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State Representative Michael Beard
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8872
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
2009 SESSION BEGINS WITH NEW LEADERISHIP POST FOR BEARD Will carry the Republican transportation agenda in 2009-10
By Mike Beard
State Representative, Shakopee & Prior Lake
The 2009 legislative session is underway, and again I want to thank you for trusting in me to be your voice at the State Capitol for the next two years. It is a privilege to come to the Capitol and work on the issues that affect our communities. This year I am pleased to announce that I will serve as the Lead Republican in the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. In this role I will carry the Republican message on transportation issues and work with the Democrats who control the committee at getting our ideas included in legislation.
Transportation has been an important issue for me since I began serving in the Legislature in 2003. Then, we passed a large funding package that allowed for the removal of stoplights along Highway 169, among other projects. When the government held a $2.2 billion budget surplus in 2007, I proposed spending half of it on immediate road and bridge improvements as a way to improve transportation, boost commerce and create jobs without raising a nickel of new taxes. Last year, I was very vocal in opposition of the multi-billion dollar tax increase passed over the governor’s veto because of the way it titled the advantages in favor of transit for the inner cities and raised license tab fees at a time when car sales are struggling.
I also worked with other south metro legislators to study the feasibility of a commuter rail line running up from Northfield. A group of not-in-my-backyard legislators from the inner suburbs outlawed the mere consideration of the so-called Dan Patch Line several years ago. I will use my new position to push for repealing that ill-advised law.
This new position will also give communities like ours a much-needed seat at the table when it comes to transportation planning and priorities. So much of the past focus was on inner city transit and rural highways that suburban communities were largely left out, even though we were the fastest growing part of the state. I will make sure that this does not happen again.
In addition to transportation, I will also continue working on the Telecommunications, Local Government, Energy and Bio-science committees. These are important roles doing work that affects our everyday lives. There is a real push this year to relieve local governments of unfunded mandates, a push that I support and expect to work on in the Local Government Committee. I also expect another push for new energy regulations, but I will work as I have in the past to make sure that whatever changes get proposed will not result in higher costs for consumers.
On these issues, and all others, I want to know what you think. I welcome your input at rep.mike.beard@house.mn or by calling 651-296-8872. Or if you prefer to write, my address is 207 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. You’re also free to stop by for a visit. I enjoy and appreciate hearing from all of you.
Thank you again for giving me this great privilege.
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