Hello Neighbors,
The summer got off to a running start after session! Here are a few items from the last few weeks, and some things to note as we move forward.
Special Session
Recently, negotiations between House and Senate leadership and Governor Dayton have taken a positive turn. Right now, I am optimistic that we will have a special session, hopefully in the near future, to pass our bipartisan tax and bonding/transportation bills.
These bills will provide Minnesotans with $800 million in middle-class tax relief over a three year period, $500 million of which would be permanent or ongoing, and a down payment on a $6 billion transportation funding plan. It’s essential that we repass these bills, and get them signed by Governor Dayton.
2015-2016 Accomplishments
In the post-session aftermath, people often find it hard to see what was actually accomplished by their elected officials. There were so many meaningful, bipartisan reforms that were signed into law in both 2015 and 2016, and I think it’s important to recognize that government can work effectively for its people.
Attached you will find my session wrap up, containing some highlights of what we did for Minnesotans in the last two years at the legislature:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/goppdf/90eb99d7-99f6-4aed-af30-6500d55bac51.pdf
Pan-O-Prog
This year’s Pan-O-Prog was so much fun! For my family, Pan-O-Prog means that it’s officially summer. We love getting to enjoy this tradition with our friends and neighbors, and it’s amazing that this festival has been going strong for fifty years! Seeing all of the work done by Pan-O-Prog volunteers for the week's events reminds me of how proud I am to be part of such a strong, friendly and caring community. I hope you all had a chance come out and celebrate!
International Festival
On July 16th, Burnsville celebrated its 10th annual International Festival. This event does such an amazing job of highlighting the different cultures who call Burnsville home, and allows people to enjoy, experience, and celebrate the diversity in our community. I look forward to this festival continuing for another ten years, and beyond!
Minnesota Civil Air Patrol Flight
This last session, I became a member of the Minnesota Civil Air Patrol (MNCAP). Recently, I had the chance to take a flight over our district with MNCAP, and it was amazing!
The Civil Air Patrol’s history goes back to just before WWII, when the group formed to use their flying skills and planes for the national good. After Pearl Harbor, many of these volunteer airmen enlisted and served our nation during the war. Currently the Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services, cadet training, and aerospace education throughout the U.S., and in Minnesota
Thank you to the Minnesota Civil Air Patrol for the flight; I had so much fun!
Department of Commerce Disaster Assistance Guide
We have experienced a lot of storms and flooding around our state this summer, so it was very timely when the Minnesota Department of Commerce issued their 2016 Disaster Response Guide recently. Here is a link to the pdf: http://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/protect/dic/
I hope you won’t have a reason to use this guide, but it’s better to be prepared.
Thank you!
This will be my last email update until November. I’d like to say, again, thank you so very much to everyone who has visited me at my Capitol office and taken the time to chat in our district. It has been so rewarding getting to discuss the issues facing our state with so many civically engaged people; I truly use the wisdom I have gathered from so many members of our district.
In the coming months, please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions or comments! My office phone number is (651)296-5387, and my email address is rep.roz.peterson@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you!
Enjoy your summer!
Sincerely,
Roz