Redistricting Would Lump St. Michael, Albertville, Otsego into New State House District

Rookie Rep. Joe McDonald (R, Delano) may be able to cut out the “northern swing” of his re-election tour in 2012 if a plan proposed in the Minnesota State House and Senate is approved this session.

Sen. Geoff Michel of Edina and Rep. Sarah Anderson of Plymouth have handed in their state redistricting plans, as mandated by .

The plan would create a new legislature, with District 19A and 19B, currently serving most of Wright County, going by the wayside. In its stead would come Senate District 32, with House Districts 32A and 32B, serving the northern half of the county, which was one of the fastest-growing in the state from 2000 to 2010.

Sen. Amy Koch (R, Buffalo) would still have the opportunity to represent St. Michael-Albertville, but the House plan calls for a new legislative district in that chamber, lumping the three fastest-growing communities in the county into a new district – District 32 B - as a result of the 2010 count. Koch would run as the Senate candiate in District 32, leaving District 19. 

The U.S. Congressional District would remain the same for the area under both the State House and State Senate proposals, which is the Minnesota Sixth District. Currently, Rep. Michele Bachmann holds that seat.

With a Gov. Mark Dayton having final say on the Republicans’ proposals, pundits are saying the redistricting process is most likely to wind up in the court system, where a decision will be handed down before the 2012 state elections.

Both the Minnesota House and Senate will be up for election at that time, including any new districts created via the process.

A complete guide to the redistricting plans can be found here, on the Minnesota State Legislature website. 

In other legislative news, both Sen. Koch and Rep. McDonald are pushing to get budget bills to the Governor, but the two chambers have missed his suggested early deadline of Friday, May 6.

The House has sent many of its proposals to the chief office, but they are expected to meet the veto pen.

There are two weeks left in the regular session.

The Legislature will also be debating a new Minnesota Vikings Stadium proposal that involves the City of Minneapolis in what is the most viable concept to date. The city will group Target Center, the Minneapolis Convention Center and the new stadium under one committee (Target Field is supervised by Hennepin County), and an existing tax will fund the stadium site, along with a lottery game, clothing and apparel taxes, parking fees and ticket fees.

The Vikings would be asked to foot 40 percent of the cost of a $900 million stadium, with Minneapolis and the state picking up the rest, along with loans available from the National Football League.

Actions by local legislators

Sen. Amy Koch: Koch has been busy, making several media stops to update the public on the budget process. She admits the Senate proposals, which include major cuts to Local Government Aid and health and human services programs, probably won’t make the governor’s grade, but the two sides aren’t all that far apart.

“There are certain issues where working together has been really great,” Koch told WCCO radio recently. “But we know that our major concern is with the tax increases. And we hope there are some other reforms and reductions we can find, rather than increase taxes.”

Koch also voted in favor of the Senate’s version of the so-called “Voter ID” bill, which would require registered voters in Minnesota to provide proof of identification with a photo ID at the poll. Senate File 59 passed by a 37-26 vote along party lines.

Rep. Joe McDonald: As the House has taken up the abortion debate, McDonald has followed his Republican colleagues in banning two “marquee” bills.

The rookie rep voted for banning abortions after 20 weeks, and for a bill that would eliminate state funding for abortions, both on May 6.

A day prior, McDonald also voted in favor of the stiffer requirements for voter identification at the polls. The House version of the bill, introduced by Big Lake Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, a former Secretary of State, passed 73-59.