House Republicans Challenge Budget Bill

House Republicans including Big Lake Representative Mark Olson said during Thursday night's debate that the large budget correcting bill should be deemed unconstitutional under the state constitution's 'germane' rule. The constitution says "No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title." The 370-page House budget bill includes policy and finance issues as well as taxes, transportation, education, natural resources, same-sex domestic partner, and pro-choice legislation. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said the bill is about balancing the budget so there shouldn't be a problem. And besides, Republicans voted for similar bills when they were in the majority.