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Minnesota Senate Media Coverage

2004 Archive Collection

Committee Hearings

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Click on a month to navigate down the page quickly: 2004 January February March April May October November December December 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration Thursday December 16, 2004 Finance Committee, Early Childhood Policy and Budget Division The 2003 Legislature reduced child care assistance to help address the $4.5 billion dollar shortfall. The budget division holds an informational hearing to examine the impact of those cuts and the status of the sliding fee program, which helps reduce child care costs for low income families. 2 hrs, 20 min November 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration Tuesday November 16, 2004 Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women The Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women dedicates a hearing to explore the history and current status of female criminal offenders in Minnesota. 2 hrs, 47 min October 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration Monday October 25, 2004 Environment and Natural Resources Dr. Tyrone Hayes, University of California, Berkeley and National Geographic Society Research Grantee, presents his latest research on the potential relationship between Atrazine, a herbicide, and frog deformities. 1 hr, 45 min May 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration Wednesday May 12, 2004 Taxes Committee A proposal to allow the White Earth and Red Lake community to operate a metro area casino is before the committee. 1 hr, 56 min Tuesday May 11, 2004 Taxes Committee A proposal to allow slot machines at Canterbury Park is before the Committee, along with several other proposals for new gaming in Minnesota. 6 hrs, 41 min Wednesday May 5, 2004 State and Local Government Operations Proposals to fund a new gophers football stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota and finance new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings come before the committee. 4 hrs, 23 min April 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration Tuesday April 27, 2004 Education The confirmation of Dr. Cheri Pierson Yecke as Commissioner of Education is before the committee. 4 hrs, 7 min Monday April 26, 2004 Taxes Committee The final draft of the omnibus tax bill is presented to the committee. 2 hrs, 13 min Friday April 23, 2004 Taxes Committee Proposals to provide sales tax exemptions on construction materials and diesel fuel used to build and operate the Northstar Commuter Rail is before the committee. The committee also continues its work in compiling the omnibus tax bill and considers proposals to adopt the federal Military Family Tax Relief deductions and exclusions. 5 hrs, 37 min Wednesday April 21, 2004 Taxes Committee The committee continues their discussion on the omnibus tax bill. Today’s meeting focuses on a proposed amendment that would prohibit a proposed tire burning facility in Preston, Minnesota from qualifying for tax zone incentives. More: 2 hrs, 41 min Tuesday April 20, 2004 Taxes Committee The public is invited to testify on the property and income tax articles of the omnibus tax bill. 1 hr, 34 min Friday April 16, 2004 Taxes Committee The committee continues to develop its omnibus tax bill, and the second draft is presented to the members. (Coverage begins at 01:00:00) More: 2 hrs, 53 min Thursday April 1, 2004 Education The committee conducts its first of two confirmation hearings on the appointment of Dr. Cheri Pierson Yecke as Commissioner of Education 3 hrs, 59 min Thursday April 1, 2004 Finance Committee, K-12 Education Budget Division Before the committee is the omnibus K-12 education funding bill, SF 1774. (Coverage begins at 00:00:00). More: 1 hr, 55 min Thursday April 1, 2004 Finance Before the committee is a bill requiring inflationary spending calculations to be included in the budget forecast. 46 min March 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration B Wednesday March 31, 2004 Finance Committee, K-12 Education Budget Division The budget division dedicates its afternoon meeting to review the five articles composing the omnibus k-12 education finance bill. 1 hr, 7 min Wednesday March 31, 2004 Finance Committee, K-12 Education Budget Division The various education policy proposals approved by the Education committee earlier this session are before the education finance division. 1 hr, 14 min Tuesday March 30, 2004 Finance Committee, Transportation Policy & Budget Division The confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau as the Commissioner of Transportation is before the committee. 2 hrs, 6 min Tuesday March 30, 2004 Finance Committee, K-12 Education Budget Division Several bills attempting to improve school bus safety are before the committee. More: 1 hr, 56 min Monday March 29, 2004 Taxes Committee People who lease automobiles currently pay a portion of the lease sales tax as part of the monthly lease payment. To help resolve the $160 million projected deficit, the Governor is proposing that the total sales tax on lease payments be due when the lease begins. The Governor's tax bill, including this provision, is before the committee. 1 hr, 21 min Friday March 26, 2004 Judiciary Voters would have the opportunity to decide whether the state consitution should define marriage as a union between a man and a women, according to H.F. 2798, a measure passed earlier this week by the House and now before the committee. More: 3 hrs, 47 min Friday March 26, 2004 Finance Former Finance Commisioners John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski present their concerns about the state failing to structurally balance its budget in a joint hearing of the tax and finance committees. 1 hr, 39 min Thursday March 25, 2004 Finance Committee, Environment, Agriculture & Economic Development Budget Division Voters in the 2004 election would have the opportunity to dedicate a small portion of the sales tax to natural resource projects, under SF 401, proposing an amendment to the state constitution. (Coverage begins at 00:20:56) More: 2 hrs, 5 min Wednesday March 24, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety Voters in the 2004 election would decide whether Minnesota should reinstate the death penalty, under a bill before the committee. 2 hrs, 30 min Tuesday March 23, 2004 Finance Committee, Transportation Policy & Budget Division The committee invites Peter Bell, Chairman of the Metropolitan Council, and Ron Lloyd, President of Amalgamated Transit Union #1005, to talk about contract disagreements and possible resolution to the bus strike. (Coverage begins at 00:11:33) 1 hr, 44 min Tuesday March 23, 2004 Finance Committee, Environment, Agriculture & Economic Development Budget Division In the summer of 2005, Minnesotans will no longer be able to dispose of old television sets and computer monitors, which were constructed with cathode ray tubes. Before the committee is a bill proposing a recycling program to help state residents get rid of their old electronic products. (Coverage begins at 00:35:30) More: 2 hrs, 19 min Monday March 22, 2004 Commerce Homeowners who have experienced costly repairs due to mold and other water damage spurred the creation of the proposed Homeowners Protection Act. The measure, SF 2248, is before the committee. (Coverage begins at 00:05:20.) More: 2 hrs, 8 min B Thursday March 18, 2004 Education Teachers, education officals, parents and students are invited to comment on the proposed Social Studies standards developed by the administration's selection committee and the three alternatives proposed by the Senate Education Committee. 2 hrs, 55 min Thursday March 18, 2004 Education The proposed state Science standards that are created to meet the federal No Child Left Behind Act await Senate approval, and the committee allots time to education professionals who are concerned about the latest draft. (Coverage begins at 01:03:42.) More: 2 hrs, 30 min Wednesday March 17, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety For several weeks the committee has considered proposals to protect the public from sex offenders and to deter the manufacturing of methamphetamines. An all-encompassing bill incorporating many of the ideas presented earlier in the session is before the committee. SF 1863 is the Omnibus Criminal Justice Policy Bill. 1 hr, 41 min Tuesday March 16, 2004 Taxes Committee The Senate Republicans recently announced a plan to solve the projected $160 million dollar budget deficit and fund $41 million dollars in new initiatives. The bulk of the revenue, $100 million dollars, would be derived from state franchised slot machines at Canterbury Park. The plan is before the committee. (Coverage begins at 00:00:00). More: 2 hrs, 14 min Monday March 15, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety Minnesota Drivers could be pulled over and ticketed for not wearing their seat belts, under a bill awaiting committee approval. (Coverage begins at 00:36:00). More: 2 hrs, 33 min Friday March 12, 2004 Elections Minnesotans could amend the constitution to lower the voting age to 17, under a bill before the committee. (Coverage begins at 00:34:17.) More: 1 hr, 49 min Thursday March 11, 2004 Health and Family Security Human adult and embryonic stem cells could be used for medical research and experimentation, under a bill awaiting committee action. (Coverage of the measure, SF 2077, begins at 00:00:00.) Another proposal, SF 2438, before the committee raises the Medical Assistance provider rate by 2.5 percent, and the additional money must be used raise the pay of long term care workers. (Coverage begins at 01:26:28.) 2 hrs, 17 min Wednesday March 10, 2004 Jobs, Energy & Community Development The minimum wage in Minnesota would rise to $5.90 per hour beginning July 1, 2004, and to $6.65 beginning July 1, 2005, under a bill before the committee. The minimum wage paid by small employers would be 25 cents per hour less. 2 hrs, 17 min Wednesday March 10, 2004 Commerce Would the cost of education be less if Minnesota school districts were required to offer employees health insurance through one newly created health insurance pool? That question is before the committee as they consider SF 2491, a bill establishing the mandatory health insurance plan. (Coverage begins at 00:08:42.) Also, SF 914, a proposal allowing grocery stores to sell wine, is before the committee. (Coverage begins at 02:22:37.) More: 2 hrs, 40 min Tuesday March 9, 2004 Health and Family Security Allowing parents access to their teenage children's medical records and requiring their consent before medical procedures are performed is a proposal before the committee. Supporter and opponents of the measure, SF 570, offer their views as well. (Coverage begins at 00:32:53) More: 2 hrs, 36 min Tuesday March 9, 2004 State Government Budget Division In helping to resolve the state's $160 million dollar project shorftall, the Governor proposes an additional three percent cut in administrative offices and state agencies. The committee hears from the respective budget adminstrators on how the cuts are to be made. 2 hrs, 20 min Monday March 8, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety The sadness and pain surrounding the abduction of Dru Sjodin was carried by the family and friends who came to testify on her behalf. Before the committee is SF 2486, a bill setting mandatory life sentences for first degree sexual offenders. (Coverage begins at 01:04:22) More: 2 hrs, 28 min Friday March 5, 2004 State Government Budget Division The administration is soliciting bids for the construction of private toll roads along federal interstate highways within the metropolitan area. Whether local municipalities could veto the construction of the private roads is a question the committee is asking of those involved in the contracting process. (Coverage begins at 00:00:00.) More: 2 hrs, 23 min Thursday March 4, 2004 Finance Committee, K-12 Education Budget Division The federal No Child Left Behind Act attempts to narrow the gap between students who are performing well in school and those who are not. It imposes new requirements on Minnesota's schools that have raised concerns among the education community. The Legislative Audit Commission releases its report examining the impact of the new law. 1 hr, 45 min Wednesday March 3, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, dangerous drug that has had a devastating impact on communities and the environment. The committee dedicates a hearing to review three proposals attempting to curb the manufacturing of the substance. More: 2 hrs, 15 min February 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration Friday February 27, 2004 Education The Youth Advisory Council delves into several education initiatives before the Senate Education Committee. 2 hrs, 24 min Thursday February 26, 2004 Health and Family Security Awaiting committee action is a comprehensive health care package, SF 1760, limiting the growth of insurance premiums; restoring health care cuts made in 2003; allowing small businesses to join the MnCare program; funding health care education initiatives and instituting an electronic medical record system. (Coverage begins at 01:09:58) More: 2 hrs, 38 min Wednesday February 25, 2004 Jobs, Energy & Community Development Four distinguised University of Minnesota professors discuss the impact of the climate change in Minnesota. The speakers are Dr. G. David Tilman, Regents Professor of Ecology; Dr. Peter Wyckoff, Professor of Biology; Dr. Lucinda Johnson, Acting Director, Center for Water and Environment; and Dr. Steve Polasky, Professor of Ecological/Environmental Economics. 2 hrs, 4 min Wednesday February 25, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety The confirmation of Public Safety Commissioner Rich Stanek is before the committee. 1 hr, 51 min Tuesday February 24, 2004 Education School districts could adopt a policy penalizing truant students by taking away their driving privileges, according to SF 2036, a bill before the committee. (Coverage begins at 00:04:40). Students with life-threatening allergies could carry, while in school, nonsyringe injectors of epinephrine, under SF 1880. (Coverage begins at 01:36:12) More: 3 hrs, 7 min Tuesday February 24, 2004 Health and Family Security The committee hears from the public about a Senate DFL-proposed comprehensive health care package. The bill intends to limit the growth of insurance premiums, restore health care cuts made in 2003; allow small businesses to join the MnCare program, fund health care education initiatives and require electronic medical data. 2 hrs, 30 min Monday February 23, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety Sex offenders could face an indeterminate sentence, according to SF 734, a bill awaiting committee action. (Coverage begins at 00:01:18). In an effort to keep dangerous sex offenders off the street, various proposals are considered for inclusion into an omnibus committee bill. The proposals include: 1 hr, 33 min Friday February 20, 2004 Education The Senate Education Committee has the first appointed Youth Advisory Council, which has the task of conveying the needs of Minnesota students to the committee as they confront the problems facing education today. 2 hrs Friday February 20, 2004 Elections Minnesota voters with disabilities often are not afforded privacy when casting their ballot due to the lack of specialized voting equipment. SF 1666, funding the purchase of that equipment, is before the committee. (Coverage begins at 00:40:37) More: 2 hrs, 9 min Thursday February 19, 2004 Education Several of the Governor's education intiatives are before the committee. SF 2135 creates a pilot project to reward high performance teachers (coverage begins at 00:00:00) More: 3 hrs, 5 min Thursday February 19, 2004 Joint Committees The Office of the Legislative Auditor presents its report on the operation of the Minnesota State Lottery to the Legislative Audit Commission. 1 hr, 25 min Wednesday February 18, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety Bills to protect the public from dangerous sex offenders were at the forefront of the committee's agenda. SF 1833 requires sex offenders to submit to a polygraph examination as a condition of release (coverage begins at 00:13:55). Another proposal, SF 1464, calls for lifetime supervision of repeat sex offenders (01:50:20). More: 2 hrs, 17 min Tuesday February 17, 2004 Education Two bills intending to ease the federal No Child Left Behind education requirements are before the committee. SF 1921 requires legislative approval of the federal requirements before they are imposed upon teachers, and SF 1853 asks Congress to amend the No Child Left Behind Act immediately. (Coverage of SF 1853 begins at 00:48:06; coverage of SF 1921 begins at 001:52:25) More: 2 hrs, 28 min Tuesday February 17, 2004 Taxes Committee A privately financed and owned transit system consisting of computer-controlled vehicles running on an elevated track would be given a big boost under a bill before the committee. The measure, SF 1703, creates tax exemptions for personal rapid transit systems. (Coverage begins at 00:41:53) More: 2 hrs, 31 min Monday February 16, 2004 Jobs, Energy & Community Development The lion’s share of global air freight in the Midwestern region is flown out of Chicago, and creating incentives for an international air cargo service at MSP is presented to the committee. (Coverage of the bill, SF 1801, begins at 00:13:30) 2 hrs, 7 min Wednesday February 11, 2004 State and Local Government Operations The Governor assigned a task force to identify financing methods for a new Twins and Vikings stadium, and their recommendations come before the committee. 2 hrs, 40 min Tuesday February 10, 2004 Health and Family Security Minnesota residents impacted by state budget cuts to child care programs and health coverage testify on how their lives have changed as a result of the measures taken last session. 2 hrs, 15 min Tuesday February 10, 2004 Taxes Committee Corporations would be prohibited from deducting civil penalties from their taxable income, under a bill before the committee. 2 hrs, 10 min Monday February 9, 2004 Environment and Natural Resources Voters in the next election would decide whether a portion of the state sales tax should be designated to preserving natural resources, under a proposal before the committee. 1 hr, 10 min Friday February 6, 2004 Judiciary Public officials responsible for keeping dangerous sex offenders in secured treatment explain the process of civil commitment. 2 hrs Thursday February 5, 2004 Finance Committee, Environment, Agriculture & Economic Development Budget Division A new exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo featuring grizzly bears, sea otters, wild boar and Amur leopards is part of a $48 million dollar bonding request before the finance division. 1 hr, 19 min Wednesday February 4, 2004 Crime Prevention and Public Safety The length of sentences for sex offenders and the process by which they are committed to further treatment following imprisonment is an issue at the forefront of the committee's 2004 agenda. 2 hrs, 25 min Wednesday February 4, 2004 Taxes Committee Minnesota tax law would include deductions for contributions to health savings accounts, as designed in the federal Medicare Prescription Drug Act, under a proposal before the committee. 2 hrs, 19 min Tuesday February 3, 2004 Education Minnesota's system of rating public schools is the committee's focus during its first hearing of the 2004 session. 1 hr, 45 min Tuesday February 3, 2004 Health and Family Security The Senate Health and Family Security Committee conducts an informational hearing on federal changes to medicare. 2 hrs, 45 min January 2004 Back to top SF No. Committee Hearing Date Committee About the Debate and Video Coverage Duration Friday January 23, 2004 Education The proposed elementary and high school academic standards for History and Social Studies seizes the attention of the Education Committee in an intense afternoon session. 4 hrs, 25 min Friday January 23, 2004 Education The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Steve Kelly (DFL-Hopkins), begins its review of the proposed Science standards for grades K-12. 3 hrs, 25 min Monday January 12, 2003 Crime Prevention and Public Safety The Senate Crime Prevention Committee delves into the process of committing sex offenders to further treatment following their release from prison. 2 hrs, 17 min

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