Brad Finstad in MN legislative records

On Abortion: No public funding for embryonic stem cell research

Legislative title: Public Funding for Stem Cell Research

Legislative summary: Vote to pass a bill that allows the University of Minnesota to use state funding for human embryonic and stem cell research.

• Prohibits the selling or purchasing of fetal tissue and attempts at human cloning
• Allows the University of Minnesota to spend state-appropriated funds on stem cell research.
• Prohibits researchers from creating human embryos and from destroying, discarding, or injuring human embryos.
• Issues guidelines for stem cell research.
• Establishes an optimal structure for an amniotic and a placental stem cell bank program.

On Abortion: No public funding for embryonic stem cell research

Legislative title: Public Funding for Stem Cell Research

Legislative summary: Vote to pass a bill that allows the University of Minnesota to use state funding for human embryonic and stem cell research.

• Prohibits the selling or purchasing of fetal tissue and attempts at human cloning
• Allows the University of Minnesota to spend state-appropriated funds on stem cell research.
• Prohibits researchers from creating human embryos and from destroying, discarding, or injuring human embryos.
• Issues guidelines for stem cell research.
• Establishes an optimal structure for an amniotic and a placental stem cell bank program.

On Energy & Oil: Voted NO on cap-&-trade for greenhouse gas reduction goals

• The legislature finds that a cap and trade program will achieve Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in a cost-effective manner.
• The right to emit greenhouse gases should be auctioned to emitting facilities rather than allocated at no cost, with proceeds from the auction invested in projects that advance the transition to a low greenhouse gas-emitting economy.
• A greenhouse gas cap and trade program is best pursued in cooperation with other Midwestern states.
• A "climate trust fund" is established [to manage revenue from auctions]

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 91-38 on April 23; State Rep. Brad Finstad voted NO; passed Senate 43-21; signed by Gov. Pawlenty on May 19.

On Energy & Oil: Voted NO on cap-&-trade for greenhouse gas reduction goals

• The legislature finds that a cap and trade program will achieve Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in a cost-effective manner.
• The right to emit greenhouse gases should be auctioned to emitting facilities rather than allocated at no cost, with proceeds from the auction invested in projects that advance the transition to a low greenhouse gas-emitting economy.
• A greenhouse gas cap and trade program is best pursued in cooperation with other Midwestern states.
• A "climate trust fund" is established [to manage revenue from auctions]

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 91-38 on April 23; State Rep. Brad Finstad voted NO; passed Senate 43-21; signed by Gov. Pawlenty on May 19.

On Environment: Voted NO on Great Lakes Water Resources Compact

• the waters of the basin are precious public natural resources shared and held in trust by the states;
• the waters of the basin are interconnected and part of a single hydrologic system;
• continued sustainable, accessible and adequate water supplies for the people and economy of the basin are of vital importance;
• Purposes of the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact:
• to act together to protect, conserve, restore, and effectively manage the waters and natural resources of the basin despite current lack of full scientific certainty
• to facilitate consistent approaches to water management across the basin while retaining state management authority.

On Environment: Voted NO on Great Lakes Water Resources Compact

• the waters of the basin are precious public natural resources shared and held in trust by the states;
• the waters of the basin are interconnected and part of a single hydrologic system;
• continued sustainable, accessible and adequate water supplies for the people and economy of the basin are of vital importance;
• Purposes of the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact:
• to act together to protect, conserve, restore, and effectively manage the waters and natural resources of the basin despite current lack of full scientific certainty
• to facilitate consistent approaches to water management across the basin while retaining state management authority.

On Government Reform: Loosen restrictions on liquor licenses near state facilities

Summary by OnTheIssues: Allow liquor licenses near county jails, but disallow liquor licenses within 1,000 feet of a state hospital, training school, reformatory, prison, or other institution under the supervision or control of the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of corrections.

Governor's Veto Message: There are many other facilities beyond hospitals, training schools, reformatories and prisons that are under the supervision or control of the Commissioners of Human Services or Corrections. It would surprise me if the Legislature intended to allow liquor sales near all such facilities. Yet, the bill seems to do just that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/13/04; State Rep. Finstad voted YES; Passed Senate 57-3-7 on May/14/04; Vetoed on May/29/04.

On Government Reform: Shift approval of local rules from Governor to Legislature

Governor's Veto Message:  The bill essentially shifts authority for conducting rulemaking from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Under current law, the legislature has granted the Governor's office final approval authority on all rulemakings. This is sound policy as it provides accountability in a way that does not paralyze either branch of government. House File 624 would impose that responsibility on the already over-stressed legislative process.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/16/03; State Rep. Brad Finstad voted YES; Passed Senate 60-0-7 on May/16/03; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/27/03.

On Government Reform: Keep restrictions on liquor licenses near state facilities

Summary by OnTheIssues: Allow liquor licenses near county jails, but disallow liquor licenses within 1,000 feet of a state hospital, training school, reformatory, prison, or other institution under the supervision or control of the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of corrections.

Governor's Veto Message: There are many other facilities beyond hospitals, training schools, reformatories and prisons that are under the supervision or control of the Commissioners of Human Services or Corrections. It would surprise me if the Legislature intended to allow liquor sales near all such facilities. Yet, the bill seems to do just that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/13/04; State Rep. Finstad voted NO; Passed Senate 57-3-7 on May/14/04; Vetoed on May/29/04.

On Government Reform: Shift approval of local rules from Governor to Legislature

Governor's Veto Message:  The bill essentially shifts authority for conducting rulemaking from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Under current law, the legislature has granted the Governor's office final approval authority on all rulemakings. This is sound policy as it provides accountability in a way that does not paralyze either branch of government. House File 624 would impose that responsibility on the already over-stressed legislative process.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/16/03; State Rep. Brad Finstad voted YES; Passed Senate 60-0-7 on May/16/03; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/27/03.