Lows and Highs
This was the week of highs and lows. I had a great bill up in the Commerce Committee on Tuesday that would have brought some badly needed oversight to the Payday Lending industry. So many good people worked on this bill since the last session, only to see it go down in flames on Tuesday. The bill would have allowed consumers to get three payday (short term) loans within a 6 month period. Inquiry into a fourth loan would have triggered a conventional loan allowing the consumer to pay off any debt in installments at much more reasonable interest rates. Payday loans are a booming industry where consumers find themselves caught in a debt trap that tends to spiral out of control. This bill would have offered an escape route for costumers beholden to an industry that is growing across the United States at an alarming rate. I feel I was on the right side of this issue. Unfortunately, fellow committee members did not agree.
On Thursday I presented a bill that attempt to level the playing field in eminent domain cases. Farmers and residents in the northern part of District 25 are up against CapX2020, a Public Utilities transmission line project that runs across Minnesota. In 2006, the Minnesota legislature enacted some changes to eminent domain laws that included several positive steps in trying to bring fairness and protections to property owners. Not only did they set the rules on the use of eminent domain for redevelopment activity, but they also tried to curb abusive practices that gave an unfair advantage to the condemning authority. While the law applies to cities, counties, and state governments…oddly, the law exempted Public Utilities. One of my testifiers shared his recent financial and emotional difficulties in negotiating with those Utility companies. This bill, SF1112, seeks to remove those exemptions. After some tough questioning and passionate testimony, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee.
Also on Thursday, I was allowed to chair the Education Committee. This was my first chance to hold the gavel and lead the discussion on a couple of bills. The last bill, involving an alternative teacher licensure plan, passed on a voice vote just before we adjourned before session.
It was a busy week with plenty of late nights as each committee tries to move policy bills before the March 27 deadline. Some bills will continue on while others fade away, leaving plenty of time for more highs and lows.
