Currently, snowmobiles are prohibited from driving on the roadway or shoulder, or the inside banks of any state or county highway.

If approved, the bill would allow road authorities to grant permission for snowmobiles to ride on either side of a street or highway right-of-way.

"Local governments should have some control over what happens along local roads," Howes said in a press release. "As long as it doesn't infringe upon the overall public safety of the public, I think law-abiding snowmobilers should be rewarded."

Gazelka, Howes pleased with updated budget forecast

Two weeks ago, state economists reduced the projected 2006-2007 budget deficit from $700 million to $466 million.

"This good news is due to the tough choices we made last year when the state faced a $4.5 billion deficit," Howes said in a statement released last week.

In a separate press release, state Rep. Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd) said the improved forecast illustrates how the overall economy is improving.

"This is obviously welcome news and shows our state is headed in the right direction," Gazelka said.

Koering appointed to two committees

State Sen. Paul Koering (R-Fort Ripley) was appointed to two more committees last week.

Koering was appointed to the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access, a 10-member oversight commission that reviews the progress of the Department of Health, the Minnesota Health Care Commission and all other agencies involved in implementing the MinnesotaCare law.

Koering was also reappointed to the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Advisory Committee, which oversees planning and operations of the Cuyuna state recreation area.

New meth bill introduced in House

A bill that would clamp down on the sale of precursor drugs used in the manufacture of methamphetamine was introduced in the House last week by State Rep. Jeff Johnson (R-Plymouth).

The bill is similar to the county-wide crackdown on precursor drugs enacted earlier in Crow Wing County. The bill would move drugs containing pseudoephedrine, the main chemical used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, behind the counter, requiring the assistance of a pharmacist to purchase those drugs. Buyers of drugs containing pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed, would have to show identification and sign a log, and would be limited to two packages per transaction.

The bill also contains provisions for criminal restitution to pay for meth lab clean-up, a boost in the minimum penalty for sale or manufacture of meth, and would create two new crimes related to illegal use of anhydrous ammonia, another ingredient used to make meth.

The House Public Safety Policy and Finance Committee heard the bill and discussed amendments to it at a March 2 hearing.

A similar bill was passed unanimously in the Senate. According to State Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point), the law wouldn't apply to gelcaps, liquid versions and pediatric versions, as those forms cannot be used to make meth.

House backs home run king for baseball hall of fame

The Minnesota House of Representatives went to bat for one of the state's most memorable athletes, passing a resolution Feb. 28 asking the Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee to induct home run record-holder Roger Maris into the hall of fame. Maris was born in Hibbing, Minn., but lived most of his childhood in Fargo.

As a member of the New York Yankees, Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961, setting a major league record that stood until 1998. He was also named the American League's Most Valuable Player and starred in the World Series seven times.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Anthony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm) and mirrors a similar resolution passed by the North Dakota House of Representatives in January.

Unfortunately, Maris was passed over by the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee March 2, along with former Minnesota Twins Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva.

"Political Notebook" is written and compiled by Bryan Clapper, who can be reached at (218) 568-7315 or bryan.clapper@pequotlakesecho.com