PRIORITIES? Lawmaker proposes bill to make Lab Minnesota’s state dog

A Minnnesota lawmaker hopes to get people focused on dogs and how bills become law.

Minnesota Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, introduced legislation Tuesday to make the Labrador retriever Minnesota’s official dog breed.

Ruud also hopes her bill can educate students on how a bill becomes law.

It does, however, contradict what Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said Monday, after two Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana.

“Senate Republicans are focused on reducing health care costs, supporting mental health care, and passing a balanced budget,” Gazelka, R-Nisswa, said in a statement. “Legalizing recreational marijuana is a controversial issue, to say the least, and not something I would consider a priority issue. … I don’t think it has a chance to pass the Senate this year.”

If that’s the case, then Minnesota shouldn’t expect to see the Labrador as its official dog, apparently, since it’s not quite a “priority issue.”

Sen. Melisa Franzen and Rep. Mike Freiberg, both Democrats, introduced bills to legalize and tax recreational marijuana Monday, prompting Gazelka’s statement.

In June, Canada legalized recreational marijuana — the second country to do so. In November, Michigan became the 10th state to legalize it.