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State Representative Matt Dean
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3018
For more information contact: Amber Berhow 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM MATT DEAN April 7, 2006
Greetings from St. Paul! Here are a few highlights from the last week:
BONDING BILL
The Capital Investment Committee recently unveiled the House bonding bill. The $949 million package is larger than the proposal put forward by the Governor and smaller than that put forward by the Senate. However, the House version focuses funding towards local roads, bridges, and environmental projects. Look for the full House to act on the bonding bill next week. You can see a spreadsheet of the bonding proposals at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/fiscal/files/bond06.pdf
HOUSE BUDGET TARGETS
While 2006 is a non-budget year, we are fortunate to have a budget surplus to work with. The House voted to devote most of the surplus to tax relief, although we will spend a total of $88.355 million on health, education, transportation, public safety, and other key areas. We want to devote $6.6 million in new dollars to K-12 education in FY06-07, which will be in addition to the $13.4 billion already allocated.
EMINENT DOMAIN REFORM
The House approved legislation last night that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes. The legislation comes in response to a 2005 recent Supreme Court ruling that would allow government entities to take property and turn it over to private developers. Protecting property rights is vital, although many cities feel the proposed legislation handcuffs them from economic development. Minnesota is one of more than a dozen states working to strengthen its eminent domain laws. The bill now goes to a conference committee with the Senate. For an interesting look at the eminent domain controversy in the Twin Cities, check out this article from the Star Tribune (you have to register): http://www.startribune.com/587/story/354060.html
SESSION WEEKLY
For a comprehensive look at the week’s activities at the Minnesota House of Representatives, download Session Weekly at www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/swmain.asp.
Have a wonderful weekend!
News Items
- DEAN SWORN IN FOR FIFTH TERM - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 3:00PM)
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT DEAN SELECTED AS 2010 HENRY TOLL FELLOW - (Posted: 2010-05-26 00:00:00)
- State Rep. Dean Reacts to St. Croix Bridge Decision - (Posted: 2010-03-15 00:00:00)
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