As state lawmakers enjoy their Passover and Easter break, some are likely mulling over lines-in-the-sand that Governor Mark Dayton drew on two controversial measures. The governor said last week he’ll veto a bill that circumvents Public Utilities Commission review and authorizes Enbridge to upgrade its Line 3 pipeline. Dayton objects, “The legislature’s gonna take it over and just say Enbridge can do whatever they want.” Roseau Representative Dan Fabian responds the project has been fully vetted. “I’m just want to move this project along, and I’m supporting the people of northern Minnesota in this,” he says.
And Dayton said he strongly opposes a bill that would mandate work requirements for some adults on the state’s Medicaid program, warning it would take away health care from Minnesotans with medical problems which make it “very difficult for them to work.” But East Grand Forks Senator Mark Johnson points to an “astronomical” increase in the number of people on Medical Assistance. “I’m not saying that we’re gonna take people off and we need to cut them. I’m just saying we need to take a look at who’s going on there,” Johnson says.