GOVERNOR LINE-ITEMS PORTIONS OF THE BONDING BILL - Posted 8 April 2008
Governor Pawlenty exercised his line-item veto authority and excised just over $208 million in projects in the bill. The only museum-related project targeted by the governor was the Bell Museum of Natural History, totalling just over $24 million. at the University of Minnesota. The legislature has the authority to over-ride any of these vetoes.

BONDING BILL PASSES - Posted 4 April 2008
After a marathon session, the state house passed the final version of the bonding bill. It included funding for local historic preservation grants and refurbising the Oliver Kelly Farm. This link, takes you to a 16-page pdf version of the bill. (The complete version is 114 pages. If you want to see that, click here and choose the "4th Engrossment" option.)

FIRST CLASS CITIES ALLOWED TO SUPPORT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETIES - Posted 3 April 2008
Cities of the first class are now allowed to provide direct funding support to county historical societies. Signed by Governor Pawlenty on March 19, HF 2827 removes the rectriction that prevented large cities from funding those societies.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSION - Posted 26 March 2008
The sesquicentennial commission is seeking a one-time appropriation of $825,000 for the statewide celebration get-together. The request was laid over by the Minnesota Heritage Finance Division for possible inclusion in the division's omnibus bill. The senate companion is SF 2512.

FUNDING FOR THE MINESOTA MILITARY MUSEUM - Posted 26 March 2008
The Minnesota Heritage Finance Division recently discussed HF 2706, a bill that would appropriate $184,500 for Camp Ripley's military museum to chronicle the stories of current soldiers from the state. The bills senate companion is SF 2525.

MINNESOTA WILDLIFE MUSEUM PROPOSED - Posted 25 February 2008
The House Higher Education & Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division heard a request for $1.25 million (HF2891) to help construct the Minnesota Wildlife Art Museum. The funding would cover an addition to the Gainey Conference Center at the University of St. Thomas to house the museum. The plan calls for a partnership between the university and Steele County.

HELP REQUESTED FOR VOLUNTEER RUN RAIL LINE - Posted 25 February 2008
Run strictly by a group of volunteers, the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad made its case before the Heritage Finance Division for $450,000 (HF2703) to help fix up its tracks. Even though is it only a tourist route, the line must conform to all federal rail line standards. Noting that most of their volunteers are not "able-bodied" enough to drive rail spikes, the board hopes to gain enough funding to buy and install 2000 new railway ties. (Information taken from the February 22 edition of Sesion Weekly)

DEDICATED FUNDING BILL PASSES, INCLUDES FUNDING FOR "ARTS & CULTURAL HERITAGE" - Posted 19 February 2008 By a vote of 84 - 46 in the House and 46 - 16 in the Senate, HF2285 now goes to the voters on the November 8 general election ballot. As an amendment to the state constitution, it must be approved by a majority of those casting ballots (in these cases, a non-vote counts as a "no" vote). If approved, the state sales tax would be increased by 3/8 of 1%, with those funds specifically dedicated to conservation and cultural heritage programs. The specific amount to be directed to arts/culture is 19.75%, estimated to be $54.5 million annualy. The Alliance will be discussing this issue at its spring conference on May 2, to gather input from its members.

RECENT BILL INTRODUCTIONS - Updated: 25 February 2008
Bills introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives and a link to their text (listed by bill number).

• HF2570 - Special Minnesota sesquicentennial license plate authorized.
  
• HF2583 - Prairie Ecology Center (Jackson County) funding provided.
  
• HF2646 - Hinckley Fire State Monument funding provided.
  
• HF2684 - Becker County Indian burial site acquisition funding provided.
  
• HF2697 - Great River Road historic roadside properties development and restoration funding provided.
  
• HF2739 - Historical Wells Deopt renovation funding provided.
  
• HF2761 - State museum of natural history funding provided.
  
• HF2827 - County historical society funding modified relating to cities of the first class.
  
• HF2891 - Minnesota Wildlife Art Museum funding provided.
  
• HF2895 - Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission funding provided for the celebration of Minnesota's 150th anniversary of statehood.
  
• HF2986 - Minnesota Humanities Center grant provided.
  
• HF3008 - Fort Snelling revitilazation funding provided.
  
• HF3063 - Fergus Falls: income tax credit provided for historic structure rehabilitation expenditures.
  
• HF3116 - Minnesota Historical Society funding provided for southeastern Minnesota flood damage.
  
• HF3189 - MHS funding provided for capital improvements to historic properties.
  

The Minneosota Heritage Finance Division Committee is one resource to see bills related to history and historical agencies at the legislature. Click here to see their specific web page at the legislature.

DAVID KELLIHER, MHS LOBBYIST
David Kelliher is the lobbyist for the Minnesota Historical Society. He can be reached at david.kelliher@mnhs.org The MHS web site also has a legislative update section available for information.