Politics & Government

Capitol Review: Senate Bill To Freeze School Distrct Salaries Passes

State Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36) of Lakeville is the chief author of the bill.

Editor's note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they're voting, the bills they're writing and the issues they're getting behind. Come back to Northfield Patch every Monday for a new Capitol Review.

Here’s what’s happened this past week with bills authored or co-authored by local legislators:


State Rep. Kelby Woodard
(R-District 25B) of Belle Plaine

Find out what's happening in Northfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• Authored a bill that would streamline revenue for health and safey programs, relating to education finance. HF0420 was introduced Feb. 9.

• Work continues on these bills, which Woodard previously authored or co-authored: a bill that would allow students who perform well at public schools that consistently underperform to enroll at a private school with financial assistance from the state. There are several requirements needed to make students eligible, such as the child's family income being equal to or less than 175 percent of the federal income level (HF0273); a bill that would require photo identification to vote (HF0210);

Find out what's happening in Northfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• A bill that would limit funding for abortion for state-sponsored health programs, unless required to continue in federal programs (HF0201); a bill that would change the language of the basic skills test aspiring teachers are required to take to earn their licenses. The wording would change from "successfully complete" to "pass"(HF0183); a bill that would delay charter school authorizer approval from June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2012 (HF0134);

• A bill that would change the language of insurance coverage of dependents of a deceased peace officer or firefighter (HF0149); a bill that would introduce "Choose Life" license plates (HF0091); a bill that would repeal the political contribution refund (HF0066); a bill that would restore the Green acres and agriculture classification to pre-2008 (HF0012); a bill that would establish a Healthy Minnesota contribution program, redesigning service delivery for lower-income MinnesotaCare enrollees (HF0008); a bill that would abolish some local government mandates (HF0007); a bill that would increase the penalty for those convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (HF0006).

• Woodard is vice chair of the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee. He also serves on the Education Finance Committee and Education Reform Committee.

• Tweet of the week: "We should have this kid explain the MN budget to those who think $32 billion is not enough...http://bit.ly/aQ3Q5E #mnleg"

• Woodard's Twitter handle is @KelbyWoodard


State Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36B) of Farmington

• Work continues on these bills, which Garofalo previously authored: a bill that would reinstate a general education aid reduction for certain taconite distributions. HF0306 was introcued Jan. 31.; a bill that would require photo identification to receive Minnesota Family Investment Program assistance and would restrict users from using monthy cash payments to purchase tobacco, alcohol or lottery tickets (HF0171); a bill that would exempt pet sales from sales taxes (HF0036); a bill that would amend teacher licensure provisions by establishing an alternative teacher preparation program that allows eligible individuals to acquire a two-year limited-term teaching license (HF0063), a bill that would increase sanctions for careless driving resulting in a death to be a gross misdemeanor. Currently it’s a misdemeanor (HF0068).

• Garofalo chairs the Education Finance Committe this session. He also sits on the Redistricting Committee, Taxes Committee and Ways and Means Committee.

• Tweet of the week: "Tell me again why i am supposed 2 care what some college students think at CPAC?"

• Garofalo's Twitter handle is @PatGarofalo


State Sen. Al DeKruif (R-District 25) of Madison Lake

• Authored a bill that would modify the Minnesota rural preserve property tax program. SF0298 was introduced Feb. 10.

• Work continues on these bills, which DeKruif previously co-authored: a bill that would increase sanctions for careless driving resulting in a death to be a gross misdemeanor. Currently it’s a misdemeanor (SF0201); a bill that would change eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance for minors of business owners (SF0114); a bill that would provided a phased-in substraction for military retirement pay (SF0041); a bill that would abolish prohibition of certificate of need for new nuclear power plants (SF0004); a bill that would restore the Green acres and agriculture classification to pre-2008 (SF0002).

• DeKruif serves on the Education Committee, Jobs and Economic Growth Committee and the Transportation Committee.

 

State Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36) of Lakeville

• A contentious bill authored by Thompson, , passed the senate on Feb. 10.

The bill, SF0056, passed 36-29, and prohibits school districts from raising wages in new two-year contracts with teachers, and other employees, though it does not affect contracts already in effect.

The bill also prevents school employees from striking to demand more pay.

Many critics say  the bill takes local control away from school districts. But during debate on the floor last week, Thompson said “local control is not real."

A similar bill is making its way through the house.

• Thompson serves on the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, Education Committee, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, and State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee.

• Tweet of the week: "I thought the filibuster was reserved to the U.S. Senate. Seems to be in play in MN Senate today."

• Thompson's Twitter handle is @ThompsonSenate


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Northfield