Talking with the Minnesota Rural Electric Association about my bill to reform the Public Utilities Commission appointment process.
Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update about what's happening at the Capitol this week.
Autocycle Legislation
Showing a Polaris Slingshot to fellow representatives at the Capitol on Thursday.
On Thursday, my legislation to create a new vehicle category of autocycles was passed on the House Floor 129-1. Vehicles like the Polaris Slingshot which have three wheels currently require a motorcycle license to operate. This bill would change that to only require a Minnesota driver's license.
Right now, the problem is that if a person who did not previously have a motorcycle license purchased a three-wheeled vehicle, current DMV motorcycle courses aren't built to accommodate that type of vehicle for the test. I am pleased this common sense legislation passed the House Floor, and I am hopeful Governor Dayton will sign it into law this year.
You can learn more about the bill by checking out my floor speech from yesterday here.
Broadband Investments
Speaking to the press about broadband investments for school districts in Greater Minnesota.
On Wednesday, I took part in a press conference with fellow House Republicans to unveil a series of proposals to increase broadband access throughout Minnesota. The proposals total $35 million including $7 million dedicated to improving broadband access for Minnesota students through new, innovative grant programs. One example would be creating Wi-Fi hotspots for students on buses. Many kids in our community can easily spend a couple hours a day on the school bus, and by putting Wi-Fi on the bus, they can get their homework done and make better use of that time.
The proposal also includes $28 million for much-needed rural broadband expansion. Combined with federal Connect America Funds, Minnesotans would see a historic broadband infrastructure investment this session to reach unserved and underserved parts of our state.
We want Greater Minnesota to have access to fast, reliable internet like they do in the Twin Cities. These innovative broadband proposals will help everyone from kids taking the bus to school every day to small business owners on Main Street.
Public Meetings on Sandpiper Scheduled in Thief River Falls and Crookston
Staff from the Department of Commerce, the Public Utilities Commission and Enbridge/North Dakota Pipeline Company will be hosting public comment meetings regarding the proposed Sandpiper Pipeline which will go from North Dakota to Wisconsin, running through communities in Northwest Minnesota.
The Sandpiper Pipeline will help improve the safety of oil transport from North Dakota, as well and bring jobs and property tax revenue to our part of the state. I hope folks will attend one of these meeting and share their input to keep the project moving forward.
The following local meetings have been scheduled in Crookston and Thief River Falls:
Wednesday, April 27, 2016, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Crookston Inn and Convention Center, 2200 University Avenue, Crookston, MN 56716
Thursday, April 28, 2016, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Ralph Engelstad Arena, 525 Brooks Avenue North, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Blaze Pink Bill
A bill to allow Minnesotans to wear blaze pink in addition to blaze orange when hunting deer and other small game is currently moving its way through the legislature. The bill has strong bipartisan support and would require the Department of Natural Resources to amend certain rules to allow for the additional color.
Similar legislation recently passed in our neighbor state Wisconsin, and studies have cited that the color pink is less visible to deer than orange—a definite advantage for hunters.
I will keep you updated on this bill as it makes its way through the legislative process this session.
Follow me on Facebook!
To stay up-to-date on what’s happening at your State Capitol, feel free to “like” my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RepDanFabian.
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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan
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