I Don’t Hate America!

Good Strib article out today. Let’s hope T-Paw answers with a little more can-do optimism. An important issue that needs to continually be addressed is the freedom of Advanced Practice Nurses (APRN’s). APRN’s need less restrictions when it comes to writing prescriptions and also need better recognition for reimbursement through insurers. This will help improve healthcare for all Minnesotans by providing better access and quality. Key legislators helping the cause for nurses: Rep. Paul Thissen, Rep. Tom Huntley, Rep. Erin Murphy, Rep. Diane Loeffler, Rep. Maria Ruud (she is a Nurse Practitioner), Sen. Tony Lourey, Sen. Linda Berglin.

*Update 2/10/08* Corner House Comments writes his analysis of H.R. 676, the most well-known push for universal healthcare at the federal level. 

Minnesotans could save billions in health care costs, task force says

A report recommends a wide range of ways to improve care and trim costs by $12.3 billion.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said there’s much he likes in the wide-ranging recommendations he received Tuesday from a task force he appointed to find ways to improve health care in Minnesota.

But he stopped short of endorsing some of the panel’s recommendations, such as requiring Minnesotans to buy health insurance or raising the cigarette “health-impact fee” to discourage smoking.

“I think we’ve done enough to smokers for now” by banning smoking in most bars and restaurants and adding the 75-cent fee, he said. And requiring everyone to have insurance might “criminalize poor people” who can’t afford it, he added.

Still, Pawlenty said the task force report “can be the framework for a significant health care reform initiative in Minnesota.”

The broad range of recommendations would link doctors, hospitals, employers, patients, insurers, schools, communities and policy makers in initiatives aimed at paring $12.3 billion from health care costs otherwise projected to soar from about $30 billion now to $57.4 billion by 2015.

“Maybe we can do that without mandating health care coverage or the tobacco fee,” said Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, co-chair of the task force.

“But we’ve got to start now,” Huntley added. “Paying docs to keep people healthy and reducing the number of uninsured can make a huge difference.”

Pawlenty and legislative leaders said they will try to hammer out a proposal to present to the Legislature, which convenes next week.

But the task is daunting at a time when Minnesota faces a budget deficit and the Legislature will focus much of its attention on bridges and other transportation issues, Huntley and others said.

The task force recommendations are similar to those due later this week from a legislative commission. Both groups spent the summer analyzing the health care system and seeking ways to change how health care is delivered and paid for in Minnesota.

‘Can’t do this piecemeal’

“I’m hopeful we’ll be able to get together [with the governor] on a plan, but we can’t do this piecemeal,” said Sen. Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis, co-chair with Huntley of the legislative commission and a member of the task force.

Huntley said the most expensive immediate need is about $57 million for a public education campaign to reduce smoking and obesity, and to educate Minnesotans about the new system.

Among the task force recommendations:

• Set statewide standards for physical activity in schools and require them to offer meals that exceed federal nutrition guidelines to fight obesity.

• Offer health-insurance subsidies to low-income people. For instance, a family of two earning less than about $3,400 a month — three times the federal poverty guideline — should pay no more than $238 monthly for insurance.

• Eliminate insurance premium variation based on health status, but allow differences based on age, smoking and where someone lives.

• Allow doctors and hospitals to set their own prices, but stop negotiating discounts with insurers so that a patient would pay the same regardless of insurance plan.

• Set up ways for consumers to easily compare costs of different providers, including costs of “baskets” of comprehensive maternity care and other conditions.

Today, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced his appointment of state Sen. Tom Neuville, R-Northfield, to serve on the bench of the Rice County District Court.

Neuville’s rambling Senate floor crusades against the smoking ban and global warming legislation will be sorely missed.

This now sets up a special election yet to be called by Pawlenty. According to Mary Lahammer at Almanac, Ray Cox, a former state representative from Northfield, intends to seek the Republican nomination for this seat. No DFLers have yet announced.

The seat, SD 35, has been competitive the previous two elections. Neuville defeated Rice County Commissioner Jessica Peterson 52-48 in 2006 and beat Jim Mladek 53-47 in 2004.

This seat will be no means a shoo-in for the GOP, regardless of the candidate.

Cox, a moderate, should be a strong candidate for the GOP if endorsed. He had been in the House for two terms, succumbing to the DFL whirlwind in 2006 losing to DFLer David Bly by 60 votes. In 2004, Cox beat Bly 51-49. In 2002, Cox won the initial match-up between the pair by just 46 votes.

Knowing this, Cox should do better for the GOP in the DFL-leaning half of the district, but considering this is a special election, would the GOP be better served by having a more conservative candidate, one which the base would be more willing to work for, such as perhaps Rep. Laura Brod?

In Democratic times nationally, the DFL should do well but can by no means be lazy. The western part of the district especially, served by Brod in the House, is quite conservative. It will also make a difference when on the calendar the special election is held. If it is held while college is in session, following the winter break, the DFL would be able to take advantage of the added base, students, that would likely be less interested in the contest if they are home with mom and dad and away from SD 25.

This should be an interesting race to follow, as special elections usually are.

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In a ditch effort to look like a fiscal conservative, regardless of the record spending growth during the first seven years of his administration, President George W. Bush vetoed the Water Resources Development Act.

Too bad this was a bill full of projects which are important, and in some cases crucial, to home districts of those in Congress, including those of Republicans.

With all members of the Minnesota delegation voting to override the veto (will Bachmann get the opportunity to get smoochie-smoochie with Bush anytime soon?), the House re-passed the bill 361-54; the Senate 79-14.

Remember Gov. Tim Pawlenty saying something along the lines of “welllll ya just because ya  don’t get as much local government aid as yall want, ya don’t neeeeeed to go araising property taxes and local fees!”

While all nearly all municipalities provide services people generally like such as fire, police and schools, others have unique challenges.  One of those is Goodview, Minn., which was told to reduce radium levels in its drinking water.  To help pay for the $4 million treatment plant when other funding fell through, they had to goto the federal government.

They asked Rep. Tim Walz and Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar to secure funding under cries from fiscal hawks like Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, of “NO! NO EARMARKS! NEVER! IF THEY WANT IT BAD ENOUGH, THEY CAN PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES! FISCAL CONSERVATISM AND ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!!!!”

Yes, the sprawling metropolis of Goodview, already saddled with tremendous hardship following this year’s flooding and with a booming population of just over 3,000 is going to afford to pay for a $4 million treatment facility to meet an otherwise unfunded mandate on its own?

That brand of conservatism is quite compassionate, indeed.

Walz, who has shown his list of earmarks with almost unmatched transparency, released the following statement today.  We say “Well done!” for coming through for a community in your district.

“I am pleased by the overwhelming bi-partisan majority that voted to override the President’s veto on this important legislation. President Bush has shown he is not serious about addressing the significant infrastructure problems facing this country.  This is the first WRDA bill in more than seven years and this legislation authorizes important projects like an upgrade to the locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River and a water treatment facility in the City of Goodview.  I’m thrilled to see this important legislation become law.”

We all have to miss work from time to time. Well, except in the occasional story seen at the tail end of the 5 p.m. news of the “factory worker who retired without missing a day in 200 years,” but that is extremely rare. Events like a death in the family, illness, transportation trouble or the graduation of a son or daughter can get in the way of making it to work either on time or at all on a given day and a reasonable employer will make accommodations.

In order to get out of a day of work in the Minnesota House of Representatives a member must write a simple request to the speaker and that particular member will be noted in the journal as excused.

On May 7 and 8 of this year, Rep. Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, did just that, but not for one of the dire situations listed above. Rather, Rep. Demmer took a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend Republican “congressional candidate school.” No big deal, right? So what, he only missed a couple of votes?

Let me continue. Some of our jobs require expenses, such as meals, for which the employee is able to be reimbursed. Certainly if you aren’t working a given day, you don’t have work related expenses and wouldn’t expect reimbursement, right? Well, it doesn’t work that way at the Minnesota Legislature, where the maximum per diem of $77 is available to members daily with virtually no oversight. No receipts, invoices or any other paperwork to prove expense.

Demmer, who wants to unseat First District Congressman Tim Walz, took the maximum per diem of $77 on 139 consecutive days during the 2007 legislative session. Yes, even the two days he was in D.C. learning campaign tricks from Karl Rove.

But he only missed a couple of votes, right? If you read this paragraph from the Rochester Post-Bulletin, it’s what Demmer would have you believe (thanks Ollie, for finding it):

Demmer said that while he took a leave of absence from the state House during his trip, he said that he was not on any conference committees and that bills brought up for a vote those days were not final. “I missed two or three votes, and those bills are coming back around,” he said.

Two or three, Randy? Maybe you really are Teen Talk Barbie (you know, math is hard?). It was more than “two or three” but let’s start with your lack of expertise in the area of division, and no, I don’t mean obnoxiously yelling out “DIVISION!” on the House floor after an obvious loss during a voice vote; you House Republicans are quite good at that. Blue Man has an easier explanation about Demmer’s math than I do, but bear with me.

Let’s take $10,703 (total per diem taken by Demmer) divided by $77 (max. per diem) and that equals 139 (total days between the opening and closing gavels of the legislature). You didn’t think ordinary citizens would be able to find out you took per diem for days you were in Washington working on your political ambitions for higher office, Or do you think they just wouldn’t care? Your constituents will be the ones holding you accountable for lack of representation in St. Paul on those two days. Taking per diem on those days though? *I* pay for that, pally. All of us who pay state taxes pay for that. Shameful!

Do I think the House and Senate leadership should (and should have in the past under GOP control!) institute a measure of accountability for these funds? Absolutely. Do I think you, Rep. Demmer, should be off the hook for having the tax payers cover the tabs for your meals in D.C.? I know restaurants out there can be spendy, but the answer is NO.

Back to the missed votes: Wow, it looks like your math problems are even worse than I first diagnosed. Pressing your luck with voters, Randy? While I can give you the benefit of the doubt for thinking division can be a difficult concept, your inability to master one of the most fundamental skills of mathematics, counting, should be considered inexcusable by your constituents. All who have reached grade one, at least.

Let’s take a look at the floor activity from Monday, May 7.

The first bill was SF1131 dealing with preventative health care programs for cities. Speaking of Rep. Demmer “pressing his luck,” in the words of the late Peter Tomarken:

“Let’s goto the big board!”

I hear Rep. Demmer yelling “Big Bucks! No Whammies!” from afar.

Oh, a Whammy! See there kids? The yellow arrow points to the name of our candidate who was out in D.C. OK, so I guess we can give you a freebie as this seems to be a non-controversial bill.

Oh wait, I thought you said bills brought up for a vote those days were not final?

It was signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty three days later. How can you get more final than that?

Next up: SF805, modifying coverage for hearing aids.

Again, that one was presented three days later to the governor. That sufficiently blows one of your assertions out of the water, eh Randy?

Next one: The game, fish and lands bill, SF1131.

Hmm, a little more controversial that time and I’m sure your constituents would have appreciated your leadership. You do possess leadership skill, right? Not only did you miss the vote for final passage, but you missed a roll call vote for an amendment. We’re already to a total of four missed votes. Let me see if I get this equation right: 4 > 2 or 3. Yeah, I could call a math professor, but I will trust my judgment that I am right. In fairness though, this time the bill did come around again after a conference committee. Still, shouldn’t it be important for you, Randy, to help craft your chamber’s position entering conference?

As you know Randy, four Whammies, and you’re out of the game! Fortunately for you the House rules allow you to land on the “Big Bucks!” square while still getting four Whammies! Or maybe you’re a Whammy yourself taking all of our money!

Next bill on the Calender of the Day for Monday, May 7, 2007 (I hear the voice of Al Mathiowitz, House chief clerk, in my head as I type this) is HF2294, a bill modifying the Cook-Orr Hospital District levy. I don’t pretend to be educated on this issue, but then again I’m not an elected state representative expected to vote on it. Hee hee.

Next up is not a bill but rather a motion to refer another motion dealing with allegations against the Attorney General’s office. Unfortunately for Rep. Demmer, Marty Seifert yelled out “MADAME SPEAKER, ROLL CALL ON THAT PLEASE!!!,” thus causing him to stretch the “two or three votes” song and dance even more.

Finally for May 7, after a roll call vote on a motion to refuse to concur with the Senate, the conference committee report on SF2171, the health and human services bill was before the House.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor and did indeed come back again. But Randy, is that any reason your leadership prowess shouldn’t have been present on the floor for the vote on behalf of your district? Mark Buesgens isn’t in any official leadership capacity with the GOP caucus, but that doesn’t stop him from articulating his conservative viewpoints on the floor. Randy, maybe Buesgens and you can switch seats, he actually sits on the back-bench; you just act like you do!

After day one of his absence, we see at least eight roll call votes missed by Randy Demmer. Quite a bit more than “two or three.” Let’s take a look at May 8. First up was the conference committee report on HF455, a bill dealing with public defenders.

Next, our friend Rep. Leon Lillie’s first bill to the floor this year, SF1073, ratifying public employee labor contracts.

SF1509, Hennepin County design build modifications is next:

Airport zoning disclosure requirements, SF218 is next:

SF26, medical practices board advisory councils expiration dates elimination:

Here’s one that should be of interest to Demmer’s constituents (you do have consumers and business owners in your district, right Randy?): security breach liability involving credit cards, HF1758. First an amendment offered by another potential candidate for Congress, Rep. Kurt Zellers:

And final passage:

Next, SF118, dealing with the capitol area planning board and legislative membership:

Finally, our last votes of the day. After a roll call vote on a motion to refuse to adopt the conference committee report, here’s the roll call for final passage on SF1989, the higher-ed bill, one I lobbied on behalf of considerably:

On the second day of his trip to Washington, he missed at least ten votes for a grand total of 18 (or more, I can’t guarantee I didn’t miss other procedural votes and the like).

Tell me, Randy, how do you get “two or three” out of 18.

There are so many themes arising from all of this and I apologize for not being able to keep this post within any focus.

1. Taking a trip to D.C. for further political ambitions during session while constituents should have their representative in St. Paul.
2. Taking full per diem as a House member while doing the aforementioned activities.
3. Misleading the public (really, I could use the word “lying” here, but I prefer not to go there) about how many votes were missed while on the junket.
4. Downplaying the role of state representative. Doesn’t each member have an election certificate? Does Rep. Demmer like being considered a “backbencher?” How is that perception a good one when trying to prove ability to head to Congress? Should he just go ahead and no-show other days he may consider to not be important, such as those early on in session when very little official action is taken?

I suppose considering his lackluster fundraising thus far, that $154 could be used toward the $20,000 he had to loan his campaign.

No Whammies!

Hey kids, here we go with the promised liveblog.

10:38 a.m.: We are awaiting the commencement of the first meeting of the day. The House Capital Investment Finance Division (otherwise known as the “bonding committee”) is set to gavel to order any second now. The Senate doesn’t start anything until 2 p.m. with its full finance committee.

10:55 a.m.: Still waiting for the meeting to start, as if these things are known for starting on time. I had an opportunity to see the capital investment committee when they were in Winona last week, however I made the mistake of going to the farce of a hearing on historic preservation down the street.

11:00 a.m.: Chair Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul). Hausman explained that Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL-La Cresent) will be the chief author of the bill providing flood relief, however he will be late arriving to the meeting because he was unable to get someone to relieve him of cow-milking duty in time.

Seriously. They are citizen legislators! Members are looking at images of the destruction.

11:07 a.m.: Rep. Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) is at the microphone and walking members through the appropriations in the bill and criteria for receiving those appropriations. This is tough to follow without a copy of the bill in front of me (since it officially has yet to be introduced). I’ll be attempting to get my electronic hands on a copy over the next few hours (hopefully sooner).

11:19 a.m.: Rep. Pelowski is going over relief for items ranging anywhere from school bus fleets to property tax abatement. Again, without a copy of the bill it is tough to follow along closely.

11:26 a.m.: According to Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis), someone within the state Department of Health said the department will be unable to fund testing for drinking water and hopes that by the time the bill gets to the finance committee the issue will be addressed. Pelowski explained that due to the fragile topography of the land, any disaster quickly affects drinking water. Finance chair Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal) explained that for any amendment to be brought forward would have to be approved by all three major entities (House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and Gov. Tim Pawlenty) due to the general understanding already reached by all three. The general feeling is that the tentative version of the bill is flexible, but it is questionable as to how flexible.

11:51 a.m.: Carlson has explained that the capital investment meeting was meant as a walk-through so items can be brought up (such as those about the drinking water) and so the leadership and governor can sign off on them. Amendments should be adopted by the finance committee with the bill being introduced at 5:00 p.m.

It seems to me a more logical way to do this would have been to call the special session to order this morning, recess until 5:00 p.m., and allow the committees to do their business in the interim. But I suppose there is that whole thing about 201 “citizen legislators” needing to leave their permanent lively hoods earlier than necessary.

The capital investment committee has adjourned and now we await the full finance committee to come to order.

11:55 a.m.: Sadly it appears TPT17 has chosen not to broadcast coverage of the legislative session so I am stuck with the webcast. Over on C-SPAN though the US Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees are questioning Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker about the situation in Iraq. Presidential candidate and Sen. Barack Obama is up now.

12:04 p.m.: Carlson has called the Finance committee to order. With the resignation of Rep. Steve Sviggum, Rep. Pat Garafolo (R-Farmington) has been named the ranking GOP member. Carlson explained that they are operating on a “working draft” of the bill, but will be incorporating amendments and will take testimony.

12:10 p.m.: Pelowski is going over the bill again to the finance committee. He touched on language moving funding from one area to another and preventing individuals and business from “double dipping” by getting funds for the same thing from both the state and federal government.

12:22 p.m.: There are still negotiations amongst the leadership on certain items being general fund appropriations or funding via bonding, Pelowski said. State parks, child care, storm sewers, Rushford’s waste treatment plant and Home and Community Options in Winona are a few additional things set to receive funding. There are several historic structures which are set to receive funding and according to Pewloski discussions are still on going.

In Houston, the one bridge some students have in order to get to school was destroyed therefore those students must now attend school in Winona. In the bill there will be reimbursement to school districts for per-pupil losses.

There will be $3 million from a national employment grant and Pelowski says language on this issue is still under consideration. Flexibility in addressing truth-in-taxation issues for local governments was included. The Department of Revenue wants language dealing with reassessment of property values but apparently there is disagreement with the House fiscal people about language.

It seems the bill is under 25 pages. A copy of this would be nice. Anyone who can give a hook-up reading this? djdanielson(at)gmail.com.

12:51 p.m.: Quite a bit of inside baseball and nitpicking at number (which I cannot even see) that is all going right over my head. Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson has joined the meeting.

12:58 pm.: Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) asked if reporting requirements will be waived for those needing health services since most records were wiped away with the flood. Carlson said that it should be routed through the speakers office. Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) has stated the agriculture provisions have been agreed to in principle with the legislative leadership and the governor’s office.

1:01 p.m.: Some concern has been raised about non-profits, such as CAP Agencies and organizations dealing with transitional housing, and making sure they are funded by the appropriations for the businesses if they already aren’t by human services or the federal government. Amendments to the working draft that have been approved by the leadership, however I am unable to see them.

1:15 p.m.: Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids), chair of Ways and Means, announced that the 3:00 p.m. meeting of that committee has been canceled. It appears the House will gavel in at 5:00 p.m., recess so Ways and Means can meet quickly to make a budget resolution, and then reconvene the full chamber. Carlson has said that he “hopes” members will abide by the agreement between the leadership and the governor and get amendments checked-off by all parties. Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington), the Tax chair in the House, has stated she does NOT intend to offer a tax amendment beyond the points agreed upon previously as to not breach the agreement. No gotcha’ politics from either side thus far. Whoo hoo.

1:21 p.m.: Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) has just arrived and is very, very frustrated that the bill does not address unemployment.

“These people were told to go online and apply for unemployment. How are they supposed to go online without a computer, electricity or a house?”

1:37 p.m.: Rukavina has also shown frustration at how much control the legislative leadership and the governor have grasped in the process of coming to an agreement. Carlson again explained to him that he hoped members would stick to the guidelines of running amendments past the leadership and the governor.

“As a duly elected member of this body do I not have a say Mr. Chairman?” Rukavina replied.

The Finance committee has recessed to the call of the chair apparently to go through the three main players to get amendments okayed.

Rukavina had one more noteworthy quote: “It’s been 41 days since the bridge collapsed and the leadership and the governor haven’t been able to come to an agreement yet. Why should we think this is going to get done in four hours?”

2:01 p.m.: It doesn’t appear House TV plans on picking up the finance committee when it reconvenes. We are waiting for the Senate to call to order its finance committee.

2:17 p.m.: It appears House TV WILL be picking up coverage of the House finance committee when it reconvenes. Still waiting for Senate finance to begin. Members, staff and audience are finally filing in.

2:31 p.m.: Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) has called the Senate finance committee to order. Sen. Sharon Ropes (DFL-Winona) has begun her testimony telling stories of a home on top of railroad tracks, a 91 year-old woman who didn’t hear the emergency alarm and businesses that lack buildings and inventory.

3:22 p.m.: Sen. Linda Berglin has shown concern about nursing homes and other health and human services being funded adequately.

4:53.: Since the last post the Senate finance committee has been going over largely small details of the bill. I must have missed the House finance committee finishing their work. Unexplainably, Senate TV cut away from the Finance hearing. Session set to start at 5:00 p.m. Coverage on TPT17. Whoo.

5:04 p.m.: Waiting for session to begin. TPT17 (KTCI) just finished about 10 straight minutes of the same acoustic guitar melody but is now playing a historical clip about Minnesota’s statehood. I can see on the webfeed, though, that members are filing into the House chamber. In the Senate, you can see President Jim Metzen sitting in his chair. For a legislature junkie like me, hearing his raspy voice again will be a treat!

5:07 p.m.: I forgot to mention: in the bill there is some matching funding for Minneapolis for the bridge collapse and some money for northern Minnesota fire previously part of the tax bill vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty. Beyond that though, there is no comprehensive transportation funding or tax legislation.

5:18 p.m.: Both chambers are underway with prayers, pledges and roll calls. Expect a certain amount of procedural resolutions dealing with organizing each chamber.

5:23 p.m.: House majority leader Tony Sertich has asked for a moment of silence for September 11th and the disasters here in Minnesota. The Senate had a similar moment.

5:38 p.m.: Senate File 1, dealing with flood relief, and SF2, a Sen. Linda Berglin bill dealing which motor vehicle insurance (hmmm?), have been introduced. The House is in recess for approximately one-hour. Senate majority Larry Pogemiller is explaining that the House and Senate versions of the flood relief bill are not exact and must be ironed out. According to Pogemiller, the possibility of a conference committee cannot be ruled out. In order to limit the possibility of this, he has encouraged amendments to be brought to the rules committee. Senate minority leader David Senjem is encouraging Senators to “hold the line and work within the framework of the bill.”

“As Senator (Dick) Day often says, we all have election certificates. I do not want to suppress debate, but encourage everyone to use their best judgment,” Pogemiller said.

The House is adjourned until approximately 6:30 p.m; the Senate likewise until approximately 6:45 p.m. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert announced the House GOP caucus would be meeting.

“May we all come over for supper?” Speaker Kelliher asked.

6:32 p.m.: The Senate rules committee is waiting to be called to order. Visible by the camera view provided by Senate TV show Pogemiller and Metzen both in the room waiting. House TV is showing some member sitting idly in the chamber waiting to go back to work.

Senate TV has such soothing piano music. Maybe they think the only people dorky enough to be watching this are cultured enough to enjoy listening to it on a regular basis.

6:38 p.m.: Pogemiller has called the rules committee of the Senate to order and Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester) is begining to explain SF 1, the flood relief bill. The bill is FINALLY availiable for all to see WHOOOO YEAHHHH BABY!

Okay, just relieved I get to see what they have been talking about all day; always easier to follow along when they are referencing pages when you can actually SEE the pages.

Looks like this explanation will be much shorter than those previously today. The House chamber is very close to empty currently. I wonder if Seifert has any hotdish or sloppy joe’s left?

6:56 p.m.: Berglin is keeping up her day-long theme of ensuring that nursing homes are being covered adequately and is hoping that the Dept. of Human Services is involved. She wasn’t satisfied in the language in the bill dealing with that, but Ropes explained that when three parties are involved not all language can be agreeable.

7:05 p.m.: A point of contention has been met in regards to the budget surplus from FY ‘07. Apparently the fiscal year ended with ~$370 million in the general fund. Pogemiller argued in a brief spat with Sen. Gen Olson that surplus money could be used as opposed to bonding.

7:11 p.m.: Pogemiller announced that Berglin’s bill about auto insurance would be incorporated into the larger flood relief bill. The discussion of amendments is set to begin.

I am praying here people that there will be no gotcha’ politics from either side.

7:18 p.m.: An issue has been brought up concerning the Help America Vote Act and where the correct language should be. Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) is concerned that by including language about delaying the deadline for townships effected by the flood to come in compliance with HAVA could violate a “one bill, one subject” principle. They are now trying to find a way to move that process along quicker.

7:38 p.m.: Senate rules committee is going over language in order to fit in an amendment(s) with counsel. Dotting I’s and crossing T’s and making sure articles like “the” are in the right spot.

Well, I was serious about the third part. Borrrrring TV. You all owe me BIG TIME for sitting through this.

7:44 p.m.: As the Senate rules committee continues to pick apart VERY technical language, I finally found a copy of SF2, the Berglin auto insurance bill, which basically prohibits penalties against those drivers who were driving on the 35W bridge when it collapsed. Seems logical to me.

9:03 p.m.: Alright, I took a recess of my own for food. Neither body is doing anything, I’m reading rumors on other blogs and it definitely isn’t 6:30 p.m. anymore. What’s going on?

9:34 p.m.: I forgot to mention: Al Juhnke agreed with me during one of the finance committee meetings earlier this morning about starting session early in the morning, letting the committees do their work, then going back into session. By putting session off until 5:00 p.m., there is a much greater sense of urgency if not confusion. I have read elsewhere that the governor and the legislature might not both be on the same page. The Senate rules committee (Chair Pogemiller included) appears to be all assembled and waiting for something and the House chamber seems to be about half full. I wonder: are both bodies of the legislature even on the same page right now?

9:48 p.m.: Senate rules committee is back in order. SF2, the Berglin bill about auto insurance, is being presented as an amendment to SF1. Welcome to any readers from www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com and www.scsuscholars.com.

9:52 p.m.: Looks like they found money, I think $200,000, for well testing (referenced by Jean Wagenius earlier in the House finance committee) and indoor air quality.

10:01 p.m.: It appears the House and Senate STILL aren’t on the same page. According to Ropes the House was not in complete agreement about from where to take the money for the air quality. The Senate rules committee went and passed the bill anyway and I guess is in recess until they get a House file.

If this is confusing to read here for you, trust me, its confusing to follow everything thats going on.

10:17 p.m.: To think: the last time I was up this late live-blogging the legislative session there was controversy because the previous question was being moved. This time, there is controversy because there has yet to be a question presented! I know everyone is working hard within the short time frame given to them by the governor, but when stuff like this is prolonged by technical stuff it makes people question the effectiveness of our democracy.

By the way, if there are any legislators reading this right now: thanks for the hard work and leaving your day jobs as it is appreciated regardless of any criticism the blogsphere or anyone else may throw your way.

I heard the vote board in the Senate chamber go “BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP,” not sure what to expect. I know it was the Senate because Pat Flahaven, Senate secretary, pushes the button quite a few times, as opposed to House Chief Clerk Al Mathiowetz only hits it three times. Oh, the more you know!

10:26 p.m.: The Senate is in order with an introduction of the bill by Sen. Ropes. It is MUCH easier (and more interesting) to follow along with an actual copy of the bill.

10:32 p.m.: “What was the research? Where did these numbers come from, how were they produced?” Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) asked Ropes. What is this, a police interrogation? Geez.

10:39 p.m.: First term Sen. Erickson Ropes has handled herself tremendously today while carrying the weight of a very urgent matter to the Senate floor and deserves congratulations. The the Ann Rest bill dealing with the postponement of measures of Help America Vote Act is being brought up as SF 3 and an urgency declared allowing it to be voted upon the same day as its introduction. It passed 63-0.

11:02 p.m.: Debate in the Senate ensues about which course of action to take as the house has done nothing. The Senate is now taking amendments on the bill. The pickle in which they are stuck is that since the bill contains bonding language it so it must originate in the House. So essentially they can just wait for the House or come up with a “Senate position.” They are doing the latter.

“They might be looking for leadership from this body. That’s just an opinion, maybe my opinion,” Sen. Pres. Jim Metzen said referring to the House of Representatives. Ouch.

11:06 p.m.: The Senate is in recess for approximately ten minutes so that the Senate GOP Caucus can meet. “We need to talk,” Minority Leader Senjem said about his caucus in a disappointed if not disgruntled tone.

11:17 p.m.: The House is back in order while the Senate is voting on the SF 1. It passed 62-1 with the only nay being Ann Rest. They then laid the bill on the table and are now recessing to wait for the House.

11:23 p.m.: Ken Tschumper is explaining HF 1, the House version of the flood relief bill. He has noted losses of homes and businesses including pharmacies, grocery stores and a locally owned bank which does business with all the other businesses that are going under! If a business cannot stay afloat it cannot pay its debts to the bank; if a bank can’t claim its debts, it can’t stay afloat.

11:25 p.m.: I’m sure Tschumper found someone to milk his cows tonight.

11:33 p.m.: Kelliher has announced there are two written amendments and one oral amendment to come. The first one is from Rep. Willie Dominguez (DFL-Minneapolis) dealing with the 35W bridge to make sure that contractors working on the 35w reconstruction effort make a good faith effort to hire people of color. I’m trying to get the exact amendment; the House website isn’t on its usual “A” game tonight.

11:38 p.m.: Dominguez, apparently realizing an agreement had already been met, has withdrawn his amendment, but vowed to not give up come regular session in February.

11:41 p.m.: Pelowski moved an oral amendment of some number I missed. New Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Wabasha) is now talking.

11:43 p.m.: Drazkowski is giving a heartfelt first floor speech thanking all of those helping the relief effort. In addition to Ropes, he and Tschumper have both handled themselves in spectacular fashion through this all.

11:49 p.m.: Pelowski is offering the next amendment, this time dealing with indoor air quality and wells. Not sure if this is inline with the Senate language, but Pelowski says all three entities (House and Senate leadership and the governor, if you haven’t learned that by now) have agreed. It passed on voice vote. Has been given its third reading (meaning no more amendments). Rep. Andy Welti (DFL-Plainview) is thanking members for taking time out of their lives for coming to the capitol to respond.

11:52 p.m.: Welti told a story of a disabled veteran from Eyota who lived in the lower level of his home and lost literally everything he owned. He has explained that all estimates thus far and that there will be hundreds of thousands of dollars of infrastructure damage likely yet to be discovered and that the legislature will likely have to send more help in regular session.

11:53 p.m.: Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) has plugged http://www.rootrelief.org, a portal for fund raisers in southeastern Minnesota. Mark Olson has the floor.

11:56 p.m.: Olson was asking if language waiving statutes is standard “boilerplate” language because he has concerns that oversight might not be present as was in the case of FEMA in New Orleans. Pelowski assured him it was the case.

11:57 p.m.: “I hope we illustrate that theres a difference between how the U.S. Congress acts, and how we act here in Minnesota,” Pelowski said. Tschumper thanked the church community for providing up to 2,000 meals daily in some cases.

“This has been the greatest hotdish competition you would ever see,” he said. “This is not so much a disaster aid package as it is an investment in these people.”

12:00 a.m.: Rep. Seifert urges a yes vote for the bill. “Today we are Minnesotans, not Democrats or Republicans,” he said.

12:05 a.m.: “We are one state and in that tradition and in times of need we help each other out,” Majority Leader Sertich said. He went on to show dissapointment though that the legislature has not been “proactive” but rather exlusively “reactive” by not lowering property tax burdens, focusing on job creation and investing in infrastructure with the opportunity they were given tonight. Awesome speech by Sertich; he is the real deal. The bill passes the house 130-0.

12:16 a.m.: Applause followed the bill passage, an act normally not allowed but I don’t think anyone will object this time. The elections bill from the Senate is now being brought up. Rep. Seifert asked Rep. Pelwoski if it was his intention that there would be no amendments and they can all get out of there. “That’s my intention,” Pewloski replied getting a laugh from the chamber. Seifert said that the governor has signed off on it and he encourages support. The bill passed 128-2.

12:17 a.m.: Sertich, Seifert and Kelliher are all three having a whisper fest up on the rostrum.

12:24 a.m.: Procedural motion is now before the House dealing with the journal and passes easily. Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Minneapolis) is moving a resolution adjourning the special session until one month from today as opposed to sine die (for good). Kahn noted that three-fourths of the 35W bridge was in her district and that the effort of clean up and current constant monitoring of the situation costs money and “is unfinished business we have not done.” Kahn is seemingly realistic about the required two-thirds vote to suspend the rules in order to pass the motion being an unrealistic proposition and is withdrawing her motion. The House now stands at ease waiting for the Senate to confirm they have received the bill.

12:27 a.m.: Deputy Minority leader Tom Emmer (Delano) apparently doesn’t trust that the leadership is not going to pull shenanigans and has moved to adjourn sine die. Another conference with the three leaders is taking place at the rostrum.

12:31 a.m.: Rep. Emmer has withdrawn his motion. The staff is being honored with a round of applause for all of their hard work. There is a motion notifying the Senate and governor that the House is about to adjourn sine die.

12:41 a.m.: Still waiting. If I were a House member I would be eager to exit so I could visit the White Castle on Rice St. Yummmmm!

12:50 a.m.: Still waiting. Channel 17 just flashed briefly from House TV to Senate TV maybe just to show viewers still holding on that nothing has changed. I’ll take this opportunity to welcome new readers from Minnesota Monitor, Tild (visit there for some “Legislated Palliative”) and Bluestem Prairie. Oh, if only the microphones in the House chamber were more sensitive and it was less noisy I could hear the subject of the gossip.

12:56 a.m.: Channel 17 is running a scrolling ticker that they will be breaking away from coverage at 1:00 a.m. Boo, now I have to watch two screens do nothing on my computer at once. In the meantime, does anyone know what’s going on?

1:03 a.m.: Sertich, Seifert and Kelliher are all still at the House Speaker’s rostrum. Metzen is swiveling in his chair in the other chamber but not tossing his gavel in the air and catching it. This is worse than a west coast evening Twins game going into extra innings: are these people really trying to get me to fall asleep before the exciting conclusion?

1:07 a.m.: The House has adjourned sine die via voice vote. The Senate is now in order.

1:09 a.m.: It appears the delay was due to Sens. Ropes and Lynch meeting with counsel and House leadership due to “a handful” of differences and it was determined that the differences are technical and everyone can sit alright with them and they can be dealt with at a later date.

HF 1 passed then passed the Senate 62-1 with Rest again being the only negative vote. Next it goes to the governor for a signature and if signed, will be deposited with the Secretary of State to become law. This is how a bill becomes a law.

1:16 a.m.: Metzen has gaveled the Senate into adjournment sine die.  I can’t believe I followed this off and on for almost 14 hours.  Wow.  Tomorrow I will have a wrap up with my thoughts and analysis.  Thanks for reading.

Who wants a DJ liveblog of tomorrow’s special session? For old time’s sake. Maybe I can get a couple of mentions on AM1280 The Patriot by Michael Brodkorb again…

Hmmm.

Let’s see how early I awake (I am fighting an illness) and I will get right too it.

I just hope Channel 17 (KTCI) has coverage so I don’t have to watch it on the 2 inch web video feed, but I will handle it either way.

Crossposted at Minnesota Campaign Report

On Tuesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced the appointment of two individuals to the state Firefighter Training and Education Board.

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, “the Board of Firefighter Training and Education reviews fire service training needs, establishes standards for educational programs and establishes qualifications for fire service training instructors. The Board consists of 15 members, including 14 appointed by the Governor.”

While these positions are filled by the Mr. Pawlenty, at least one is being pushed off, namely the position of State University student to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Board of Trustees.

The individual to be appointed was scheduled to begin serving his or her term July 1.

In the mean time, the previous/current/interim/who-in-the-hell-knows-anymore student trustee, Michael Boulton, has continued to serve. During that time the board has taken up important issues such as the system-wide bonding request for the next legislative year, the election of a chairman, the selection of a president at Normandale Community College, and the tuition reciprocity agreement between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Applying for the position are Minnesota State University Student Association recommended candidates Ezra Kazee and Adam Weigold. A third candidate, Luke Hellier, also applied.

Former according to former board Chair Bob Hoffman, the learning curve for this position is “almost two years.” The qualifications of the candidates not even in consideration, how effective can a trustee be when over 5 percent of his or her term is already evaporated before appointment when the term is already barely longer than the learning curve?

The last time we criticized Gov. Pawlenty about his non-appointment we speculated that it may have been due to golfing with other governors.

This time we understand he has been overwhelmed with the I-35W bridge collapse in downtown Minneapolis so greater patience is being given, however, sooner or later this appointment must be made.

While no one will question the importance of quality firefighters, students deserve representation on the statewide board, too.

Debate has officially kicked off in the US House of Representatives about the 2007 Farm Bill. I don’t follow floor debate in the US House too often but I am already having a flashback to the rhetoric from Marty Seifert and Tim Pawlenty when the Minnesota legislature had under its consideration a proposal to include inflation in budget forecasting. Those two Republicans falsely characterized it as “budget increases on autopilot.”

This time, the Farm Bill would close a loophole which allows for corporate overseas tax shelters. The elimination of this loophole, which would create $4 billion of revenue, is falsely being referred to by Republicans such as a tax “increase.”

I liken it to being shorted on your paycheck and upon notifying to your boss/payroll clerk/HR/whatever being told you shouldn’t be entitled to a pay increase.

Ugh. And due to this provision, these Republicans, such as Agriculture committee ranking member Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia), are intending to vote against the bill.

Nevertheless, Minnesota elected officials will get some spotlight, such as Agriculture committee chairman Collin Peterson, who has been heralded for his efforts to find compromise, and Tim Walz who is a member of the committee.

Based on a quote from this story yesterday, it doesn’t appear John Kline will support the bill.

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., commended Peterson’s effort but had some reservations, including how a $4 billion increase to nutrition programs would be paid for.

“We have to see how these concerns are met,” Kline said in a statement.

I can only assume Michele Bachmann will vote against it because, well, she votes against everything so why even bother to find some real basis for that conclusion.

We will try and offer updates from time to time here at IDHA and of course Bluestem will continue to provide stellar coverage on this issue.

[UPDATE] Quick Farm Bill update (trying not to live blog as I will not hear the end of how “lame” live blogging C-SPAN is):

The controversial Ron Kind/Jeff Flake delete-everything amendment failed on a voice vote with a roll call vote to be taken later.

In opposition to the amendment, Tim Walz said it was well intentioned but doesn’t address the needs of his district, Minnesota’s 1st, which he described as one of the “richest pieces of agriculture land in the world.”

Walz, in his usual blunt tone, showed irritation at some of the rhetoric being presented in opposition to the bill.

“When I need advice about agriculture, I go to Kevin Paap at the Minnesota Farm Bureau, not the ideology at the Cato Institute.”

13 amendments were approved “en bloc” via voice vote with 17 more remaining. Final passage is expected to take place tomorrow. [/UPDATE]

[UPDATE 2] The Kind/Flake amendment fails 117-309. Looks like that will be all for the Farm Bill tonight.  I always laugh when the parliamentarian has to guide the Speaker Pro Temp through every little process and still has to ask “Now what?” into the microphone. [/Update 2]

From the old news that we missed department, MnSCU announced last week that David Olson, president of the Mnnesota chamber of commerce, was elected chair of the system’s Board of Trustees. Ruth Grendahl will be vice chair and Scott Thiss will grab the reins as treasurer taking over for former, ahem, I mean, current, ahem, I mean, soon departing four-year university student trustee Michael Boulton.

The replacement for Boulton, who’s term was scheduled to conclude June 30, has yet to be announced. I am sure candidates Adam Weigold, Ezra Kazee and Luke Hellier are all anxious to find out, not to mention the 70,000 some-odd students at Minnesota’s state unviersities being left hanging.

Is Gov. Tim Pawlenty really trying to wait for the brouhaha to settle down before making an appointment? Did the rounds of golf with other governors in Michigan take up too much of his time?

Really T-Paw, what gives?

Nursing… a diverse occupation with limitless opportunities for advancement.  I have been meaning to discuss more about the profession previously, but felt that my lack of “credentials” may hinder my message’s impact.  So what has changed?  I recently passed my state boards, certifying me as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Minnesota.  The ecstatic feeling warrants me to write.  I feel I have now been issued a “go” to improve the profession, as well as the healthcare system in our nation.  The power of one person may be great, but spreading the message is greater.  I plan to delve into the issue of our healthcare crisis by using the power of the blogosphere.  I want to see IDHA! be a notable resource for those wanting information on change, and for those wanting to implement it.  I have focused on healthcare and nursing issues when lobbying at the Capitol during my tenure as student senator of Winona State University.  I’ve been introduced to organizations such as the MUHCC, who outlined a universal healthcare initiative to the state of Minnesota.  Then there is the MNA, who advocates for nurses and our patients which I will be active in very soon.  Being involved in the past was only the beginning.  As an RN, I pledge to do what I can to improve our healthcare system. 

With SiCKO’s recent release, the topic of universal healthcare has an emphatic message.  I feel it is inevitable that the next presidential election will have universal healthcare as either the #1 or #2 issue depending on how the Iraq debate evolves until then.  Seven Democratic candidates pledged working toward universal healthcare if elected.  As far as I have researched, “universal” healthcare was NOT guaranteed by any Republican candidate for the 2008 presidential election.  Most of the Republicans have endorsed a “market-based” healthcare system, creating consumers out of the everyday American.  I am not going to elaborate into market-based healthcare with this post, but be prepared for an inside look into each proposed system in future posts at IDHA! 

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DJ has been doing an excellent job covering Minnesota politics, especially the whole controversy surrounding Luke Hellier.  I served in the student organization (MSUSA) which endorsed candidates Ezra Kazee and Adam Weigold.  I can personally attest to the quality of both men who serve students at MnSCU schools with passion.  To see our Governor show interest into a candidate not even at a MnSCU school displays the lack of commitment to the reason a student representative serves on the board of trustees in the first place.  Students need proper representation from someone who knows what they are going through and has a record for doing everything they can for student interests.  Adam and Ezra both fit the profile, Luke does not. 

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Future topics I will be covering:  Steve Sarvi, possible DFL candidate for CD 2?  Kip Sullivan, voice for universal healthcare.  DM&E, not finished yet.  Jeff Flaten for 28B! Tim Walz news/press releases.  And more!