Athletic trainers now must have a state-issued license, under a new Minnesota law that took effect July 1st. The bill’s sponsors, Alexandria Representative Mary Franson and Anoka Senator Jim Abeler, say the public will be better protected because athletic trainers must now pass a background check. And at the start of this new fiscal year, the state will be paying more than 230 thousand dollars to three men who served prison time for felonies but were later cleared.
There might have been many more new laws taking effect right now, but Governor Mark Dayton and Republicans could not agree on a supplemental state budget and Dayton vetoed the bill shortly after the legislative session adjourned. Many have asked him to call a special session. When asked about that at the end of May, Dayton scoffed, saying, “No special session. They had their chance. They messed this session up worse than any I’ve ever seen.”