This past week, members of the House Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Committee blasted a plan by the University of Minnesota to cut back its extension services.

Saturday, February 16, 2002

This past week, members of the House Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Committee blasted a plan by the University of Minnesota to cut back its extension services. Extension officials earlier proposed to cut $4.5 million from their $60 million budget to pay for investments in technology and department research. As part of this plan, the extension would shift some of its program cost to counties, while eliminating one-fifth of its educators across the state. This means most counties will see a reduction of extension services or lose it entirely.

Extension officials also suggested beginning to charge a statewide fee for students who are involved in the state’s 4-H program. A recent report shows that 260,000 youngsters from Minnesota take part in 4-H. This would have a dramatic impact on county fairs in Freeborn County and in counties elsewhere in Minnesota.

While technology is a smart investment, I’m concerned that the U of M will needlessly remove people who perform an invaluable service. Many rural Minnesotans do not have Internet access or technical skills. They want person-to-person assistance when making decisions on pesticides, fertilizer, seeds, crops, or financing. An expanded Web site won’t be as much help.

Pledge of allegiance

One bill that is receiving quite a bit of attention would require public schools to lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week. Under the bill, students would be led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance by a student, classroom instructor, or via a school intercom system. The bill permits schools to opt out of the requirement through an annual majority vote of their local school board. Individual students or teachers who do not wish to participate may opt out.

The legislation doesn’t force anyone to say the Pledge of Allegiance if they do not wish to. But it is a method of making sure that this important patriotic tradition doesn’t go by the wayside. The Pledge of Allegiance requirement bill was first introduced last year during the 2001 session. Although it received a passing vote within the House, it was not approved by the Senate. There are currently 32 other states in which similar laws have been passed.

Local bills

This past week, I presented a bill before the House K-12 Education Finance Committee that would provide declining enrollment funding for area schools as a result of the Farmland fire. The state has done things like this in the past but given the budget shortfall it is going to be an uphill battle.

I also presented a bill requested by the City of Albert Lea that would give the city the authority to grant up to three more on-sale liquor licensees. This bill should be heading to floor as part of the omnibus liquor bill.

What do you think? I welcome your input and ideas. Please call me at home at 377-9441 or at the legislature, toll-free, at 1-877-377-9441. My legislative office address is 579 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155. My e-mail address is: rep.dan.dorman@house.leg.state.mn.us. And be sure to sign up for my legislative up-date newsletter at www.house.mn/27A.

Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, represents Freeborn County in the Minnesota House of Representatives.