May 7, 1975 - Debate over the Berglin bill, a bill that would change evidentiary hearings in rape cases, is debated here. While agreement was generally seen over the main focus of the bill, debate ensued from the Republican side over whether or not removing codes regarding sodomy and adultery would contribute to the further decline of the nation's moral standing.
May 7, 1975 - The hotly contested amendments to the tax bill are discussed here, in terms of their passage in the Minnesota State Senate. Senators Perpich and Stassen addresss the closure of a state hospital, while Robert Brown pushed for maximum security status to Stillwater Prison.
May 7, 1975 - While the Minnesota State Senate and House of Representatives come together to discuss amendments to the year's omnibus tax bill, other committees meet to work on new DNR regulations, tax credits, and the issue of tools used in the act of shoplifting.
May 6, 1975 - Steve Dean says antics that have been going on with press conferences, restrooms, hunger fasts, transvestite parades just reinforce people?s ignorance and change what is a civil rights issue into a laughing matter. Protest have endangered the legislation. Several votes who previously supported the bill now say can?t support this three ring circus. Explain to legislators that have been active in politics for some time, have been active in the DFL. The DFL state party is strongest supporter of gay rights in the state, has sent letters urging passage. Bulk of support from DFL although number of strong supporters from Republican party.
May 6, 1975 - Steve Dean says we have to remember that the first time women got the human rights act they only got it under employment, the same with the disabled, and are only now getting included in public foundations and services. A lot of time it?s a step at a time, we?re dealing with political reality. Public accommodation section was dropped. Rather than let the basic things, the most important things, of employment and housing go down the drain thought it best to delete sections of public accommodations and public services. We don?t consider adoption and marriage the highest priority of gay rights at this time.
May 6, 1975 - Department of Public Welfare called on the carpet to do more for welfare with food stamps. However, only 30 percent of eligible recipents of food stamps have claimed them. The department of public welfare instituted a food stamp hotline. The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee sent the minimum wage bill to the study committee, thus killing it for this session. The bill would increase minimum wage from $1.80 to $2.10 and to $2.30 in 1976. The committee turned down workmen's compensation increases. However, a bill increasing unemployment compensation was passed.
May 6, 1975 - Opponents to the Minnesota state legislature's gay rights speak out. The bill passed, despite the dissenting opinion. Featured are quotes and spoken testimony as to why some believed the bill is not in line with previous civil rights efforts in the country.
May 6, 1975 - Reporter Dulcie Lawrence outlines the Minnesota legislative agenda for the day, focusing on the Judiciary Committee (dealing with bills on discrimination, prostitution, and cattle rustling) and the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (dealing with workman's comp., Oleo, and minimum wage). Included is a discussion regarding the timetable for the Senate's Omnibus Tax Bill.
May 5, 1975 - Senate approved mammoth spending bill setting the amount of aid per-pupil unit at $890 in 1975 and 1976 and $970 in 1976 and 1977, which is $20 lower than the house figure and Governor Anderson's recommendation. AFDC aid proposal was defeated. Gerald Nelson defends the AFDC formula.
March 31, 1975 - This bill has had almost universal support from civil rights and humanist organizations. In fact the only voice raised in lukewarm opposition was John Markin, attorney from the Minnesota Catholic Conference.