Dear Neighbors,
The Legislature is off to a rocky start. Last Tuesday, on the first day of this legislative session, the House majority made a motion to suspend the Rules of the House to allow the Legislature to consider a bill which combined extending Unemployment Benefits for laid off steelworkers with a tax cut for businesses.
Unfortunately, the dialogue on the House floor regarding this issue was less about the needs of the steelworkers and more about how to pass a tax relief bill for large businesses. Combining significant tax policy to relief aid sets a bad precedent. In past years, many relief packages have been passed for communities who suffered from floods, fires, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. The crisis on the Iron Range is associated with the "dumping" of steel that has reduced the output needs from the Northern Minnesota mines. Through no fault of their own, steelworkers and complementary service providers have found themselves without paychecks and jobs for a number of months. When disaster strikes, the State typically comes to the aid of our neighbors no matter how many miles separate us. This effort to combine tax policy with aid relief raised a number of eyebrows and certainly raised the ire of those who represent the miners, merchants, and families impacted. After all of the discourse surrounding this issue, negotiations began late last week and a compromise is under discussion. Bringing together all of the players, including the legislators who represent the Iron Range, is key. The original bill was heard and amended yesterday in the House Ways and Means committee. If the compromise language holds this may result in the issue being resolved by the end of this week.
As I have previously mentioned, the access to the House Chamber is severely limited. Representatives were issued new security "badges" that must be shown every time we enter the Capitol building. On our second day of session, a few members were denied entry until they retrieved their badges from their offices and returned to present their identification at the Capitol entrance. The session will conclude by May 23; it remains to be seen how likely it is for the tension that is already brewing to diminish. If you would like to "watch" the legislature you may do so on your computer here.
The One Minnesota Conference held each year for legislators was last Wednesday. This year included a topic on Transportation. One of the two presenters, Sue Miller, Freeborn County Engineer, did an outstanding job explaining the situation in Greater Minnesota when it comes to finding the dollars to maintain drivable and safe roads and keeping bridges structurally sound. The other presenter was from the Engineering Department of the University of Minnesota, and he discussed the changes we are likely to see in transportation as cars change from being driven to driving us. It was good food for thought to consider how we find the right solution to our transportation infrastructure problem. Many ideas are likely to come forward worthy of discussion and consideration.
Craig Clark, City Administrator, and Tim Ruzek, Vision 2020 and Austin Waterways Chair, came to St. Paul to testify before the House Environment Policy and Finance committee on their bills to enhance the 4th Avenue Dam and the Ramsey Mill Dam areas. There has been some discussion about the "readiness" of the Ramsey Dam project to move forward. Rest assured, Austin City Engineer Steven Lang is already in the process of seeking the necessary permit from the DNR to allow for this work to move along. We are seeking to have the Environment committee pass the bills (HF 2317 and HF 2318) to the House Capital Investment Committee. Cedar River Watershed District also has a bill that will address water quality and slow the flow of water coming into Austin. That funding request is also included in a statewide bill which was heard on the same day.
Always feel free to contact me on any issue. I’m available by telephone at 651-296-4193 or 888-682-3180, email at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn or postal mail at 291 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative