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Bill Summaries <br /> Elected Metropolitan Council <br /> A bill providing for an elected Metropolitan Council in 1996 and for public financing of <br /> campaigns for council positions. The members would be designated as local officials to be elected <br /> to staggered four-year term on a non-partisan basis. <br /> Property tax abatements for improvements to commercial property <br /> A bill authorizing cities, counties and townships to abate up to 50% of property taxes attributable <br /> to improvements made to commercial property for up to three years. Improvements which <br /> qualify include new construction, rehabilitation, reconstruction and additions that increase the <br /> value of the property by at least $5,000. Local governments would be required to provide notice <br /> and hold a public discussion of the abatement agreement prior to adoption. The abatement would <br /> be included in the proposed levy. <br /> Fiscal disparities revision <br /> A bill similar to Orfield's recently vetoed bill, which would include homestead property value in <br /> excess of$200,000 in the metropolitan area wide tax base as part of the fiscal disparities program. <br /> Growth in the amount of property value over $200,000 would be included in the area wide tax <br /> base. <br /> Economic development conferences exempt from the gift law <br /> A bill exempting the attendance at conferences and seminars on economic development from the <br /> definition of a prohibited gift under the ethics law. <br /> Conflict of interest <br /> This bill would prohibit legislators from authoring or voting on matters of direct or financial <br /> interest. This would include matters related to their occupation outside the Legislature. <br /> Pay or no permit <br /> Local governments could refuse to issue permit to home and business owners who have <br /> outstanding taxes, penalties, or interest on their properties. <br /> The Minnesota Senate now offers Listsery (automatically sends the daily committee schedule)for <br /> all of you with Internet e-mail access. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to: <br /> listserv@senate.leg.state.mn.us <br /> In the message body type the following: subscribe sen-schedules. <br /> Dawn <br />