Podcast: KYMN Interviews David Bly, Mar 19, 2007
Mar 22, 2007 Podcasts
While the Minnesota House of Representatives is in session, David Bly will appear on KYMN every Monday at 7:30 a.m.
To hear the broadcast live, listen to 1080 on your AM radio dial.
KYMN features news, talk and easy listening music plus important communications pertinent to surrounding communities.
Here is a podcast of the March 19th, 2007, KYMN Radio interview.
HEAR: KYMN Radio Station Interview, March 19th, 2007
GET NOTIFIED (you need a reader): 
Get the feed.
LISTEN ON ITUNES: 
Or, go to iTunes and subscribe to the podcast. You might first need to download the iTunes software if you are not already using an iPod or visiting the iTunes store.
Townhall Meeting
Mar 13, 2007 News
State Senator Neuville and I have scheduled a Townhall meeting for Wednesday evening at the Public Library from 6pm to 8pm. I look forward to seeing constituents there.
In spite of the weather, I enjoyed recent meetings in Belle Plaine and Lonsdale a couple of weeks ago. We had fairly good turn out considering the icy roads and early hour.
Energy Committee Update
Mar 13, 2007 News
Last week, in Energy Committee we heard and passed Jeremy Kalan's Energy Conservation and Efficiency Bill. It received a fair amount of discussion but because of his hard work with all the stake holders did move forward.
This week, we begin hearing Maria Ruud's Global Warming Bill, which addresses the reduction of greenhouse gases. It will most likely be a contentious discussion, though I believe we have the votes to pass it out of committee. I am told we will hear a good three hours of testimony in addition the hour and half we heard Monday.
Wednesday, I will introduce HF 1645 a Utility Affordability Program, which accomplishes two things:
Requires PUC to consider affordability of energy when setting rates
Requires investor-owned gas companies (and permits investor-owned electric companies) to establish “affordability programs.”
This bill applies to low-income customers (i.e., those receiving energy assistance) requiring customers to make the maximum payment customer can afford given the customer’s financial circumstances and the utility to makes up the shortfall between customer payments, energy assistance and full bill.
The major benefits of affordability programs are the maximizing of revenues to utilities (customers pay regularly and on time); mitigates arrears and bad debt by breaking disconnect/reconnect cycle; lowers or eliminates utility collection costs; and keeps customers connected to the system, preserving energy stability for families.
Legislative Update
Mar 13, 2007 News
ELECTION OF REGENTS: On Thursday evening, the House and Senate met in Joint Session to elect four Regents to lead the University of Minnesota for the next six years. The four new Regents are: Maureen Cisneros, Verona Hung, Linda Cohen and Dean Johnson. All four new regents were in the group of eleven finalists recommended by the Regent Candidate Advisory Council.
BUDGET DEBATE: The Minnesota House is expected to release its budget framework in the next few weeks, with spending targets for each budget area. The budget will include some very difficult choices, but the House remains focused on the basics of education, health care and jobs.
GREILING EDUCATION FUNDING BILL: House K-12 Finance Chair Mindy Greiling introduced a bill that would increase funding for education by restoring the 1999 top tier income tax rate from the current rate of 7.85% to a rate of 8.5%, effective in fiscal year 2007.
The bill would require the Commissioner of Finance to estimate the revenue gained from the rate increase, and deposit that amount in a specifically designated K-12 education account. The funds could be used to mitigate rising special education costs and for school innovation and reforms.
Session Weekly, March 9, 2007
Mar 9, 2007 News
This week's Session Weekly is now available online at
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/swmain.asp
Among this week's stories: a bill that would require a consumer
warning label for plants-for-purchase that may be poisonous to children, pets and livestock; and ideas addressing the state's transportation
needs.
Podcast: KYMN Interviews Rep. David Bly, Mar. 5, 2007
Mar 5, 2007 Podcasts
While the Minnesota House of Representatives is in session, David Bly will appear on KYMN every Monday at 7:30 a.m.
To hear the broadcast live, listen to 1080 on your AM radio dial.
KYMN features news, talk and easy listening music plus important communications pertinent to surrounding communities.
Here is a podcast of the March 5th, 2007, KYMN Radio interview.
HEAR: KYMN Radio Station Interview, March 5th, 2007
GET NOTIFIED (you need a reader): Get the feed.
LISTEN ON ITUNES: Or, go to iTunes and subscribe to the podcast. You might first need to download the iTunes software if you are not already using an iPod or visiting the iTunes store.
Session Weekly, Mar 1, 2007
Mar 3, 2007 News
This week's Session Weekly is now available online at
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/swmain.asp
Among this week's stories: The struggle between the majority and
minority to bridge the partisan divide; a bill to allow fishing with two
lines; and a proposal to establish a statewide system for recycling
e-waste.
Winter Safety Handout
Mar 1, 2007 News
Here's a Winter Safety Handout you might be interested in.
Two Page Winter Safety Handout in two formats:
(Microsoft Word .doc)(Adobe .pdf file)
Stay Warm!
