This year several high-profile constitutional amendments have been proposed that you’ve likely heard about in the news. The definition of marriage, reinstatement of the death penalty for certain crimes and limiting future state spending increases have all emerged as issues that could potentially be decided by Minnesota voters at the ballot box. While these proposals on hot-button issues have received a great deal of media attention, there are many more floating around the Capitol you may not have heard about. If fact since Jan. 7, 2003, the first day of the current legislative biennium, over 30 different proposals for constitutional amendments have been introduced for consideration in the Minnesota Senate. Some of these measures may make it to the ballot this year or in future election years, while others may never even receive a thorough committee hearing. Here’s a brief status check on some of the proposed amendments you may, or may not, have heard about. Definition of marriage No single proposed ballot question has generated as much attention this year as a proposal to let Minnesota voters decide if the state constitution should be amended to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Prompted by the recent Massachusetts Judicial Supreme Court ruling regarding same-sex marriage and actions by municipalities in various states that have issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples, proponents of this amendment believe it is a necessary measure in order to strengthen our state’s statutory Defense of Marriage Act. Death penalty Following the disappearance of college student Dru Sjodin and the arrest of convicted sex offender Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., Gov. Pawlenty announced that he would seek reinstatement of the death penalty in Minnesota for certain serious crimes. While legislation to put the question to voters received a hearing in the House, the Senate has not yet taken up the proposal. Leaders from both bodies have indicated they don’t believe there’s sufficient support among legislators to put the question on the ballot. Taxpayers Bill of Rights Modeled after a constitutional amendment passed by Colorado voters in 1992, the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, commonly referred to as TABOR, would limit future government spending increases to a formula of inflation plus some form of demonstrable need (population growth, changes in net taxable property, changes in student enrollment) and would require voter approval for any new taxes or tax rate increases. While there is a placeholder TABOR bill that was introduced in the Senate last year, the chief House and Senate authors are working on a revised version of the legislation that would be more specifically tailored to Minnesota. Sales tax dedication for outdoors heritage This issue has been floating around for a long time at the Capitol, and there are currently several different versions of this concept in play. Under these proposals, voters would decide if Minnesota should dedicate a portion of the existing state sales tax to fund wildlife habitat enhancement, clean water initiatives, parks and trails and other outdoor amenities. Current versions of this legislation would dedicate either 3/16 or 1/4 of 1 percent of the state sales tax to these purposes. The legislation is moving through the committee process in both bodies. Bonuses for veterans of the war on terrorism Several weeks ago Senate Republicans proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow Minnesotans to vote to pay bonuses to veterans of the war on terrorism. Constitutional amendments to pay bonuses to veterans were approved by voters for nearly every major conflict in the 20th century. No companion bill has yet been introduced in the House, and the Senate majority caucus has opposed the legislation in committee and on the floor of the Senate. Initiative and referendum Initiative and referendum, the process by which voters can engage in petition drives to have laws or constitutional amendments put on the ballot, is another perennial issue that is under consideration in the Legislature. Twenty-four states have some form of initiative and referendum in place. Proponents believe that allowing voters to utilize this process will allow Minnesotans a greater say on more issues and serve as a check on the Legislature. Initiative and referendum was passed in the House in 2002, and is moving through the committee process again this year. The legislation was scheduled to be heard on March 19 in the Senate Elections Committee. Appointment of judges This proposal would allow voters to decide whether Minnesota judges should be appointed by the governor, rather than elected. Proponents of this amendment believe that since judicial candidates are barred from many of the campaign activities that are common for other elective offices, it is difficult for voters to make an informed decision when it comes to these races. The legislation has not received much attention in either body of the Legislature. Lower voting age; lower eligibility age for office Two proposals have been introduced in both the House and Senate that, according to proponents, seek to increase participation by young adults in the political process. One would lower the minimum voting age from 18 to 17, and the other would lower the state’s elective office eligibility age from 21 to 18. The first bill has been passed by the Senate Elections Committee, and the other has been scheduled for a hearing in that committee. Neither bill has received a committee hearing in the House. The proposed constitutional amendments I’ve touched on are a just handful out of many. Additional proposals include everything from the definition of a person to mandating universal health care to abolishing the office of the lieutenant governor. To learn more about these proposals and to follow their progress, you can visit the Legislature’s web site at www.leg.state.mn.us. What do you think? As always, I encourage and appreciate your input on issues under consideration at the Capitol.
Steve Dille (R-Dassel) serves Senate District 18, which includes Annandale, South Haven and some area townships. Constituents can reach him at 103 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, by phone at 651-296-4131, or e-mail to sen.steve.dille@senate.mn.
