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April 27, 2005
St. Paul, Minn. —
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
Minnesota's Electoral College votes would go to the presidential candidate who won the state's popular vote if legislation passed by the Senate Wednesday becomes law.
That's after an unnamed Democrat cast one of the state's 10 electoral votes for Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards - not presidential candidate John Kerry - back in December, giving the state its first so-called "faithless elector" and cutting Kerry's electoral tally by a vote. Kerry won Minnesota's popular vote last year, but lost overall.
None of the state's electors claimed the Edwards ballot, and ballots weren't signed.
"This bill corrects the problems that we had with Electoral College election last December," said Sen. Wes Skoglund, DFL-Minneapolis, who sponsored the bill.
Under the legislation, an elector would have to vote verbally and on a written public ballot. Failure to vote for the party's candidate would result in an invalidated ballot and an alternate elector stepping in to cast the vote.
Skoglund's bill passed the Senate on a 52-8 vote.
HUNTING
The House voted Wednesday to restrict just how fancy hunters can make deer stands that sit on public lands.
The change came as the House approved its the so-called omnibus game and fish bill, which includes a series of tweaks and changes to state law governing hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities. The final bill, passed 117-16, does not include any fee increases for hunting and fishing licenses.
But the change to statute governing the construction of deer stands proved the most controversial measure in the bill. It requires any permanent deer stand on public lands can't have a permanent roof or permanent walls.
Supporters of the change said concerns are being raised around the state that hunters are essentially taking ownership of public stands that should be community property.
"As deer stands look more and more permanent, I think the ownership of that deer stand will become more and more permanent," said Rep. Cy Thao, DFL-St. Paul. "On public lands, deer stands are public."
Opponents said the ability to put up walls and roofs are important, especially for older hunters who aren't able to withstand harsh weather for hours at a time.
"We've got hunters out there who are getting up there in years but still enjoy the great outdoors," said Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan. "I haven't seen any indication out there that this is a real problem."
RENEWABLE FUELS
The Minnesota Senate unanimously approved legislation Wednesday to make state agencies use less gasoline and more renewable fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel and hydrogen made from crops.
The state would have to cut gas use in half by 2015, while boosting its consumption of diesel fuel and renewable fuels, if the bill from Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy, succeeds.
Vickerman also would require more fuel efficiency from new state vehicles: They would have to get at least 30 miles per gallon on city streets and 35 mpg on highways.
The Senate approved the bill on a 55-0 vote.
MOTORIZED SCOOTERS
Motorized scooter drivers should be able to zoom around without displaying license plates or paying vehicle registration fees or taxes, the Senate decided Wednesday.
Scooters would follow the same rules as bicycles under a bill that passed the Senate 55-1.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, also requires scooter drivers to wear helmets, use headlights, stay off sidewalks, ride close to the right curb, and dismount and cross on foot when making a left turn. It would be illegal for children under age 12 to use the scooters.
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