Visit with Rice County Commissioners
Jun 29, 2010 News
I joined Sen. Dahle and Rep. Fritz recently for a talk with Rice County commissioners and staff. Kevin already blogged about the conversation on his website capturing the mood and some of the questions they had during the meeting. Among them how will they continue to provide the vital and necessary services their residents have come to expect. They wondered about the intent of the Governor and his continued cuts to LGA without relieving mandates that they must meet.
Some might wonder why these mandates exist and why it is so difficult to cut back on government spending. One of the issues we face as all government officials contemplate priorities, mandates and government spending was expressed by Mark Shaw, director of Social Services, “We have to be careful not to be penny wise an dollar foolish.” Meaning that some expenditures are good investments and have good financial returns on that investment at the same time being of help to needy people.
The question I guess is how do you balance good investments with the fairest way to make those investments. Some argue we can’t ask taxpayers to pay for all this, while others say it is the taxpayers who benefit from good investment why shouldn’t they pay. It is the cost of civilization and a good society. We do at various times figure out ways for various reasons to exempt some from paying their fair share. Like the Governor’s JOBZ program, which is a tool to promote economic development by exempting new business from certain tax obligations that old businesses may well end up paying. If it is a worthy investment maybe those businesses won’t mind, it depends of course.
This conversation got me thinking about a very interesting presentation I heard some months
ago by Rep. Anne Lenczeswki, the House Tax Committee Chair about taxes and how to reform them in a fair way. Here is the link to that conversation. I think you will find it very enlightening. We are lucky to have someone as knowledgeable and dedicated as Rep. Lenczewski over seeing the Tax committee.
New Laws Effective July 1, 2010
Jun 26, 2010 News
The Public Information Services Department of the Minnesota Legislature released this notice of new laws taking effect July 1, 2010. Some of the laws are summarized below. For a complete list of laws passed this session, see the House website.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Day
A new law designates May 28 as Veterans of Foreign Wars Day in Minnesota. The law recognizes May 28 because it is the same day the Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded in 1899.
DUI Evidence:
Action seen or heard on a tape should be able to speak for itself. But that is not always the case in some Minnesota courts. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids), a new law will clarify that a pretrial filing of a written transcript from an audiotape or videotape in a law enforcement vehicle is not a prerequisite for admission of that recording evidence in a DWI criminal trial or license revocation hearing. Simon said some courts have been reading into the law a requirement that is not there.
In an effort to expedite the process for police and the courts, a new law will allow medical personnel trained in a licensed hospital or educational institution to withdraw blood to determine the presence of alcohol, controlled substances or hazardous substances. The current DWI statute limits who can draw blood for implied consent to a physician, medical technician, emergency medical technician-paramedic, registered nurse, medical technologist, medical laboratory technician, phlebotomist or laboratory assistant. Supporters want it made clear that anybody who is qualified to take blood for DWI samples can do so.
Body art licensure
A new law sets licensing standards for tattoo artists and body piercers, as well as body art establishments. It also specifies health and safety rules for sites, equipment and procedures, including requiring the use of single-use needles and ink. The law sets grounds for granting temporary licensure, denying licensure and conducting an emergency closure of an establishment. In a change from current law, no tattoos may be provided to people under age 18, regardless of parental consent. Most piercings are allowed. Body art technicians and the places where they work will need to be licensed by the Department of Health beginning Jan. 1, 2011.
Data practices complaint process
When a citizen files a data practices complaint against a state agency, it often takes months or years to resolve. A new law aims to speed up the process.
Absentee Balloting for the Primary Begins June 25
Jun 22, 2010 News
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie reminded voters who will be away from home or otherwise unable to make it to their polling locations on Aug. 10 that they can vote absentee in the state primary beginning Friday, June 25. The absentee balloting time period comes earlier this year because Minnesota moved its primary from September to August to provide active-duty military and overseas voters more time to participate in Minnesota’s elections. For more information, visit the Secretary of State’s website.
Riverwalk Market Fair Now Open
Jun 17, 2010 News
Northfield’s summer Saturdays boast a new event: the Riverwalk Market Fair. Come, meet your neighbors and enjoy an open air market along the Cannon River and shop for ceramics, original paintings and prints, jewelry, and unusual fine craft items. Local and organic produce and cut flowers, as well as artisan breads and pastries are also for sale. Hours are 9:00 AM to 1 PM each Saturday until October 30 (excluding DJJD weekend).
Belle Plaine Farmer’s Market Open
Jun 14, 2010 News
The Belle Plaine Farmer’s Market is open each Wednesday from 4-7 pm until October in Court Square Park in Belle Plaine. The Market is not just a place to shop for naturally grown local goods, its a social outing! Follow the festivities on Facebook.
