Transportation day

About 100 new House bills went in the hopper today, with some major transportation initiatives included. Several of these had more than a dozen lawmakers' names atttached. So there's plenty for everyone.

HF 380 - Authorizes the sale of beonds for the state's share of a high-speed rail line between Chicago and St. Paul. Twenty-eight legislators are involved with this one including two Republicans. And you can be sure if two Republicans are involved in a DFL-dominated bill filing -- based on experience this year -- that Reps. Abeler and Tingelstad are the two.

HF 381 - Does the same for the Central Corridor project.

HF 386 - appropriates money for the Rush Line Corridor.

Other bills today:

HF 387 provides penalties and regulations for predatory lending.

HF 393 - Funds a study of the potential for using geothermal heat pumps in Minnesota.

HF 437 -- Would require flashing under all exterior doors and windows in Minn. (I know there's a story here, I just don't know what it is.)

HF 456 - Increases the minimum wage.

HF 463 - Would allow a small employer the option to buy into MinnesotaCare.