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First battle at Capitol is over terrorism
by Michael Khoo, Minnesota Public Radio
January 7, 2003

Before the opening gavel of the 2003 legislative session, lawmakers were already testing their political messages. House DFLers Tuesday floated a pair of themes linking state assistance to cities and counties with terrorism preparedness. But the Pawlenty administration and House Republicans say they're ready to confront such criticisms.

St. Paul, Minn. — No bills had been introduced. In fact, no lawmakers had even been sworn in. Even so, the time was evidently ripe for the first critiques of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's new administration and the enhanced GOP majority in the House.

Minority Leader Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul, questioned the Republican committment to anti-terror inititiaves. He noted their most substantial proposal so far would require that driver's licenses of temporary immigrants bear their visa expiration dates. That plan has already been adopted administratively by the Public Safety Department.

"I think it's intriguing that the No. 1 Republican priority is a bill that's already in effect," Entenza said.

Pawlenty chief of staff Charlie Weaver was public safety commissioner when the changes were approved last year -- and Pawlenty himself pushed the issue vigorously during the gubernatorial campaign. Administration spokesman Dan Wolter says the new governor wants to see the change embedded in state statute, making it more difficult to undo.

"When someone's visa expires, it is illegal for them to be in the country. So it is just a very common-sense thing," Wolters said. "I don't think it's targetting anyone. I think it's just ... putting common sense into law."

But the driver's license plan is not without controversy. A state appeals court panel is currently considering a challenge to the new license rules. And last year, a similar proposal was defeated by Senate Democrats.

Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger, DFL-St. Peter, says the rules discriminate against immigrants and unfairly single them out for special scrutiny.

"And that's why we want to air those concerns and make sure there's a good public debate and public discussion. That's what we should do," Hottinger said. "There doesn't appear to be any urgency, because I think that it's essentially being done anyway. And the bottom line is it doesn't appear to improve anybody's security."

The terror debate, however, extends beyond driver's licenses. Entenza says $11 million appropriated to help cities and counties prepare for potential terrorist attacks has been held back because of bureaucratic hoops created, again, by Charlie Weaver during his days as public safety commissioner.

Entenza also says the governor's no-new-tax pledge is likely to force policy-makers to cut aid to local governments. He says that will further undermine efforts to prevent or respond to terrorist events.

"He is imperiling the security of our Minnesota communities. The average expenditure for police and firefighters by our Minnesota cities is about 50 percent of their budget. If you're slashing the local government aid for greater Minnesota communities or Minnesota suburbs, you're also cutting police and firefighters," said Entenza.

House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, says Democrats are exaggerating the situation. He says any cuts to local government aid will be accompanied by reforms, to make sure the neediest communities are protected and that burdensome state mandates are lifted. He says there's no reason for Entenza or others to be critical before any proposal has been advanced.

"Rather than raise concerns about what may take place, he should wait and see what the governor and the House come up with -- or be part of the process. You know, come up with solutions. I think he's a little short on solutions -- in fact, void of solutions," said Sviggum.

Sviggum says the first bill to be introduced in the House this year will be the driver's license initiative. He says he expects smooth passage in the House, but its fate in the DFL-controlled Senate is less clear.

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