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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dennis Smith (R)

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Legislative Update (12-04-2015)

Friday, December 4, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Winter has officially arrived this week and we are preparing for Christmas and other holidays as the new year approaches. Here’s an update from our Capitol this week.

Budget Forecast

Yesterday, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget announced the budget forecast for Fiscal Years 2016-2017 was a $1.871 billion surplus. Another surplus shows a need to scale back on tax collections in Minnesota. Instead of creating more programs, we should look to provide tax relief for hardworking families around our state. Last year, I supported a tax bill that offered relief to hundreds of thousands Minnesotans, including veterans, small business owners, and recent college grads. I look forward to working on similar provisions to provide tax relief in the 2016 legislative session. It’s important to remember that government spending should not grow faster than family budgets in our state.

Special Session

You’ve likely seen the debate surrounding a special legislative session to address laid off steelworkers on the Iron Range. Legislative leaders will meet with the governor on Monday to further discuss a special session. The complex issues that Governor Dayton and Senate Democrats wish to discuss are so large they cannot be solved over the course of a day or two. We need long-term fixes to unemployment on the Iron Range, not just a one-time extension of unemployment benefits. What might be debated in a special session can wait until March where a full conversation on a complex issue may occur. Please let me know your thoughts on this important issue.

Around Town

Tonight, be sure to check out the Osseo “Minidazzle” at Boerboom Park and at the Community Center. Activities include fire truck rides, a bonfire, and goody bags for children. If you’d like more information, click here.

Central Park is a great amenity in Maple Grove. Located at 12000 Central Park Way, the park has a skating loop, concession stands, and a playground. We’re fortunate to have great winter activities in our area, and Central Park is a perfect place to spend time on a cool winter afternoon.

Enjoy the warm weather we are having, and be sure to participate in our community celebrations and events this weekend. Feel free to contact me with your thoughts about the special session, or any other issue that concerns you. You can reach me via email at Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, by phone at (651) 296-5502, or US mail at 13570 Grove Drive, #370, Maple Grove, MN, 55311.

Enjoy your weekend!

Dennis