Speaking on the House Floor, Monday about my bill that brings regulatory certainty to Minnesota communities.
Honoring our law enforcement on the House Floor for National Police Week.
Dear Neighbors,
We are in the final stretch of the 2016 legislative session. The House and Senate are passing a number of standalone bills on topics important to Greater Minnesota, and conference committees are meeting to negotiate transportation, taxes and other supplemental omnibus bills.
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Giving Regulatory Certainty to Local Governments
On Monday, the House passed my legislation to give regulatory certainty to municipalities who voluntarily upgrade their water treatment systems. It passed in Senate 61-0 and the House 105-23. Governor Dayton has signed the bill into law.
For municipalities who update their existing water treatment facilities to reduce phosphates and nitrates in their water, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will give them a 20 year period of regulatory certainty for their permit as long as the system is properly maintained and operated. This can save communities millions of dollars over the next 20-40 years and is a big win for local taxpayers.
Too often, local governments struggle to meet ever-changing standards put forth under state agencies' rulemaking authority, and this new law will provide taxpayers and municipalities peace of mind and assurance that these upgrade investments will be certified for the long-term. The MPCA is supportive of my legislation as well as many of the communities in District 1A who I spoke to about the issue, and I think this is a common sense bill that will work for folks in Greater Minnesota.
With that being said, I am frustrated with the growing narrative from some of my House colleagues across the aisle who are falsely spouting that Republicans are not doing enough for rural Minnesota. Bills like mine may not be big ticket, glamorous items, but they are common sense and save folks in Northwest Minnesota money. They also check state government and put more control in the hands of locals.
Only DFL members, largely from the Twin Cities, opposed my bill in the House on Monday, and I think that speaks volumes to who is really advocating for the people and priorities of Greater Minnesota.
I look forward to finishing this session and coming to bipartisan agreements with the Senate on bills that work for folks in our area, and align with the needs and priorities of Northwest Minnesota.
No New Gas Tax
Governor Dayton told House Republicans that he plans to introduce what he believes will be a compromise transportation plan soon. I stood with other House Republicans in a press conference on Friday to tell the governor that any plan he comes up with must not include a harmful gas tax increase.
Folks in Northwest Minnesota and across the state overwhelmingly oppose a gas tax increase. I don't want to take more from hardworking taxpayers and Minnesota families when we have existing money to fund road and bridge improvements.
I look forward to finishing our work by the May 23 deadline, and am hopeful that any compromise plan Governor Dayton releases next week will consider the position of a majority of Minnesotans who oppose a new gas tax.
Lands Bill
The Lands Bill which passed this week had a number of projects that benefit Northwest Minnesota.
The first is a provision I spearheaded regarding the Klondike Flood Retention Project for the Two Rivers Watershed District in Roseau and Kittson counties. The provision allows the DNR to be a partner on the project, helping to ease the financial costs with the donation of some state lands and the trading of some school trust lands.
In addition to the important Klondike Flood Retention Project, there are also two other provisions that reinforce that lands are often better utilized in the private sector. The Zippel Bay Park provision in the bill allows the delineation of park land to ensure they do not expand onto the privately owned land next to the park. The other bill allows Kittson County to sell 7.46 acres of land that county commissioners think would be better as private property.
I will continue to advocate for these provisions as we negotiate the final Lands Bill with the Senate.
Autocycle Bill
The House voted a couple weeks ago 129-1 for my legislation to create a new vehicle category of autocycles, allowing three-wheeled vehicles to be operated with a motorcycle license instead of a driver's license.
The Senate has now also passed the bill and it will be presented to Governor Dayton for signature.
Fishing Opener
Good luck to everyone who is going out to enjoy the fishing opener this weekend. Have a fun and safe time!
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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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