John Pederson

At some point the State Legislature is going to have to go into a special session to complete the budget for the next biennium. Exactly when and how long that special session will is yet to be determined. However, we do know that whenever it happens several of our local lawmakers have pledged to not be paid for it.

As the State Legislature and the Governor continue to spar over high profile issues like the budget, gay marriage, and a Vikings stadium -- there's also bills that have quietly passed that tinker with the State Land and Legacy Amendment. The Land and Legacy Amendment brings in hundreds of millions of dollars, and state lawmakers have been voting on conflicting bills on where that money should go.

Environmentalists fear a St. Cloud lawmaker's proposals would weaken protection of Minnesota's natural resources. Republican Sen. John Pederson has proposed halting creation of new state water rules for two years.

You'll have a chance to give your input on what's happening at the State Capitol tomorrow (Saturday). Local lawmakers from both major political parties have planned town hall meetings at the St. Cloud Public Library.

The Minnesota State Senate has approved a two-year pay freeze for employees in Minnesota public and charter schools. Local State Senators John Pederson of St. Cloud and Michelle Fischbach of Paynesville both voted in favor of the bill.

Minnesota senators have pressed through a bill to slice $930 million from a much-larger state budget deficit. Senator John Pederson of St. Cloud co-authored the bill.

St. Cloud State Senator John Pederson was one of the Senators who voted in favor of lifting a ban on new nuclear power plants. Pederson says the vote doesn't mean there will definitely be more nuclear plants built in the state, it just gives the Public Utilities Commission the option.

On this week's Legislative Review program on WJON we talked with State Senators John Pederson and Michelle Fischbach about a bonding bill, a Vikings stadium, cuts to LGA, and creating jobs.

A former St. Cloud City Council member will be sworn in to a seat on the St. Cloud City Council tonight. Jeff Goerger is filling the vacancy left by John Pederson's election to the state senate.

Three freshmen lawmakers from the St. Cloud area will be sworn-in tomorrow at noon. King Banaian, Tim O'Driscoll, and John Pederson take their oath of office right before the 2011 State Legislative session begins.