Capitol Notepad, May 11, 2009

6:20 p.m. update: MMB announced that revenue collections are $24 million short (1.9%) of February’s projection. So far, revenue collection is $70 million below forecast — individual income and sales tax collections were below expectations. Omnibus health and human services finance (HF1362) passed the House. Omnibus public safety finance passed the Senate, after the Senate abandoned many policy provisions. Interestingly, we heard that suddenly homeowner-lender mediation (SF340) is actually moving along in both houses, after languishing for a couple months. We heard the governor’s office was contemplating funding mechanisms via fees upon banks (an interesting move), and local banks want to get exempted. We also hear that E-12 education omnibus has been kind of a mess, not meeting much, and at least as of earlier today, lacked a budget target. Al Franken’s lawyers filed their arguments against Norm Coleman, and Pawlenty eased some negotiation positions against the DFL, in particular offering to expand the education shift and cutting the appropriation bond (formerly known as a tobacco bond) in half. The Senate GOP caucus is handing out buttons that say special session costs $80,000 a day (so hurry it up!), but apparently House Research says this figure is more around $20,000, according to Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) via Twitter.

It’s sure to be an historic week — if a difficult one — at the Legislature. As PIM reported over the weekend, GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed the DFL tax proposal; the Legislature’s constitutionally mandated day of adjournment is a week from now. So what’s next?

The House went into session at 11 and broke for caucus. DFL House communications says the main item of the day will be the health and human services conference committee report (HF 1362; read it here). It also is unlikely that public safety will be dealt with in the House, and other conference committees may close out today or early tomorrow.

Conference committees: State government omnibus finance (SF 2082) is meeting after the last body has adjourned, after House Finance or at the call of the chair. Taxes omnibus (HF 2323) just adjourned to the call of the chair. Federal stimulus energy funding (HF 680/SF 657) is meeting sometime, somewhere.

Higher education (SF 2083) is meeting at the call of the chair in Capitol room 118. E-12 education (HF 2) is meeting sometime in State Office Building room 200.

The omnibus energy policy conference committee (SF 550/HF 863) is slated to meet at 3 p.m. in Capitol room 112. Omnibus bonding (HF 855) is slated for 3 p.m. in Capitol room 125.

Omnibus energy conservation (SF 550) is slated for 3 p.m. in Capitol room 112.

The Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy is meeting at some point today, to be announced.

Public safety omnibus finance (SF 802) got finished, and you can see it here.

House side: An hour after session, Finance is hearing about absentee ballots and "motor voter" registration, Minnesota First bonds, the home values guarantee pilot program, foreclosures, self-advocacy for people with developmental disabilities, the omnibus retirement bill, school district health coverage and health insurance benefits for domestic partners (HF 1219).

Perhaps Ways and Means is feeling green: it’s meeting at the call of the chair immediately following session, and will hear medical marijuana and environment and natural resources funding.

Labor and Consumer Protection Division heard the state building code advisory committee and exemptions.

The State Government Finance Division is hearing about mortgage foreclosure proceedings, the omnibus retirement bill, school districts’ health coverage and self-advocacy for people with disabilities.

Commerce and Labor is hearing information about authorizing the state lottery to offer games involving sports wagering (HF 631), a bill memorializing the U.S. Congress to oppose the National Insurance Act of 2007, the state building code exemption bill (if it gets through Labor and Consumer Protection) and prohibition of federal Internet gambling investigations (HF 2370).

Housing Finance and Policy and Public Health Finance Division is hearing a tax credit loan program, a home values guarantee pilot program and an informational hearing on staying mortgage foreclosure proceedings (HF 2233).

Senate side: The Senate is in session at noon. Finance is hearing the False Claims Act, health care technology standards, medical assistance, hearing test fees, homestead-lender mediation, MinnesotaCare, the forensic laboratory board, youth violence prevention, "children’s federal and state funding sources map of money" (SF 407) and child care programs, including the Minnesota family investment program (MFIP). [We're really hoping the "map of money" is a giant sheet of money for the children.]

The Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division is hearing about game and fish aquaculture provisisons.

Rules and Administration is hearing about modifying mandates for local government units, health and human services, education studies and an inventory of early childhood services.

No Responses to “Capitol Notepad, May 11, 2009”

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