Reading state representative Mary Franson's last legislative update from May 24, 2013 THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD LEGISLATIVE SESSION, Bluestem's eye was caught by one paragraph:
My second term thus far has been quite different than my first term. In the minority, it’s difficult to get anything passed. However, I didn’t let that get me down. I was able to get two bills passed and signed into the law. The first was a bill that would allow Panther Distillery in Osakis – the only whiskey distillery in Minnesota – to offer a 15 ml tasting of each product on site during tours. The bill was included as a provision in the omnibus liquor bill, passed with bipartisan support, and was signed into law by Governor Dayton earlier this month. I may have to stop over to Panther Distillery now after this legislative session! I was also successful in passing a sales tax exemption for capital equipment for businesses.
What's peculiar about that modest list? So far as Bluestem is able--and we've contacted others with more expertise than we have in examining the legislative record--none of the 36 bills Franson introduced in the 2011-2012 session became law. That was when the Republican Party was in the majority.
According to the St. Paul Legal Ledger, Franson did block something in the 2011 special session:
In the final hours of the special session, GOP Rep. Mary Franson successfully pushed for a last-minute technical change striking a reference to an exchange in the Health and Human Services budget bill.
Did any bill Franson chief-authored get rolled into an omnibus bill in her first term? Not according to her response in an email inquiry.
In the meantime, perhaps Franson can thank the DFL majority for helping her do something more than just raising eyebrows.
Photo: Mary Franson, who has been more successful getting legislation passed under DFL control than when her own party held the reins. Perhaps the 2014 bonding session will lead to her greatest triumphs as a lawmaker.
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