Politics & Government

The View from Capitol Hill: Burnsville Legislative Preview

At the start of the session this Tuesday, returning legislators are focusing on reform.

The last 12 months in have been tumultuous, to say the least, for Minnesota Republicans: a controversial proposal to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage, last year's paralyzing state government shutdown and recent shakeups in Republican leadership after the departure of Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch in December, who resigned after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.

Today, the Minnesota Legislature convenes for session and, from the sound of it, Burnsville's Republican legislators are hoping to make a fresh start. Patch spoke with Sen. Dan Hall and Sen. Chris Gerlach about their impressions of the 2010-11 session and what they expect in the months to come. 

The three are eager to leave the past behind and get back to work.

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"People care about work product—what the legislators accomplish— more than the scandal stuff," Gerlach said. 

So what's on the agenda?

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Property Tax Reform—Among the changes Republicans would like to write into law is the elimination of "fiscal disparities" — a property tax sharing program between the seven Twin Cities counties. The program was enacted in 1971 to promote cohesive regional growth, but some have criticized it as archaic and unfair. 

Licensure Reform—Gerlach said he would try to cut down on the number of occupational licensures required by the state, which have proliferated in the last few decades, Gerlach said. While Gerlach acknowledged that licensure has its good points, particularly in the health and safety industries, others are a barrier to employment, he said. 

"It restricts the supply of labor for no public purpose. I am about tearing down those barriers,” Gerlach said. 

Laws protecting the well-being of abandoned infants—Mack mentioned an expansive bill that, among other things, would change the state's Safe Haven laws, Mack said. As of right now, if a baby is left at a hospital or fire department, the law states that the baby will be taken into care for 48 hours. This bill would extend that to seven days.

"This is a critical piece of legislation, making sure these new babies get proper nutrition and care," Mack said.

Constitutional amendments—The amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage may just be the beginning, Gerlach and Hall said. Republicans are eyeing amendments that would require voter identification, Hall said, and alter laws pertaining to union organization. 


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