Capitol Roundup

News and commentary on Minnesota government and politics,

T.W. Budig is the Capitol Correspondent for the ECM Publishers group of community newspapers.

Residents urged to call in their ideas on redesigning state government

by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter -- The House has opened a “Redesign Comment Line” for citizens to call in their ideas on how state government can become more efficient, get more for its money.

Legislators hear testimony about treatment of Lyme disease

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Legislation, advocates say will help remove a fear factor among Minnesota physicians in the treatment of chronic Lyme disease, is heading to the Senate floor.

But detractors of Sen. John Marty’s bill argue that it sets a precedent of government meddling in medicine and question whether chronic Lyme disease even exists.

Green-shirted supporters of legislation concerning Lyme disease treatment appeared at the Capitol today (Monday, Feb. 8) to back a bill by Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, that protects from disciplinary action by the Board of Medical Practice doctors who prescribe or dispense long-term antibiotic treatment to treat chronic Lyme disease. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Anoka County commissioner receives governor's appointment

Saint Paul, MN – Gov. Tim Pawlenty today (Monday, Feb. 8) announced the appointment of Susan Gensmer, Lyle Hoxtell, Tracy Lindemer, Alan R. Parnes, Rhonda Sivarajah, and Jason Valentine; and the reappointment of Monique Hammond, David Kyler, Tom Lehman, and Susan Rose to the Commission of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans.

Sivarajah, of Lino Lakes, has served as an elected member of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners since 2003. Previously, she was a program manager with the Anoka County Income Maintenance Department, where she worked for 12 years.

Congresswoman Bachman's office collects Valentines for veterans

Woodbury, MN -- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06) this weekend at her Woodbury office read through some of the "Valentines for Veterans" that were made by elementary school children in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District.

Bachmann’s office notified schools about the "Valentines for Veterans" project in January and facilitated the pick-up of several hundred valentines across the district last week.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann looks over some of the Valentines made by elementary school children in Waite Park, St. Cloud, Rockville, Otsego, Andover, Elk River. (Photo submitted)

Senate presents $50 million jobs creation bill

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

The Senate today (Monday, Feb. 8) presented a $50 million jobs creation bill, one featuring angel investor tax credits and a tax credit for rehabbing historic buildings.

Other features of the proposal, which include provisions dealing with tax increment financing, are similar to a proposal recently offered by the House.

Sen. James Metzen, DFL-South St. Paul, presented the Senate jobs legislation today (Feb. 8), one offering angel investment tax credits and other provisions.

(Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Klobuchar urges swift action for troops' benefits

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar last Saturday sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urging that he take swift action to provide U.S. troops with retroactive Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) benefits as soon as possible.

Klobuchar has repeatedly contacted the military and introduced bills and amendments on this issue to ensure U.S. service members receive all of the pay they earned while serving in combat. As a result of these actions, the Army has been authorized to provide these benefits but has failed to do so. In her letter, Klobuchar requested that Gates take the necessary steps to finally grant all eligible soldiers the full benefits they deserve.

Bipartisan support expressed for moving up state primary

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

A push to move the state primary up to give members of the military serving overseas more time to vote is being assisted by a former member of the U.S. Air Force, Sen. Chris Gerlach of Apple Valley.

Republican Gerlach and a group of DFL lawmakers today (Friday, Feb. 5) proposed moving the state primary from Sept. 14 to Aug. 10.

Sen. Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, spoke at a Capitol press conference today (Feb.5) in support of legislation that would change the date of the primary election from Sept. 14 to Aug. 10. Gerlach believes the proposal will gain bipartisan support.

(Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Senators Klobuchar, Franken seek help for small businesses

Washington, D.C. -- This week, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) joined 16 of their colleagues to call on U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to take immediate steps to utilize TARP funding to stabilize community banks and improve credit availability for small businesses.

“The American economy won’t recover until our small businesses recover,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Small businesses are the engines that drive job creation in this country. Opening up credit and expanding into new markets will spur economic growth and strengthen our economy.”

Former Sen. Steve Kelley drops out of governor's race

Former state senator Steve Kelley, who battled former attorney general Mike Hatch at the DFL state convention four years ago to run against Gov. Tim Pawlenty, has dropped out of the current governor’s race.

Kelley did not do well in Tuesday’s caucus straw poll. Kelley said he intended to support the DFL-endorsed gubernatorial candidate. -- T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter

House and Senate bonding bills hit nearly $1 billion

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Lawmakers returned to St. Paul today (Thursday, Feb. 4) to instantly present bonding bills even before session opening day gavels fell.

House and Senate bonding bills hit nearly a $1 billion in general obligation bonding, while Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s bonding bill came in at $685 million.

Minnesota House proposes a nearly $1 billion bonding bill

by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter -- The House has proposed a nearly $1 billion bonding bill, with a number of local projects not found in the governor’s smaller bill.

The Senate is expected to present its bonding bill this afternoon in committee, a bill likely to be about the same size as the House’s.

U.S. House passes common sense pay-as-you-go rule

Washington D.C. – The House of Representatives today (Thursday, Feb. 4) voted to restore a common sense spending law that helped eliminate budget deficits in the 1990s.

The Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (H.J. Res. 45) requires both the House of Representatives and the Senate to pay for new spending with either a new source of revenue or a corresponding cut in another program.