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Health & Fitness

March Madness II: College for Kids, Capitol Cash, Beer, Voting & Vikes

Lots of variety at the Capitol, plus a visit with MH Mayor Sandra Krebsbach, were this week's highlights.

Plenty of variety at the Capitol this week, with all sorts of bills trying to quickly gain support before the legislature adjourns in a few weeks.  Here are a few of the hottest topics: 

NINTH GRADERS IN COLLEGE?  Legislation is moving through the committee process at the Capitol that would expand the post-secondary enrollment option program.  Under the current PSEOP, 11th and 12th graders can attend Minnesota public colleges for free, earning college credits while in high school.  Expanding that to 9th and 10th graders, plus other changes, are being debated.    

CAPITOL CASH.  The Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee, State Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker), just proposed a bonding bill that would spend nearly a quarter of a billion dollars - about $240 million - on repairs and renovations of the State Capitol.  While I agree that there are some Capitol repairs needed, we don't even have plans, specs, or any detailed cost estimates yet.  I am more than a little confused and surprised. 

Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

BEER AT GOPHERS GAMES?  A deal might be in the works to end a long-standing feud between the U and the legislature over beer at Gophers games.  More on this can be found at http://www.facebook.com/State.Rep.Joe.Atkins.  

VOTER ID & OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.  Having passed the House and moving swiftly through the Senate, I expect the issue of whether a photo ID will be required to vote will be on the ballot in November as a proposed constitutional amendment, together with a proposed ban on gay marriage.  Other constitutional amendment proposals regarding unions, guns, abortions and judicial elections are also still around, but don't seem to moving.   

Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

STADIUM INTRIGUE.  Currently stalled in the Senate, a proposed Vikings stadium plan may get heard as soon as Monday in the House Commerce Committee.  Rumors abound about yet another stadium financing proposal that could be released soon.   

NATIONAL CHAMPS.  Congratulations to our NCAA champion Gopher hockey team who were honored on the House floor this week. 

THANK YOU, MAYOR KREBSBACH.  Thank you to Mendota Heights Mayor Sandra Krebsbach and City Administrator Justin Miller for taking the time to visit with me this week about key issues in Mendota Heights.

To share thoughts or questions about these issues or any other legislative topics with me, please give me a call at (651) 296-4192 or email me at Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn.  Thank you. 

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