Health & Fitness
March Madness II: College for Kids, Capitol Cash, Beer, Voting & Vikes
Supporters of various bills are scrambling this week to move their legislation along before the legislature adjourns in a few weeks,
Plenty of variety of the Capitol this week, with all sorts of bills trying to quickly gain support before we adjourn in a few weeks. Here are a few of the hottest topics:
NINTH GRADERS IN COLLEGE? Legislation is moving through the committee process at the Capitol that would expand the post-secondary enrollment option program. Under the current PSEOP, 11th and 12th graders can attend Minnesota public colleges for free, earning college credits while in high school. Expanding that to 9th and 10th graders, plus other changes, are being debated.
CAPITOL CASH. The Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee, State Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker), just proposed a bonding bill that would spend nearly a quarter of a billion dollars - about $240 million - on repairs and renovations of the State Capitol. While I agree that there are some Capitol repairs needed, we don't even have plans, specs, or any detailed cost estimates yet. I am more than a little confused and surprised.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
BEER AT GOPHERS GAMES? A deal might be in the works to end a long-standing feud between the U and the legislature over beer at Gophers games. More on this can be found at http://www.facebook.com/State.Rep.Joe.Atkins.
VOTER ID & OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. Having passed the House and moving swiftly through the Senate, I expect the issue of whether a photo ID will be required to vote will be on the ballot in November as a proposed constitutional amendment, together with a proposed ban on gay marriage. Other constitutional amendment proposals regarding unions, guns, abortions and judicial elections are also still around, but don't seem to moving.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
STADIUM INTRIGUE. Currently stalled in the Senate, a proposed Vikings stadium plan may get heard as soon as Monday in the House Commerce Committee. Rumors abound about yet another stadium financing proposal that could be released soon.
NATIONAL CHAMPS. Congratulations to our NCAA champion Gopher hockey team who were honored on the House floor this week.
TECHNOLOGY REFERENDUM. In local news... On Tuesday, March 27, the ISD #199 School Board will hold a referendum in Inver Grove Heights to authorize a $700,000 annual tax levy for technology. For more information, including details about the proposal, polling places, and tax impact, go to http://www.invergrove.k12.mn.us/techlevy.
To share thoughts or questions about these issues or any other legislative topics with me, please give me a call at (651) 296-4192 or email me at Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn. Thank you.
