The Brainerd Dispatch reports in Ruud takes note of new laws:
Several new laws passed and signed into law this past legislative session will take effect on Thursday, according to a statement issued by Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point. Notable highlights include laws related to childcare unionization, consumer protections, hunting license fees, and business changes.
She's so not happy about the ability of workers to begin to organize, tax changes and clean energy mandates but she seems pleased with some fees for youth hunting and spear fishing licenses being reduced or eliminated.
Given the raging national debate about spear fishing license fees, Bluestem's happy that one's resolved. While PETA may be be saddened, deep-pocketed political contributors on both sides of the issue can close their wallets.
Other highlights:
• Beer Growlers: “Save the Growler” legislation takes effect as breweries can sell 64-ounce bottles of beer known as “growlers” as they expand their businesses.
• Bicycle lane parking prohibition: It is illegal for anyone to park their vehicle in a designated bicycle lane, except when signs are posted that permit parking. Locally a new law which also goes into effect on Thursday, and was sponsored by Ruud, will allow school busses to be used for one- or two-day special events without being required to register as commercial buses.
“I was proud to carry the legislation which will allow our local Jaycees to continue their annual ice fishing tournament. The tournament raises so much money for charity and without this change in law the tournament wouldn’t have been able to continue,” Ruud said.
Thank heavens.
After all, it's old news--reported by the paper on July 16, 2013 in Marriage licenses for same-sex couples availabe Wednesday in county--that marriage equality is the law on Thursday, August 1, 2013 in Minnesota:
Crow Wing County Auditor-Treasurer Laureen Borden on Tuesday announced that marriage license applications may be made by same-sex couples beginning Wednesday, July 17.
Licenses will not be valid for use until Aug. 1, as per Minnesota Statute 645.02. . . .
Back in June, Bluestem noticed that Minnesota Senate Minority Leader David Hann said MN lege hadn't spent enough time talking & talking & talking about gay marriage.
Apparently Ruud didn't get the memo from leadership.
Photo: Carrie Ruud. While Ruud's district supported the amendment to restrict the freedom to marry in November 2012, WCCO reported in April:
Ann Turnbull, a retired state worker with a lesbian partner of 36 years, brought a message to the Capitol Thursday for Minnesota lawmakers who say it’s too soon to legalize gay marriage.“I’m getting old. This needs to happen this year,” Turnbull told her state senator, Republican Carrie Ruud, in a brief discussion just off the Senate floor. She and her partner want the full legal protections of marriage, Turnbull said, “and I want it to happen in my lifetime.” . . .
Ruud, who lives in the Brainerd-area town of Breezy Point, huddled with about a dozen gay marriage supporters from her district. Many, including Turnbull, spoke in very personal terms. “This is difficult for a lot of us. I don’t do politics, I don’t like lobbying,” Turnbull said.
But Ruud, who called her district “very socially conservative,” said she would vote no if the bill gets to the Senate floor.
“I have to do what my district wants in the end, and I did campaign for marriage as a man and a woman,” Ruud said. “I’ve been very out front with where I stand, but it doesn’t mean I don’t empathize with their stories and their hearts. It’s hard.”
But apparently not worth mentioning.
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