Dear Neighbors,
Tuesday, I met with the brothers and sisters of AFSCME and on Wednesday, I got to meet with those from the Teamsters Local 320. Yesterday, I was visited by members of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders from Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park to hear their priorities.
The Legislative Session is now focused on the state budget. Serving on the Ways and Means Committee, we consider each of the omnibus finance bills for all areas of the state budget. We’re now seeing the budget priorities of the Republicans in the House Majority. Unfortunately, much of them benefit the richest Minnesotans and corporate special interests. Resources are prevented from being invested in critical areas like our classrooms. In fact, the Republican education bill doesn’t even provide enough of an increase to our K-12 students to cover inflation, and it completely eliminates our voluntary pre-K program. Their higher education bill underfunds the University of Minnesota, and will lead to tuition increases there and at other four-year state universities.
Instead, the Republicans have priorities like a cut in the estate tax. This is an enormous benefit to only a few hundred of the richest Minnesotans, which carries an enormous cost. Instead of prioritizing rich people in our state budget, we should be prioritizing the areas that have made our economy great in the first place, like quality schools.
I-94 Construction
The construction of I-94 between 694 in Brooklyn Center and the Lowry Tunnel in Minneapolis, which will last several months, has begun. Motorists can expect periodic lane restrictions, lane closures, and ramp closures. MnDOT has produced a short video outlining some details of the project and its effects. If you have questions about this, I encourage you to reach out to David Aeikens, MnDOT’s Communications and Engagement point person for the project at david.aeikens@state.mn.usor 651-234-7511.
MPCA Public Meeting
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking public comment on a proposed cleanup plan for the Joslyn Manufacturing & Supply Company Superfund in Brooklyn Center. The public hearing will be April 12th at the Hennepin County Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, in Brooklyn Center. MPCA and Minnesota Department of Health staff will be available for one-on-one conversations beginning at5:30 p.m., and a short formal presentation will start at 7:00 p.m.
The superfund site, located east of Middle Twin Lake, became contaminated with wood treatment chemicals during the mid-20th century. Most of the site has already been cleaned up, but some contamination remains in the portion closest to Middle Twin Lake. Public comments will be accepted through May 5, and more information is available on the MPCA website.
Curb Side Cleanup
In 2017 Brooklyn Center will hold a special bulky waste bulky waste curbside clean-up for households that pay for curbside recycling service with the city.
Acceptable items include old/unusable furniture, mattresses, carpet, general household junk (up to 100 lbs. per item), and appliances. Residents are requested to have items out by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Hennepin Recycling Group has a map indicating which day each zone in the city will be picked up. You can find more information here.
Legislative Survey
There is still time for you to take my 2017 Legislative Survey if you have not yet done so. It’s a short survey with questions about what you think the session’s priorities should be. You can take the survey online here.
Town Hall Meeting
One more reminder that tomorrow, Sen. Eaton, Rep. Nelson and I will host a Town Hall Meeting in Brooklyn Center. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to hear feedback from members of the community. I hope you can attend.
WHAT: Legislative Town Hall Meeting
WHO: State Rep. Debra Hilstrom, Rep. Michael Nelson, Sen. Chris Eaton, interested members of the community
WHEN: Saturday, April 1 from 10:00 a.m. to noon
WHERE: Brooklyn Center Community Center, Cohen Room, 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
If you’re unable to attend, I certainly hope you will keep in touch with your questions, comments, and input.
Sincerely,
Debra Hilstrom
State Representative