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Archive of Minnesota on Tuesday May 13, 2008
Hints of an agreement have Capitol on standby
Action on bills that could change Minnesotans' taxes and alter programs they depend upon came to a halt Monday amid hints of progress in negotiations for a "global agreement" to resolve the major issues of the 2008 legislative session. Read More
Deal eludes Pawlenty, lawmakers
It was a week before they must go home for a year, but with no deal to balance the budget Minnesota legislators Monday debated health-care reform, a constitutional amendment and whether to allow dogs on cafe patios. Read More
Pawlenty signs groundbreaking biofuel bill
Other states will look at Minnesota as a leader in an emerging area of renewable fuels, lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty said as the governor signed a bill mandating more biofuel use. Read More
At The Capitol / Health bill OK'd in House, Senate
Minnesota lawmakers defied a veto threat from Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday in approving a reform measure that would define affordable health care, offer more Minnesotans state-subsidized health care and promote public health. Read More
Property tax cap stalling legislators
End-of-session negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty are still focused on property tax relief. Read More
Minnesota Legislature / Few answers about spendy conference
Minnesota lawmakers hoped to learn more Friday about how and why public money was used for an international game-warden conference last July in St. Paul. Read More
Voters may have say in pay
The House of Representatives on Monday passed a plan to ask Minnesotans whether an appointed body should set salaries and reimbursement rates for state legislators and constitutional officers. Read More
As school districts look to save, athletic programs lose out
Even when it's not basketball season, Brock Tesdahl likes to shoot baskets in the gym at Crosby-Ironton High School. The sophomore was part of the Rangers team that finished second in Class 2A at the boys' state tournament in March, and he's already thinking about next season. But his junior year might be the last chance he gets to play high school basketball. Read More
U of M light rail tunnel could be back on the table
Minnesota Rep. Jim Oberstar said recently passed federal legislation could resurrect debate over an underground light-rail tunnel through the University of Minnesota. Read More
Protecting Michigan's water wonderland
State lawmakers are carefully maneuvering Michigan toward joining a historic international compact reserving Great Lakes water for the states and Canadian provinces around them. Read More
House passes bill with rules on surrogate-mom contracts
The House passed a bill Monday that would set legal guidelines for surrogate-mother agreements after opponents were unable to tighten rules under which a woman could agree to bear a child for someone else. Read More
Young workers flee midwestern states
Upper Midwestern states are in danger of losing a precious economic commodity: young people. Many are leaving for other parts of the country after finishing school. Read More
Will states fix 2012 primary process?
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Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
States, locals swamp immigration program
Sudden demand by state and local police to join the federal 287(g) initiative, which lets local police start deportation proceedings for suspects and criminals who are illegal immigrants, is overwhelming the federal government. That means long waits and alternative programs offered to police departments that want to join. Read More
In school sports, who makes the call?
A shot at the buzzer of a high school championship game — was it in time or not? — led the South Carolina Legislature to consider a bill to require referees to watch video replays. It was hardly the first example of armchair quarterbacking by lawmakers.
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in. Read More
Neutral govs to remain on sidelines
 In the homestretch of an unprecedented presidential primary season, spinning with competing sound-bites and endless rhetoric, voters still heading to the polls in four states can’t look to their governors for any pre-election advice. These governors plan to wait until after their states vote to make their own endorsements.
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Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
(Updated 9:30 a.m EST, May 8, 2008) When an elderly person with dementia is lost, eight states can trigger an alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More
At-risk gubernatorial seats increase
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More |
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