Legislature begins session with general business
Published Thursday, January 4, 2007
A newcomer and a veteran from opposing parties started the legislative session Wednesday with the same goal — to serve the people of their district.
Dist. 10A Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) beginning his 11th year in the House, and freshman senator, Dist. 10 Sen. Dan Skogen, DFL-Hewitt, took the oath of office, then settled down to business.
Overall, the day consisted of swearing in new members, electing leaders and setting ground rules for the session, slated to end in late May. The two-year state budget is the main task facing legislators.
Legislative issues at a glance
• A property tax relief act was the first bill introduced at the beginning of the legislative session to address double-digit property tax increases.
• Universal health care coverage. The Senate will attempts to bring fiscal sense to Minnesota’s health care system by removing barriers to coverage.
• Transportation legislation designed to upgrade roads to meet demands.
• Securing greater energy independence.
• Expanding early childhood education.
• Dedicating funding for the outdoors, the arts and humanities.
For more on these issues and others which may be addressed by lawmakers, See Saturday’s Lifestyles.
“This is going to be the long session, when all budgets for the next two years will be decided,” Nornes said. “I hope we can do a good job and leave the state in good financial condition.”
“Time goes very quickly here,” Skogen, who defeated Cal Larson in November, said. “I thought I was going to take some time to finish putting my office together, but when the senators and lobbyists come in and want part of your time, it gets away from you. Organizational skills are going to be key here.”
House committees have increased from 24 to 37, Nornes said. While additional groups bring more clarity of mission — for example, a bill for one thing won’t end up included in something totally unrelated — there are also additional costs associated with forming a new committee, such as administrative staff, Nornes said.
Committees Nornes will serve on this session include higher education; early childhood through grade 12 education policy (E12) committee; early childhood finance committee; energy finance; and heritage finance committee. The House will reconvene Monday
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