Property tax debate begins

SF1, the property tax relief bill in the Senate, is getting its first hearing today at the Capitol. I assume it'll be webcast and televised starting at 8:30 this morning.

In the wake of the governor's budget message yesterday, it's clear, I guess, that property tax relief is emerging as the #1 issue, even more so than health insurance for kids, which -- if not tied for #1, is a solid #2.

The "points" prospects for SF1 are pretty unclear right now for authors Sens. Bakk; Skoe; Stumpf; Moua; Sieben. I'll be listening for the first uttering of the words: omnibus bill, which is a death sentence in Minnesota Fantasy Legislature.

At last check, only one committee in the House is taking up specific legislation today. In a 4 p.m. hearing -- the equivalent of a West-Coast ballgame, the Commerce and Labor Committee will take up HF211, which restricts the sale of information in mortgage applications etc. MFL points are at stake for Reps. Zellers; Anderson, S.; Berns; Simpson; Dettmer; Atkins.

BTW, we'll probably have our first Floor Sessionpalooza day on Thursday.

Woo hoo! Palooza!