By KEVIN GILES, Star Tribune
Last update: May 14, 2009 - 1:59 PM
In a reversal of an earlier decision, the Forest Lake City Council has voted to join the metropolitan transit taxing district.
The 3-2 vote Monday night means that Forest Lake will raise $274,000 to help pay for a weekday commuter bus service to Minneapolis. Forest Lake will assess residents in 2010 at a cost of about $25 for a house valued at $200,000, said Mayor Stev Stegner.
He said that while he's committed to mass transit, he voted against the decision. "I just thought there were too many expenses for the citizens of Forest Lake without any guarantees on our return," he said.
Council Member Jackie McNamara also voted no. Susan Young, Bo Bogotty and Jim DuFour voted in favor.
In March, the council voted 4-1 against the tax district decision, with only Young supporting it.
Route 288, a popular commuter bus route from Forest Lake to Minneapolis, began in 2008 after the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge. Its survival after this year depended in part on Forest Lake joining the transit taxing district, which the Metropolitan Council oversees.
Last year, Washington County voted to spend $1 million it received from the new transit sales tax -- a different tax than the one that Forest Lake council members voted down -- to keep the five daily buses running through this year.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Pawlenty says he'd sign bills, make cuts to balance budget
The governor said that, barring a deal with DFLers, he'll use line-item vetoes and other authority to pull spending bills into line with available revenues.
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: May 14, 2009 - 6:05 PM
By MARK BRUNSWICK Star Tribune Staff Writer
Turning the heat up to a boil in the closing days of the legislative session, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said today that he would use his powers of line-item veto and unallotment to balance a state budget facing a $4.6 billion deficit.
Pledging there would be no government shutdown or special legislative session, Pawlenty said that every bill sent to him by the DFL-controlled Legislature would be subject to his surgical veto pen, likely beginning with a massive Health and Human Services bill awaiting his signature.
"There is a key principle at stake here. You can't spend more than you have. The DFL-majority just did that," said Pawlenty, flanked by Republican legislators at a Capitol news conference. "In these economic times, the people of Minnesota want to see decisive action. We're going to take action to make sure this session ends on time with a balanced budget."
Pawlenty's move is a high-stakes staredown, but he said he remained willing to work with DFL legislative leaders to resolve the budget before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on Monday.
"There is still a good chunk of legislative time between now and Monday at midnight. They've got plenty of time to adjust if they like," Pawlenty said.
The process of unalotting, in which a governor essentially de-funds a program, could have enormous impacts on such things as cities and counties, which depend on state funding called Local Government Aid, as well as subsidized health care programs, which Pawlenty has targeted for reductions.
Those cuts would likely come in July, during the beginning of the budget years.
Pawlenty said his budget for the next two years would likely come in slightly above $31 billion, compared to the current projected budget of $34 billion.
Pawlenty left open what areas would face reductions, but said he would work off the budget bills passed by the DFL-controlled Legislature. DFL leaders had complained that Pawlenty had been inflexible in negotiations. After his announcement, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher called Pawlenty "Gov. Stand-alone." Pawlenty sent a letter earlier in the week suggesting compromise on several issues, including accepting larger school funding shifts, draining of budget reserves and scaling back a proposal to borrow against future revenues. Pawlenty said his willingness to sign the finance bills reflected "a gesture of significant compromise." Much action can be expected in the final days of the session. The House and Senate could mount an effort to override Pawlenty's veto of a tax bill they passed a week ago. The House needs three Republicans to vote with the DFL-majority to override a veto and Pawlenty said he was confident the House would hold firm. He said he has been talking daily with Republican House caucus members to assure their backing.
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: May 14, 2009 - 6:05 PM
By MARK BRUNSWICK Star Tribune Staff Writer
Turning the heat up to a boil in the closing days of the legislative session, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said today that he would use his powers of line-item veto and unallotment to balance a state budget facing a $4.6 billion deficit.
Pledging there would be no government shutdown or special legislative session, Pawlenty said that every bill sent to him by the DFL-controlled Legislature would be subject to his surgical veto pen, likely beginning with a massive Health and Human Services bill awaiting his signature.
"There is a key principle at stake here. You can't spend more than you have. The DFL-majority just did that," said Pawlenty, flanked by Republican legislators at a Capitol news conference. "In these economic times, the people of Minnesota want to see decisive action. We're going to take action to make sure this session ends on time with a balanced budget."
Pawlenty's move is a high-stakes staredown, but he said he remained willing to work with DFL legislative leaders to resolve the budget before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on Monday.
"There is still a good chunk of legislative time between now and Monday at midnight. They've got plenty of time to adjust if they like," Pawlenty said.
The process of unalotting, in which a governor essentially de-funds a program, could have enormous impacts on such things as cities and counties, which depend on state funding called Local Government Aid, as well as subsidized health care programs, which Pawlenty has targeted for reductions.
Those cuts would likely come in July, during the beginning of the budget years.
Pawlenty said his budget for the next two years would likely come in slightly above $31 billion, compared to the current projected budget of $34 billion.
Pawlenty left open what areas would face reductions, but said he would work off the budget bills passed by the DFL-controlled Legislature. DFL leaders had complained that Pawlenty had been inflexible in negotiations. After his announcement, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher called Pawlenty "Gov. Stand-alone." Pawlenty sent a letter earlier in the week suggesting compromise on several issues, including accepting larger school funding shifts, draining of budget reserves and scaling back a proposal to borrow against future revenues. Pawlenty said his willingness to sign the finance bills reflected "a gesture of significant compromise." Much action can be expected in the final days of the session. The House and Senate could mount an effort to override Pawlenty's veto of a tax bill they passed a week ago. The House needs three Republicans to vote with the DFL-majority to override a veto and Pawlenty said he was confident the House would hold firm. He said he has been talking daily with Republican House caucus members to assure their backing.
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
Reader's view: How will we pay for Oberstar’s mileage tax?
Duluth Tribune opinion editorial 5/14/09
I would like to comment on the proposed mileage tax, about which U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar wrote in a May 5 commentary in the News Tribune, “New sources of money needed to invest in roads and bridges.”
Where does Oberstar think the money will come from to pay for this and to install GPS technology in all of our vehicles?
The government is raising taxes. Meanwhile, people are losing their jobs. Doesn’t the government care? How are we going to pay rising taxes and fees without jobs? We have no money for this. Doesn’t the government realize that? Let all the millionaires and billionaires pay more taxes. They get by a lot easier than us middle-class and poor-class people.
People are losing their jobs, their homes, etc. Who is going to take care of us? Our government seems to care more about giving other countries money. I feel strongly our government should help its own people first for once.
So I suggest the government drive its own vehicles and let the government leaders pay this mileage tax, if it comes to be. They get things handed to them on a silver platter. Let them see how the people who don’t have much live each day.
Oberstar and the rest of the clan need to start seeing exactly what it is like for the rest of us. I feel if this mileage tax comes to be, there will be trouble and angry people. Where will we get the money to pay this? That is what I would like to know.
Rena Carey
Silver Bay
I would like to comment on the proposed mileage tax, about which U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar wrote in a May 5 commentary in the News Tribune, “New sources of money needed to invest in roads and bridges.”
Where does Oberstar think the money will come from to pay for this and to install GPS technology in all of our vehicles?
The government is raising taxes. Meanwhile, people are losing their jobs. Doesn’t the government care? How are we going to pay rising taxes and fees without jobs? We have no money for this. Doesn’t the government realize that? Let all the millionaires and billionaires pay more taxes. They get by a lot easier than us middle-class and poor-class people.
People are losing their jobs, their homes, etc. Who is going to take care of us? Our government seems to care more about giving other countries money. I feel strongly our government should help its own people first for once.
So I suggest the government drive its own vehicles and let the government leaders pay this mileage tax, if it comes to be. They get things handed to them on a silver platter. Let them see how the people who don’t have much live each day.
Oberstar and the rest of the clan need to start seeing exactly what it is like for the rest of us. I feel if this mileage tax comes to be, there will be trouble and angry people. Where will we get the money to pay this? That is what I would like to know.
Rena Carey
Silver Bay
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lawmakers Vs. University For Booze At New Stadium
Heather Brown, WCCO
The state's push to let everyone older than 21 drink alcohol at the new Gopher football stadium may have backfired this afternoon. On Wednesday, the Minnesota House passed the almost $3 billion higher education bill. In it was wording that, if the University wants to sell alcohol in the stadium, it would be required to sell it in every seat.
"Sometimes they say we shouldn't mettle, but I think that when we give billions of dollars, we should have a little say," said Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia. "It sends a message to the Board of Regents, the legislature still had a little bit of say."
When the University originally marketed the premium seats, the idea was they would be the only place to buy alcohol because it was the only place the security could control who goes in and out.
Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, didn't think that was fair.
"The grey poupon crowd up in the corporate suites [should have] the same access to adult beverages as those in the general admission area do," he said.
The University says it has a choice and will choose not to sell alcohol anywhere the stadium.
"The University of Minnesota's goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable game day experience for all of our fans," said University spokesman Dan Wolter.
He said school leaders acknowledge the lawmakers concerns but they don't want to sell alcohol in the general seating area. About 20 percent of the fans who sit there are students.
Grad student Melinda Beard agrees.
"There's a lot of opportunity for students to take advantage of that situation and I don't think the University would be able to control it," she said.
The University said it might considering serving alcohol in the suites, rather than selling it. Garofalo said he would fight that too.
No other Big 10 school allows alcohol sales in the general admission seating for the football games. But University of Minnesota mom Jackie Sirus said the school should at least try and card everyone who wants to buy alcohol.
"I don't know why the U is a bunch of fuddy-duds. I have no idea," she said.
The state's push to let everyone older than 21 drink alcohol at the new Gopher football stadium may have backfired this afternoon. On Wednesday, the Minnesota House passed the almost $3 billion higher education bill. In it was wording that, if the University wants to sell alcohol in the stadium, it would be required to sell it in every seat.
"Sometimes they say we shouldn't mettle, but I think that when we give billions of dollars, we should have a little say," said Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia. "It sends a message to the Board of Regents, the legislature still had a little bit of say."
When the University originally marketed the premium seats, the idea was they would be the only place to buy alcohol because it was the only place the security could control who goes in and out.
Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, didn't think that was fair.
"The grey poupon crowd up in the corporate suites [should have] the same access to adult beverages as those in the general admission area do," he said.
The University says it has a choice and will choose not to sell alcohol anywhere the stadium.
"The University of Minnesota's goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable game day experience for all of our fans," said University spokesman Dan Wolter.
He said school leaders acknowledge the lawmakers concerns but they don't want to sell alcohol in the general seating area. About 20 percent of the fans who sit there are students.
Grad student Melinda Beard agrees.
"There's a lot of opportunity for students to take advantage of that situation and I don't think the University would be able to control it," she said.
The University said it might considering serving alcohol in the suites, rather than selling it. Garofalo said he would fight that too.
No other Big 10 school allows alcohol sales in the general admission seating for the football games. But University of Minnesota mom Jackie Sirus said the school should at least try and card everyone who wants to buy alcohol.
"I don't know why the U is a bunch of fuddy-duds. I have no idea," she said.
HOUSE PASSES BILL FUNDING STATE GOVERNMENT ... JUST IN CASE
By Bill Salisbury Saint Paul Pioneer Press
The Minnesota House today passed a "lights on" bill that would keep state government operating if the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty fail to enact a budget before July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. The vote was 88-46
The bill's sponsor, House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, called it "an option of very last resort" that would avert a government shutdown. It would continue funding government services at current levels for one year.
But House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, called it the "let's-give-up bill" that would let lawmakers go home without balancing the budget.
Pawlenty said Wednesday that he would not object to a "responsible" lights-on bill, but he said the DFL bill approved by the House would spend too much money.
The Minnesota House today passed a "lights on" bill that would keep state government operating if the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty fail to enact a budget before July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. The vote was 88-46
The bill's sponsor, House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, called it "an option of very last resort" that would avert a government shutdown. It would continue funding government services at current levels for one year.
But House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, called it the "let's-give-up bill" that would let lawmakers go home without balancing the budget.
Pawlenty said Wednesday that he would not object to a "responsible" lights-on bill, but he said the DFL bill approved by the House would spend too much money.
AUDITOR: REMODELING BY MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL OK
Associated Press
Updated: 05/13/2009 11:07:10 AM CDT
Legislative Auditor James Nobles said he found no improprieties related to Attorney General Lori Swanson's office remodeling.
Swanson followed procedure when she installed heavy-duty doors to her office, Nobles said.
He said she got a private security assessment that recommended bulletproof doors. The doors she installed were also soundproof.
Nobles said Swanson has discretion to soundproof her office because she regularly discusses sensitive and confidential matters.
Nobles spoke to the Legislative Audit Commission during a hearing on Capitol security.
Updated: 05/13/2009 11:07:10 AM CDT
Legislative Auditor James Nobles said he found no improprieties related to Attorney General Lori Swanson's office remodeling.
Swanson followed procedure when she installed heavy-duty doors to her office, Nobles said.
He said she got a private security assessment that recommended bulletproof doors. The doors she installed were also soundproof.
Nobles said Swanson has discretion to soundproof her office because she regularly discusses sensitive and confidential matters.
Nobles spoke to the Legislative Audit Commission during a hearing on Capitol security.
WISCONSIN SENATE APPROVES WORKPLACE SMOKING BAN
Associated Press
Updated: 05/13/2009 09:03:49 PM CDT
MADISON, Wis. — The state Assembly quarreled over a statewide smoking ban Wednesday night with Republicans insisting the proposal passed earlier by the Senate would drive taverns and restaurants out of business.
Senate approval came Wednesday afternoon after more than four hours of debate. The Assembly got the bill about 5 p.m. and was still debating it at 8:30 p.m. with no end in sight.
Democrats who control both houses say the ban on smoking in most workplaces, a compromise between the state's powerful Tavern League and anti-smoking groups, will spare people the effects of secondhand smoke, saving tax dollars that would otherwise go to cover smoking-induced health problems.
Republicans said the ban trampled on business owners' rights to run their operations as they see fit. Assembly Republicans tried to tack more than two dozen amendments onto the bill in hopes of upsetting the fragile compromise and derailing the bill.
"If it's so good for businesses to have a no-smoking law, why wouldn't they do it themselves?" asked Rep. Bill Kramer, R-Waukesha.
Twenty-five other states, including Minnesota, already have gone smoke-free. But Wisconsin's Tavern League has stymied a statewide ban out of fear so many smoking customers would stay home that bars could go out of business.
Still, nearly 40 local governments have passed anti-smoking ordinances. The Tavern League says those regulations have created a patchwork that pits smoking bars against nonsmoking bars.
State politics shifted dramatically when Democrats took control of the full Legislature in last November's elections. With a ban looking inevitable, the tavern lobby and anti-smoking groups hammered out compromise legislation.
Under the bill, the ban would take effect in July 2010. Smokers who violate it would face fines of up to $250. Bar owners who don't try to stop smokers would first get a warning and then a $100 fine. Local governments couldn't pass any regulations stricter than the state ban.
The ban wouldn't apply to tribal casinos.
Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, the chief author of the bill, said the prohibition creates fair competition throughout the state and would save both lives and taxpayer dollars on health care expenses. A state Department of Health Services fiscal estimate attached to the bill said the measure would save about $754,000 in Medicaid expenses annually, with savings likely to grow over time.
"I don't have to tell you about the health effects of smoking," Risser told the Senate. "We all know it. It is the most preventable cause of illness in the state."
Senate Republicans — and some Democrats — tried to amend the bill to carve out the same exemptions as Assembly Republicans proposed, ranging from nursing homes to private country clubs. The most contentious amendment was a proposal from Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, that would have allowed hotels to permit smoking in up to 15 percent of their rooms.
Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, supported the idea, saying he was afraid travelers would pass through Wisconsin for hotels in Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa. Those states all have statewide smoking bans but allow smoking in a percentage of hotel rooms.
But Risser and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, warned the amendments would upset the fragile compromise between the Tavern League and anti-smoking groups.
"It's not a tough thing to get off the bar stool and step outside and smoke," said Erpenbach, himself a smoker.
None of the amendments survived and the Senate ended up approving the full bill 25-8.
Assembly Republicans tried to key on the hotel amendment. Rep. Steve Kestell, R-Elkhart Lake, introduced a proposal that would allow hotels to permit smoking in 25 percent of their rooms.
Democrats tried to table the amendment but fell short after Reps. Gary Sherman, D-Port Wing, and Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, voted to keep it alive. After a confused huddle on the Assembly floor, Democrats voted again. This time Sherman and Clark voted to table. Sherman said he was working on a separate bill that would allow smoking in 25 percent of hotel rooms and had been promised a vote on the measure.
"I don't know what you told your mom-and-pop businesses, but I told them I'd leave them alone," said Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford. "Let them do their business as they see fit."
Tag Grotelueschen, 41, co-owner of the Club Garibaldi bar in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood, said it's "ludicrous" to regulate consumption of a legal product, but he's glad the ban would be statewide.
"If it were by municipality it would hurt the bars on the fringes, but if it's statewide I don't think it's going to hurt us," he said. "Customers might complain at first but I think they'll acclimate."
But businessman Bruce Andreasen, 62, of Milwaukee said he wouldn't go to bars any more if he has to step away from his drink to light up.
"Rather than meeting friends at a bar I'd suggest alternatives, like meeting at someone's home," he said. "This ban is definitely going to make me stay home."
Updated: 05/13/2009 09:03:49 PM CDT
MADISON, Wis. — The state Assembly quarreled over a statewide smoking ban Wednesday night with Republicans insisting the proposal passed earlier by the Senate would drive taverns and restaurants out of business.
Senate approval came Wednesday afternoon after more than four hours of debate. The Assembly got the bill about 5 p.m. and was still debating it at 8:30 p.m. with no end in sight.
Democrats who control both houses say the ban on smoking in most workplaces, a compromise between the state's powerful Tavern League and anti-smoking groups, will spare people the effects of secondhand smoke, saving tax dollars that would otherwise go to cover smoking-induced health problems.
Republicans said the ban trampled on business owners' rights to run their operations as they see fit. Assembly Republicans tried to tack more than two dozen amendments onto the bill in hopes of upsetting the fragile compromise and derailing the bill.
"If it's so good for businesses to have a no-smoking law, why wouldn't they do it themselves?" asked Rep. Bill Kramer, R-Waukesha.
Twenty-five other states, including Minnesota, already have gone smoke-free. But Wisconsin's Tavern League has stymied a statewide ban out of fear so many smoking customers would stay home that bars could go out of business.
Still, nearly 40 local governments have passed anti-smoking ordinances. The Tavern League says those regulations have created a patchwork that pits smoking bars against nonsmoking bars.
State politics shifted dramatically when Democrats took control of the full Legislature in last November's elections. With a ban looking inevitable, the tavern lobby and anti-smoking groups hammered out compromise legislation.
Under the bill, the ban would take effect in July 2010. Smokers who violate it would face fines of up to $250. Bar owners who don't try to stop smokers would first get a warning and then a $100 fine. Local governments couldn't pass any regulations stricter than the state ban.
The ban wouldn't apply to tribal casinos.
Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, the chief author of the bill, said the prohibition creates fair competition throughout the state and would save both lives and taxpayer dollars on health care expenses. A state Department of Health Services fiscal estimate attached to the bill said the measure would save about $754,000 in Medicaid expenses annually, with savings likely to grow over time.
"I don't have to tell you about the health effects of smoking," Risser told the Senate. "We all know it. It is the most preventable cause of illness in the state."
Senate Republicans — and some Democrats — tried to amend the bill to carve out the same exemptions as Assembly Republicans proposed, ranging from nursing homes to private country clubs. The most contentious amendment was a proposal from Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, that would have allowed hotels to permit smoking in up to 15 percent of their rooms.
Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, supported the idea, saying he was afraid travelers would pass through Wisconsin for hotels in Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa. Those states all have statewide smoking bans but allow smoking in a percentage of hotel rooms.
But Risser and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, warned the amendments would upset the fragile compromise between the Tavern League and anti-smoking groups.
"It's not a tough thing to get off the bar stool and step outside and smoke," said Erpenbach, himself a smoker.
None of the amendments survived and the Senate ended up approving the full bill 25-8.
Assembly Republicans tried to key on the hotel amendment. Rep. Steve Kestell, R-Elkhart Lake, introduced a proposal that would allow hotels to permit smoking in 25 percent of their rooms.
Democrats tried to table the amendment but fell short after Reps. Gary Sherman, D-Port Wing, and Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, voted to keep it alive. After a confused huddle on the Assembly floor, Democrats voted again. This time Sherman and Clark voted to table. Sherman said he was working on a separate bill that would allow smoking in 25 percent of hotel rooms and had been promised a vote on the measure.
"I don't know what you told your mom-and-pop businesses, but I told them I'd leave them alone," said Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford. "Let them do their business as they see fit."
Tag Grotelueschen, 41, co-owner of the Club Garibaldi bar in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood, said it's "ludicrous" to regulate consumption of a legal product, but he's glad the ban would be statewide.
"If it were by municipality it would hurt the bars on the fringes, but if it's statewide I don't think it's going to hurt us," he said. "Customers might complain at first but I think they'll acclimate."
But businessman Bruce Andreasen, 62, of Milwaukee said he wouldn't go to bars any more if he has to step away from his drink to light up.
"Rather than meeting friends at a bar I'd suggest alternatives, like meeting at someone's home," he said. "This ban is definitely going to make me stay home."
AUDIT FINDS SECURITY HOLES AT MINNESOTA CAPITOL
BY KARE 11 JOHN CROMAN
St. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Capitol complex is overdue for significant security upgrades, according to a report issued Wednesday by the Legislative Auditor.
James Nobles told lawmakers the time has come for weapons screening at key access points to the Capitol and surrounding state office buildings. He also advised beefing up the security staff to match the expanding work load.
"We realize that the physical configuration of this building and the State Office Building in particular create enormous challenges making these buildings more secure," Nobles told a legislative panel, "So it will be controversial. It potentially may be costly. There will be added incovenience."
His report also recommends that a legislative committee be established to wade into the delicate issue of whether to install metal detectors or other screening devices in the Capitol complex, even as he suggested putting such devices at targeted locations and tightening access to parking areas in the meantime.
"Minnesota's lack of screening devices has partly reflected a desire by state officials to maintain the Capitol as `the people's building,' with relatively few restrictions on people there to visit, work, or observe," the report said. "However, it is difficult to justify the current level of openness, particularly for certain functions." Minnesota is one of only five states that doesn't screen for weapons at its Supreme Court.
Legislators reviewing the report at a hearing revealed some of their own security concerns. "If the bell went off right now and something was happening in the chamber, what do we do?" said Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul.
Sen. Ann Rest said she has gone over potential scenarios with her staff. "We have our own little security understanding, if there is something going on, we have decided we take down the drapes and we go out over the balcony to get out of the building," said Rest, DFL-New Hope.
The Capitol hasn't had any major incidents in recent years, even though the complex is located in an area with higher crime rates and hosts large demonstrations and events throughout the year. The buildings are home to offices for the governor, lieutenant governor, Legislature, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor and headquarters of at least eight state agencies.
Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion said his agency has tried to ensure safety at the Capitol "within the confines of available resources," but more resources would be needed to implement all of the recommendations. He also pointed out that there haven't been serious incidents in recent years. "We've perhaps been lucky to some extent up to this point in time," he said. The audit paints a picture of an inadequately trained staff of mostly security guards responsible for security at the Capitol. The number of Capitol Security officers dropped from 49 in 1999 to 39 last year, although their ranks are fortified by retired law enforcement officers during the legislative session.
During that time, access to buildings has been tightened through the use of keycards. But three major new state buildings have opened. Capitol Security is now monitoring 46,000 cameras, intercoms, alarms, entrances and other points, up from 20,000 in 2000. The unit, a division of the Public Safety Department, is headed by State Patrol Lt. Mary Schrader and employs two other sworn officers, one of them during the legislative session only. "That's fewer than some high schools," Rest said.
Most of the rest are security guards who don't carry weapons or have full authority to make arrests. Their training hasn't covered verbal confrontations since 2003 or bomb threats in depth since 2000.
The report also found outdated written policies on responding to emergencies. Minnesota's minimal protection from sworn law enforcement matches up with the approach in Alaska, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota and Montana, more sparsely populated states.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Texas Capitol is guarded by 142 sworn officers and more than 100 non-sworn officers. Wisconsin has 40 full-time sworn officers and 20 part-time. Iowa has 20 to 30 sworn officers. South Dakota has 10.
"A stronger law enforcement presence in the Capitol complex is overdue," the report said. Another issue: About half the cost of Capitol Security is paid by contracts with state agencies, an approach that the audit said led to uneven security. The report recommended that the Legislature directly appropriate the money to pay for Capitol Security.
Nobles advised the lawmakers to establish a legislative committee on Capitol complex security, including representatives of all three branches of state government to discuss risks in confidential meetings. The report also recommends including money for security measures in next year's construction projects bill.
The report also recommends giving State Patrol protection, now available to the governor and governor-elect, to other key state officials if their security is at risk. The audit did not cover the governor's security or the Legislature's sergeant-at-arms offices. Beefing up Capitol security won't be easy, Nobles told lawmakers at the hearing. "It will be controversial. It potentially could be costly."
There will be added inconvenience," he said. Joel Alter, who conducted the audit, said the last major incident happened in 1972, when unknown attackers detonated 40 sticks of dynamite in the basement of the State Office Building, injuring some and causing significant property damage. "It can happen," he said. "We are very fortunate that it has not happened more recently."
St. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Capitol complex is overdue for significant security upgrades, according to a report issued Wednesday by the Legislative Auditor.
James Nobles told lawmakers the time has come for weapons screening at key access points to the Capitol and surrounding state office buildings. He also advised beefing up the security staff to match the expanding work load.
"We realize that the physical configuration of this building and the State Office Building in particular create enormous challenges making these buildings more secure," Nobles told a legislative panel, "So it will be controversial. It potentially may be costly. There will be added incovenience."
His report also recommends that a legislative committee be established to wade into the delicate issue of whether to install metal detectors or other screening devices in the Capitol complex, even as he suggested putting such devices at targeted locations and tightening access to parking areas in the meantime.
"Minnesota's lack of screening devices has partly reflected a desire by state officials to maintain the Capitol as `the people's building,' with relatively few restrictions on people there to visit, work, or observe," the report said. "However, it is difficult to justify the current level of openness, particularly for certain functions." Minnesota is one of only five states that doesn't screen for weapons at its Supreme Court.
Legislators reviewing the report at a hearing revealed some of their own security concerns. "If the bell went off right now and something was happening in the chamber, what do we do?" said Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul.
Sen. Ann Rest said she has gone over potential scenarios with her staff. "We have our own little security understanding, if there is something going on, we have decided we take down the drapes and we go out over the balcony to get out of the building," said Rest, DFL-New Hope.
The Capitol hasn't had any major incidents in recent years, even though the complex is located in an area with higher crime rates and hosts large demonstrations and events throughout the year. The buildings are home to offices for the governor, lieutenant governor, Legislature, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor and headquarters of at least eight state agencies.
Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion said his agency has tried to ensure safety at the Capitol "within the confines of available resources," but more resources would be needed to implement all of the recommendations. He also pointed out that there haven't been serious incidents in recent years. "We've perhaps been lucky to some extent up to this point in time," he said. The audit paints a picture of an inadequately trained staff of mostly security guards responsible for security at the Capitol. The number of Capitol Security officers dropped from 49 in 1999 to 39 last year, although their ranks are fortified by retired law enforcement officers during the legislative session.
During that time, access to buildings has been tightened through the use of keycards. But three major new state buildings have opened. Capitol Security is now monitoring 46,000 cameras, intercoms, alarms, entrances and other points, up from 20,000 in 2000. The unit, a division of the Public Safety Department, is headed by State Patrol Lt. Mary Schrader and employs two other sworn officers, one of them during the legislative session only. "That's fewer than some high schools," Rest said.
Most of the rest are security guards who don't carry weapons or have full authority to make arrests. Their training hasn't covered verbal confrontations since 2003 or bomb threats in depth since 2000.
The report also found outdated written policies on responding to emergencies. Minnesota's minimal protection from sworn law enforcement matches up with the approach in Alaska, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota and Montana, more sparsely populated states.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Texas Capitol is guarded by 142 sworn officers and more than 100 non-sworn officers. Wisconsin has 40 full-time sworn officers and 20 part-time. Iowa has 20 to 30 sworn officers. South Dakota has 10.
"A stronger law enforcement presence in the Capitol complex is overdue," the report said. Another issue: About half the cost of Capitol Security is paid by contracts with state agencies, an approach that the audit said led to uneven security. The report recommended that the Legislature directly appropriate the money to pay for Capitol Security.
Nobles advised the lawmakers to establish a legislative committee on Capitol complex security, including representatives of all three branches of state government to discuss risks in confidential meetings. The report also recommends including money for security measures in next year's construction projects bill.
The report also recommends giving State Patrol protection, now available to the governor and governor-elect, to other key state officials if their security is at risk. The audit did not cover the governor's security or the Legislature's sergeant-at-arms offices. Beefing up Capitol security won't be easy, Nobles told lawmakers at the hearing. "It will be controversial. It potentially could be costly."
There will be added inconvenience," he said. Joel Alter, who conducted the audit, said the last major incident happened in 1972, when unknown attackers detonated 40 sticks of dynamite in the basement of the State Office Building, injuring some and causing significant property damage. "It can happen," he said. "We are very fortunate that it has not happened more recently."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Minneapolis DFL City Convention this Saturday
Minneapolis DFL City Convention will be held at Washburn High School on Saturday the 16th.
Minneapolis DFL City Convention information
Minneapolis DFL City Convention information
Minnesota Legislature is more likely to meet all weekend
According to some Capitol insiders, the Minnesota State Legislature would be in session this weekend (May 15-17) so they could finish up work by May 18th adjournment deadline.
Special Session possible but wait and see what happen after 2009 regular session adjourns.
Special Session possible but wait and see what happen after 2009 regular session adjourns.
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