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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jerry Hertaus (R)

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Legislative report from Rep. Jerry Hertaus

Friday, July 22, 2016

Dear Neighbor,

Here is one last rundown of legislative issues as we reach the 60-day mark since the 2016 Legislature reached its constitutionally mandated deadline for adjournment. The 60-day threshold is of particular relevance to legislative communications such as these, since the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s opinion is that legislators must cease emailing newsletters after today until the November election passes.

A window of opportunity to briefly resume communications may present itself if a special session – likely a single day – were to take place this summer. Discussions continue taking place in order to establish a firm, agreed-upon agenda and, while progress is occurring and the third week in August has been identified as a potential time frame, a formal announcement has not been issued.

The bills hanging in the balance relate to bonding (including $15 million in much-needed funding I authored for improvements on the dangerous stretch of Highway 12 in our area) and tax relief. I am of the opinion that if we can re-pass the bonding bill the House approved late in the regular 2016 and enact the $801 million in tax relief the governor vetoed despite 90-percent approval from the Legislature, a special session is welcome. A special session should not, however, be viewed as an implement for increasing the size and scope of General Fund spending.

Look for more news on this subject over the coming weeks and I will follow up as rules permit if a special session were to take place. For now, here is a link to news footage highlighting some work that is being done on Highway 12 as efforts continue to enact the larger sum I authored to support a more full-scale renovation.

On a separate note, numerous new state laws go into effect on Aug. 1. Several of them pertain to public safety, including legislation to address the handling of data collected by body cameras worn by law enforcement. Click here for summaries of the Aug. 1 changes and you also can visit this link for a complete summary of all the new laws the Legislature passed in 2016.

Until next time, here is wishing you and your family all the best for the rest of the summer. I will continue working to represent the people of District 33A and welcome your individual correspondence. My legislative office number is (651) 296-9188, or you can email rep.jerry.hertaus@house.mn.

Regards,

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Rep. Jerry Hertaus