By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Lawmakers sent a burst of finance bills to Gov. Pawlentyís desk on Wednesday (July 13), including bills funding transportation, K-12 education, and a tax bill.

Transportation was one of the most politically charged issues during the regular session ñ Pawlenty vetoed a transportation bill containing gas tax and tab fee increases ñ but a tamer version passed the Legislature this week.

While including no gas tax or tab fee increases, the $3.5 billion transportation bill included a $3 fee increase on driverís licenses, state IDs, provisional and duplicate licenses.

The fee for the initial motor vehicle registration and subsequent title transfer was hiked by $6.

In addition, a probation on the use of cell phones by 15-, 16- 17-year old instruction permit and provisional drivers while driving ñ a provision authored in the House by Rep. Peter Nelson, R-Lindstrom ñ was also included.

The new law, which does not prohibit the use of cell phones for emergency or self-defense reasons, goes into effect January 1, 2006.

In the area of law enforcement, speeders convicted of driving in excess of 100 mph must have their driverís license revoked for at least six months.

One the governor signed into law on Thursday (July 14) morning was the $12.6 billion K-12 finance bill ñ a bill containing some $800 million in additional funding.

ìThis is a great day for Minnesotaís K-12 system,î said Pawlenty, flanked by education leaders. The governor opined that the K-12 bill the most important in at least a decade.

It promises a 4 percent increase on the per-pupil basic funding formula for each of the next two years.

It contains two Pawlenty initiatives ñ Q Comp or alternative pay for teachers and Get Ready, Get Credit, a program that encourages high school seniors to take college courses ñ as well as raises referendum caps and provide equity revenue increases.

Pawlenty announced a $2 million grant from the National Governorís Association and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that will be used to improve science and technology education.

Highlights of the tax bill include continuation of a wine, beer and liquor tax and car rental tax, both which had been set to sunset.

Some $44 million in additional local government aid (LGA) is slated for 2007, using current law. About 55 percent of the amount would go to the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

ìChampaign corks are going to fly off and happy days are here again,î said former House Tax Committee Chairman Rep. Ron Abrams, R-Minnetonka, derisively on the House floor, arguing the extra LGA money is only temporary.

Another tax provisions allows the Dakota County Regional Rail Authority to levy to maintain a bus rapids transit system within the Cedar Avenue transit way.

Yet another provision allows the City of Ramsey to create a TIF district for a supportive housing development.

Not included in the tax bill is Pawlentyís proposed turbo-charged, truth-in-taxation proposal that could have prompted local referendums if a sufficient number of local taxpayers expressed dissatisfaction with local tax increases.

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