Week in Review: Feb. 13-17

As the legislative session continues to hum along, House committees spent much of the past week with budget overviews and approving a few bills.

Among topics addressed were: agricultural property taxes, student suspensions, higher hunting and fishing license fees, medical professionals in Greater Minnesota, peace officer training and ditch mowing.

Before legislators continue the process of setting a state budget for the next biennium, they may raise the spirits of many Minnesotans with Monday’s expected floor vote to allow off-sale liquor sales on Sunday. Could the debate turn into a brouhaha?

As for committee activity? Things are expected to pick up next week with many bills on the docket including a 145-page, wide-ranging tax bill Wednesday. Members are also scheduled to elect four members to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents in a joint legislative session that evening.

Before looking further ahead to next week let’s take a look at what you may have missed this week.

Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture committee considers $660K bill to cover wolf, elk damage

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12536

Lower property taxes for farmers is goal of bill approved by ag committee

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12527

AGRI program shares efforts to advance state’s ag industries

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12522

CIVIL LAW

Owners wouldn’t be obliged to make property safe for trespassers

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12521

EDUCATION

Discrimination concerns arise over student suspension proposal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12539

School choice debate heats up over K-12 tax credit proposal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12537

Community, school partnerships funding proposed

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12538

‘Culturally competent’ teachers could combat special ed disparity, some lawmakers say

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12517

Reading, math corps budgets could see bumps

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12524

ENVIRONMENT

Higher fees proposed as DNR explains billion-dollar budget request

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12518

Minnesota Index: Floral factoids

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12514

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Rural health care problems include lower incomes, fewer doctors

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12541

Pilot project proposed to support parents with disabilities

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12535

Advocates say reform to elder care waiver would improve payment rates

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12530

State could support local health departments with grant program

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12534

Bill would help expand disability services aimed at helping people gain autonomy

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12516

Starting Line: Emergency prescription refills in emergency situations

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12512

HOUSING

‘For Rent’ signs needed to bring jobs to Greater Minnesota?

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12532

Changing ‘townhouse’ definition pits homebuilders against fire officials

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12525

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

House passes veterans memorial location bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12511

PUBLIC SAFETY

Officer diversity training plan breezes through public safety committee

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12528

As demands increase, public safety officials seek more funding

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12519

RECREATION AND TOURISM

Penguin, sloth appear as Como Zoo funding request is presented

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12515

STATE GOVERNMENT

House settles on its permanent rules for biennium

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12542

Dayton’s diversity priority means his staff is growing

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12540

Republicans grill state auditor over lawsuit expenses

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12533

Neu special election win pushes House Republican majority to 20 seats

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12526

‘Drastic’ proposed changes to stadium authority clear first committee

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12523

TAXES

Special account proposed to help state tax filers get what’s coming

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12520

Calls made to change property tax that doesn’t stay local

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12529

TRANSPORTATION

Red light flashers called for at right-turn lane school bus stops

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12513

MnDOT, farmers on different sides of disagreement over ditch mowing

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12531