Legislative Notes for the Week of April 12-16, 2004

Yet Another Slow Week at the Capitol

Members returned this week from the break with their sights set on a May 17 adjournment. There is clearly a lack of urgency in the hallways until that date. With the exception of the Tax and Finance committees, the rest of the Legislature has virtually shut down operations. Both bodies are holding floor sessions to move bills off the calendar. However, the overall framework for resolving the projected $160 million budget problem varies between the House and Senate and will need to be resolved in a conference committee. If members will not agree to a solution, Gov. Pawlenty could call them back for a special session after May 17.

One Bill or Six Bills?

Senators are placing all the budget balancing bills into one Omnibus Budget Bill this session and would like the House to do the same. That way a single conference committee could be appointed to negotiate a final solution. House members, on the other hand, will pass the traditional six budget bills and would appoint conference committees for each topic. This appears to be a sticky issue for legislative leaders to resolve. In either case, the higher education bill is combined with the elementary-secondary education legislation. Stay tuned.

Bonding Bill Update

We expect the House of Representatives to announce its bonding bill recommendations next week. That could come in the form of a public news conference by House leaders or a Capital Investment Committee hearing. Senators appear to be waiting for the House to announce their proposal before they do the same. One item to watch is how the House members resolve the Northstar Commuter Rail Corridor from Big Lake to the central core of the Twin Cities. That issue could be treated by the House as a separate bonding initiative.

Trustees Set For Senate Confirmation

Members of the Board of Trustees are appointed by the Governor with confirmation by the Senate. The Senate has not held confirmation hearings for several sessions, but trustees are able to serve until the Senate votes to confirm. The backlog caused 11 of the 15 trustees to need confirmation. Senate Education Chair Steve Kelley (DFL - Hopkins) held a committee hearing this week to move all 11 trustees forward to the full Senate for confirmation later this session.

Sales Tax for Rochester

A proposal we have been watching would extend the local sales tax authorized for the city of Rochester to allow for expanded use of the proceeds. Current law only allows the tax to be used for recreational and athletic programs for student and community use if located at or adjacent to the Rochester center. The proposed change, which is sponsored by Rep. Carla Nelson (R - Rochester) and Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IP - Rochester) would expand that use to other facilities not associated with recreation. In the House, the bill was heard in the Tax committee this week and was laid over for possible inclusion in the Omnibus Tax Bill. In the Senate, the language has been included in the draft of the Omnibus Tax Bill.