(Lavverrue, Flickr)

Gay marriage will get another hearing in the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday when the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear three bills that deal with the issue. Like their counterparts in the House, the bills will be introduced and testimony heard, but no vote will be taken.

A bill authored by Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, DFL-Minneapolis, would allow same-sex marriages performed in other states — such as Iowa — to be recognized in Minnesota. The Marriage and Family Protection Act, authored by Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, would make marriage in Minnesota gender neutral. And legislation by Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, would also created gender-neutral marriage laws.

The hearing will be on Tuesday at 6:30 pm in room 15 of the Capitol building.

Carl Walker-Hoover

Anti-gay bullying has been a topic of conversation in legislative chambers and at kitchen tables as the suicides of young people who were literally bullied to death have created a sense of urgency to protect students.

Carl Walker-Hoover, an 11-year old charter school student from Massachusetts, took his own life last week after incessant taunting by fellow students. His story served as an example of the eminent danger some students face as the Minnesota Senate debated — and passed on Thursday — a measure to guide school districts in addressing bullying. It’s a measure that Senate Republicans vociferously opposed.

“They were always saying, ‘you’re gay, you must be gay, you act like a girl,’” said Carl’s mother Sirdeaner Walker told the media last week. “My message is that the bullying, the teasing, the hurtful words, it has to stop.”

Walker’s story made the national news last week prompting a series of in-depth reports about bullying in schools.

It’s also been a contentious issue in the Minnesota Senate as DFLers push for anti-bullying protections while Republicans push back because the bill includes language pertaining to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.

“It’s important to understand that everyone is harmed,” said Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis. “It needs to very clear that this bill protects all kids. In a perfect world we’d say no bullying against anyone, period, end of story, but sadly we don’t live in a perfect world.”

The bill contains 14 categories of characteristics that are protected from disability to religious affiliation to physical body type. But Republicans made clear that the fact that sexual orientation was included was a problem.

“What is intimidation?” asked Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie. “If I am in school and say I express an opinion that marriage between a man and a woman is the only type of marriage that should exist, and I’m talking to someone who disagrees with that, is that harassment?”

Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-Anoka, posed a similar situation. “My daughter takes a pretty heavy stand in her school against global warming and she is harassed and she is bullied and she’s known at the school as the ‘global warming girl,’” he said. “The teachers let it go on because they perceive her as wrong. And I don’t see anything in this bill that might apply to her.”

Sen. Dibble said the bill covers both instances. “I think that’s a strongly held belief and I think ‘creed’ would cover that circumstance. I believe as strong as anyone that no kid should be victim to bullying and harassment. ”

Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, offered an amendment to the bill that would prevent schools from speaking about gays and lesbians in a positive light. It would ban “the teaching in education institutions of homosexuality or
bisexuality as an acceptable lifestyle.”

To that Dibble said, “This amendment sends a really negative message to gay kids. Here it is, a Senate chamber that’s going to put words like this into law?”

That amendment failed, but the bill itself passed. All DFLers voted for the measure except Sens. Jim Vickerman of Tracy and Dan Sparks of Austin. Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, joined the DFL in voting for the bill.

But the proposed stamp reduction quickly sparked opposition from Democrats. “This is the way many members stay in touch with their constituents,” said Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller. “You don’t have to use up this total allotment if you don’t want.”

Sen. Steve Murphy echoed those comments. “Many of us that have larger districts … we depend upon that postage to stay in contact with our constituents,” noted Murphy, a DFLer from Red Wing. “Today, more than ever, we need the input from our constituents.”

Ultimately the proposal was voted down by a 38-27 margin, largely along party lines.

Leslie Sandberg, communications director for the Mike Ciresi campaign, issued a statement to Minnesota Monitor saying, “We’re going to abide by the endorsement, and our campaign looks forward to having many supporters show up whether the caucuses are held in February or March.”  Ciresi had previously stated the campaign could reconsider their decision to abide if the date was moved.

Jess McIntosh, communications director for the Franken campaign, was equally positive.  “While we can’t believe that no one has come up with a better name than `Super-Duper Tuesday,’ we’re glad Minnesotans may be able to be a part of it. And we’re excited about increased participation in the caucuses.”

The Bob Olson campaign did not immediately have an official statement, but campaign manager Eric Mitchell said that the move was “good for Minnesotans,” and that it would hopefully increase participation in the caucuses.

The Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer campaign could not be immediately reached for comment.

Minnesota appears likely to become the 24th state to hold its primary or caucus on February 5, which is rapidly becoming a de facto national primary.  While the state has not officially moved the caucus date, both DFL and Minnesota GOP leaders have indicated support for the switch, with GOP chair Ron Carey reportedly saying there is a “90 percent probability” of a change, and the DFL already giving preliminary approval to the plan.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, a Democrat, has said his office will facilitate a change, reportedly saying, “We’re here to be helpful to the parties if the parties want to move in that direction.”

Agriculture and Veterans, Jim Vickerman, Tracy.

Business, Industry and Jobs, Jim Metzen, South St. Paul.

Capital Investment, Keith Langseth, Glyndon.

Commerce and Consumer Protection, Linda Scheid, Brooklyn Park.

E-12 Education Budget Division, LeRoy Stumpf, Plummer.

Economic Development Budget Division, David Tomassoni, Chisholm.

Education, Chuck Wiger, North St. Paul.

more inside

Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communication, Yvonne Prettner Solon, Duluth.

Environment and Natural Resources, Satveer Chaudhary, Fridley.

Environment and Natural Resources Budget Division, Ellen Anderson, St. Paul.

Natural Resources Subdivision, Gary Kubly, Granite Falls.

Finance, Dick Cohen, St. Paul.

Health, Housing and Family Security, John Marty, Roseville.

Health and Human Services Budget Division, Linda Berglin, Minneapolis.

Higher Education Budget Division, Sandy Pappas, St. Paul.

Judiciary, Mee Moua, St. Paul.

Judiciary Budget Division, Leo Foley, Coon Rapids.

Public Safety Budget Division, Linda Higgins, Minneapolis.

Rules and Administration, Pogemiller.

State and Local Government Operations and Oversight, Ann Rest, New Hope.

State Government Budget Division, Don Betzold, Fridley.

Taxes, Tom Bakk, Cook. Property Tax Division, Rod Skoe, Clearbrook.

Transportation, Steve Murphy, Red Wing. Transit Subdivision, Scott Dibble, Minneapolis.