Vikings Stadium Bill Sent To Governor Dayton

The Minnesota House and Senate have passed a Vikings stadium bill that requires the NFL team to pay an additional $50 Million of the cost. It now goes to Governor Mark Dayton for his signature

On demand video replay of the debates in the Senate and the House. … Continue Reading

MN Tax bill deserves ‘smoking’ hot veto pen’ says DFL

A bill that would give business owners a property tax cut is hailed by Senator Geoff Michel (R-Edina) as the “best piece of legislation” to be considered his year.

Senator John Marty (DFL-Roseville ) counters it deserves a “smoking’ hot veto pen” because it isn’t paid for.

The bill passed the Senate 41-25. Governor Dayton has indicated he does not support the broad business property tax relief but has not said if he will veto or sign the bill.

MN Fireworks Veto Override Is A Dud

A Minnesota Senate attempt to override Governor Mark Dayton’s veto of a bill expanding the kinds of fireworks that can legally be sold in Minnesota fails to get the 2/3rds majority needed.

Senator Michael Jungbauer (R- East Bethel) argued that fireworks laws are difficult to enforce, so the state should legalize them and make money off the sales tax.

Senator John Harrington (DFL-St. Paul) countered that murder and drug laws are hard to enforce too, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have the laws.

Congressional Candidate Backs Down After Earmark Challenge

Minnesota State Senator Mike Parry, who is running as a Republican in Minnesota’s first congressional district offers up what appears to be an “earmark” in Minnesota’s transportation bill to fix a road he is concerned about. After he is challenged about earmarks, he withdraws his proposal.

Senator Parry is wrestling Allen Quist for the Republican endorsement for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. The winner of that contest would face Congressman Tim Walz, who is a Democrat.

‘Smoking Hot’ ‘Class Warfare’ Tax Bill Passes MN House

Minnesota House Republicans called it “smoking hot”, Democrats called it “class warfare” because it gives property tax breaks to businesses, but doesn’t require them to create jobs. Governor Mark Dayton has indicated in the past he is against this type of corporate tax giveaway.

The tax bill which is one of the final large bills left in the legislative session passes the House 73-57. It won’t be taken up in the Senate until Thursday as legislative leaders negotiate with the Governor for a session ending deal that involves the tax bill, the bonding bill and a Vikings stadium.

Vikings Stadium “Held Hostage” By GOP Says DFL Leader

House Minority Leader says Republicans are holding the Vikings stadium bill “hostage” so they can pass a “corporate giveaway” tax bill for businesses.

Monday was the day Republicans have set for adjourning the Minnesota legislature. However, the tax bill, the bonding bill and a Vikings stadium bill are still unresolved. So the legislature will continue to meet on Tuesday and possibly further.

Below Senate Majority Leader David Senjem and House Speaker Kurt Zellers explain why the legislature will continue to meet pass their deadline.

MN GOP Healthcare Plan “Not Vetted” Says DFL

Minnesota House Democrats complain not only about the content, but also about the how a Republican health care plan was brought to a floor vote during a rare Saturday session. The plan had a hearing Friday night on one hours notice and no amendments were allowed to it on the House floor because it had been included as part of a conference report.

The bill allows insurance brokers to manage health insurance trust accounts, giving them complete authority over the administration of payments to insurance companies.

“To the degree to which this bill would further complicate our already confusing health insurance system, it is unacceptable that Republicans have not vetted the issue through the proper legislative channels,” said Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth). “If Republicans were as serious as they say they are about improving our health care system, they would have allowed for public input.”

“There is a very clear conflict of interest with this legislation,” said Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul). “We should be empowering consumers, not empowering health insurance companies to continue on with the status quo. Unfortunately for Minnesotans, passage of this bill is yet another example of Republicans championing corporate interests over those of consumers.”

The bill passed 69 to 60

Vikings Stadium Heads For Full Senate Vote

The Vikings Stadium bill squeaked through the Senate Tax Committee on Friday and was sent to the full Senate for a vote. The Tax Committee removed a controversial racino provision from the bill and fended off attempts to make the Vikings pay property taxes on the facility.

MN House Eliminates Front License Plates

On a disputed voice vote just after midnight, the Minnesota House amends the transportation bill to remove the requirement that cars have a front license plate.

MN GOP Denies it Copied Health Care Bill From ALEC

House DFLers offered evidence that Republicans have “cut and pasted” model legislation from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC has come under fire the past month as several large corporations have pulled out of it. Representative Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) says his health care legislation was not authored by ALEC. He says it was written by people in other states and then was adopted by ALEC.