
provided capital loan and bond issuance, and 
money appropriated.

HF64--Koppendrayer (IR)
Rules & Legislative Administration
Term limits; legislative and executive service 
limited and constitutional amendment proposed.

HF65--Luther (DFL)
Taxes
Dependent care income tax credit provisions 
modified.

HF66--Cooper (DFL)
Health & Human Services
Licensed professional counseling board established, 
licensure requirements specified, rules and 
penalties provided, and money appropriated.

HF67--Peterson (DFL)
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs,
& Elections
National Guard member honor guard service 
compensation program established, and money 
appropriated.

HF68--Simoneau (DFL)
Financial Institutions & Insurance
Group life insurance policy proceeds alternative 
payment methods required.

HF69--Kelso (DFL)
Labor-Management Relations
Workers' compensation insurance regulation and 
benefits modified, and money appropriated.

HF70--Hausman (DFL)
Rules & Legislative Administration
Unicameral legislature provided, and constitutional 
amendment proposed.

Minnesota Index

Jobs in Minnesota, 1994

National unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, 
in percent, 
     December 1994     5.6
Minnesota unemployment rate, in percent, 
December 1994     3.5
Last year the unemployment rate was as low     1978
Individuals actively registered with the state Job 
Service      295,995
Number of jobs listed in 1994 by employers with 
the state Job Service     151,002
     Number of those positions that were filled     60,310
Re-employment insurance claims approved for 
unemployed 
workers in Minnesota, 1994     138,512
Additional claims by Minnesota workers now living 
in other states     7,575
Ratio of those receiving unemployment (re-
employment) insurance who 
     find work before their benefit period expires     2:3
Number of cases where an overpayment of re-
employment 
     insurance occurred, 1994     12,900
Dollar amount of those 12,900 cases, in millions
     $8.6
     Number of those cases involving fraud     2,700
Amount recovered, in millions     $5.6
Claimants who appealed a denial of re-employment
     insurance benefits to a re-employment judge
     9,036
     Number who prevailed     2,127
Funds slotted for the dislocated worker program, 
fiscal year 1995, 
     in millions     $28.9
     Number of those dollars generated by a state 
payroll tax, in millions     $18.7
Minnesotans in the dislocated worker program, 
fiscal year 1994     18,046
Percent of those who completed or left the program 
who found jobs     70.6
Average hourly wage upon job placement     $10.79
Dollars allocated for the Minnesota Youth Program, 
in millions     $5.4
Disadvantaged youth served by the Minnesota 
Youth Program     5,000
Unserved youth on the waiting list for services
     7,000
Number of programs administered by the 
Department of Economic 
     Security's Community Based Services Division     34
Minnesotans who benefit from at least one of those 
programs     1 in 5

Source: Minnesota Department of Economic Security; 
1993 Annual Report, Minnesota Department of 
Economic Security