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State Representative David Bly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0171
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
Column/LTE
Government-in-Action – We Need to Respond Decisively, Before and After
An unforgettable August has provided two tragic examples for us to view government-in-motion.
On August 1st, the I-35W Bridge collapsed. The immediate response from first responders, local law enforcement, health providers, and elected officials was impressive. The decisive, and coordinated effort succeeded in greatly minimizing the loss of life. A few weeks later, during the floods in Southeastern Minnesota, a similar effort to reassert safety and security was also a great success.
At times government can seem like an ambiguous entity operating in the shadows of our lives. But the coordinated, successful response to both tragedies is evidence of how the thorough planning and competent decision-making of our government officials can save lives.
Responding in the aftermath of tragedies is only part of the obligation we have to provide security and safety for our citizens. It's equally important for us to have the common sense to learn from past errors and have the vision to enact forward-thinking reforms in order to provide for a better future.
The I-35W Bridge collapse illustrates the glaring need to reinvest in our transportation infrastructure. Over 1,000 trunk highway bridges in Minnesota are structurally deficient. And while that doesn’t necessarily indicate they are unsafe, 42 Minnesota highway bridges have a worse rating than the collapsed I-35W Bridge, 5 of those bridges are in Rice County.
I have been meeting with township, county and city officials across my district and they have numerous concerns about our transportation infrastructure. I had a phone conversation the Monday before the I-35W Bridge fell with a township supervisor. He expressed concern about a bridge in his township, saying 'God forbid no one is on that bridge when it falls.' At the time, I had no idea how tragically poignant his comment would be.
I did not personally know anyone who lost their lives in the recent bridge collapse, but as a state official, I still bear a responsibility for the safety of our citizens. It is scary for me to think about how many people from our community used that bridge on a regular basis.
Thinking back on my conversation with that township supervisor, I am struck by how heavily that responsibility must weigh on a township supervisor who has close relationships with his/her own neighbors. For the good of Minnesota on the local and state level, we must pass a comprehensive, long-term, transportation plan that will address the needs of our roads and bridges, now, and in the future.
Its important we take a concerted, proactive approach on other critical issues. One tool we have as a legislature is the ability to visit communities and groups in order to gather and share information about pressing issues. Some good examples are the Capital Investment Committee, which is visiting flood-ravaged communities in southeastern Minnesota this past week or the Long-Term Care Working Group that will be visiting nursing homes around the state. In Northfield, the Capital Investment committee will be here on October 24th to look at our Public Safety Center.
Some have complained about the increased budget at the state legislature, which funds these activities. I agree that it is important to hold government accountable, and to reduce waste. For my part, I have not taken any housing allowance and I commute on a daily basis during session, just like everyone else from Northfield who works in the Twin Cities. However, I am confident that the valuable work accomplished in these committees helps the legislature make important reforms that can greatly benefit our state and community.
A main reason I wanted to become a legislator was to help people out by fixing problems with the way government interacts with their lives. This requires an emphasis on the diagnosis of problems and the pursuit of lasting solutions. There is much work to be done, and I am confident we are up to the challenge.
News Items
- Rep.-elect Bly Selected as Vice Chair of Housing Finance and Policy Committee - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:06PM)
- House Passes Flood Relief for Southern Minnesota in Special Session - (Posted: 2010-10-18 00:00:00)
- Governor signs eminent domain law to protect landowners - (Posted: 2010-05-03 00:00:00)
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