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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jason Rarick (R)

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REP. RARICK HELPS FINALIZE NEW STATE BUDGET DURING ONE DAY SPECIAL SESSION

Monday, June 15, 2015

ST. PAUL – On June 12, Governor Mark Dayton called a one day special session in order to allow state lawmakers to approve a small number of budget bills for the upcoming biennium. State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) was pleased that Republicans and Democrats were able to work together and reach agreement.

"These bills were too important to allow them to be sidetracked by partisan bickering, and our budget work has now concluded for the year," Rarick said.

Due to renovations taking place at the State Capitol, the one day session occurred outside of the Capitol building for the first time in more than 100 years. In this case, the session was held in meeting rooms at the State Office Building in St. Paul.

During the event, Rarick helped approve spending bills relating to K-12 Education, jobs and energy, and environment and agriculture. Legislation that allocates Legacy funding dollars and bonding proceeds also received strong bipartisan support.

Rarick said he was encouraged to learn that his continued lobbying for a local project this year paid off, as the City of Sandstone will now receive $850,000 to help complete the Sandstone Business Park Roadway.

Rarick said this money will be used to build a bridge over Skunk Creek in order to continue progress on a medical campus. Without bonding proceeds, the project could have cost the City, and its taxpayers, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"I'm so grateful that the chair of our capital investment committee recognized this project's importance and pushed for it to be included in this year's bonding bill," Rarick said. "This is truly a valid construction project that will keep taxes down in the City of Sandstone."