Dear Neighbors,
I’d like to remind you about the Community Listening Session coming up this Saturday in New Brighton. The 2016 Legislative Session begins on March 8, and I'd love to hear your ideas how we can work together to build an even better future for Minnesota.
WHAT: Community Listening Session with State Representative Connie Bernardy
WHERE: New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th St. NW, New Brighton
WHEN: Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m.
WHO: Interested residents of New Brighton, Fridley and Spring Lake Park
Tax Assistance
With just under two months until the deadline for income tax filing, personalized help is available for those who may need it. Sponsored by the AARP Tax Aide Foundation and Minnesota Department of Revenue, the following locations in the community provide free income tax assistance for low income taxpayers, persons with disabilities, and seniors.
Fridley Senior Center, 6085 7th St NE, Fridley (Wednesdays,9:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-3:00 p.m.)
Fridley Unitarian Church, 6565 Oakley Dr NE, Fridley (Mondays 5:00-8:00 p.m., call 763-502-5150 for an appointment)
United Theological Seminary, 3000 5th St NW, New Brighton (Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.-noon, call 651-633-8333 for an appointment)
Columbia Heights Senior Center (Murzyn Hall), 530 Mill St., Columbia Heights (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.-noon)
Northtown Library, 711 County Rd 10 NE, Blaine (Sundays, 1:00-4:00 p.m.)
Taxpayers are asked to bring their social security card, picture ID, a blank or canceled check for direct deposit, 2014 tax return, all 2015 tax forms including W-2s, 1099s and other documentation of income.
Oil Train Safety
Monday, the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee – of which I am a member – held a hearing in advance of the legislative session. As discussions about a comprehensive transportation bill stalled between the House and the Senate last year, this was a good opportunity to review the status of a potential compromise. I’m hopeful we can come together to reach a bipartisan agreement adequately funding roads and bridges, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure without raiding other areas of the budget, such as K-12 education.
Another important issue we talked about was rail safety. With increased crude oil and ethanol shipments coming through the state of Minnesota via train, our communities have been facing the risks from potential derailments and collisions. We have seen a string of derailments in greater Minnesota recently and the human and environmental costs are catastrophic. With the BNSF tracks traveling through our community, it’s troubling to think of the consequences if the flammable material carried by these train cars led to an explosion. Additionally, train length can often lead to unreasonable wait times, which can then lead to emergency vehicles getting stuck waiting for trains to pass.
Officials from the railroads told us that they have begun making investments in rail safety infrastructure, and officials from the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and Pollution Control Agency have made progress toward more safety inspections, training of first responders, and development of environmental preparedness plans, respectively.
The need for infrastructure improvements though, including recommended grade separations, carries an enormous cost, totaling an estimated $243 million. I’m pleased that Gov. Dayton’s bonding proposal contains $124 million in rail safety projects, with $69.6 million dedicated to grade separations. His bonding initiative also includes $3.1 million for an emergency railroad and pipeline emergency response training facility at Camp Ripley. This will help fulfill the need for training of public safety officials in our communities to ensure they are well-equipped to respond to a train derailment.
The rail companies, however, are the ones reaping profits from the record amount of oil being shipped. I hope this legislative session we can come to an agreement so they uphold their full obligation to ensure our communities stay safe from a potential disaster.
As always, I hope you will stay in touch with me with your questions, comments, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent the community in which I grew up at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy