Political Notebook

Walz willing to consider ban on assault weapons

In the wake of last week’s massacre at a Connecticut elementary school, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz said he is willing to consider reinstating a ban on assault weapons.

“Protecting our citizens is something we need to do, and I think it is something that can be done without infringing on the lawful rights of gun owners,” Walz said in an interview on Tuesday.

The Mankato Democrat's support is notable because he has a record of supporting gun rights and has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, which gives him an “A” rating. Friday’s mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six adults dead has thrust the issue of gun control back in the national spotlight. A CBS news poll conducted after the shooting found 57 percent of those surveyed support stricter gun control laws compared to just 39 percent in April.

Walz, a high school teacher and parent of two young children, said elected leaders have a responsibility to make sure something this sort of tragedy never happens again. In addition to considering the assault weapons ban, Walz said it is also important to look at increasing funding for background checks and implement the mental health parity law passed in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone that requires health insurance companies to cover mental health treatment at the same level as treatment for physical illness.

One idea that Walz is not willing to entertain is the suggestion that school teachers be armed. He fears that would send the message that Americans do not believe law enforcement can do an adequate job protecting children.

“Arming teachers is the last and the worst possible suggestion,” he said.

Fair goers weigh in on fireworks, Facebook & more in poll

The annual House of Representatives' state fair poll results are out and, while not scientific, it does offer an interesting glimpse of what was the minds of fair goers who took a time out from food-on-a-stick to cast a ballot.

Those surveyed were split on whether Minnesota should legalize bigger fireworks like bottle rockets in the state. Of those voting, nearly 48 percent voted "yes" while 45 percent voted "no."  More than 8 percent of those polled were undecided. The Republican-leg Legislature passed a bill opening the door to these fireworks, but DFL Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed it due to safety concerns.

Voters did overwhelmingly agree that employers shouldn't be allowed to require employees to fork over their Facebook passwords in exchange for a job. Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, co-sponsored a bill last session that would have prohibited this. Looks like it might have traction next year with nearly 93 percent of voters agreeing with it.

Here are some other interesting poll results:

— Nearly 72 percent of those polled say schol district should be able to use performation evaluations in making layoff decisions. The governor vetoed a bill passed by the Republican-led Legislature that would have allowed that. Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, was a cosponsor of that bill.

— Nearly 70 percent of poll takers say motorcyclists should be required to wear a helmet.

— More than half of those polled — 54 percent — say there should be a higher threshold when it comes to getting a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Right now, it takes a simple majority. Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, sponsored a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to get an amendment on the ballot.

Want to see all the poll results? Click here Download 2012 State Fair Poll results

Drinking and driving while wearing a costume? Not a good idea

Today's award for the most eye-catching press release goes to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. To publicize a drunken driving enforcement wave, the patrol used the arrest videos of people in costume from last Halloween to create a 30-second public safety announcement. A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, French maid and Jeannie from "I Dream of Jeannie" are all featured in the video.

This enforcement wave will be in the Twin Cities metro. There's no mention of whether something similar will be going on in our area. According to the news release, alcohol-related crashes accounted for seven of the 17 traffic deaths and 10 serious injuries during the Halloween period between 2008 and 2010.

To see the "Unmasked" video, click here.

Benson and Nelson to announce plan to fund Stewartville Fire Station upgrade

Just got a media release this afternoon that states two Rochester Republicans — Rep. Mike Benson and Sen. Carla Nelson — will unveil a plan on Saturday to help repair and expand the Stewartville Fire and Rescue Station.

The lawmakers are planning to hold a press conference on Saturday morning at the fire station on Main Street. The release says that the legislators "will announce legislative initiatives" to repair and expand the station. It adds that "The lawmakers will discuss the importance and urgency of the needed structural repairs to the building and will take questions from all interested parties."

The Post-Bulletin is planning to cover the event.

Rochester woman testifies before Congress

Rochester resident Cheryl Burt was on Capitol Hill today to testify in favor of a bill that would strengthen safety standards for carbon monoxide alarms.

Burt lost her 16-month-old son and 4-year-old son to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a malfunctioning furnace. Burt, her oldest son and her husband were also poisoned. The incident happened at the family's home in Kimball, near St. Cloud.

Burt spoke at a hearing held by the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar serves on the committee and is sponsoring a bill that would require the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to strengthen the safety standards for all carbon monoxide alarms sold in the U.S.

To watch the hearing, go here.

Norton's seat belt bill gets passed — a first for House

Rochester DFL Rep. Kim Norton's bill that would allow police officers to pull drivers over for failing to wear a seat belt passed the Minnesota House Monday afternoon by a vote of 73 to 60. This marks the first the bill has passed the House, according to Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing.

Murphy is the bill's sponsor in the Senate and has been championing the issue for 17 years. Opponents have argued the measure is an invasion of personal liberties and could lead to more racial profiling. Supporters argued it would save an estimated 30 lives per year and mean $3.4 million in new federal funds.

So what made the difference this year?

"I think the difference was the author in the House was very aggressive and worked the bill hard and did a good job. Kim Norton made the difference," Murphy said.

The bill is expected to come up for a vote on the Senate this afternoon. If it passes, it will head to the governor.

Norton faces tough road on seat belt bill

This morning, it seemed as though Rochester DFL Rep. Kim Norton was poised to make legislative history — getting the primary seat belt bill through the House committee system to the House floor. But then came a road block. The bill instead ended up getting referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The primary seat belt bill would allow law enforcement to pull over and ticket motorists failing to wear a seat belt. Under current law, motorists can not be pulled over simply for not wearing a seat belt. But if a motorist is pulled over for a different traffic offense, they can be ticketed for not being belted up.

Norton said there are currently seven people on the committee who she says do not support the bill. To get the measure to pass, she would need to convince six of them to cast "yes" votes.

Opponents of the bill say it violates civil liberties and could lead to more racial profiling. Supporters say it would save an estimate 30 lives a year in Minnesota. The state would also get $3.4 million in federal money if it passes.

The bill has traditionally passed the Senate but gotten bogged down in the House. One thing is for sure — Norton will face a tough fight.

Olmsted commissioners talk 'green pipes' and inmates

Olmsted County Commissioner met with area lawmakers this morning at the Capitol for an update on some of the county's legislative priorities.

One key area of concern is the county's quest to get $6 million for a steam line project from the Olmsted County Waste-to-Energy plant to Rochester Community and Technical College. Dubbed the "Green Pipes" project, the proposal would get $5 million from the state in the Senate bonding bill. But no such luck in the smaller House bonding bill — the Green Pipes project was left out.

So as a House and Senate conference committee meets to hash out differences, county officials were keen to learn whether the Green Pipes project would make the cut.

Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, who serves on the conference committee, said she is optimistic the project will get bonding money.

"The odds are good," Lynch told commissioners.

Meanwhile, county officials also voiced concern that a deal to have the state take back responsibility for housing short-term offenders may not happen. That would come after Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty voiced support for the state taking back these offenders to help cash-strapped counties faced with housing these offenders.

County administrator Dick Devlin told lawmakers that the Olmsted County jail was housing more than 180 offenders this weekend and capacity is 200 to 210. If the state fails to take back responsibility for housing short-term offenders, it means the county may have to start paying to house inmates elsewhere or consider building a new jail.

Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, said it is unclear what is going to happen with this issue. But if the legislature balks at the $8 million price tag for the state, then she said she will try and pitch a compromise floated by local officials. That plan would allow certain well-behaved inmates the chance to get out of prison early and counties would be responsible for probation of these inmates. In exchange, the state would take back responsibility for housing short-term offenders.

Lynch turns out to be lynchpin for public safety bill

A Senate public safety budget bill seemed headed for a defeat on Monday, until Sen. Ann Lynch switched her vote. The Rochester Democrat had originally voted no on the omnibus public safety bill. The bill includes a 7 percent cut to public safety and corrections.

But after the first vote failed, Lynch switch her "no" vote to a "yes," helping the bill to pass by a vote of 34 to 31.  A total of 11 Democrats joined Republicans in voting against the bill.

After the vote, Lynch said she did have some concerns with the bill. In particular, she was upset the bill did not include a measure she proposed aimed at helping counties struggling with having to house short-term offenders in county jails. The state used to house these offenders but began mandating the county house them.

Lynch said voting for these tough budget cuts is not easy.

"When you are looking at a $6 billion budget deficit and trying to balance that with good public policy, it doesn't often match up really neatly," she said.

When asked whether DFL leaders pressured her to vote yes, Lynch said it came down to supporting the Senate's budget work.

"I think that it is important that we move our omnibus funding bills forward," she said. "We have a job to get done and I am committed to that end. And I think that is what was reflected in that action."