CROW WING, CASS DFL HOLD COUNTY CONVENTION

Both Crow Wing and Cass County DFLers will hold county conventions on Saturday, March 1st. Crow Wing county will hold its meeting at Forestview Middle School in Baxter. DFL incumbents and candidates are expected to attend including US Congressman James Oberstar who is scheduled to speak at 1:30pm. Also listed to speak is potential Minnesota House District 4B candidate Meg Bye who is considering a challenge to incumbent State Representative Larry Howes. Central Committee members and delegates to the 8th District Convention will be elected. That convention will be May 3-4th in Duluth. Cass County DFLer's convention will also meet on Saturday, March 1st at the Hackensack Community Center. That meeting runs from 10am to 3pm.

Pequot Lakes School Works Toward Strategic Plan

The Pequot Lakes School Board hired planning consultants Roger and Kay Worner to develop an Organizational Analysis Study and involve a number of community groups in the process. Superintendent Rick Linnell said the next step is a community meeting next Wednesday, February 27th. The meeting will run from 7-8:30pm in the Gathering Room at Pequot Lakes High School. The final document should help run the district for the next five years.

MDA LOCK UP RAISES $34,000 AND COUNTING

Amazing what the threat of a jail sentence will do for a person's motivation. Potential 'jailbirds' from the Lakes Area met at the Northland Arboretum on February 13th to contact friends and acquaintences and convince them to bail us out. The money raised during the MDA Lock-Up went for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Parole Officer Kim Parmeter said the event raised more than $34,000 so far, roughly $13,000 more than last year. Parmeter said all the talk of a tough economy didn't seem to affect people's generosity.

FLU SEASON

Crow Wing County Nurse Joyce Mueller said flu season is not over yet and some new strains have been showing up. The county health nurse said influenza has started to take hold in Minnesota this last week according to reports from the Minnesota Department of Health, from schools and long-term care facilities. Mueller added that even though the new strains are not matched perfectly with existing vaccine, getting a shot will protect against more common strains and help with some symptoms against the newer ones. Symptoms to watch for include fever, nausea, or muscle aches. Flu usually lasts between three and seven days. So far, the county health department has gotten reports of outbreaks only in schools. Flu is worst for the very young, the older among us and those with chronic illness. Mueller suggests if you get the flu, stay home and get well rather than mingle among your co-workers, friends and neighbors. She recommends the vaccine and frequent hand washing as the best ways to prevent the disease. The Crow Wing County Health Department has plenty of vaccine and holds clinics every day from 3-4pm and on Friday also 9-1pm.

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, WEEK TWO

The Pequot Lakes Community Theater Comedy How The Other Loves opens its second weekend of shows Friday night. Actor Bob Spear plays the part of Bob Phillips. Spear said his character is a jerk, a womanizer, and is having an affair with the boss's wife. Bob said his wife in real life said he is nothing like his character on the stage. He credits his director Erick Steen for inspiration. How the Other Half Loves runs Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoon at 2pm in the Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium. Get tickets ahead of time at the Pequot Lakes Community Education Office at 568-9200.

FRANKLIN SCHOOL SALE FINAL

Brainerd School Board Chair Bob Nystrom said the sale of the former Franklin Junior High School has been finalized. Nystrom said the money's in the bank and Artspace officially owns Franklin. Nystrom told the Brainerd Dispatch that the money goes into the school's capital fund and can't be used for general fund expenditures without state legislative approval. The District got approval to move $750,000 from the capital to the general fund last year.

LAWMAKERS PASS $6.6-BILLION TRANSPORTATION BILL

The Minnesota House and Senate have approved this year's version of the Transportation Finance Bill. Governor Pawlenty has said he will veto the bill because it increases the state gas tax by 8.5-cents per gallon, adds to a metro-area sales tax by 1/4% and creates a wheelage tax. Brainerd Lawmaker John Ward said the bill will spend roughly an additional $440,000 for Brainerd area roads, $300,000 for Baxter area roads and bridges and add about $1,000,000 to Crow Wing County's highway budget. Royalton lawmaker Al Doty said he didn't know anybody who was happy with the bill passed by the House last night but everybody would be in years to come. Bemidji State Senator Mary Olson said the Transportation Bill is mostly about safety. Elbow Lake lawmaker Torrey Westrom said the bill spreads the cost of metro light rail and transit systems to taxpayers state-wide. Two House Democrats voted against the Transportation and six Republicans voted in favor. House Leaders said if this Transportation Bill isn't signed into law, they won't write another one this year. Lakes Area Lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill include Representatives John Ward-Brainerd; Al Doty-Royalton; Larry Haws-St. Cloud; Loren Solbert-Grand Rapids; Senators Mary Olson-Bemidji; and Tom Saxhaug-Grand Rapids. Those voting no included Bill Ingebritson-Alexandria; Paul Koering-Fort Ripley; Mary Ellen Otremba-Long Prairie; Larry Howes-Walker; Dean Simpson-Perham.

EMILY P&Z CHAIR WANTS THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Area newspaper stories suggested that the alternate chairman of the Emily Planning and Zoning Commission Si Brannon was so unhappy with a city council's decision,he resigned. Brannon said that's not the way it happened. He admitted he was not happy with the council's decision to require an environmental impact statement on a housing project on Roosevelt Lake and he spoke up at a recent council meeting about it. Shortly after his response, Brannon announced his resignation because his health has not been the best lately and this past year had been very stressful for him. Brannon said he's enjoyed the years he's spent on the commission, as a member and as an alternate chairman filling in for others. He said he would never go public with a statement like that and the inference the stories left with readers was not accurate. The Northern Lights over Roosevelt Lake is a 45-lot development near State Highway 6. The project developer has since sued the city of Emily and wants council members to reverse their decision.

SOLAR PANEL THEFT

Todd County Sheriff Peter J. Mikkelson said the Sauk River Watershed District reported the theft of a solar panel from a collection box. A district spokesman said they've had a number of panels stolen in other counties as well. If you have information about this incident, call the Todd County Sheriff's Department.

KOERING OPPOSES TRANSPORTATION BILL

Fort Ripley State Senator Paul Koering said today he intends to vote against the Omnibus Transportation Finance Bill because it raises taxes and its a bad time to be doing that. Koering said he sent his constituents a survey recently and 79% of those who responded said they didn't want to see a gas tax increase for any reason. Koering said District 12 has seen a lot of recent highway construction and his travels around the state looking at bonding projects left him with the impression that Minnesota's roads are in pretty good shape. Koering said Democrats have enough votes in the Senate to override a governor's veto but not in the Minnesota House. The Transportation Omnibus Bill is to be debated and voted on Thursday.

HOUSE SPEAKER'S BILL FOR ORCHESTRA HALL

Democrat House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher has submitted a bill that would spend $3-Million on the pre-design the redevelopment of Orchestra Hall and Peavey Plaza near downtown Minneapolis. Improvements include new electronic equipment, more backstage rooms and instrument storage space. The bill could be included in this year's bonding bill. A similar bill has been introduced in the Minnesota Senate.

STATE TAX CODE CHANGE FOR THIS YEAR

The House Taxes Committee approved changes to the Minnesota tax code yesterday that would apply tax forms filed this year even though a third of Minnesotans have already filed their taxes. The bill would conform Minnesota's tax code to federal rules and allow state taxpayers to take advantage of recent laws passed by Congress. The Tax Committee's bill doesn't include all of the new federal deductions. The committee decided that deductions for college tuition and teacher classroom expenses would be too expensive for the state this year. Deadline for the bill is the end of the month. If its not passed and signed, taxpayers will have to wait for Federal tax conformity until next year.

Tax Time at the Hallett Library

You can get help with your taxes again this year at the Hallett Library in Crosby. Head librarian Peggy Beseres said you have to make an appointment but the service is free and designed for senior citizens and middle-income patrons but she's never seen anyone turned away. Patrons and staff are celebrating the library's 30th anniversary this year with displays and information, commemorating the date when Crosby philanthropist E.W. Hallet built the library in memory of his wife Jesse Fern. Call for a tax appointment at 546-8005.

GOOD NEWS ABOUT CANCER

American Cancer Society spokesman Matt Floury said death rates from breast, prostate and colon cancer in Minnesota and the rest of the country have gone down. Actual numbers have gone up slightly but that's because Minnesotans are living longer. Floury said cancer is still the leading cause of death in Minnesota and lung cancer accounts for one in four cancer deaths in the state.

PET BREEDER BILL

The Minnesota House narrowly passed a bill Thursday that would require a permit to operate a large-scale dog or cat breeding operation. Democrat Frank Hornstein said the bill was an attempt to connect a patchwork of existing regulations and address issues of humane treatment of animals. The permits would cost $900 and the bill would allow unannounced inspections. There are roughly 500 dog and cat breeders in Minnesota.

Legislative Auditor Report on Transportation

Legislative Auditor James Nobles report on Minnesota transportation indicates that MnDOT has been spending more money on new construction and less on preservation in recent years. It also indicated that Minnesota highways need more attention. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said the Transportation Funding Bill now making its way through the House and Senate is necessary to the future of Minnesota's roads and bridges. Sertich said the bills could be on the floor of both House and Senate for debate by tomorrow.

ICE FISHING '08 END NEARS

It's nearly the end of the ice-fishing season. Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Nikki Shoutz said the end of February is a day to remember. That's the day when your house should be off the ice. Shoutz said new regulations from the Department of Public Safety require that fish houses be hauled with trailers and that the trailers be registered. Shoutz said the season began with rather 'iffy' ice but there's nothing 'iffy' about ice on most lakes now, up to 15 and 20 inches in many areas.

Ah-Gwah-Ching Closing

The state facility at Ah-Gwah-Ching near Walker will close on March 14th and the state of Minnesota wants to finalize the sale to Cass County 30 days later. But Cass County officials would prefer later closing date. County Commissioners suggested 30 days after lawmakers approved $400,000 more for demolition and $1.9-Million for water and sewer connectins to the city of Walker. So far, the legislature has approved $4-Million for demolition and will sell the property to the county for $1. County Adminstrator Robert Yochum told the Brainerd Dispatch it will buy the land. County officials plan to move government offices to the site over the next 30 years near the proposed critical access hospital.

US FARM BILL STUCK

Negotiations on a new Farm Bill appear to be going nowhere. President Bush says the $283-Billion price tag is too high. And small-farm lobbyists like Dan Owens from the Center for Rural Affairs say too much money goes to big operations. Owens said Congress should help family farmers and stop mega-subsidy checks. The lobbyist said without a real payment limit, the Farm Bill under discussion is not worth passing. Supporters of the current payment system say it keeps consumer prices down. The current farm bill has been extended to mid-March.

CELL USER BILL OF RIGHTS

Bemidji State Senator Mary Olson has introduced a bill that would establish a cell phone user bill of rights. The Minesota Wireless Telephone Consumer Protection Act regulates how companies share information to consumers like telling the total price of the service at the time of purchase, tell customers if their monthly charge will change in the future and by how much, provide customers with accurate coverage maps at every location the service is sold. Olson's bill is similar to one passed in 2004 but was deemed unconstitutional because of Federal law. Olson said the bill doesn't want companies to change the way they run their company, only how they tell customers about billing and service agreements.

BOVINE TB FOUND IN 11TH MINNESOTA HERD

State researchers have found Bovine Tuberculosis in herd number eleven, the fourth since last October. Minnesota State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Hartmann said this will probably mean a downgrade of Minnesota's Bovine TB status and require all cattle shipped out of state to be tested more stringently as well as the herd the shipped animal came from. Hartman said all the infected herds found in the last two years have been in the northwest corner of the state. Bovine TB had been eliminated from cattle in the 1970s. Hartmann said he will ask the University of Minnesota to do more research into how the disease is transmitted. Meanwhile, DNR sharpshooter recently killed another 46 wild deer in the targeted area in Beltrami County and those animals will be tested for the disease. Animal Health Board members recently voted to consider dividing the state into cattle growing segments to more isolate the infected area and allow other non-infected areas to enjoy a TB-Free status.

EDUCATION FUNDING BILLS INTRODUCED

Brainerd State Lawmaker John Ward introduced two bills concerning public school funding last week. Ward and sits on the E-12 and Education Finance Economic Competitiveness Finance Division Committees. One bill would repeal the seasonal property tax exemption for school operating levies. The other would outlaw operating levies based on property taxes. Ward said the school funding formula is broken and needs to be fixed because schools have cut all they can. Ward is a retired school teacher.

COOKING WITH HERBS

The Northland Arboretum will host a cooking show Wednesday night. Chef Sharon Wettyland and Master Gardener Orv Haustad will talk about cooking with fresh herbs. Wettyland said she will whip up a number of delicious items like pesto tortalini with fresh pesto, pork skewers in lemon-sage cream, and thyme-scented rice pilaf, and baby carrots in honey and fresh dill. Those who attend will get copies of the recipes as well as samples. Haustad said he will talk about both medicinal and culinary herbs. The show starts at 7pm Wednesday night at the Northland Arboretum in Baxter on Excelsior Road just north of the Movies Ten movie theater. Cost is $20 for non-members and $10 for members.

TRANSPORTATION FINANCE BILL SHRINKS

The provision in the 2008 Transportation Finance Bill that would have increased the gas tax every year for the next ten years has been removed. The House Tax Committee approved the bill after the provision indexing the gas tax increase to the comsumer price index was removed. The bill still includes a 5-cent per gallon increase and now a gas tax surcharge of 3.5-cents per gallon to repay $1.8-Billion worth of constuction bonds. The estimated cost of the $8.4-Billion dollar bill has now been revised down to $7.8-Billion over ten years. The House version is to be in the Ways and Means Committee Tuesday. The Transportation Bill could be debated in both the full House and Senate on Thursday. Governor Pawlenty said legislators believe he is irrelevant to the discussion and they want to pass a bill that will override his veto.

KLOBUCHAR ON TV SWITCH TO DIGITAL

Television stations will switch from analog to digital signals next year. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar said she's concerned that some viewers will be left staring at a blank screen. Klobuchar sits on the Senate Commerce Committee and suggests viewers pick up a government discount coupon for a converter box. Check it out online at www.dtv2009.gov. Klobuchar said Minnesota has one of the highest percentages of households that still pick up over-the-air broadcasts, 21%. Minnesota Broadcasters Association Executive Director Jim du Bois said the move is not unlike the change to color TV or the introduction of FM radio but this one it taking place overnight.

Underdog's Second Public Safety Meeting Scheduled

A group of concerned Pequot Lakes, Breezy Point and Jenkins citizens will meet for a second time this weekend to compare notes and research on law enforcement rules in Minnesota. Area businessman Bill Moen said at this point, the group is at the 'information gathering' stage. Moen said there are two reasons a police officer will pull someone over, either the motorist is breaking the law or driving behavior leads an officer to believe the driver may be impaired. Moen said "a courtesy stop is just propaganda." Moen said members of the group are looking into law enforcement procedures, accountability and financial information. He said this could someday develop into a county-wide group of citizens concerned about law enforcement.

COUNTY SHERIFF DAHL: KEEP THAT VEHICLE READY

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl continues to warn motorists that winter's nasty bite hasn't let go yet, that the bitter cold temperatures we're living through could be deadly. Dahl said if you operate a vehicle, make sure its in good running order and the gas tank has something inside beyond fumes. Dahl said county squad cars are usually kept as close to topped off as possible, to avoid getting stranded somewhere and also to be ready for the ocassional 'lights and sirens run'. The Sheriff said there are a lot of fairly desolate areas in the county that wouldn't be a good place to become stranded.

'08 LEGISLATURE STARTS 2ND WEEK

Minnesota Democrat leaders are claiming a quick and successful first week for the legislative session. Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said the much-needed Transportation Bill is being heard in committees and moving along well. This year's version includes a gas tax hike, a metro-area sales tax increase and an increase in some car license tab fees. Last year's version was vetoed because it raised too many taxes. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said its been a good week with a successful start. The Legacy Bill could lead to a constitutional amendment that would raise the state sales tax by nearly .5%. The money could then be applied for in grant form, cleared by conservation or arts advisory boards and then appropriated by the legislature.

FORMER LEECH LAKE LEADER INDICTED

Former Chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Peter D. White has been charged with 17 counts of accepting illegal gratuities in a federal case against businessman Craig Keith Potts. Prosecutors accuse White of taking roughly $19,000 over a four-month period when he operated a check cashing business on the reservation near Walker. Federal authorities said White asked for and received money from Potts in $1,000 and $1,500 increments that were not documented as loans and record of repayment doesn't seem to exist. White was the Band's chairman from February 2003 to June of 2004.

FARM BILL FUTURE

Public negotiations on the 2008 US Farm Bill could begin again this week. Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson sounds hopeful. He said both House and Senate have offered versions while the President remains convinced both are too expensive. Peterson said the parties are talking again and that's a start. And if a compromise can't be reached, there's still time for an extension of current farm price supports before a deadline that would revert prices to those set 60 years ago.

How The Other Half Loves Opens Friday

Pequot Lakes Community Theater is to open the comedy How The Other Half Loves on Friday, February 15th for 6 shows over the following two weekends. The play is about three married couples. The husband of one couple has an affair with the wife of another. The third couple is invited to dinner by both couples and slowly, the truth comes out. Michael Sander of Pine River plays the part of Frank Foster, a successful businessman who is challenged at home and constantly confused by his glamourous wife. Sander said he's enjoying the interaction with other cast members. How The Other Half Loves offers an additional challenge, he said. "Sometimes there are others on the stage and because of the way the play is constructed, we have to ignore them because they're not in the same place as far as the story is concerned. It helps me on my concentration." Set Designer Tim Leagjeld said he wanted to place the two homes on the stage but not side-by-side. Leagjeld said every other wall section is in a different home. An expensive wing-back chair sits nest to a well-worn, overstuffed easy chair, a fashionable sofa and coffee table are in front of a former-hippie's writing desk and her pile of newspaper clippings. Friday and Saturday shows of How the Other Half Loves start at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees open at 2pm. Get advance tickets at Pequot Lakes Community Education at 568-9200. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults, $9 for Senior Citizens 60 and over, $8 for those 18 and under.

ELECTING JUDGES

St. Louis Park State Representative Steve Simon has authored a bill in the Minnesota House this year that would set up a different system to elect judges that he hopes would avoid the 'tsunami' heading out way. The Supreme Court struck down Minnesota rules that didn't allow judges to identify their political party when running and restricted the things they could say while running for the position. Simon's system would have judges recommended to the Governor by an independent panel similar to the current system. Once the judges were appointed, they would be subject to a retention election; each would be on the ballot with the question 'should Judge X be retained', yes or no? Simon believes this would avoid the wave of judgeship campaigns that designate political parties, raise large sums of money, and even comment on issues that may come before them in legal cases. Simon's bill would allow Minnesota voters to decide on a constitutional amendment to put the system in place.

Nisswa Winter Jubilee

The 36th Annual Nisswa Winter Jubilee runs through this weekend. Chamber executive Susan Mazzenga said there is sorts of fun and excitement to be had. She said the good times have already started but the events that run over the weekend include snow sculpture judging, mini-jubilee events at the Nisswa Community Center, broomball tournaments, the $200 Medallion Hunt, and the parade. It starts at noon on Saturday. Susan said the Jubilee is organized and executed by the Brainerd Lakes Area Lions Club with a lot of help from the friendly people in Nisswa.

LEGACY ACT ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

Minnesota voters will decide the future of the Legacy Act this fall. Both House and Senate approved the measure yesterday. House Democrat Leader Tony Sertich was the chief author of the bill. If approved in November, the bill would raise the state sales tax by just under one-half percent and raise $276-Million over the next 25 years. Most of the money would be spent on the outdoors, clean water efforts and parks and trails. Nearly 20% would be spent on arts, arts education and arts access grants to nonprofit organizations and handed out by the Minnesota Board of the Arts. Some would also spend money on grants to schools for art education. Don McMillan is the president of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance and said most of his members are not going to vote for the amendment, primarily because skeptical hunters and anglers wonder if the money will someday be used for something else. The law said lawmakers will decide how the money is spent through the normal legislative process.

CHEAPER FISHING LICENSE BUT FEWER FISH

Cook State Senator Tom Bakk said the DNR is thinking about raising fishing license fees and reducing limits again. Bakk said he has a better idea, a part-time license that doesn't cost as much. The Senator said he's calling it a 'conservation fishing license' and anglers would agree to reduce the catch in possession. Bakk said its a way to change the culture of fishing that measures success by a big take rather than a good day of recreation. A similar bill has been introduced in the Minnesota House.

FIRE DESTROYS BAXTER HOME

Fire and smoke damage destroyed most of Barry Feltmann's southeast Baxter home and garage Thursday afternoon around 2pm. Brainerd Fire Chief Fred Underhill told the Brainerd Dispatch that the house on Forestview Drive could be considered a total loss and the garage was completely consumed by the fire. Firefighters fought the blaze in 5-degree temperatures and 12 mph winds. Underhill said all the equipment worked but some of hoses shot water into a column of steam near the fire or ended up as snow on the ground. Feltmann suffered mild smoke inhalation but there were no other injuries.

SEXUAL ASSUALT LEADS TO LICENSE REVOCATION

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has revoked the vendor license for Kids Quest day care center owned by a separate company, New Horizons. Authorities say a 3-year old boy was sexually assaulted by another young boy last month at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs center. Both centers at Mille Lacs and at Grand Casino Hinckley were closed. The regulatory board's report said Kids Quest failed to adequately supervise the two boys and had failed to conduct a criminal background check on employees. New Horizons can be reconsidered for a license renewal in a year.

OBERSTAR TAKES BACK BRIDGE STUDY MONEY

8th District Congressman Jim Oberstar's spokesman said the federal money earmarked to study a fourth Brainerd area bridge over the Mississippi River has been redesignated elsewhere. The $800,000 to study a crossing north of Brainerd had been approved in 2005. Oberstar spokesman John Schadl said the bridge did not have community support and the money could be used elsewhere in the district. Brainerd Mayor James Wallin said he was disappointed the money was taken back. Schadl said the Congressman's staff is anxious to help with transportation projects and planning in the area and would prefer a broad-based regional transportation study.

OBERSTAR LIKES TRANSPORTATION BILL

A large transportation bill is already working its way through Minnesota legislative committees. This year's version contains many of the same provisions from last year's bill which was vetoed by Governor Pawlenty because it increased too many taxes. Eighth District Congressman Jim Oberstar likes this year's bill and thinks Minnesota needs it. Oberstar said greater Minnesota will be hurt if the bill is not passed, tourism will suffer. Oberstar said there is a cost to failing to invest. This year's bill would increase the gas tax by 5 cents per gallon but would be indexed to inflation. According to House Republican Leader Marty Seifert, if inflation continues at 4% or more, the tax would be the highest in the country in 9 years and total more than 40 cents a gallon. The bill would also increase a metro-area sales tax and increase license tab fees for new cars.

WIND FARMING FUTURE FOR AREA COMPANY

A Baxter company has teamed up with a Texas firm to build 333 wind turbines in North Dakota. Denali Energy is owned by real estate developer Craig Fink who also owns Denali Companies, involved in developing the former Pine Meadows Golf Course in Baxter. Denali partner Curt Johnson said the marriage of the two worked out perfectly. Denali specializes in land acquisition and Montgomery Energy Partners concentrates on alternative energy development, primarily the harnassing of wind power. The farm will be 25 miles north of Minot, North Dakota along a windy glacial ridge. When its finished, Hartland Wind Farm could produce 1000 megawatts and become one of the largest wind farms in the United States.

OPEN ENROLLMENT AT PEQUOT LAKES

The Pequot Lakes School Board decided this week to allow open enrollment for all grades except kindergarten. The board had closed open enrollment last November after voters turned down operating levy referendums in Crosby Ironton and Brainerd. Superintendent Rick Linnell told the Lake Country Echo that the district has lost 40 students since the beginning of the school year.

MINNESOTA STATE OF THE STATE

Governor Pawlenty said Minnesotans are concerned about the economy and that's more reason than ever to avoid tax increases. And he wouldn't hesitate to use his 'Taxpayer Protection Pen', the veto to hold down taxes and spending. House Republican Leader Marty Seifert said he thought the Governor's speech was a good road map for how the rest of the 2008 legislative session should go. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said she wanted to hear more specifics. Governor Pawlenty highlighted several proposals he had introduced earlier and asked lawmakers to pass and pay for them. Pawlenty asked lawmakers to cap property taxes, restore the relationship between patients and doctors, improve teacher training and evaluation, increase biodiesel standards to 20% by 2015, and said he wants to form the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission to take a futuristic view of how to guide the state to more economic prosperity. Pawlenty also said he expects to sign a bipartisan transportation bill during this session but he asked lawmakers not to add to the economic burden on taxpayers by raising their taxes.

REPUBLICANS EXPECT RAPID SESSION

House Republican Leader Marty Seifert said he expects the session to begin quickly. Democrats are in the majority in both the Minnesota House and Senate. Seifert said he believes the DFL leadership will introduce and attempt to pass both a bill for arts and the environment and a transportation funding bill quickly. The Environment and Arts proposal would result in a constitutional amendment Minnesotans would vote on in November. Seifert said the transportation bill includes increase in the state gas tax, license tab fees, wheelage tax and a sales tax. Seifert said the sales tax proposal is indexed to inflation. If it passes, Seifert said Minnesota would have the highest gas tax in the nation within 9 years. Seifert said his approach to getting more money into transportation would be for the government to sacrifice rather than Minnesota taxpayers.

DFL LEADERS PLEDGE ACTION-FILLED SESSION

Lawmakers promised a quick start to the 2008 session. Minneapolis Lawmaker Larry Pogemiller said the DFL hopes to approve more money for the environment and the arts soon. A conference committee for a constitutional amendment was to meet on Tuesday, the first day of the session. If passed, the proposition to increase the state sales tax would be on November’s ballot. The session is scheduled to be over by May 19th.

2008 Legislative Session

The 2008 Minnesota Legislative session has begun. Leaders gaveled in what's traditionally known as a bonding session on Tuesday but some lawmakers want to include policy discussions. Grand Rapids Representative Loren Solberg said transportation funding is at the top of his list, both roads and bridges and mass tansit. Royalton Lawmaker Al Doty said agrees that a transportation funding bill has to be considered and passed. The one introduced on Tuesday calls for a 5-cent gas tax increase, an increase in a metro-area sales tax and increased license tab fees for new cars. Long Prairie Lawmaker Mary Ellen Otremba said her focus is also on rural matters like health care for farmers and an investment package for small and large farmers. The transportation bill was sent to committee on the first day of session. The second day of session won't begin until later in the afternoon because of Governor Pawlenty's State of the State speech in St. Cloud.

OPERATING LEVY FAILS

Walker Hackensack Akeley School District's second attempt to pass an operating levy failed to pass on Tuesday. A referendum failed in December by 18 votes. Tuesday's referendum failed by 160 votes. The second referendum was for less money and less time than the first. Superintendent Wally Schoeb told the Brainerd Dispatch "they told us no so business will continue as usual and we'll make the reductions. The school is in statutory operating debt. The district will have to cut at least $650,000 by next fall and more than $1.2-Million over the next three years. This year's budget was for $9.5-Million.

GAS TAX HIKE

The 2008 Minnesota State Legislature has begun. At the top of the list, in addition to approving a $1-Billion bonding bill, lawmakers will consider bills to increase funding for education, transportation and to raise the minimum wage. Walker Lawmaker Larry Howes said one of the packages Democrats intend to introduce includes a 5 cents per gallon gas tax increase for roads and bridges indexed to inflation, some money to pay debt service for a highway bonding bill, increase license tab fees on all vehicles, and increase a metro-area sales tax for transportation. Howes said the element he's most opposed to is indexing the gas tax increase that would continue to rise. Representative Howes said he could live with a nickel a gallon increase but indexing is where he draws the line. He said if lawmakers have the political courage to raise the gas tax now, they should develop the same courage in five or ten years to become courageous again rather than allow the tax to increase every year. The session is scheduled to end on May 19th.

Minimum Wage Hike

State lawmakers are back at the Capitol to begin the 2008 session. At the top of the legislative list are bills to fund transporation, education and raise the minimum wage. Virginia Representative Tom Rukavina said the suggested bill would raise the minimum to $7.75 an hour for large companies, $6.75 for smaller ones. And the wage would be indexed to inflation. The bill goes to a House Committee on Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14th. The Minnesota Senate approved a similar bill last year.