Thanks to all of the superintendents who came to St. Paul to talk about their education priorities with me! We are blessed to have wonderful schools and great education leadership in Northwest Minnesota. Pictured with me are Lisa Weber, Jim Hess, Jeff Bisek, Randy Brewer and Bruce Jensen.
With Eugene Dufault and Dean Adams at the Minnesota Township Officers meeting last Thursday.
Visited with some folks from the Fosston LSS Group Home at the Capitol this week. Pictured with Daryl, Heather, Donald and Susan.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update from Saint Paul.
Buffers
On Thursday, the House passed clarifying language to last year's buffer legislation to ensure that the governor and his administration do not apply the law to private ditches. Clarifying the intent of the legislature, who came to a bipartisan agreement on this issue last year, protects our farmers and landowners and clears up ambiguity in the statutory language.
In addition to clearly exempting private ditches from the new buffer law, the bill also shifts buffer jurisdiction from state to local government entities including watershed districts and county governments for implementation and enforcement. If they decline that authority, it would then go to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Finally, the legislation ensures fair compensation for farmers by requiring that compensation be based on property value prior to buffer installation.
We want to make sure that the law is clear to those who must follow it, and that the program is being implemented in a right and fair way without excessive strain on farmers, landowners or local units of government.
Time to Focus on Roads and Bridges
As I briefly mentioned last week, the Senate recently released their budget targets and dedicate less than four percent of the surplus to roads and bridges, as DFL lawmakers and the governor continue to push for a regressive gas tax increase again this session.
Additionally, Senator Franken and Governor Dayton's Metropolitan Council Chair came out this week to urge legislators to spend state money on Southwest Light Rail (SWLRT), a project that has grown in cost by nearly 50 percent from $1.2 billion to $1.77 billion.
Why spend money on one expensive train in Minneapolis when we could repave six lanes of every interstate in Minnesota, fund four years of Metro Transit bus operations and make historic investments in a new funding program for small city road and bridge repairs? On top of that, we could fund needed local projects in Northwest Minnesota like improvements to Highway 59 from Sand Hill River to US 2. Let's utilize tax dollars wisely and invest in projects that positively impact our whole state, not just a handful of people taking light rail in the metro.
The Republican transportation plan uses taxes Minnesotans are already paying on car parts, auto repairs, vehicle leases, and rental cars and dedicates that revenue through a special fund called the Transportation Stability Fund. By adding in a portion of the $900 million budget surplus and bonding, the Republican plan would fix 15,500 lane miles of roads and 330 bridges statewide—all without a gas tax hike.
I think it's time for state leaders to focus on something that is a priority for Minnesotans across the state: a comprehensive transportation bill that improves our road and bridge infrastructure without an expensive gas tax increase.
Reminder: Sandpiper Pipeline Public Community Meetings Next Week
Staff from the Department of Commerce, the Public Utilities Commission and Enbridge/North Dakota Pipeline Company will be hosting public comment meetings, including one in Crookston and one in Thief River Falls, regarding the proposed Sandpiper Pipeline which will run through Northwest Minnesota.
These public meetings will provide Minnesotans an opportunity to learn more about the proposed projects, as well as ask questions and provide input. Comment cards will also be available for people who wish to provide a written statement for public record. Many folks have been frustrated by the politics and process regarding the project, and this will give folks a forum to go on the record and share their thoughts.
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
Question of the Week
Question: Transportation is a top legislative priority at the Capitol this session. Is there a local transportation project you would like to see completed in our community?
Please reply to this email to share your thoughts with me! Your opinion is valuable and helps guide me in supporting legislation that reflects the priorities of our community.
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B