The state legislature is poised to act on issues with great importance to Albert Lea and Freeborn County, but at the moment, things look better in the Senate than they do in the House.

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

The state legislature is poised to act on issues with great importance to Albert Lea and Freeborn County, but at the moment, things look better in the Senate than they do in the House.

Bills connected to Farmland are likely to pass in the Senate today, while in the House most of them are still at the committee level. Sen. Grace Schwab, R-Albert Lea, expects the provisions to be finalized in the conference committee starting this week.

The Senate gave preliminary approval to its budget-balancing bill Monday. It includes the extension of unemployment benefits, establishment of a tax-increment financing (TIF) district, and a sales tax exemption on construction materials for Farmland. It also includes a financial remedy for School District 241, which has experienced an enrollment decrease due to the Farmland fire.

A final vote will be taken on Wednesday, and the bill will be discussed in a conference committee made up of representatives from both the House and Senate.

In the House, most of the Farmland-related provisions are stalled in committees. Only the 26-week unemployment benefit extension was included in an omnibus economic development bill and sent from the Ways and Means Committee to the floor last week.

The Albert Lea City Council began preparing for the new TIF districts Monday, setting a public hearing on the proposed measure for April.