Capitol Review: Dahle Pushes for Stronger Reckless Driving Penalties

Last month, Eagan Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL) authored a bill pushing for steeper penalties for careless or reckless drivers whose actions cause a deadly accident or severe injuries. The bill recently earned the support of Sen. Kevin L. Dahle (DFL), who on Feb. 28 signed as a co-author to the bill. Carlson's proposal would allow drivers whose careless actions caused a death or great bodily harm to face gross misdemeanor charges. Under current law, careless drivers can only be charged with misdemeanors.

In other political news from around the southeast metro:

District 54 (Eagan)

Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL) isn't a big fan of Minnesota's wolf hunting season.

The Eagan legislator signed on as the co-author to a bill that would reinstate a five-year moratorium on wolf hunting in the state. After the five-year ban, the state could only open hunting seasons on wolves if population management is deemed necessary and other mans for controlling the wolf population are explored. The bill, introduced on March 4, was authored by District 42B Rep. Jason Isaacson (DFL).

District 58 (Lakeville)

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R) supports a proposal that would require facilities that perform 10 or more abortions a month to obtain a license from the Minnesota's health commissioner. Under the proposal, the commissioner of health would also be required to conduct surprise inspections at those clinics or health centers at least twice per year. The annual license fee for these facilities would be $3,712.

District 52 (Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights)

Think the speed limits on Interstate 35E are too slow? You may be in luck; Sen. James P. Metzen (DFL) recently backed a proposal to increase the speed limit from 45 mph to 50 mph on a portion of the interstate that stretches from the intersection of West Seventh Street to Interstate 94. The bill, SF 946, was authored by District 56 Sen. Dan Hall (R).

District 56 (Burnsville)

Rep. Pam Myhra (R) is one of many representatives supporting a proposal that would prohibit funding for state-sponsored health programs from being used to conduct abortions. The bill, HF 901, was authored by Rep. Patti Fritz (DFL).

Rep. Will Morgan (DFL) has authored a bill that would reform the way Minnesota pursues legislative redistricting. Under the bill, HF 1230, the legislature would appoint four retired judges to a redistricting commission. The four judges would then select a fifth member, according to the proposal.

District 57 (Apple Valley, Rosemount)

Rep. Tara Mack (R) wants to prohibit school districts from building new schools within a quarter-mile of a current or former landfill site. Under the bill, authored by District 39A Rep. Bob Dettmer (R), schools already located within a quarter-mile of a landfill must mail a notice to the parents of all students enrolled at the school at the beginning of the school year.