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State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
News From Representative Anderson
Committee deadlines are this week, and everyone must have their bills introduced in their various committees by now. We will continue to review these bills and eventually they will be heard on the House floor.
A bill to continue paying back the K-12 education shift was passed off the House floor on Thursday. This bill would repay a large amount of the K-12 school shift with funds we now have in reserves. The $1.2 billion budget surplus allows us to put kids first and start paying back the education shift. With this bill we are paying back all of last year’s shift and starting payments on the debt left on schools by the previous Legislature. It is what’s right for our kids and keeps our state in strong financial health.
Some may question whether or not this will be helpful to the state’s financial health. By paying back this debt, we are reducing our long-term debt which is the primary reason our credit rating was downgraded. This will be beneficial to the state’s financial future over the long-term.
In the Ag Committee this week I introduced a renewable fuels bill. According to House research this bill would extend the expiration date for an existing law that would eventually require nearly all gasoline sold in Minnesota to contain 20 percent ethanol (commonly referred to as "E20," or a blend of 80 percent gasoline and 20 percent ethanol).
Currently, state law requires a ten percent ethanol blend (i.e., E10) for most gasoline sold in the state. With few exceptions, if you fuel up in Minnesota you are purchasing E10.
Under the federal Clean Air Act, E20 is not a legal fuel. Although "flex-fuel" vehicles can use it, standard automobile engines cannot. In general, Minnesota motorists cannot use E20 until the United States Environmental Protection Agency authorizes E20, via a Clean Air Act waiver.
If you haven’t already, please participate in my online legislative survey, this is a great way to gather your feedback on important issues.
If you have any legislative questions please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 651-296-4317 or email me at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn
Sincerely,
Paul
News Items
- ANDERSON TAKES HOUSE OATH - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 12:00AM)
- Legislative begins this week - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 3:36PM)
- Current surplus allows K-12 repayment - (Posted: Dec 10 2012 12:00AM)
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