Economy Talk with Dan Dimick
Jul 21, 2011 Budget, Economy, Education, Environment, Health Care
If you listened Wed. July 20th you heard my conversation with Dan Dimick, a therapist, who works with a number of vulnerable people in our area and he describes what potential budget cuts mean for those constituents and wonders how we will meet their needs if as a society we don’t see the value in helping them. The archived link can be found here kymnradio.net.
Also from Rick Hansen here is an update on the results of the session:
During the special session a lot of budget spreadsheets and letters are distributed to members. Attached is a letter prepared by the nonpartisan House Fiscal department explaining the tobacco securitization and appropriation bonds. Minnesota has never before used such bonding for general fund appropriations (operating). Bonding for capital projects is allowed, but bonding for operating is Constitutionally questionable.
Here is a story on the tax bill from the nonpartisan Session Daily
STATE EDUCATION FUNDING ACCOUNTING SHIFTS
The following is a nonpartisan House Research description of this:
DNR RE-OPENINGS
The DNR has updated their web page to describe campground re-openings, licenses and other activities coming out of the shutdown.
OUTDOOR HERITAGE PROPOSALS
The Outdoor Heritage Council FY2013 Call for Funding Request closed on Friday, July 15th. It received 43 proposals totaling over $207 million. All proposals can be viewed here. These proposals will be considered for recommendation to the 2012 legislature.
Shut down ends – Special Session complete
Jul 20, 2011 Budget, Economy, Education, Environment, News, Transportation
Those of you interested in some coverage of the proceedings of the Special Session might find these comments by Rep. Rick Hansen interesting:
It is 3:10 pm and we have convened into special session. 124 members are present. The Majority has moved a recess to the call of the chair. The following bills have been posted as of convening.
We are in recess.
The pension bill has now been posted.
$20 MILLION IN BONDING FOR TRANSIT
Just learned the details: ”
“To the Metropolitan Council or for the Council to grant to Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority, Dakota County, Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, Hennepin County, Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority or Washington County Regional Railroad Authority to perform environmental studies, preliminary engineering, acquire property or an interest in property, design or construct transitway facilities and infrastructure, including roadways, for the following transitway projects: Northstar Ramsey station, Gateway (I-94 East) corridor, Minneapolis Interchange facility, Red Rock corridor Newport park and ride and station, Rush Line corridor, Robert Street corridor, 35W South Bus Rapid Transit and Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit.”
It is 5:30 pm and we have not reconvened. Rumors are there are not the votes in the majority to pass the bill in the Senate.
EXAMPLE OF POLICY IN ENV BILL
Sec. 31. COORDINATION OF MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN PHOSPHORUS
89.8STANDARD; LAKE PEPIN.
89.9The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall coordinate with the
89.10Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in establishing a phosphorus standard for
89.11Lake Pepin and shall advocate implementation of a phosphorus standard that considers
89.12nutrient impacts on algal growth applicable during the June to September growing season
89.13only. If necessary, the commissioner may engage in a conference with the Wisconsin
89.14Department of Natural Resources according to section 103 of the Clean Water Act, United
89.15States Code, title 33, section 1253, to resolve any discrepancies in the states’ respective
89.16standards.
The Environment Finance bill is 132 pages long. There is a lot of policy that was added to it. Here is a link to the bill.
The following are some of the policy provisions that may be of concern:
LAKE PEPIN
Sec. 31. COORDINATION OF MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN PHOSPHORUS
89.8STANDARD; LAKE PEPIN.
89.9The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall coordinate with the
89.10Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in establishing a phosphorus standard for
89.11Lake Pepin and shall advocate implementation of a phosphorus standard that considers
89.12nutrient impacts on algal growth applicable during the June to September growing season
89.13only. If necessary, the commissioner may engage in a conference with the Wisconsin
89.14Department of Natural Resources according to section 103 of the Clean Water Act, United
89.15States Code, title 33, section 1253, to resolve any discrepancies in the states’ respective
89.16standards.
WOLVES
Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.645, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
114.10 Subd. 9. Open season. There shall be no open season for gray wolves for five years
114.11until after the gray wolf is delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
114.12After that time, the commissioner may prescribe open seasons and restrictions for taking
114.13gray wolves but must provide opportunity for public comment.
FEEDLOTS
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116.07, subdivision 7c, is amended to read:
81.28 Subd. 7c. NPDES feedlot permitting requirements. (a) The agency must issue
81.29national pollutant discharge elimination system permits for feedlots with 1,000 animal
81.30units or more and that meet the definition of a “concentrated animal feeding operation” in
81.31Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, section 122.23, only as required by federal law. The
81.32issuance of national pollutant discharge elimination system permits for feedlots must be
81.33based on the following:
82.1(1) a permit for a newly constructed or expanded animal feedlot that is identified as a
82.2priority by the commissioner, using criteria established under paragraph (d) in effect on
82.3January 1, 2010, must be issued as an individual permit;
82.4(2) after January 1, 2001, an existing feedlot that is identified as a priority by the
82.5commissioner, using criteria established under paragraph (e) in effect on January 1, 2010,
82.6must be issued as an individual permit; and
82.7(3) the agency must issue a general national pollutant discharge elimination system
82.8permit, if required, for animal feedlots that are not identified under clause (1) or (2).
82.9(b) Prior to the issuance of a general national pollutant discharge elimination system
82.10permit for a category of animal feedlot facility permittees, the agency must hold at least
82.11one public hearing on the permit issuance.
82.12(c) To the extent practicable, the agency must include a public notice and comment
82.13period for an individual national pollutant discharge elimination system permit concurrent
82.14with any public notice and comment for:
82.15(1) the purpose of environmental review of the same facility under chapter 116D; or
82.16(2) the purpose of obtaining a conditional use permit from a local unit of government
82.17where the local government unit is the responsible governmental unit for purposes of
82.18environmental review under chapter 116D.
82.19(d) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management
82.20Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must
82.21develop criteria for determining whether an individual national pollutant discharge
82.22elimination system permit is required under paragraph (a), clause (1). The criteria must
82.23be based on proximity to waters of the state, facility design, and other site-specific
82.24environmental factors.
82.25(e) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management
82.26Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must
82.27develop criteria for determining whether an individual national pollutant discharge
82.28elimination system permit is required for an existing animal feedlot, under paragraph
82.29(a), clause (2). The criteria must be based on violations and other compliance problems
82.30at the facility.
82.31(f) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management
82.32Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must
82.33develop criteria for determining when an individual national pollutant discharge
82.34elimination system permit is transferred from individual to general permit status.
82.35(g) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (a), until January 1, 2001, the
82.36commissioner may issue an individual national pollutant discharge elimination system
83.1permit for an animal feedlot. After the general permit is issued and the criteria under
83.2paragraphs (d) and (e) are developed, individual permits issued pursuant to this paragraph
83.3that do not fit the criteria for an individual permit under the applicable provisions of
83.4paragraph (d) or (e) must be transferred to general permit status.
83.5(h) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management
83.6Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must
83.7develop criteria for determining which feedlots are required to apply for and obtain a
83.8national pollutant discharge elimination system permit and which feedlots are required
83.9to apply for and obtain a state disposal system permit based upon the actual or potential
83.10to discharge A feedlot owner may choose to apply for a national pollutant discharge
83.11elimination system permit even if the feedlot is not required by federal law to have a
83.12national pollutant discharge elimination system permit.
At 6:34 pm we reconvened. An urgency was declared and we are bringing up the Transportation bill.
HF 2 TRANSPORTATION BILL
It was debated for about 8 minutes. Beard, then Hornstein and Morrow spoke. Passed 71 – 56. I voted no.
HF 4 HIGHER EDUCATION
An urgency declared on voice vote. Rep. Nornes is explaining the bill. Then Morrow rebuts. Passed 71 – 57. I voted no at about 6:56 pm
SF 1 PUBLIC SAFETY JUDICIARY
An urgency declared on voice vote. Rep. Cornish is explaining the bill. Smith follows up on Judiciary portion. Mullery rebuts. Rep. Sheldon Johnson follows. Passed 77 – 51. I voted no.
SF 3 ENVIRONMENT
An urgency declared on voice vote. Rep. McNamara is explaining the bill. Rep. Wagenius follows. I followed describing the bill being 126 pages plus repealers. I encouraged members to pick-up a copy of this bill (and others). The policy starts on pages 66. Sixty pages of policy. Nineteen days of shutdown and 22,000 folks out of work and the last few days have been spent debating policy in this and other bills. The wrong priorities. I encouraged a no vote. Passed 71 – 57. I voted no.
The TAX BILL was just posted on-line at 7:11 PM: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ss2011/11-3671.htm The summary is not available.
SF 2 JOBS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
An urgency declared on a voice vote. Rep. Gunther presents the bill. Rep. Anzelc’s responded. Rep. Clark and Rep. Mary Murphy followed. Passed 76 – 50. I voted no.
Rep. Deans move a recess until 8:45 PM. Rules committee will meet and there will be caucuses.
8:45 pm. We have just been informed via email that session will reconvene at 9:30 pm. Several bills have yet to be posted.
The bonding bill has now been posted: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ss2011/11-3675.htm
Education and Human Services have yet to be posted and they will be hundreds of pages.
9:35 pm. We have reconvened.
HF 20 TAX BILL
An urgency was declared on a voice vote. The bill has been public a little over two hours. I voted no. Rep. Davids is presenting the bill. This bill includes the tobacco securitization for operating funds. Rep. Thissen gave a response highlighting the problems. Rep. Davids and Loon have responded. It looks like there will be extensive debate. Rep. Marquardt is highlighting the debt in this bill and the property tax increases. More debate highlighting that this is the bill that provides the funding for the other bills. Rep. Lenczewski indicates the Speaker wants her to stop debate. She does and we move to the vote. I vote no. Passed 71 – 57.
Rep. Dean indicates we are going to sit and wait because the next bill is not ready. I wonder why then they wanted to end debate on the Tax bill?
10:40 PM We start again.
SF 6 LEGACY
An urgency declared by voice vote. Rep. Urdahl presents the bill. Rep. Wagenius responds and I also speak against the bill. The reasons are supplanting in the Clean Water fund and accountability in Outdoor Heritage. Passed 98 – 30.
Rep. Mack introduces her husband and new baby.
Rep. Holberg indicated we will wait another 5-10 minutes until the next bill is ready.
11: 25 pm. Rep. Dean moves to meet past midnight. Passed on voice vote.
HF 23 CAPITAL INVESTMENT
An urgency is declared by voice vote. Rep. Howes presents the bill. I have requested to be added to the bill as a co-author. Rep. Howes agreed for me to be a co-author. Rep. Hausman rose to speak in favor of the bill. I vote yes. Passed 112 – 17.
HF 14 PENSION BILL
An urgency is declared by a voice vote. Rep. Lanning presents the bill.
Attached is a summary of the pension bill. Rep. Morrow followed. I vote yes. Passed 115 -12.
We are now waiting again.
The Human Services bill has been pulled off the web site because of an error. It is no longer posted.
12:25 pm. HF 25 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
An urgency is declared by a voice vote. Rep. Abeler presents the bill. It is now posted again. The summary is attached. It is 1:00 AM. Passed 71 – 57. I voted no.
The two remaining bills; State Government Finance and E-12 Education have not yet even been posted for the public to see.
1:20 AM E – 12 is now posted.
Here is a patch story on the Special session.
2:06 AM State Govt Finance posted
2:22 AM HF 26 E – 12 EDUCATION
An urgency is declared on a voice vote. Rep. Garafalo presents the bill. Rep. Greiling responds. Only one other state in our country that uses the school shift model…California…however, we are borrowing more than California from our schools. It took 15 years to pay off the 1987 shift of 80/20. This bill has a 60/40 shift. Rep. Greiling and Rep. Erickson also spoke as did others.
2:46 AM I vote no. Passed 71 – 56.
3:05 AM It appears the last bill has just come over from the Senate … SF 12 STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE. An urgency is declared on a voice vote. Rep. Lanning rises to thank staff for their work and present the bill. Rep. Kahn supports the bill. Other speakers urge a no vote…any funds that have lessened the cuts are coming from the tobacco securitization and the school borrowing. I voted no. Passed 81 -47.
3:23 AM we have to wait until the Senate is done before adjourning.
3:37 AM we are moving to inform the Senate and the Governor that we are about to adjourn the special session. Approved.
Motion to provide for corrections by the Clerk.
Majority Dean moves to adjourn the Special Session sine die at 3:38 AM
State Representative Rick Hansen
247 State Office Building
(651) 296-6828
On the Senate side there was an interesting debate about the tax bill, which on a 37 to 27 vote,
the Senate passed. HF 20, the omnibus tax bill includes the sale of $700 million dollars worth of bonds from expected tobacco settlement revenue. Sen. Bakk’s speech starting at 29:20 about the huge flaws with tobacco bonds and how the GOP budget is creating a $4 billion deficit two years from now.
Here is the link: Senate media
Economy Talk 11 with Rep. Rick Hansen
Jun 22, 2011 Budget, Economy, Environment, Jobs, Middle Class Amendment, News, Working families
This Wednesday, June 22nd I interview Rep. Rick Hansen of South St. Paul. Rick is in his 4th term and serves on the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance,
Capital Investment, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance committees. Rick also served as an important member of the committee that over saw the Legacy funds. I will be talking with him about what happened to the bill governing the Legacy Fund, the final days of the session and what to expect as we had toward what looks like a government shut down. Join us at 6pm at KYMN radio at 1080AM on the radio dial or listen via the internet by connecting here. If you miss it in a day or two the program will be archived and you can listen to it later on the KYMN webpage.
Afternoon in Rushford
Mar 12, 2011 Budget, Economy, Education, Environment, Event, Health Care, News
Last Saturday I took a trek down to Rushford Minnesota to join other DFLers in a discussion of Gov. Dayton’s proposal to ‘tax the rich.’ Former State Rep. (31B) Ken Tschumper had organized the event and invited 
several other local folks to join him. Here is the agenda:
Everything about Budget Projections
Ken Tschumper; former State Representative, 31B
Cuts in Programs for Low Income People.
Beth Stanford; Director, Headstart at Semcac
If You Can’t Exploit People, Exploit the Environment,
David Williams; Chairman, Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Leaving Victims of Domestic Abuse Down and Out.
Robin Yaffe Tschumper; Executive Director, Bluff Country Family Resources
Income and Wealth Inequality.
Dennis Dekeyrel; Retired Software Developer
Cut the Schools, Teachers and other Public Employees.
Mike Gjere; Educator, Norway Township
Doing Without Fire and Police Protection.
Deb White; City Council, Winona
The Wisconsin Epic-Public Employees under Attack
Joe Mayer; Social Justice Activist, Rochester
The Inside View, Governor Dayton and the Republican Majority
Rep Tina Liebling: Rochester
I talked briefly about my work with the Middle Class amendment and my impressions of what’s been happening in Wisconsin. It was a very comprehensive presentation of what our Progressive tradition in Minnesota has been about. It covered a range of issues from protecting the environment from exploitation (which is really about exploiting people as David Williams said), to destroying our social safety net and undercutting public employees and teachers to make sure that those who already have tremendous advantage continue to have the benefits of society flow up to them.
One presenter illustrated the difference between the super rich and the well off by stretching a string 23 feet across the room to show Joe Mauer’s annual salary to the one inch that represented someone making $100,000 and then halved that to half an inch to show the $50,000 many public workers make. This is what Republican governors across the country are doing giving those at the very top a break at the expense of those who make a living wage.
Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Activity Licenses Information
Feb 3, 2010 Environment, News
Information about obtaining licenses & vehicle registrations for hunting, fishing, skiing & other outdoor activities & vehicle registrations is available at the DNR’s website. Information on trends of license sales in recent years can be found near the bottom of the menu on the left.
Candlelight Events in State Parks
Feb 3, 2010 Environment, Event, News
From Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources:
If candlelight events are not already an annual tradition for you, let this be the season where you get out and experience winter adventure in a whole new light. Short, easy trails will be lit with lanterns or luminaries, and you can drop in any time during the events to go whatever distance is comfortable for you. Then warm up with refreshments by a crackling fire.
A list of dates, times and places, as well as a link to snow conditions, can be found in the Winter Activities section of the DNR website.
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund RFP
Jan 25, 2010 Environment, News
Projects are being sought in specific environment and natural resource areas that provide multiple ecological and other public benefits. Proposals responding to the 2011-2012 RFP are due Friday, April 9, 2010.
Funding priorities categories are:
The RFP is being administered by the Legislative Citizen Commission of Minnesota Resources which is made up of 17 members (5 Senators, 5 Representatives, 5 citizens appointed by the governor, and 2 citizens appointed by the Senate and the House). The function of the LCCMR is to make funding recommendations to the Minnesota State Legislature for special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The LCCMR developed from a program initiated in 1963. Since then over $650 million has been appropriated to more than 1,300 projects recommended to protect and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
CALL FOR WORK GROUP PARTICIPANTS ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR CRITICAL AREA
Dec 18, 2009 Environment, News
As part of the process for establishing rules for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, the Department of Natural Resources is seeking interested parties to participate in work groups to provide input on rulemaking for the MRCCA. The DNR is currently considering convening 1 to 4 work groups that will each meet 3 or 4 times from March 2010 – September 2010. Individuals and organizations interested in participating in a work group (or groups) must complete a statement of interest/self nomination form to be considered.
The 2009 Minnesota Legislature directed the DNR to establish rules for the MRCCA. The DNR is required to establish, by rule, districts within the MRCCA including:
determine the appropriate number of districts within each municipality, taking into account municipal plans and policies, and existing ordinances and conditions, and consider protection of key, identified resources and features.
and
establish, by rule, minimum guidelines and standards for the districts, which shall include:
– the intent of each district and
- key resources and features to be protected or enhanced.
and must take into account:
– municipal plans and policies, and
- existing ordinances and conditions,
and
establish a map to define bluffs and bluff-related features within the Mississippi River corridor critical area and develop guidelines and standards to protect or enhance (specified) key resources and features.
Geocachers can find gift cards in State Parks
Nov 30, 2009 Environment, News
Starting November 24th and continuing through the holiday season, gift cards loaded with amounts ranging from $10 to $50 will randomly appear in the “Critter Caches” at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas statewide. Critter Caches are camouflaged containers hidden in every Minnesota state park and recreation area as part of the Geocaching Wildlife Safari. To find one of the caches, visitors can bring their own GPS unit to a Minnesota state park or visit one of the 25 GPS demo parks and borrow a GPS unit for free. Coordinates (along with a few hints on where to find the caches) are posted at the parks and online at mnstateparks.info.
Combining technology with treasure hunting in Minnesota state parks has proven to be a very successful way to connect people of all ages with the great outdoors. Commissioner Mark Holsten unveiled the new Minnesota state parks gift card saying “We think the possibility of finding a gift card valued at up to $50 will provide extra incentive for people to visit Minnesota state parks…” Folks can give Minnesota state parks gift cards to their children or grandchildren with a promise to take them fishing or canoeing or snowshoeing. The memories of spending time together will last a lifetime, and the experience will help introduce the next generation to the fun of outdoor recreation.
