Legislative briefs

FORT RIPLEY -- A fund-raiser for state Sen. Don Samuelson, DFL-Brainerd, is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Fort Ripley Community Center/Pavilion.

It will feature a pig and turkey roast dinner for $7 for adults, $5 for children and free for children 5 and under. There will be horseshoes, softball, volleyball, music, a beer garden, pop and door prizes and a raffle with various prizes.

There will be signs on Highway 371 to the site.

Samuelson chosen for national organization's board of directors

State Sen. Don Samuelson, DFL-Brainerd and president of the Senate, has been chosen to serve on the board of directors for the National Senate President's Organization.

The National Senate President's Organization meets twice a year to discuss issues of mutual concern among the states.

"This is a non-partisan, non-profit educational organization that brings together some of the world's most distinguished thinkers in education policy, government and industry," Samuelson said.

Anyone with questions about this or any issue before the Legislature can contact Samuelson at 121 State Capitol, 75 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155-1606, sen.don.samuelson@senate.leg.state.mn.us or (651) 296-4875.

Walz, House honor fallen law officers

ST. PAUL -- State Rep. Dale Walz joined his colleagues in the Minnesota House of Representatives to pass a resolution honoring police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The resolution declared Monday, May 13, Law Enforcement Memorial Association Day in Minnesota.

"The Law Enforcement Memorial Association is dedicated to honoring the memories of these fallen officers and to helping families they left behind," Walz said. "Many of these police officers leave family members, including a spouse, and often children, behind."

A police color guard was on hand Monday to present the flag during the House floor session. Shortly afterward, Walz and his fellow members of the House passed the resolution honoring those police officers and law enforcement personnel who have been killed in the line of duty.

Legislators announce health-care change

ST. PAUL -- State Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, and Sen. Dallas Sams, DFL-Staples, announced Tuesday that a federal waiver was granted last week that allows the state to change income guidelines for farmers seeking eligibility for the state-subsidized health insurance program.

As a result, a provision has been included in the final budget bill that will allow farmers to deduct net operating losses and carryover losses from their income to qualify for MinnesotaCare.

MinnesotaCare is a state-subsidized health care program for lower-income Minnesotans either without health insurance or those for whom their employer pays less than half their health insurance premiums.

Nearly 5,000 Minnesotans are enrolled in MinnesotaCare. Under the Otremba-Sams provision, several hundred additional rural Minnesota families are expected to become eligible for the program.