---

The Minnesota Senate got its work done about 11:30 p.m. shortly before the mandated session adjournment this month, which avoided a special legislative session this year. Freshman Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL-Harris, met with the Chisago County Press last week and said his maiden voyage in St. Paul as a lawmaker was filled with lots of learning, prioritizing and frustration.

Sen. Olseen would put the governor, who wasn't around much during the session, under the frustrating category. Still lawmakers worked well on the two-year budget with the governor's department commissioners, Olseen felt.

Also frustrating were bills that Sen. Olseen supported and worked to get adopted that would go to the governor and then be vetoed. There was a new equalization formula for school funding that could have netted the North Branch and Chisago Lakes districts about $500,000 each-- which the governor vetoed.

The nursing home allotments became a "moving target" with legislative proposals going to the governor and changes asked for. "We'd work to address his concerns," Olseen explained. "I thought the HHS bill was a good bill." (It was vetoed.)

Property tax caps or some kind of retrictions on the annual increases; if even just for elderly property owners, didn't get anywhere. Olseen said "The mood was to restore Local Government Aid (to cities) so local tax hikes wouldn't be needed," Olseen added. When we met with Sen. Olseen the governor's signature on the Tax Bill was pending.

And, the veto of the Transportation Bill was frustrating.

"All over senate district 17 people are asking that we fix Minnesota's transportation problem," Olseen said. "The only way to do this is to provide steady funding. We can't keep pulling out the state credit card." Also vetoed was enabling legislation allowing counties to levy a transportation tax with a referendum. "Unfortunately the governor can't look beyond bonding-- which does nothing for improvements needed for county roads, city streets and transit," the senator added.

Still-- Olseen points out there were measures accomplished that position the state well for the future and that will help address some local issues.

Olseen plans to study energy issues in depth over the summer, especially in the area of geothermal power-- which did see a bill for $50,000 to study heat pump use. (SF 474.)

~ An increase in state aid for probation officers. Olseen wanted to see 50 percent of the costs covered but he's still happy with a 5 percent increase to 46 percent state funding.

~ Statewide library funding increases. Senate File 623 provides $12 million over the base level now.

In the near term Sen. Olseen plans to look into various constituent concerns. He said he had very good input from voters in the district regarding requests for state involvement in issues they have dealt with personally.

Over the years of his senate term Olseen said he hopes to become known for work on education, transportation and energy initiatives. "These are probably the best things I aim to be involved in and have as a (legislative) legacy."

*******

Sen. Olseen and Representative Jeremy Kalin, DFL-Lindstrom, are scheduled to be at the North Branch Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, June 12, beginning at noon at the North Branch Legion Hall. They'll review the session after diners have served themselves from the buffet-- Spectacular Events will be catering. You can RSVP so they can plan meal numbers by calling 674-4077 or e mail the North Branch Chamber at [email protected]. Tickets are $8.

---