“These laws further modernize our elections by make voting more convenient for eligible voters, and reducing costs and workload for election officials,” says Ritchie. “I thank our legislators and their bipartisan support. More work remains, however, to ensure Minnesotans have access to the ballot box and that our elections are run as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. ”

The laws, which will become effective Aug. 1, 2013, address several issues impacting voters and election administration:

• No Excuse Absentee Balloting — The law will allow Minnesota voters to cast absentee ballots without having to provide an excuse; current law requires voters to provide an excuse, including being ill or out of their precinct on Election Day, when casting absentee ballots.  Minnesota will join 28 other states in offering no-excuse absentee voting to voters.

• Expanded Mail Balloting — The law will allow all townships outside of the metro area to use this cost-saving approach which will provide for registered voters in these areas to receive their ballots directly in the mail.

• Lowering Taxpayers Costs of Recounts — The law lowers the threshold for triggering a taxpayer-paid recount and will save tax dollars by reducing the number of recounts when the vote margin is too wide to change the election results. The law also will require candidates to request a recount in writing if they want the public to pay the expense of a recount.

• Establishing a Pilot Project for Electronic Poll Books — The law will allow select jurisdictions to pilot poll books in the 2013 elections. The use of technology in the polling place will facilitate the voting process for voters and relieve some of the burden on election judges.

“These are smart laws in effect in many other states,” says Ritchie. “I encourage legislators and voters to push for more common-sense ways, including early voting, to make our election process more efficient while ensuring its integrity.”

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Give the 2013 Minnesota Legislature considerable credit. It expanded long-needed opportunities for many young people and families. But several things deserve additional attention in 2014.

Why did the legislature allocate almost three times as much money for all- day kindergarten, as it did for three – four-year-old low-income-family scholarships for early childhood education?    According to “Session Weekly,” produced by the Minnesota House, all-day kindergarten received $134 million.   Scholarships for three- and four-year-olds to attend strong early childhood education programs received $46 million.  Head Start also received about $40 million.   But even if you add the scholarship and Head Start money together, all-day kindergarten received almost $50 million more.

Joe Nathan

Considerable research shows the value of working with young children and low-income families, especially if that effort continues through third grade.

All-day kindergarten is not a bad idea.  But couldn’t wealthy parents help pay for all day kindergarten if they want it?

Budgets are in part a statement of priorities.  Minnesotans often say we want to close or dramatically reduce major achievement and high school graduation gaps. Given this priority,  early childhood  programs for students from low-income and limited English speaking students should be a higher priority.

Why did the Minnesota Senate wait until the last few days to begin discussing a bill designed to reduce bullying, and then ultimately not pass it?  Anyone who’s been bullied (as I have), or had a youngster who was victimized, understands this can have very bad impacts, short and long term.   It’s a problem in many communities, rich and poor.

How is Minnesota going to measure student progress beyond standardized tests and high school graduation rates?  Are students learning to set goals and work toward them?  Are students learning to work with others in a group?  Are students learning to make a presentation to others?  A group of alternative and charter public school educators made recommendations about how to assess some of these skills.  Some refer to them as soft skills.  But growing evidence says these are vital skills for success in life.  The Legislature did not do much with these recommendations.   I hope these suggestions are refined, and that the 2014 Legislature works with educators and families to broaden our assessment programs.

Why not allow undocumented students to earn a driver’s license?  The Legislature wisely will allow young people who have lived in Minnesota for several years, but are not citizens, the opportunity to pay in-state college tuition.  But in many cases, students need to drive to colleges and to work.

Why not more funding to help fulfill state mandates about serving students with special needs?  A survey I did earlier this year of more than 40 superintendents and charter school directors identified this as their top priority.

This year’s Legislature did many fine things.  But there’s much more we can do to help students achieve their potential.

Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change.  Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org.

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Restrictions were lifted at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 21.

The following counties have been removed from burning restrictions: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Isanti, Itasca, Hennepin, Hubbard, Kanabec, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Washington and Wright. Restrictions are also lifted in southern St. Louis and southern Beltrami counties.

Restrictions are lifted in Beltrami County south of Highway 1. In St. Louis County, restrictions are off for that portion south of a line running from Silica on the west to Central Lakes and Brimson on the east. The exact line is a township line between 55 and 56 north and includes all of township 56.

Although the state burning restrictions are lifted in these counties, local areas, counties or municipalities may have specific regulations or restrictions that affect burning operations. Check with local authorities to obtain proper permits before burning.

Restrictions remain in Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Roseau, north St. Louis and north Beltrami counties. It is anticipated these will be lifted soon.

Because fire danger can change quickly, DNR foresters can turn off burning permits in individual counties whenever conditions warrant. This could occur if there is a dry, windy day when fires could start easily and burn quickly.  Check the fire restrictions page on the DNR website at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html for information on daily changes to burn permits.
The DNR advises to keep burn piles small, have a water supply nearby, and stay with the fire until it is completely out. If the fire escapes, homeowner is responsible for the damage and suppression costs.

Burning permits are available through state and federal forestry offices, from local fire wardens, or online by paying a $5 fee per year. Online permits need to be activated on the day of the burn. See http://webapps1.dnr.state.mn.us/burning_permits/.

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The Secretary of State’s Office published the openings this week following legislative changes in Council districts. The Legislature is required to modify districts in the third year following the decennial Census. Current Council members may seek reappointment.

Anyone interested in applying must complete an Open Appointments Application Form, which can be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website.

Interested applicants may also call the Secretary of State’s office for a form at 651.556.0643. Applicants are asked to attach a current resume along with any letters of recommendation.

By law, applicants must be a resident of the Council district in which they are seeking appointment and knowledgeable about urban and metropolitan affairs. Applications must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office by 4:30 p.m. on June 10 to be considered.

The Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee will review applications and invite qualified applicants to an interview at a public meeting in late June. Following the public meeting, the Nominating Committee will recommend candidates to the Governor, who ultimately makes appointments to the Council. Appointments are expected in early July.

Questions about the appointment process should be directed to the Council’s Government Affairs Director Judd Schetnan at Judd.Schetnan@metc.state.mn.us or 651.602.1142.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Council runs the regional bus and light-rail system and Northstar commuter rail, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks, and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate income families.

The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

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“For boaters and swimmers, our current water temperatures can prove dangerous, or even deadly, if they don’t consider the effect cold water has on their body,” said Capt. Greg Salo, DNR Region 3 enforcement manager. “Water temperature below 70 degrees is considered cold.”

Water temperatures on Lake Minnetonka and the St. Croix River are currently in the 60s, even though air temperatures this week have been in the 70s.

Falling into frigid water can cause an immediate gasp for air and the shock of the icy water can also cause cardiac arrest, even for people in good health. Cold water robs the body of heat 25 times faster than air of the same temperature, Salo added.

So far this year, there have been no boating fatalities in Minnesota, compared to four deaths for the same period last year. “This is the first time since 2004 Minnesotans are going into Memorial Day weekend without a boating fatality,” Salo said. Fifteen people died in boating accidents in 2012.

The DNR offers tips for safe and responsible boating including:

• State law requires a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board all watercraft.

• All children under 10-years-old are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while a boat is underway.

• Alcohol and boating don’t mix.

• If a watercraft becomes swamped or capsized, try to reboard or stay with the craft.

• Take a boater course and receive a boat education certificate.

For information on taking a boating course and other boating safety information visit, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater.

Also boaters are encouraged to visit boat and water safety’s new Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MnDNRBoatandWaterSafety.

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Weary lawmakers quit the State Capitol shortly after midnight on Monday (May 20) after setting a two-year, $38 billion state budget.

“I think it worked extraordinarily well for Minnesota,” Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton said of DFL control of state government.

Final pieces of the five-month session slipped into place in the waning hours with lawmakers passing a tax-the-rich style $2 billion tax increase bill and a $177 million bonding bill that slates $109 million to State Capitol restoration.

“I think it was propitious,” Rep. Jerry Newton, DFL-Coon Rapids, said of the water that seeped into the State Capitol tunnel over the stormy weekend.

Hours earlier an $800 million bonding bill had crashed on the House floor, and Newton believes the seeping water served as a damp reminder of unfinished work on the Capitol building.

Dayton would have liked to have seen the House bonding bill signed into law.

“I don’t get all I want. Nobody does,” he said sagely.

The 2013 session was touched by history, and made it.

The Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre had lawmakers examining gun control. But many Greater Minnesota Democrats, as well as Republicans, were wary of universal background checks, closing perceived gun-show loopholes, and legislative leaders scuttled the initiative late in the session .

But history took place at the State Capitol over a series of days in May that saw House and Senate, in some of the most powerful, emotional, and controversial debate in years, pass legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

“I think the enormity of this (marriage) bill cannot be overstated,” Dayton said at the time.

Five Republicans, including Sen. Branden Petersen of Andover and Representatives Pat Garofalo of Farmington and  Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie,  joined Democrats in making Minnesota the 12th state, effective Aug. 1, in which same-sex couples can legally marry.

Six thousand people witnessed Dayton sign the marriage legislation into law on a sunny, hot afternoon outside the State Capitol.

“How will Minnesota react to this? — I don’t know,” House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said.

“It is what it is,” he said of the divisive issue.

“Frankly, we’re more concerned about what is going to happen to Minnesota’s economy,” Daudt said.

But it wasn’t the marriage bill but legislation regarding possible child care and personal care attendant unionization that monopolized House and Senate floor debate.

Senate Republicans debated the bill 17 hours, while House Republicans, mindful of their Senate colleagues robust efforts, armed themselves with about 120 amendments and sporadically debated the legislation over several days.

Passage of the emotionally-charged bill had a few House Republicans shouting insults at House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, as cheers erupted from union activists in the House gallery.

Democrats are even-toned.

“All I did was vote to allow them (child care providers and personal care attendants) to hold a vote,” Rep. John Benson, DFL-Minnetonka, said. “And if the opposition is as strong as they (opponents) say it is, they’ll never have a union,” he said.

One issue of great importance to business, a proposed minimum wage increase, was set aside by legislative leaders.

House Democrats proposed increasing the state minimum wage about $2 higher than Senate Democrats did.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, expects lawmakers to take up the minimum wage next session.

He spoke of simply running out time this session.

Thissen called the delay a “shame.”

Another issue scheduled to resurface when lawmakers return to the State Capitol on Feb. 25 — at least in the mind of Bakk — is the sales-tax expansion contained in the tax bill.

“Sales-tax reform is really hard,” Bakk said, appearing with Dayton, Thissen, and other legislative at the State Capitol on Tuesday (May 21) morning.

Lawmakers will continue to explore the provision extending the state sales tax to warehousing, Bakk said. They’ll learn more about the extension, which does not go into effect until April, 2014, over upcoming months, he said.

The tax bill contains “glitches,” Bakk said. Specifically, he pointed to the expansion of the state sales tax to maintenance work on farm machinery.

“We got one little clinker in there,” he said.

But Democratic leaders, rather than shying away from the tax bill, embrace it.

Dayton called the $1 billion tax increase on the wealthy, upper two percent of tax filers a “progressive tax increase.” He heralded the $2 billion in tax increases as bolstering education, providing property tax relief and providing other boosts to the middle class.

“It’s what government should be doing,” Dayton said.

But Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, lead Republican on the House Tax Committee, appraised things differently.

“This session was a disaster for the taxpayers of Minnesota,” he said.

Davids styled the new fourth-tier income tax rate as “punishing success.”

Even smokers got hit with new taxes, Davids said.

But Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan, looks at the $485 million in new spending in E-12 education and $250 million in higher education as meeting needs.

“I think we exceeded expectations in investments in education. In my area, that’s (education funding) really, really important,” she said.

One initiative Democrats look to developing over upcoming months is transportation.

Dayton and other Democrats speak of fostering public dialogue over the future of transportation, and making clear the benefits the public can expect if agreeable to transportation tax increases.

Transportation-funding advocates express frustration.

“Without new funding from the Legislature, hundreds of miles of critical road, bridge and transit projects will not be built, upgraded, or expanded,” said Mike Sheehan, co-chair of Progress in Motion, in a press release.

In general, Democrats and Republicans treated each other congenially this past session.

“It’s tough to be in the minority,” Daudt said.

“All in all, I think we ended here on a respectful note. And I think that’s important,” he said.

As Daudt stood on the House floor after close of session, Democrats walked by and shook hands.

Tim Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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In Minnesota alone, the Army National Guard currently has 158 cases pending for an average of 398 days. Kline’s legislation would bring more transparency and action to the backlog of pending cases in the system and help prioritize this issue for the Pentagon.

“No military hero should be forced to wait more than a year to receive the benefits they earned,” said Kline, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps whose son has served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Our sons and daughters in uniform who suffer injuries while they are defending our nation should be able to count on a medical evaluation process that is efficient and timely. My bipartisan legislation would ensure the Pentagon re-examines its entire evaluation system to see where they can do better for our troops and their families.”

When a service member is injured and unable to continue their military duties, they are referred to the medical evaluation process for a determination of benefits and discharge from their service to their injury.

Unfortunately, this requires many steps resulting in a backlog in final determination that impacts our military readiness and remains a concern for our veterans. In a letter responding to Kline on the issue, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said about the backlog in the medical evaluation system: “I agree that the length of time for a soldier’s case to be adjudicated is intolerable.”

To right this wrong, Kline introduced the “Service member Medical Evaluations Review Act,” legislation to bring more transparency and action to the backlog of pending cases in the system and help prioritize this issue for the Pentagon. The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive review of the case backlog and take action on:

• Number of pending cases that exist, listed by military department. This would force the services to take a close look at each individual case and bring attention to cases that have been outstanding.
• Concrete solutions from the Secretary to resolve the case backlog and the date for which the backlog will be resolved. This would provide real answers to those in the system or those prepared to enter the system on when they can expect to be through the process – forcing a thorough review.
• Steps the Secretary is taking to move to an electronic system that increases in-transit visibility, allowing members of the military and their units to know where they stand in the Medical Evaluation Board process.

In his sixth term in Congress, Congressman Kline serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He also serves as the chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

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In a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, the senators urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to take steps to combat gasoline price increases, specifically, preventing the simultaneous maintenance shutdowns of several regional refineries.

Recent record price spikes in Minnesota, have been attributed to routine refinery shutdowns, forcing drivers to pay more just ahead of the summer driving season.

“Minnesotans are very frustrated by the sudden spike in gas prices and they want to know why it’s happening,” said Sen. Franken. “With prices well over $4 per gallon in Minnesota, this is taking a toll on families and businesses across the state.  I am pushing the Department of Energy to prevent future skyrocketing gas prices and to provide better information to alleviate future pain at the pump.”

Sen. Franken, chair of the Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Energy, together with Committee Chairman Wyden wrote a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Moniz, urging him to renew DOE’s obligation to report on the impact of planned refinery shutdowns, which is required under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. DOE stopped publishing the reports and collecting data from refineries in 2011. The reports, produced by DOE’s Energy Information Administration, were intended to help oil companies avoid shutting down multiple refineries in the same region of the country at the same time.

Read Sens. Franken and Wyden’s letter to Secretary Moniz here.

May 20, 2013
Dear Secretary Moniz:

We write to express our concerns over the recent spikes in gasoline prices, most recently in the Midwestern region of the country, and earlier this year on the West Coast. These increases have been attributed by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and other analysts to the impact of planned refinery outages in these regions and are causing motorists in these regions to pay some of the highest gas prices in the nation. We are writing to urge you to take action to remedy this situation by restoring EIA’s program to track planned refinery outages.

As you know, Congress anticipated this very situation in 2007, and took steps to prevent it.  Section 804 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140) authorized the EIA to collect data and to report on the market impact of planned refinery outages.  The intended purpose of this reporting was to help avoid shutting down multiple refining facilities in the same region at the same time which EIA has itself considered a primary cause of the recent spikes in gas prices. Unfortunately, the EIA suspended its analysis and reporting on the market impacts of planned refinery outages in 2011, citing a reduction in funding.

Given the importance of this situation to motorists, we urge that you carry out the intent of Congress by re-starting the EIA analysis and reporting of planned refinery outages. In addition, we also request that you provide our offices with your recommendations on additional steps that could be taken by Congress to improve EIA’s monitoring of refinery outages and prevent this situation from recurring in the future.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

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The Senate took its vote shortly before the Legislature adjourned until next year.

The tax bill closes the $627 million state budget deficit, fuels education funding and provides tax relief for homeowners and renters.

It creates a fourth-tier income tax rate at 9.85 percent — a change snagging about $1 billion — applicable to joint married filers earning more than $250,000 in taxable income, single-filers with taxable income of more than $150,000.

The income tax increase embraces the top two percent of taxpayers. See more in T.W. Budig’s exclusive At the Capitol story.

House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, and House Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, meet the press shortly after the House adjourned the 2013 legislative session. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

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The Democratic-led Legislature voted to tax the rich and smokers and to close corporate loopholes in raising about $2 billion in new taxes in its omnibus tax bill.

The Senate took its vote shortly before the Legislature adjourned until next year.

The tax bill closes the $627 million state budget deficit, fuels education funding and provides tax relief for homeowners and renters.

It creates a fourth-tier income tax rate at 9.85 percent — a change snagging about $1 billion — applicable to joint married filers earning more than $250,000 in taxable income, single-filers with taxable income of more than $150,000.

The income tax increase embraces the top two percent of taxpayers.

Republicans are not pleased.

“Thank goodness the increase in the candy tax and snack tax went away,” Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, quipped.

“This bill hurts every Minnesotan,” he said.

The tax on a pack of cigarettes is increased by $1.60 per pack under the tax bill.

The increase is about more than raising money, Democrats argue.

House Tax Committee Chairwoman Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, presents her tax bill to the House. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

“I view it as a public health imperative,” House Tax Committee Chairwoman Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, said.

Senate Tax Committee Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, a former smoker, said he had never voted for a cigarette tax increase before.

“This is one of the hardest issues for me,” he said.

But Skoe found the health argument compelling.

All told, changes to tobacco taxes raise $430 million.

In addition to closing perceived corporate loopholes — a closure capturing $400 million — a 10 percent gift tax is imposed.

For the gift tax, a lifetime credit of $100,000 is provided, and a taxpayer can give up to $13,000 a year without counting towards their $1 million exemption.

The tax bill does not include the sweeping sales tax reforms originally proposed by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, but it does expand the sales tax to non-consumer warehousing and storage, repair and maintenance of electronic equipment and commercial and industrial machinery,

The storage of boats, cars, and recreational vehicles not eligible to be deducted as business expenses are exempt from the warehouse sales tax expansion.

Further, the storage of farm products and refrigerated storage are also exempt.

But the expansion of the sales tax to the repair and maintenance of industrial machinery includes farm machinery.

And the warehousing provision, which will go into effect in 2014, applies to some farm storage.

The tax bill contains an Internet “Amazon” online sale tax provision for out-of-state retailers with affiliates in Minnesota selling on their behalf.

That captures $10 million.

In terms of tax relief, the bill exempts cities and counties from paying the sales tax for most purchases, a $172 million savings to local government.

Under the bill, some 300,000 homeowners will see their property tax refunds increase, and another 100,000 additional homeowners will receive a refund, Democrats say.

One provision Republicans focused on during floor debate dealt with the Vikings stadium.

A one-time flush of money into the stadium reserve account is achieved through a cigarette tax on floor stock. To further stabilize the state stadium funding, left shaky by feeble electronic pull-tab revenues, corporate tax-loophole-closur dollars could be channeled towards paying off the stadium.

Some Republicans were flabbergasted.

“Can you smoke in the new stadium?” Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, asked Lenczewski.

“Because smokers are going to be paying for it,” he said. The tax bill contains no alcohol tax increases.

A Mayo Destination Medical Center provision is included in the tax bill.

It anticipates the state investing a maximum of $327 million over 27 years after the clinic, City of Rochester, and Olmstead County make sufficient investments.

A Rochester Democrat choked up on the House floor while thanking Lenczewski for the language.

The tax bill extends Mall of America TIF districts to spur Phase Two mall expansion.

It provides a sales tax exemption for the proposed Baxter Biopharmaceutical facility in Brooklyn Park.

About 54,400 Minnesota resident tax returns, or about 2.1 percent of filers, will fall under the fourth-tier income tax rate.

Senate Tax Committee Chairman Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, talks to a Senate colleague on the Senate floor. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Ninety-eight percent of Minnesota taxpayers will see no income tax increase, according to the governor’s office.

A married couple with a taxable income of $617,000 would pay about $8,400 more in taxes under the fourth tier.

A single filer with a taxable income of $428,000, under the fourth tier, would pay an additional $5,500.

Minnesota’s 9.85 percent tax rate would be fifth highest in the country.

Republicans were critical of the bill not only for what was in it, but what wasn’t.

“What’s unfortunate, we did not make our veterans a priority in the bill,” Rep. Anna Wills, R-Apple Valley, said.

Wills had pursued a veterans-hiring tax credit.

“It’s not necessary, and not needed,” Rep. Joe McDonald, R-Delano, said of the tax increases.

The tax bill passed the House on a party line 71-58 vote; it passed the Senate on a 36-30 vote.

Democratic senators Terri Bonoff of Minnetonka, Melisa Franzen of Edina, and Susan Kent of Woodbury voted with Republicans.

Debate in the Senate also had Republicans standing on the floor condemning the tax bill.

“These taxes are really about envy,” Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, said of the tax-the-rich approach.

“This bill will make us a high-tax island,” Sen. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, said.

Sen. Dan Hall, R-Burnsville, described the Democratic taxing philosophy as predatory.

“If they got a need — let’s tax them!” Hall said.

Sen. Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge, called the tobacco-tax increase as Democrats taking “politically correct” money.

Tim Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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The 68-66 vote brought cheers from union activists in the House gallery and catcalls from Republicans on the floor.

“Let them applaud,” a Republican shouted at House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, as the Thissen gaveled for quiet. “They own the place,” the Republican yelled. See more in T.W. Budig’s At the Capitol story.

Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, emotionally spoke against the unionization legislation. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

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University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler stopped by the corporate offices of ECM Publishers in Coon Rapids last week to say he was delighted with components of the Minnesota Legislature’s biennial budget for the University.

Kaler, meeting with the ECM Editorial Board, applauded last week’s Higher Education Conference Committee actions, which included a recommendation of a tuition freeze over two years.

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler provided some what he
called “high-touch” points when visiting with the ECM Editorial Board
recently. State funding for the University was a major part of the
discussion. Editorial Board member Tom West of the Morrison County
Record is at left. (Photo by Howard Lestrud)

The conference committee’s recommendation was approved by both houses of the Legislature last weekend, just two days prior to adjournment.

Kaler took over the reins of the University
in July of 2011. He said the approval of the higher education funding bill marks the U’s first funding increase in eight years.

The tuition freeze was a high priority, Kaler said. The approved legislation provides the requested $14.2 million annually to freeze tuition for Minnesota resident undergraduates for two years (the 2014-15 biennium). The University’s tuition is currently $13,309 on the Twin Cities campus.

Kaler calls the University of Minnesota a jewel in the State of Minnesota. “We are very pleased the governor and the state have given us this support,” he said.

State legislators also voted to  invest $18 million annually to fund the Minnesota Discover, Research and InnoVation Economy (MnDRIVE) program, which is designed to  advance scientific research in four critical fields.

The four areas identified at the intersection of need are: 1) food; 2) water; 3) robotics and 4) neuromodulation. The last represents a growing area in the medical device industry that addresses brain disorders from Alzheimer’s disease to addiction.

Kaler is especially proud of the investment made for robotics. Minnesota has the highest per capital rate of participation in robotics for high school and pre-high school, Kaler said.

In order to receive 5 percent of its state budget allocation, the University under this new legislation must meet certain performance metrics. Those metrics focus on graduation rates, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degrees, administrative costs and invention disclosures.

Kaler, who received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota, said he is very proud of the school’s standing. He said the U receives 42,000 applicants and enrolls 5,600 of that total. The average ACT by a U applicant is 27.7, he said. The University’s honors college counts 400-plus and these students can go to any university in the nation.

“We are keeping students and their talents in Minnesota,” Kaler said. Sixty-two percent of first year students are from Minnesota, he said.

The University has recently been criticized for its overload in administration and for its efficiency. He said the U’s efficiency is improving in the areas of teaching, research and service.

Kaler commented on the student debt load upon graduation at an average of $27,000. Three-fourths of the University’s graduates will have debt, he said. By freezing tuition, 10 percent of the debt is reduced, Kaler said. He said the University is the lowest four-year net cost institution  at $75,000.

The University’s administrative and professional staff represents the 22nd largest in the nation, Kalersaid. The U recently grew by 9,000 students. A campus was recently opened in Rochester. “I run a $3.5 billion enterprise,” he pointed out.

Kaler said cuts have been made. For example, he said,  the University once had 71 call centers for Information Technology and has trimmed it to 18 and soon to be one.

“Operation costs are funded at the University from efficiencies,” Kaler said. He referred to a steam power plant in the Twin Cities that saves the U $58 million.

University research staffs are often funded by sponsored dollars, Kaler said. “We need our research mission to find facts in an unfiltered and unbiased way,” he said. The control is a peer-to-peer evaluation, he said.

Kaler was asked if online education has had an effect on the University’s education system. “Most of our students were born with a smart phone in their hands,” Kaler said but he believes brick and mortar institutions will be around for some time. “I don’t think we will go out of business,” he said.

The brand of the University is centered on medical first and athletics second, Kaler said. He emphasized the importance of doing well on both fronts. “We need to be more competitive,” he said. The U has an athletic budget of $80 million.

The University is proud of its partnership with the Mayo Clinic and with Fairview, Kaler said. Fairview plans include building a new ambulatory care center.

Howard Lestrud can be reached at howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com

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Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, emotionally spoke against the unionization legislation. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

In a stormy climax, the Democratic-led House passed child care and personal care attendant unionization legislation on Monday, May 20.

The 68-66 vote brought cheers from union activists in the House gallery and catcalls from Republicans on the floor.

“Let them applaud,” a Republican shouted at House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, as the Thissen gaveled for quiet. “They own the place,” the Republican yelled.

The vote could set in motion a process by which union activists, supplied with lists from the state, would collect signatures from child care providers and personal care attendants receiving state subsides. An election, by mail ballot, would take place if at least 30 percent of providers eligible to vote indicated a wish to join a union.

Darleen Henry of Rosemount, a personal care provider since her mother suffered a stroke about two years ago, was outside the House chamber with other activists after the vote.

“I feel like I have someone who’s there for me, someone behind my back,” Henry said of a union. “I know we don’t have a union yet, but I feel it’s at least a possibility now.”

Henry views the union as a means of getting additional training.

Another activist outside the House chamber was Becky Swanson, a Lakeville child care provider. Swanson spoke of filing suit in federal court to stop the vote.

“We’ll fight this for eight years,” Swanson said.

One of the plaintiffs in the successful suit against Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, when the governor attempted to call an unionization election by executive order, Swanson isn’t surprised a unionization effort is taking place in Minnesota.

“Minnesota is union-friendly state,” she said. She has nothing against unions, Swanson said, but child care providers are private businesses.

Debate on the House floor was emotional. Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, said she and her husband have owned rental property and have rented to people receiving government assistance.

“Are we next?” Scott asked of possible unionization. “Are landlords next?”

Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, dismissed the idea the legislation was about bettering the lives of providers and improving the quality of child care.

“It’s money. It’s all about money,” Anderson said of unions collecting dues.

House Deputy Minority Leader Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, appealed to Democrats to take a tough vote and vote “no.”

“Search your heart and your conscious,” said Loon, who recently voted to pass same-sex marriage legislation. “Be courageous,” she urged.

A handful of House Democrats, including Rep. Tim Faust, DFL-Hinckley, voted with Republicans against the bill. But it wasn’t enough.

Rep. Michael Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park, House bill author, said the legislation does not tell parents or providers how to raise children, nor does it form a union. It’s about getting right to vote, Nelson said.

“This bill is about ensuring the basic rights of undervalued workers to choose for themselves if they want to collectively bargain for better wages,” Nelson said in a prepared statement. “These workers, who are predominately women, now have an opportunity to bargain for improvements in their lives and the lives of the children, seniors and people with disabilities they serve,” Nelson said.

The unionization legislation passed the Democratic-led Senate on a 35-32 vote after an epic 17-hour, all-night floor session.

Area Democratic Sens. Terri Bonoff of Minnetonka, Greg Clausen of Apple Valley, Melisa Franzen of Edina and Bev Scalze of Little Canada sided with Republicans in voting against the bill.

Speaking after the House floor session, Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, said bill opponents were carefully monitoring the legislative debate for possible inclusion into a lawsuit.

Mack felt they would have a good case. Mack, who has a young son and is pregnant, spoke on the House floor about her family’s concerns with day care. Her heart breaks, she said, for the mothers receiving Child Care Assistance Program funding, a state subsidy.

Like other Republicans, Mack believes day care providers, in attempting to escape the union, will simply refuse to accept children receiving state subsides.

“They (CCAP mothers) will be rejected time after time after time,” she said.

All told, Minnesota had 351,000 wage and salary workers in unions in 2012 with another 17,000 represented by a union on their main job or covered by an employee association or contract, though not union members themselves, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Union membership is heavily skewed towards the public sector. Nationally about 36 percent of public sector employees belonged to unions, against only about 6.6 percent of workers in the private sector, according to the Bureau.

About 57 percent of Minnesota public sector jobs were unionized in 2012, according to unionstats.com, an Internet data resource providing private and public sector labor union membership and density estimates. Only about 8 percent of Minnesota private sector jobs were unionized, according to the site.

The union legislation now goes to the governor’s desk.

Tim Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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The event falls on Harvey Milk’s birthday and will recognize these individuals for their commitment to equality and public service.

Minnesota State Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, is surrounded by friends recently after the Minnesota House of Representatives approved same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Rep. Clark was the main author of the bill. (Photo by Howard Lestrud, ECM Publishers)

“When President Obama posthumously awarded Harvey Milk the Medal of Freedom in 2009, he praised his leadership and courage in running for office.  Today, we honor Harvey Milk’s legacy in these 10 outstanding public servants, who will surely inspire the next generation of public servants,” said Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President.

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White house to feature groups of Americans – individuals, businesses and organizations – who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

To watch this event live, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/live at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 22nd.  To learn more about the White House Champions of Change program and nominate a Champion, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions.

Karen Clark
Minnesota State Representative
South Minneapolis, MN

Rep. Karen Clark was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1980, making her the longest serving openly gay or lesbian state legislator in the country.

She represents three inner city neighborhoods in South Minneapolis, the lowest income district in the state.  Rep. Clark is an advocate for low income, Indigenous American Indian and community of color constituents, including many new Americans.

A former public health nurse, current college instructor and co-founder of the Women’s Environmental Institute, some of Rep. Clark’s major legislative accomplishments include chief authoring and passing worker and consumer right-to-know toxic exposure laws, affordable housing and homelessness initiatives, youth and dislocated worker job training strategies and numerous  human rights, environmental justice  and anti-discrimination protections.

Recently, Rep. Clark authored and helped pass the 2013 Minnesota Freedom to Marry bill with bipartisan support.

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Two full-time positions available to consult with advertisers on their marketing needs, present the benefits of advertising in the Record, its special sections and on its Web page, as well as other ECM publications and sell advertising space. High school diploma, some college preferred. Sales experience preferred, but not required.

Please submit your resume to Tom West, Regional General Manager, at tom.west@ecm-inc.com to apply.

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Responsible for selling advertising space for publications in print or on the internet for ECM Publishers, Inc. Assist customers in building their business. Emphasis on salable features offered by ECM Publishers, Inc., quotes prices and credit terms and prepares sales orders. Generates new business prospects and revenue streams. Prepares or coordinates with production, sample ad layouts and copy for print or banner ads. Serves as liaison between customers and production team, resolves discrepancies to ensure client satisfaction.

High school diploma with some advanced education preferred. Two years previous sales experience preferred. Online/Website sales experience beneficial. Graphic design/layout experience helpful. High level of organizational and communication skills required. Ability to provide the highest level of customer service in a fast paced environment.

Please submit your resume to Jeremy Bradfield, Advertising Director, at jeremy.bradfield@ecm-inc.com to apply.

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Supplement your income with Durham School Services • Part Time morning and afternoon hours  • No nights or weekends • A competitive wage package  Experienced fully licensed School Bus Drivers can expect higher pay.

CALL TODAY: (952) 736-8004

APPLY IN PERSON: Durham School Services 3100 West Highway 13 Ste 500, Burnsville, MN 55337 

APPLY ONLINE AT:  www.durhamschoolservices.com

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Klobuchar’s amendment would classify “elder abuse” as a crime for which a victim could seek a visa through law enforcement to prevent being forced to remain silent about abuse.

“No one should be forced to remain silent about abuse because of their immigration status,” Klobuchar said. “This amendment will help protect victims of elder abuse and ensure that seniors can seek assistance from authorities.”

Klobuchar has been a leader in helping to protect seniors from abuse and financial exploitation. She is a lead sponsor of the bipartisan Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act, legislation that would crack down on elder abuse by court-appointed guardians by providing support to states to implement programs to increase oversight and accountability of guardians and conservators.

Earlier this year, Klobuchar’s outreach staff  held a “Senior Fraud Prevention Tour,” meeting with officials and organizations in communities across Minnesota to highlight efforts to protect seniors from fraud and financial scams.

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While a new fawn may appear helpless, it’s important not to interfere with the doe’s natural instinct for raising its young, DNR officials said.

A doe’s method of rearing offspring is different from a human’s, especially for the first few weeks.

Wildlife officials explained it this way: Within hours of birth, the fawn is led to a secluded spot and the doe lets it nurse. Then the doe leaves to feed and rest herself, out of sight but within earshot. In four or five hours, she will return to feed her young and take them to a new hiding place. Only when the fawns are strong enough to outrun predators, do the young travel much with their mother.

For the first week of life, frightened fawns instinctively freeze, making full use of their white spotted coats, a protective coloration. Newborn fawns are not fast enough to outdistance predators, so they must depend on their ability to hide for protection.

A fawn’s curiosity may entice it to approach a person who comes upon on it. The DNR urges people not to try to catch a fawn if they encounter one. Walk away. Never feed or collar a fawn.

Feeding deer can concentrate animals in feeding areas which makes them more susceptible to predation, vehicle collisions, or other unwanted human interactions. What begins as a good intention to help the animal ultimately lessens the animal’s ability to survive independently.

For questions about an interaction with a wild animal, contact a DNR area wildlife office for suggestions. In most cases, letting nature take its course is the best advice.

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“This is a great opportunity to discover fishing,” said Mike Kurre, the DNR’s mentoring program coordinator. “Minnesotans 16 or older who take a child 15 or younger fishing don’t need a license that weekend. Opportunities for beginning anglers abound throughout Minnesota.”

Getting started is easy. A boat isn’t needed and there’s even loaner poles and tackle in some areas.

Start by going to www.mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing to learn some terms, basic techniques and shore-fishing locations. DNR fisheries offices throughout Minnesota also offer some good, old-fashioned angling advice about fishing spots that will keep young anglers happy and safe.

The DNR’s Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program provides urban shore-fishing opportunities across the metro with family-friendly settings, piers, loaner equipment at some locations and a real chance to catch quality fish. Learn more online at www.mndnr.gov/fin.

Four of Minnesota’s nine state parks that are offering this summer’s weekly I Can Fish! program have sessions scheduled during Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend. Sessions at each park explore the basics of fishing, fish identification and angling tips and tricks. For more information, go to http://www.mndnr.gov/state_parks/can_fish.html.

Even when it’s not Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend, Minnesota residents may fish in a state park without a fishing license if the body of water doesn’t require a trout stamp. Anglers must fish from shore or wade in water within the state park or from a boat or a float on a designated lake within a Minnesota state park. More information on fishing in state parks is available at www.mndnr.gov/state_parks/fishing.html.

“Fishing is one of the easiest and most-accessible outdoor activities in Minnesota,” Kurre said.  “Take a kid fishing and, come the end of the trip, you’re both likely to be hooked.”

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