Schools

Capitol Review: Carlson Throws Support Behind Bill to Reign in Lobbyist Influence

S.F. No. 26 would require additional reporting of lobbyist "scholarships" to legislators, and discourage the dissemination of model legislation.

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Just a week into the legislative session, some legislators are giving ALEC and other lobbying groups a run for their money.

Senate District 51 Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL) is listed as a co-author of S.F. No. 26, which requires reporting of "scholarships" from lobbyists (money given to legislators to attend lobbyist events).

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The bill also seeks to cut down on "model legislation." During the last session many legislators were suspected of using paint-by-numbers bills written by lobbyists from national concerns, which had been distributed to lawmakers all over the country, resulting in eerily similar bills from Florida to Washington state. Read the full text of S.F. No. 26.  

Carlson also lent support to S.F. No. 18, which appears to be a framework for an all-inclusive statewide health care system, written by Chief Author John Marty.

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Carlson is one of three newly-elected legislators representing Eagan. He, along with House District 51A Rep. Sandy Masin (DFL) and House District 51B Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL) overturned three Republican incumbents in the 2012 election cycle.


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