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April 9, 2010
2010 LEGISLATIVE WEEK 9 IN REVIEW
Dear Friends:
I hope that you had a nice spring break and a wonderful Easter celebration!
We have returned for the final month and a half of session– possibly less if a few factors work out for the best, financially. The week was relatively quiet again as we prepare for the final budget showdown.
Here is an update of the legislative action at the Capitol this week.
JOBS BILL - A CLOSER LOOK
Prior to the break, we passed bipartisan legislation that has been loudly hailed as a significant jobs bill. The measure is a good first step and is the way the state must go to actually begin to stimulate real business development.
The “angel investment” tax credit allows an individual to invest in a small business of fewer than 25 people operating less than 10 years in Minnesota. To qualify, the individual or group must make direct investments of at least $10,000 or $30,000 respectively, and credits can be revoked if an investor or fund does not meet the three-year holding period. The idea is to encourage investment in Minnesota small businesses by Minnesota investors. By not taxing these investments, small businesses will grow in Minnesota and sorely needed jobs will be created.
By and large, pro-business leaders acknowledge that this is a baby step in the right direction. To truly stimulate business in the state, even greater changes will need to occur to make Minnesota more attractive for businesses to come to this state and provide job growth.
UPDATE ON HEALTH CARE REQUEST
Two weeks ago, a letter I signed along with all Republican legislators was delivered to the office of state Attorney General Lori Swanson requesting legal action against H.R. 3590. We wanted her to review the constitutionality of the new federal health care bill. I believe the federal mandate that forces U.S. residents to buy health insurance is unconstitutional. Some people did email me back last week citing that the state mandates auto insurance, so they should be able to mandate health care insurance. They are correct that the state does mandate that coverage but it’s at the state level and one doesn’t have to own a car.
We have never had a mandate from the federal government that would require you to buy anything. Washington D.C. should not have this much power, and I believe it should be checked. One has to ask, if this is allowed what will you be required to purchase next? Would you be required to buy a certain make and type of a car, types of food, and upgrades on your house? Where would the power of the federal government end? It truly is a dangerous precedent.
Disappointingly, Attorney General Swanson has announced that she refuses to join in on the lawsuit filed by several other states and will instead file a “friend of the court" brief supporting the Obama administration and congressional Democrats. Gov. Pawlenty has announced that he will file papers opposing it, joining several other governors who have split with their attorney general.
Thanks for taking the time to read my update, and please feel free to contact me with your questions and comments.
Sincerely,
Bill
State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen encourages and appreciates constituent input, and can be reached at 651-297-8063, by mail at 123 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email at sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn.
NEWS FROM
STATE SENATOR BILL INGEBRIGTSEN
SERVING THE COUNTIES OF TODD, DOUGLAS, GRANT, AND STEVENS
APRIL 16, 2010
2010 LEGISLATIVE WEEK 10 IN REVIEW
Dear Friends:
Much of the work at the Legislature seems to be slowing down while the
majority in control waits to see if federal money will be coming into
the state to help fill the budget shortfall. Despite the slowdown, some
important or at least interesting activity did occur this week.
Here is an update of the legislative action at the Capitol this week.
“RACE TO THE TOP”
The federal Race to the Top program continues to be on the front burner
this week. Governor Pawlenty met on Wednesday with legislative leaders
to discuss efforts to pass his teacher evaluation and student
achievement reforms. The administration hopes to pass the reforms in an
attempt to qualify for Race to the Top money. There is strong opposition
from the teachers union is due to the provisions of teacher evaluation
(tenure) and alternative pathways to licensure. At stake is between
$60-125 million over four years for the state.
I am hesitant to sign on to legislation that changes our schools with
one time money and has no long-term funding source. Minnesota
shouldn’t be so quick to give up control of our schools to the
federal government for short term relief.
VIKINGS STADIUM
As the Minnesota Twins enjoy opening week in a brand-new open air
stadium, the Vikings have renewed their push for a replacement for the
Metrodome. The organization has stated that they will not continue to
play in the Metrodome past 2011 without a deal on a new stadium.
Currently, lawmakers are hearing at least a dozen of funding ideas,
from “Racino” - slot machine gambling at Canterbury racetrack, to
special license plates, to extended hospitality sales taxes in
Minneapolis. The Mayor of Minneapolis has floated the idea that if
Minneapolis pays for the new stadium with increased taxes then the team
should be renamed the Minneapolis Vikings. However, Gov. Pawlenty said
this week that the issue is low priority after the budget and the Race
to the Top reforms, but he would entertain “creative alternatives”
that do not involve statewide tax increases.
DWI PENALTIES
A measure that strengthens DWI enforcement is enjoying bipartisan
support and working its way through both houses of the Legislature. The
bill allows DWI offenders the option of installing and using
breath-activated ignition devices to start their cars rather than losing
their driving privileges. I am a co-author of this legislation and the
bill could be voted on as soon as next week.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND FUNDING
Two important bills having to do with the environment and environmental
funding passed the Legislature this week.
The first bill contained recommendations of the Legislative Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) for projects to be funded with
constitutionally dedicated lottery money. The bill did pass with the
recommendations of the commission intact.
A second bill repealed language that the House had inserted in the 11th
hour of session last year regarding funds of the outdoor heritage
portion of the sales tax revenue generated by the new constitutional
amendment. Their language changed the constitutional wording of
“protect, enhance, and restore fish, game, and wildlife habitat”
to the broader concept of “ecosystems,” which has been highly
objectionable to the sportsmen who were the driving force behind the
amendment.
By using the term “ecosystems,” many unrelated and wasteful studies
could be funded with this money. Sportsmen want the work of the
Lessard-Sams Council to stand. They are concerned that the funds will
be raided for a broader range of projects that legislators may prefer.
Citizen intent is being defended. I am co-author of this bill and will
continue to work to get these definitions repealed.
Thanks for taking the time to read my update, and please feel free to
contact me with your questions and comments.
Sincerely,
Bill
State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen encourages and appreciates constituent
input, and can be reached at 651-297-8063, by mail at 123 State Office
Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155,
or via email at sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn.
Bill Ingebrigtsen
State Senator
District 11
Office Phone Number
651-297-8063
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