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A controversial bill had just passed the House, and now she was being forced to decide whether to sign it.
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Acting as Chairman of the Department of Health and Human Services, Heather Dansingburg, 17, right, fields questions Friday about a proposed bill to legalize marijuana from Rep. Justin Kramer, 16, during a model legistlature at City Hall in Winona. Students from Winona Senior High School, Winona Middle School, and Saint Charles High School participated in day-long event hosted by Rep. Gene Pelowski as part of Winona's Capital for a Day celebration. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
“I’m torn,” she told her lieutenant governor.
Wenonah Echelard, the governor of Minnesota in the Winona Model Legislature, had just been told a bill approving the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes had been approved in the House. The bill was just one of many that passed, failed or were amended as the model legislature held a special session Friday as part of Winona’s Capitol for a Day.
Normally held in the winter, an abridged version of the program that mimics the real Minnesota Legislature was performed by students from Winona Senior High School, Winona Middle School and St. Charles High School. Along with the normal creation of bills that parallel those brought forth in the state Senate and House, the special session included citizen testimony during subcommittees so students could hear constituents’ opinion on the bills they would vote on.
“It added a realistic dimension to this,” said state Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, who is the advisor to the model legislature.
“I thought it was cool to have issues that the community cares about,” said Leah Mueller, the session’s lieutenant governor.
The event was even kicked off by a speech from Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who was introduced into a joint session with all the pomp and circumstance as if he had entered the real Legislature.
“I hope this inspires you into public service,” Pawlenty said.
The session was not without its share of drama, as members’ favorite bills were sometimes “sabotaged,” as some put it. Echelard and Mueller accused House Floor Leader Joel Hanson of doing so to a bill that would have increased income taxes in the state.
“The committee thought it would be an unnecessary burden on Minnesota families to increase taxes across the board like that,” Hanson said, defending himself.
In the end, Echelard was saved from deciding on the medical marijuana bill by the clock. The legislature adjourned before she made a decision, and the bill died by a pocket veto.
Many bills did pass. The legislature balanced the budget by increasing the state sales tax by half a percent. It raised money for the court system by instituting a “dime a drink” tax, dedicating funding from each purchase of alcohol. The legislature voted to opt out of No Child Left Behind and passed a final bill that reminded those in attendance that, while the model legislators took their business seriously, they could still have fun.
Echelard read the bill she had just signed, holding back laughter.
“A bill for an act to construct a statue on top of Sugarloaf in Winona, Minnesota, depicting Gene Pelowski wielding a sword as he stands over the effigies of Tim Pawlenty, Phyllis Kahn, Jerry Miller and Mark Ritchie as they huddle beneath the Minnesota State Capitol. In addition, SF 66669420 raises $37.82 via a bake sale to be held in the town of Mezzeppa…”
