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From: MMBA Lobbyist Sarah J. Psick
The past week, the Legislature has spent most of its time discussing the Vikings stadium bill, working out the details of conference committee bills, passing bills on the House and Senate Floors or waiting around while the House or Senate are in "recess". End of session negotiations have ramped up between Governor Dayton, Republican and DFL legislative leaders. The biggest issues being discussed in these negotiations are an omnibus tax bill, an omnibus bonding bill and a Vikings stadium bill.
Several bills were signed by Governor Dayton during the past week:
Omnibus Liquor Bill: The Governor signed the omnibus liquor bill which will allow for alcohol sales at the University of Minnesota TCF Stadium. Other provisions in the bill address the relocation of a liquor store in Minneapolis destroyed by the 2011 tornado and provisions relating to a one-day craft beer festival.
Click Here to See Omnibus Liquor Bill
Omnibus Education Policy Bill: The omnibus education policy bill includes a provision that school districts pay teachers who are on military leave their full salary - under current law, districts reduce teacher pay to offset substitute teacher costs.
Omnibus Lands Bill: The omnibus state lands bill was signed by the Governor. This bill is an annual Department of Natural Resources bill which authorizes the sale of certain tax forfeited lands.
Absentee Ballot Changes: This bill removes the requirement that a voter must date the back of a return envelope of an absentee ballot. The House had included a provision to move the state's primary election from August to June, but the Senate rejected this provision and it was not included in the final bill.
Department of Human Services Policy Bill: The bill is related to children and family services policy, adoption reform, child support, child care, child safety and MFIP provisions and modifications.
The Governor vetoed bills relating to collective bargaining, a bill which would impose licensure requirements only upon clinics where abortions are performed, a bill which would require the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government to use the federal E-Verify program for all newly hired employees, and a bill requiring local government employers to approve participation in or withdrawal from the Public Employees' Insurance Program.
Final Days: The Legislature is maintaining its intention to adjourn the 2012 legislative session by the end of the day on Monday, April 30th. Although the Minnesota Constitution allows the Legislature to work until Monday, May 21st. A number of issues are currently being debated by the Legislature and working their way to the Governor's desk. Among these issues are - omnibus legacy funding bill, omnibus environment policy bill, omnibus game and fish bill, omnibus higher education policy bill, and an omnibus pensions bill among others.
The high profile issues yet to be resolved include an omnibus bonding bill, an omnibus tax bill and resolution of the Vikings stadium issue.
Traditionally, after the adjournment of the legislative session sine die, the members of each body remain on the House or Senate Floor and spend some time allowing retiring legislators to give a good bye speech to their colleagues. To date, 27 House members have announced that they will retire from the legislature or are running for another office. In the Senate, 14 current members will not seek re-election to the Senate. It is anticipated that other retirements will be announced in the closing days of the legislative session.
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