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E-Update

Legislative Update - April 26, 2012

Dear Friends:

Spring is here, and we are nearing the end of the 2012 legislative session. I would like to provide an update on what has been accomplished and what is left to get done before session adjourns in the next few days. This session, several excellent bipartisan efforts have resulted in some important legislation being signed into law by the Governor, including:

Speeding up the environmental permitting process
This measure was a follow-up to legislation from last year that eased environmental review and permitting requirements faced by businesses trying to locate or expand here. It will assist businesses so they can grow, produce jobs and improve the state’s economy. The new law directs the Department of Employment and Economic Development to assist businesses navigate the permitting process so they can get through the process smoothly and quickly. I’m pleased we continue to reform this procedure and are removing a barrier towards business expansion in Minnesota.

Raising teacher standards
Requiring teaching candidates to pass a basic skills test before being granted an initial teaching license is now law. Previously, a person who completed a teacher preparation program but did not pass the basic skills test was allowed to receive up to three one-year licenses to teach under certain conditions. The new law ensures that Minnesota teachers are better prepared when they get to the classroom. It raises accountability and will have the net effect of increasing the quality and rigor of teachers training.

Throughout this process, I have been successful at achieving an extension for teachers who are already teaching but are struggling to pass the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examination. I also believe that this examination needs an overhaul to better evaluate and license our teachers, which I will work on during the interim.

Fighting the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species & Mississippi Northwoods Project
Invasive aquatics, including such species as zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterfleas, have been discovered in more than 1,000 lakes and rivers around Minnesota, including waterways in District 12A. They can damage the state’s water-based recreation and tourism economy, affect water quality and navigation, destroy fish habitats, drive out important native species, and impede beach access.

Last session, I was the chief author of a new law designed to combat these Aquatic Invasive Species and while it was a good first step, we have a ways to go. I believe we need to strengthen enforcement even beyond what is in the new law. To that effect, I added an amendment to the Environmental Policy bill on the House floor that would increase penalties for people who are contributing to the spread of these invasive species. I’m hopeful that the amendment will stay on the bill through the conference committee process and that we can get this bill enacted into law.

This session, I’ve been fighting for funding for the Mississippi River Northwoods Project. This project is an attempt to purchase 2,200 acres of land and 2 miles of waterways on the Mississippi River for multi-recreational use and conservation for future generations. The project costs $14 million and has strong bipartisan legislative support, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, and folks in our area as well.

The House version of Omnibus Legacy Amendment Funding bill contained half the necessary funding. I spoke on the House floor emphasizing the need for the full amount of funding. The bill recently came out of conference committee with a compromise of $11 million. While this is not all of the funding, I support this compromise and believe it will get the project near the finish line.

I have also been seeking a compromise on body grip traps. Body grip traps are designed to catch animals like raccoons and bobcats, and are legal on almost all public land in the state. The traps are usually baited with meat, and when an animal attempts to reach the bait, the trap springs. The device is designed to kill quickly, breaking the animal’s neck or windpipe. In recent months, however, body grip traps have been responsible for the deaths of dogs in the state.

My bill would have required body grip traps to be set at least four feet above the ground or completely submerged underwater. The goal is to allow for the traps to continue be used to catch so-called “nuisance" animals, but to protect hunting dogs and pets from accidental capture and death. Twenty-five other states already have similar requirements.

This compromise was based on evidence and research of what has worked in other states and what hasn’t. The current law is neither effective, nor proven. The bill has not been passed, but I’ll continue working to find a solution.

Protecting vulnerable adults and children
The new law makes the intentional abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults a felony crime. It also toughens criminal penalties for parents who use restraints to abuse and harm a child. The law creates new felony penalties for those who willfully and knowingly neglect a vulnerable adult, or who abusively restrain children. The definition of “abuse” and “neglect” includes intentional behavior that deprives a vulnerable adult or child of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision that could likely result in substantial or great bodily harm. This legislation was worked on by a broad and bipartisan coalition of legislators, health care providers, and advocates.

While these are positive developments, there is much unfinished business. Here are some very important items that need to be addressed before the 2012 session adjourns:

Restoring the Homestead Credit
There is no question – property taxes are too high and must be lowered. I support a balanced approach to providing property tax relief that does not pit one property owner against another. Restoration of the Homestead Credit is a best method for property tax relief and why I have co-authored a bill to bring it back. The 44-year old Homestead Credit provided direct relief to 95% of homeowners. It was a targeted credit that showed up automatically on your property tax statement, and its removal led to substantial property taxes hikes for homeowners, businesses, farmers and renters for taxes payable in 2012.

Bonding
One major task of the legislature this year is to invest in public works projects or infrastructure – a process commonly known as bonding. Bonding includes construction and repairs of roads and bridges, flood prevention and mitigation, buildings on college campuses, veterans’ homes, correctional facilities, waste water treatment plants, and public facilities with regional or statewide significance. A comprehensive bonding bill can stretch taxpayer dollars further by taking advantage of record low interest rates and discounted building costs for materials and labor. It provides work for thousands of unemployed construction workers, contractors, engineers, architects and others, and it creates long-term private sector jobs.

Jobs Initiatives
A jobs initiative that should be advanced provides appropriations to the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF), a program that helps Minnesota companies stay competitive by closing financing gaps faced by businesses looking to expand, while investing in community development. MIF has a proven positive track record.

Two businesses in our area have benefited from the MIF program: In 2011, Magnus Machining in nearby Deerwood received $175,000 in MIF dollars, leveraging $2.8 million in additional investment and leading to the creation of 30 new jobs. In late March, BTD Wood Powder Coating, Inc. received $100,000 to support their expansion. As a result of this, seven jobs will be created in the next two years.

Paying back our school children
Our children and their schools are still owed $2.4 billion due to the budget agreement passed in the special session, which I opposed. I remain committed to paying back what was borrowed from our schools as soon as possible. As we move forward and our economy strengthens, I will be advocating for paying back what is owed in a fiscally responsible and complete fashion.

While there is much to do, I am confident that with cooperation and hard work we can get it done. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions.

It is an honor to serve you at the State Capitol.

Respectfully,

Representative John Ward
District 12A
828-3626