Jobs, housing, health care and child care topped a list of priorities for the People?s Legislature that convened Tuesday at the state Capitol. Imposition of the death penalty and a ban on gay marriage ? issues that preoccupy some of their elected representatives ? were not even mentioned.

?I believe that working families in Minnesota deserve a lot better than what they?ve been given by the Legislature,? explained Andrea Yevuta, a People?s Legislature delegate from St. Paul. She joined hundreds of others at the event organized by ?Minnesota is Watching,? an informal coalition of non-profit groups, labor unions and faith organizations.

Hundreds of Minnesotans participated in the "People's Legislature" that convened Tuesday.

The People?s Legislature was instituted last year to monitor the activities of lawmakers during the 2003 session. Concerned about cuts to many important public services, participants vowed to continue their work during this year?s session, which began Monday.

?I?m here because I?m concerned about what is happening with our state and what?s not happening, too,? said the Rev. Mark Peters, executive director of the Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota. ?Some of those who can least afford to pay are paying the highest ? and it?s with their lives.?

Peters said he is meeting with lawmakers to discuss the problems caused by elimination of aid to many Minnesotans who have disabilities ? cuts that he described as devastating.

Other delegates said the economy was a major motivation for participating in the People?s Legislature.

?We need jobs, real bad,? said Faribault resident Ruby Hensel, whose daughter has been job hunting. ?We need one job that would pay a decent wage so they don?t have to go find three or four of them to keep going.?

Geno Pickerign, a member of Operating Engineers Local 49, said he wants lawmakers to invest in the state ? and create jobs ? by adopting a substantial bonding bill for construction projects. ?Jobs, health and welfare, pensions ? those are all priorities,? he said.

Members of the People?s Legislature elected the Rev. Michael Reding, pastor of St. Bartholomew?s Church in Wayzata, as their speaker. They also listened to fellow delegates describe problems that working families are facing. Mike Goldman, labor liaison to the Minnesota Dislocated Worker Program, called the employment picture ?scary? and said only four job openings are available for every 10 people who are looking.

?Child care cuts are truly what they say they are ? cutting people off and injuring families,? Nzinga Shakir of Ramsey Action Programs told the crowd. The Legislature made large cuts to child care for working families during the 2003 session.

At the end of their session, the delegates to the People?s Legislature were asked if they thought the state was moving in the right direction. A resounding ?No? was their response.