Pubdate: Fri, 09 May 2014
Source: West Central Tribune (Willmar, MN)
Copyright: 2014 Forum Communications Company
Contact:  http://www.wctrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/542
Author: Don Davis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE'S END IS NEAR

ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota House takes up medical marijuana today in
what could be a debate lasting well into the night while pieces fall
into place on tax and spending bills as the Minnesota Legislature
nears the end of its 2014 session.

Debate on the much-discussed proposal to allow children with seizures
and adults with extreme pain to use marijuana extracts is expected to
begin in the early afternoon, and could last hours. Senators
overwhelmingly approved a more liberal bill earlier in the week, but
it may go too far for Gov. Mark Dayton to sign it into law.

On Thursday, Dayton would not commit to backing a more restrictive
marijuana bill by Rep. Carly Melin, D-Hibbing, that only allows one
medical marijuana manufacturer, instead of 55 in the Senate-passed
bill. Allowing 55 centers around the state "seems to be quite
unworkable," said Dayton, who has required medical and law enforcement
support before signing off on any marijuana plan.

The Democratic governor said that Health Department staffers have been
working the last several days to make sure any medical marijuana bill
that passes is workable.

"Legislators' hearts are in a good place," he said. "They want to do
something, but it has to be functional."

If the House passes Melin's bill today, House and Senate negotiators
will take up the complex task of merging the two different bills into
a compromise proposal. And it must be done in just a few days.

The state Constitution requires the Legislature to adjourn no later
than May 19. While some legislative leaders had predicted a pre-Easter
adjournment, the final day now looks to be no earlier than mid-week
next week.

"The sooner we are done the better," Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington,
said. "I would really like to get done this week. ... No one is safe
until the Legislature adjourns."

Formal and informal negotiations continue on several unresolved
issues. Prime among them are how to spend a budget increase and what
public works projects get state money.

Legislative leaders sent four key lawmakers into a room Thursday to
negotiate a public works bill, to be funded by the state selling
bonds. The hope is that the four can work out the bonding bill so that
it is acceptable to the House and Senate, thus avoiding after-the-fact
negotiations.

"It's good to see cooperation and coordination, even beforehand," Sen.
Kent Eken, D-Twin Valley, said.

House Speaker Paul Thissen, D-Minneapolis, said leaders did not give
orders to the four bonding negotiators about specifics that must be
included in the bill. However, House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt,
R-Crown, said there is an understanding that all four legislative
leaders expect funding for the hot-button bonding issue: southwestern
Minnesota's Lewis and Clark water project.

The project, to bring water in from South Dakota, has produced by far
the most bonding discussion.

Daudt said he hopes Lewis and Clark can get the $20 million needed to
bring water to Luverne and a like amount to fund the next phase.
However, money may not be approved for the third phase, to extend the
pipeline to Worthington, the minority leader said.

Rep. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, said he is pushing for the entire
$69 million Lewis and Clark funding.

While debate continues on how to spend money, a tax bill has been
negotiated. It features an average $200 property tax break for
farmers, as well as cuts for renters and homeowners.
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MAP posted-by: Matt