Legislative analysis
By Lee Graczyk, MnSF state director

There are those that called the 2006 legislative a success and those who would call it something else. If you were looking for property tax relief as we were, it was a very disappointing session. Though both Democrat and Republican legislators had called property tax relief their top priority going into the session they failed to come together on the issue. Each blamed the other for the failure.

It will be interesting to see whom the electorate blames if anyone at the polls. With 2007 property taxes estimated to increase at rate of 10 percent or higher, marking the third consecutive year of double digit increases, it is sure to be a hot topic during the next session. The question is are legislators going to reform the property tax system or merely tinker? Legislators did provide some modest relief to married joint filers. They can expect about a $50 break on their returns, and if you're a soldier serving in combat you'll receive certain tax credits. If you're an alternative minimum tax filer you will receive an average $540 cut in your state taxes.

A lot of human service initiatives supported by the Senior Federation, such as clinical trial registration, advanced through committee structures in the Senate but were stopped from advancing to the floor. These initiatives were prohibited from going to the Senate floor so they would not become vehicles of amendments for advancement of the more controversial social issues of a gay marriage amendment, banning state-funded abortions for low-income woman, and mandated public disclosure of judges who granted minor girls' permission to have an abortion without parental consent.

The House for the most part didn't even consider the Federation-backed legislative initiatives. It pays to remember: it was a short session and that it was a bonding session.

Bonding took precedence. And there was a $1 billion bonding bill chock-full of stadiums, some infrastructure improvements and a notable failure to address the states ever-growing road and transit needs.

If there was prize, it was that the bill included $17.5 million for permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. This is the single largest line item dedicated for the production of housing for homeless prevention in the history of the state.

We might be inclined to join the chorus of those commending our elected officials for playing nicely together this session, if this was an elementary school playground. But, legislators are adults, though they spent an inordinate amount of time talking about football and baseball, we expect them to act like responsible elected officials.

Finally, it will be you, the electorate, who will decide whether this was a successful session or not. Let our legislators know your decision. Vote on Nov. 7.