LOCAL BRIEFS
Gazelka's tourism bill included in omnibus bill
ST. PAUL -- A bill appropriating funding for statewide tourism marketing was included in a Minnesota House committee's omnibus package.
The bill was authored by Rep. Paul Gazelka, R-Brainerd, and is part of the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance Committee's package, which was approved Friday. It calls for $14.5 million in both 2006 and 2007 for Explore Minnesota Tourism to improve its marketing strategies and materials. About $2 million each year would be contingent upon matching funds from private sources.
Gazelka said tourism generates revenue for businesses and creates a positive image for the state.
Howes' school start bill part of omnibus package
ST. PAUL -- A bill mandating that all Minnesota kindergarten-12th grade classrooms open after Labor Day is part of the House omnibus package that was approved Thursday.
Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, authored the school start bill.
One of the purposes of the bill was to allow high school students to continue working through the Labor Day weekend. Howes said the tourism industry would benefit from the change, since families could stay at resorts longer.
An exception would be made by schools seeking to accommodate a construction project. The change would begin Aug. 1, 2006. It has not yet been approved by the Senate.