Dear Neighbor,
The "Stolen Valor" bill I authored to extend the crime of impersonating military officers passed the House today and now goes to the Senate. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate military officers – but it does not cover the enlisted rank.
My legislation makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate active or reserve service members regardless of rank – including the National Guard. A situation in Willmar where a civilian purchased a uniform and decorations to wear at public events as an impostor last spring spurred this bill. I am pleased to be working on this issue and look forward to seeing it become enacted.
In other news, some of the session's top issues remain subjects of discussion as the Legislature is set to adjourn in a little more than one week.
Tax relief and transportation are among the headline issues that continue to be addressed in committee meetings. I have been close to transportation discussions as a member of the House committee on that topic. One of the main hang-ups standing in the way of an agreement is the same obstacle we faced last year: The insistence of some that we raise the gas tax.
The House majority provided an updated transportation proposal this week and it does not include a tax increase. The compromise is rooted in Republicans’ 10-year Road and Bridge Act offered last year that shows there are worthy alternatives to raising the gas tax.
The revised proposal invests $300 million of the $900 million budget surplus in Fiscal Year 2017 and over 10 years, spends $2 billion in Trunk Highway and General Obligations bonds. Also included are reasonable reforms to the Metropolitan Council to ensure the council is more accountable to Minnesotans.
Dayton and his staff are expected to prepare his first transportation offer this weekend and announce it Monday morning. The governor chose to not accept an invitation to meet with House and Senate members this weekend and discuss this subject.
Another subject that could emerge in the latter stages of the session is bonding to fund projects around the state. Senate Democrats have introduced a $1.5 billion bill, which was voted down in that body. Look for the House to propose a more affordable price tag on bonding. Our state already spends $1.5 billion each biennium paying off our debts on previously approved bonding bills
They say deadlines have a way of producing results, so we will see how things come together as we get closer to the session ending May 23. It really would be disappointing if an unwillingness on the part of some to move away from the gas tax prevented good bills that would benefit middle-class Minnesotans from becoming enacted.
Good luck,
Jeff