Capitol Review: Woodard Authors Bill Allowing Students to Attend Private Schools With State Funding

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

• 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 was introduced Jan. 31.

• Work continues on these bills, which Woodard previously authored or co-authored: a bill that would require photo identification to vote (HF0210); 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: "Great to see legacy fund $ going to efforts like renovation of Northfield historical society instead of more wall art for MN DOT#mnleg"

• Woodard's Twitter handle is @KelbyWoodard

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

• Authored a bill that would reinstate a general education aid reduction for certain taconite distributions. HF0306 was introcued Jan. 31.

• Work continues on these bills, which Garofalo previously authored: 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: "Good 4 u Wisconsin - you won the Super Bowl. Now give Minnesota the $58.7 million dollars you owe us. #PawnTheLombardiTrophyUDeadbeats"

• Garofalo's Twitter handle is @PatGarofalo

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

• 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 was introduced Feb. 2.

• Work continues on these bills, which DeKruif previously co-authored: 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.