Health & Fitness
'March Madness' at the Capitol
Like college basketball, it's "March Madness" at Capitol, too, where 2,839 legislative proposals are being whittled down to a few dozen that will become law.
I love this time of year. High school tourneys. Temps in the 60s, yet still the prospect of a tournament-time blizzard. And college basketball's "March Madness," in which 68 of the nation's best college basketball teams will be whittled down, often in dramatic fashion, to a national champion.
A similar thing is set to occur soon at the Capitol, as 2839 policy and budget proposals are narrowed down to a few dozen that will actually become law before the legislative session adjourns in a month or so.
SWEET 16 SURVEY. With all this going on, plus new gambling and stadium bills expected to be introduced this week, competition for legislators' attention among the various policy and budget proposals is becoming fierce. With that in mind, I have attached a unique survey, set out in a tournament format. You may find it uncomfortable to make some of the choices between the 16 issues in the survey. That's how I start to feel this time of year, too, as so many issues elbow against each other to get attention and get accomplished.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
REPUBLICANS CLASH OVER "RIGHT TO WORK." The biggest battle at the Capitol right now isn't between Democrats and Republicans. Instead, conservative Republicans and moderate Republicans are deeply split over whether to place a so-called "Right to Work" constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall. Such an amendment, if passed, would prohibit making union membership mandatory in any workplace.
STADIUM DEAL REALLY A DEAL? Though the City of Minneapolis and Minnesota Vikings announced an agreement to finance a new stadium in Minneapolis, the agreement, as it turns out, lacks one key component: the support of the Minneapolis City Council. It takes seven out of 13 council members to pass a stadium deal; currently only five support it.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
IGH PIPERS HONOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS, SOLDIERS. Two members of the Minnesota State Fire Service Memorial Pipe Band, both from Inver Grove, were at the Capitol last Friday, seeking support for their efforts to further honor fallen firefighters and soldiers. As the chief author of their legislation, I deeply appreciate their service to grieving families.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES. Go to www.facebook.com/State.Rep.Joe.Atkins for notification info on a Level 3 sex offender who moved into nearby South St. Paul this week, as well as an NFL player expected to run for the Minnesota House this fall. You don't need to be a Facebook member to view this page.
As always, if you would like to weigh in on these or any other legislative issues, please feel free to email me at Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn, call me at 296-4192, or complete and return the attached survey.
