Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Ballot questions ask voters to change how Legislature is run
ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota voters could have two chances this fall to set new rules for their state lawmakers — from when they meet to what they’re paid.
A pair of proposed constitutional amendments are making their way to the November ballot. Both cleared the House Rules Committee on Tuesday and are expected to face votes before the 2008 session adjourns.
One would empower the Legislature to call themselves into special sessions — a decision now reserved for the governor.
Rep. Lyndon Carlson, DFL-Crystal, argued it would make Minnesota’s Legislature more nimble when responding to emergencies, such as last summer’s bridge collapse.
His bill would restrict legislative-called special sessions to seven days. It would take the consent of a majority of the Legislature or an agreement by legislative leaders to call one. The governor would retain the right to call them as well.
Thirty-three states now allow their legislatures to convene at their own call outside of normal sessions.
“It’s not overused in a single state,” Carlson said. “In some states, it’s never been used.”
But opponents said they fear it would lead to a cycle of special sessions, pushing Minnesota’s part-time lawmakers into a more full-time role.
“It enhances the opportunity for mischief among legislators,” said Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Eden Prairie.
The second ballot measure would establish an appointed citizens council that would set pay for legislators. That would take salary decisions away from lawmakers.
No legislators would be on the new panel, which would be comprised of bipartisan appointees of the governor and chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Rep. Kent Eken, DFL-Twin Valley, said the amendment doesn’t presume that pay will go up or down. Instead, he said it removes the appearance of a conflict of interest that comes with lawmakers deciding how much they should make.
Pay raises have been a politically tender subject for Minnesota legislators. Standard House and Senate salaries have been stuck at $31,140 since 1999, although leaders get an extra stipend. The Minnesota Constitution now says pay raises can’t take effect until after the election when they are passed into law.
Rep. Dennis Ozment, R-Rosemount, said lawmaker pay needs serious attention to keep the institution from becoming too elite.
“We are not providing enough compensation to keep young families represented in the Legislature,” he said.
In the recent past, lawmakers have turned to increases in daily expense allowances they can claim while in session instead of raising the legislative salary.
Eken’s bill originally included the expense allowances, known as per diem, in the category of pay the council would determine. The Rules Committee, on a bipartisan vote, deleted that language.
Nor would the council set pensions, health benefits or housing allowances.
Constitutional questions appear on the ballot if the House and Senate approve identical language. The governor doesn’t act on them.
One ballot initiative is already before voters. It would raise the sales tax and dedicate proceeds to environment and arts programs.
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