The Legislature’s first committee deadline was reached on Friday. The second deadline is March 19, which means all policy bills that stand a chance of becoming law must have been heard by necessary House and Senate committees by that date. Budget-related bills must meet the same criteria by Monday, March 29, at which point the Senate will begin negotiating with the House and governor, working toward the end of the legislative session.

While policy committees are working to meet their deadlines this week, there also is much work being done on the budget front. The Senate finalized a spending cuts bill that will solve roughly one-third of the $1 billion budget deficit facing the state. The Senate believes that the daunting task of cutting $1 billion from the next 18-month budget is easier when broken down into portions. The first bill makes spending cuts in nine budget areas, including everything from transportation to public safety. The last two budget bills will deal with the issues that comprise the majority of the state’s total budget: education, health care and tax policies.

The Senate is hoping to pass its first budget-cuts bill next week. A listing of what spending reductions are being made in this bill may be found on the Finance Committee’s Web site at www.senate.mn.

In between meetings this week, I had the pleasure of visiting with several local residents about various bills they are interested in following. On Wednesday, a large group of folks interested in environmental issues came to my office. They represented the Izaak Walton League, Austin High’s Go Green Club, the Audubon Society, and the League of Women Voters.

Nuclear energy expansion is one concern this group brought to my attention. There is a debate happening in Minnesota right now, as well as in several other states, about whether to lift the moratorium on building new nuclear power plants to meet the nation’s energy needs. On the surface, it’s an attractive option because nuclear energy is considered to be cleaner than some of the other energy sources available in this country. However, this group reminded me of the potential long-term environmental effects of this power source, as well as the radio-active waste produced, the lack of storage for that waste, and the potential security risks involved.

The environmental advocates also voiced concern with a non-ferrous mining bill moving through the Senate right now. In addition, they spoke to me about “Complete Streets” legislation, which aims to maximize transportation investments by designing roads and streets with everyone in mind — vehicles, pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists and other users. By implementing such design policies, we believe we could save money in the long-run with roads that promote safety and usability for modes of transit other than just cars and trucks.

The Chamber of Commerce members from Austin and Albert Lea spoke to me on Wednesday during “Business Day at the Capitol.” The Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority also visited me to speak about the importance of proposals that support public housing improvements, as well as bills to address abandoned properties and other consequences of the foreclosure crisis.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, KMSQ public television, truckers and health care professionals rounded out the long list of constituents visiting the Capitol this week. I am listing all of these groups as a thank-you to those of you who make time to share your concerns with me during the legislative session. I also encourage anyone who’s interested to contact me or stop by my office to do the same. Your input really is the most important to me, and I always appreciate hearing what you have to say.

As some of these major funding decisions are made at the Capitol, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or if you would like updates. You may reach me at sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn; 651-296-9248; or Room 317 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the state senator for District 27.