When I first learned about the topic at hand, I thought it sounded like the sub-plot of some long forgotten Simpson's episode. Leave it to those Minnesotans to enact such interestingly obscure legislature. It turns out that the state has managed to present a bill unto its state legislature that would create an official "poet laureate" position for the state of Minnesota. The strong push to pass the bill before the legislature was mostly done as part of a campaign to try to promote the arts on a state level. The bill is currently in the process of being reviewed by the governor so that it can receive an official endorsement. Once the bill comes to pass in the capitol, the Minnesota Humanities Commission would be the overseeing body responsible for suggesting to the governor who the most capable applicants would be.One of the strongest supporters of the "poet laureate bill", Republican Representative Barb Sykora, recently commented on the bill by saying that she hopes it will help reinvigorate the people's interests in poetry. Another hope is that the poet laureate will help get young public school students excited about poetry.As the official appointed representative of the position, the poet laureate would be encouraged to appear at ceremonies and celebrations. Originally designed to be more of a voluntary office, one of the only drawbacks to being the poet laureate is that the state will not be paying any salary to the appointee for their efforts. So for those of you out their thinking of getting rich by cashing in on the title of "poet laureate", think again. You would be better off trying to work as a consultant for Texas oil tycoon.