Greetings,
As we prepare for the final full week of session, conference committees are meeting on the major finance omnibus bills and the tax conformity bill to prepare bills to bring again before both legislative bodies. Here are the latest updates from the Capitol and the community:
REAL ID Update
We recently received word that Minnesota will be deemed compliant with the federal REAL ID law as long as we’re capable of taking applications for a REAL ID by October 1, 2018. This means current licenses or ID cards will be sufficient for federal purposes (boarding an airplane or entering military installations) until 2020.
The state has received a couple extensions already so it’s good to hear that we are on track for the system to be delivered on time. Minnesotans will be able to apply for the REAL ID-compliant cards this October, but they will not be mandatory until October 2020.
For more details, visit this website.
Hands Free Bill Passed to Floor
This week in the Ways and Means Committee, we heard a bill that would prohibit talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving. After testimony from family members directly impacted by distracted driving and hearing from the State Patrol about their support, I voted to move this bill to the House floor where it awaits action.
Transportation Amendment
The Ways and Means Committee also considered a constitutional amendment that would use future sales tax revenue from auto parts and repairs to fund road and bridge projects. There are supportive arguments on both sides of the issue.
The money generated would come from the general fund which funds all of the state’s needs including Health and Human Services, Education, Higher Education, Public Safety, etc. The concern is taking money out of the general fund (approximately $250 million/year) will leave a bigger gap for other spending needs which include schools, nursing homes, or other budget areas. Also to note, the amount of money captured is not sufficient to keep up with the need in our state, which means passing future legislation to put additional funds in transportation could be made even more difficult.
Opioid Bill Passed in Committee
A bill to provide resources to begin tackling the opioid abuse epidemic passed out of the Ways and Means Committee Thursday. There are numerous good provisions in this bill that will aid communities around the state struggling with this issue.
Unfortunately, the penny-a-pill tax on pharmaceutical companies was not included, which would have provided a more significant source of funding going forward. The bill was passed onto the general register and will next appear on the House floor.
Comment on Groundwater Protection Rule
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture released its proposed Groundwater Protection Rule, geared toward reducing nitrates in drinking water. The rule may affect the use of nitrogen fertilizer in some areas of the state where soils are more prone to leaching and drinking water supplies are threatened.
The rule is open to receive public comment until July 26. During this time period, MDA will hold informational sessions about the rule. We will share those dates once they are released.
Read the full rule and other informational pieces with it at www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr. Submit comments on the Office of Administrative Hearings website at mn.gov/oah/.
University of Minnesota Extension offers farm financial counseling
Low prices the past five years have increased financial stress on family farms. University of Minnesota Extension offers free, one-on-one financial counseling to farmers experiencing financial stress.
Here’s what a recent program participant said:
“We called the U of M Extension Farm Financial Counseling program and are so glad that we did. We were assigned an analyst. His knowledge and compassion for our situation helped us understand the options available and allowed us to see a clear direction for our farm. We are grateful for this free, confidential service, and we encourage others to make the call.”
Contact the Farm Information Line at 1-800-232-9077 or visit https://z.umn.edu/FinanceHelp to set up an appointment.
Visits
This week, I had the opportunity to speak with constituents advocating for funding for disability services.
As session comes to a close, please keep in contact with your ideas and input.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative