Fridley's representatives at the state Capitol, Sen. Barb Goodwin and Rep. Connie Bernardy, didn't introduce or co-author any new bills since the last Fridley Patch Capitol Review on Jan. 22, 2013. They did, however, issue statements inviting the public to upcoming meetings in the community: Goodwin: Come to 'Community Conversations' Bernardy: Jan. 30 Superfund Info Sessions 'Great Opportunity' Bernardy also issued a statement Monday on Gov. Mark Dayton's budget proposal. "Governor Dayton's budget is a good place to start," Bernardy said. "It gives us the opportunity to invest in our …

Here is some of what Fridley's delegation was up to during the past week of the Minnesota Legislature session, which began Jan. 8, 2013: Minnesota SenateSen. Barb Goodwin, who represents Fridley, introduced five bills as chief author since our last Capitol Review post on Jan. 14: S.F. 44: Health records copying costs reduction S.F. 45: Grandparent visitation provisions modification S.F. 46: Firearms possession restoration for violent felons repeal S.F. 47: Theatrical productions smoking prohibition S.F. 64: Convicted violent felons gun ownership rights restoration authorization Two of Goodwin…

The three state representatives whose districts include parts of Fridley have so far signed on a cosponsors of two bills: one to repeal the marriage amendment, the other to restore the Mortgage Value Homestead Credit. Repealing Marriage AmendmentRep. Carolyn Laine (DFL-50A), who represents western and southern Fridley, and Rep. Kate Knuth (DFL-50B), who represents Fridley's southeastern corner, are co-authors with 15 others of a bill to repeal the marriage amendment passed last year. The amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is currently set to appear on ballots throughout the state in …

The 24 words state Sen. Pam Wolf proposed adding to state lawbooks last week drew a small flurry of media attention and teachers-union fury before the state Legislator took off for a weeklong holiday recess.  Those 24 words, amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 179A.06, subdivision 6: A dues check off under this subdivision for contributions to foundations, political action committees, or publications must be requested by the employee in writing. "What I believe she's trying to do is bury the union in a blizzard of bureaucracy," Tom Dooher, president of Education Minnesota, told …

State Rep. Tom Tillberry (DFL-51B) fired off a statement last week in response to the Minnesota House's passage of an education bill he said didn't take school issues seriously. “This bill would undo 30 years of funding education based on student needs,” Tillberry said. Among the bill's faults, in his view, is a failure to adequately fund school counselor positions like the job Tillberry holds. Minnesota ranks 49th in counselor-student ratio. Bills from Fridley's LegislatorsHere are the bills that Fridley's senators and representatives authored or co-authored since last week's Capitol Review…

Rep. Carolyn Laine (DFL-50A), who has been hobbled by a liver injury, co-authored her first piece of legislation in a couple weeks: a resolution asking the federal government to reorder its priorities away from "war and the interests of the few, to meeting the essential needs of us all." Laine joined 35 other authors—all DFLers. Companion legislation in the state Senate has two authors, also DFLers. Both bodies referred the resolutions to committees dealing with veterans' affairs. "Military spending priorities at the national level negatively impact budgets and quality of life at all levels …

Education is on the minds of Fridley-area legislators, from big funding bills to charter-school finance tweaks. State Sen. Pam Wolf (R-51) introduced a bill last week intended to give charter schools better bargaining position when they renegotiate leases for rented space. Landlords know the state's formula for providing lease aid and seek to charge the full amount no matter what market conditions dictate, said Wolf aide Joyce Bentser. Schools also lack incentive to get better lease deals because the state funding can only go toward rent. Wolf's bill would reward schools that are able to …

Changes to collective bargaining for public employees still roiling Wisconsin are making their way to Minnesota, according to state Sen. Barb Goodwin (DFL-50). She accused Republicans of trying to "bring Wisconsin politics into the Minnesota Capitol" in a statement opposing a bill that would prohibit teacher strikes and put restrictions on teacher-contract negotiation process. The bill, S.F. 208, got its first hearing Monday afternoon before the Minnesota Senate's State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee. Goodwin is a member of the committee.  UPDATE: Goodwin said the bill passed …

It will take more than improved financial projections and legislation on other issues to take the attention of Fridley's state Capitol contingent off a looming budget deficit that now stands at slightly more than $5 billion.  "No one should fool themselves into thinking that this improved forecast gets us out of trouble or means we can spend more in any area of the state budget," state Sen. Barb Goodwin said by email, in response to an inquiry Fridley Patch sent to all four of the city's state legislators. "We will still be forced to make billions in painful cuts that will impact all of us." …

Minnesota's improved budget picture means the state should release delayed payments to school districts, said one of Fridley's representatives at the state Capitol Monday. "I believe we should use this brighter forecast and repay the vast majority of the $1.4 billion school funding shift," said Rep. Tom Tillberry (DFL-51B) in a statement, only hours after the Minnesota Management and Budget Office forecasted a deficit of slightly more than $5 billion, down from $6.2 billion. "Laudable" was Tillberry's term for Gov. Dayton proposal to use the $1 billion or so to ease cuts to nursing homes and …

The Minnesota Legislature has more than once approved state bond funding for a big improvement project planned for Fridley's Springbrook Nature Center. But every time it reached his desk, Gov. Tim Pawlenty nixed it. Now that political-party control of the governor's office and the Legislature has switched, does Springbrook funding stand a chance? "There's always hope," said state Sen. Barb Goodwin (DFL-50). She said via email that she was writing a letter of support for Springbrook to Gov. Mark Dayton and has talked to his staff about the project, now pegged at $3 million. Goodwin said she …