April 9, 2003 - The Minnesota Senate will vote tomorrow on a bill that would require any woman seeking an abortion to get specific information and wait 24 hours before the procedure is done. A parliamentary procedure on the House floor will force the full senate to either adopt the bill or send it to conference committee. Supporters say they have the votes in the Senate to send the bill to Governor Pawlenty's desk. Critics say the parliamentary procedure is undermining the committee process and won't allow the senate to make any changes to the bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 7, 2003 - One of Governor Pawlenty's top priorities this legislative session is to bring more jobs and businesses to rural Minnesota. Pawlenty is proposing 10 tax free zones as a way to entice businesses to move into rural areas. If the governor's effort becomes law Minnesota won't be the first state to have tried tax free zones as a way to create jobs. Pennsylvania has had a similar program for about five years. Some people there say it's been a great help in bringing development to depressed areas. Others say there are different ways to create jobs that work better and give local communities more flexibility. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 4, 2003 - The Senate Health and Human Services Policy Committee approved a bill today (Fri) that would dramatically change how the state provides health coverage to lower income Minnesotans. On a 4 to 2 vote, the committee approved a portion of the Senate Health and Human Service budget proposal that would reduce services available rather than limit eligibility for state coverage. DFL Senator Linda Berglin says she's modeling her bill after a program in Oregon. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 2, 2003 - A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has thrown its support behind a plan to raise vehicle license tab fees. They say the money would fund much-needed improvements to the state's road, bridge and transit system. The lawmakers, with the backing of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, say the state needs to improve the state's transportation system. The tab fee proposal came as the Senate Transportation Policy and Budget Committee defeated part of Governor Pawlenty's transportation package because they say it doesn't go far enough. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 1, 2003 - The Minnesota House has passed a bill (MONDAY) that would require abortion providers to give women seeking an abortion 24 hours before the procedure is done. Supporters say the measure will ensure that women have all of the available information before they have an abortion. Opponents say the bill is filled with bad information and is an attempt to restrict the procedure in the state. The 24 hour waiting period bill was one many Minnsota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 26, 2003 - The Senate Crime Prevention Committee defeated a bill today that would allow the Commissioner of Public Safety to stamp the driver's licenses of temporary immigrants with their visa expiration dates. Supporters say the bill would give public safety officials the ability to identify whether a temporary immigrant has overstayed his or her visa. The provision is a top priority of both Governor Pawlenty and House Republicans. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
March 11, 2003 - Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum says he'll expedite an ethics hearing on Republican Arlon Lindner. House DFLers filed a complaint today against the Corcoran Republican for allegedly making inappropriate comments about homosexuals and African Americans. They say Lindner's comments have harmed the reputation of the Minnesota House. Sviggum says the Republican caucus also denounces the comments but says he's not sure if the comments rise to an ethics violation. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 20, 2003 - County sheriffs and other local jail administrators are criticizing Governor Pawlenty's proposal to shift short-term offenders from state prisons to county jails. As a budget savings measure, Pawlenty would like county jails to hold any prisoners sentenced to six months or less. Sheriffs say the proposal shifts costs from the state to the counties. They also argue that many county jails are near full capacity already. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
February 12, 2003 - The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that would allow nearly every Minnesotan over the age of 21 to carry a handgun. Supporters say the bill would create a statewide uniform set of standards for all applicants to receive a handgun permit. Current law gives local law enforcement discretion over who can carry a gun. Opponents say the current law is acceptable and loosening the requirements would make the state more dangerous. The handgun legislation approved yesterday (Tues) is one of several controversial bills that Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum wants the House to vote on before February twenty-seventh. Minnesota Public radio's Tom Scheck reports..
February 11, 2003 - The House Civil Law Committee today (Tues) approved a bill that would allow nearly every Minnesotan over the age of 21 to carry a handgun. Supporters say the bill would create a statewide uniform set of standards for all applicants to receive a handgun permit. Current law gives local law enforcement discretion over who can carry a gun. Opponents say the current law is acceptable and loosening the requirements would make the state more dangerous. Minnesota Public radio's TOm Scheck reports..