Capitol Review: Wardlow Proposes a Constitutional Convention

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 Eagan 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 Sen. Ted Daley (R-District 38) of Eagan and Burnsville

• Four bills that Daley previously authored are scheduled to pass and have moved onto another committee: bill (SF1319) where General fund appropriations are deposited in veterans homes special revenue account; bill (SF1320) was modified to say, "Any profits derived from the operation of canteens, coffee shops, and wood shops, and other work therapy programs at the Minnesota veterans homes shall be used by the commissioner only for the direct benefit of the residents of the homes"; bill (SF1321) authorizing the commissioner of veterans affairs to accept federal funds for specific purposes; and bill (SF1367), which has only had its first reading and been referred to another department, regarding the unclassified employees retirement program. In the bill it asks for "clarifying transfer of [the] coverage provision." 
• Also, according to a press release from Daley, "The Legislature passed a bill sponsored by Daley and Rep. Leon Lillie of North St. Paul that exempts certain air carrier employees from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime payment requirements when they work over 48 hours in a workweek that is not required by the employer, but arranged by voluntary agreement among
  employees to trade schedules. There was a ceremonial bill signing at Delta Headquarters on April 19. The press release also stated, "Nationwide, 40 out of 50 states already allow this practice, including all cities with a Delta hub or reservation call center."

State. Rep. Diane Anderson (R-District 38A) of Eagan

• A bill (HF1500) that was first introduced on April 18 should pass as amended and referred to the Judiciary Policy and Finance committee. The bill is in regards to "making changes to chemical and mental health ... [and] making rate reforms."

State. Rep. Doug Wardlow (R-District 38B) of Eagan

• Authored a bill (HF1559) that will allow license conversions for certain psychologists, according to the Minnesota House of Representatives website; Also, authored bill (HF1560) "providing for disposition of contested case hearings by the Office of Administrative Hearing."
• Wardlow also authored a bill (HF1566), that has several co-authors now, regarding a balanced federal budget and asking Congress to allow a convention to "propose amendments to the Constitution" regarding a balanced federal budget. In the bill it states, "... It is the firm conviction of the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it is wrong for government to fund every want and whim of the present generation by robbing future Americans of their prosperity ... We the Legislature of the State of Minnesota call for the Constitution of the United States to be amended to require the federal government to operate with fiscal responsibility, common sense, and within the revenues granted to it by the people."