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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mark Uglem (R)

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RELEASE: Minnesota House adjourns

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

ST. PAUL, MN—The Minnesota House adjourned in the evening of Sunday May 22nd, officially concluding the 2016 legislative session. The House and Senate passed several bills, including more than half a billion dollars in permanent, middle-class tax relief and historic tax breaks for Minnesota's veterans.
 

"These last two sessions, we have worked to pass legislation that will make a real different for middle-class families and individuals throughout our state," said Rep. Mark Uglem (R-Champlin). "The 2016 session built on our accomplishments from last year, which included reforms that positively impact Minnesotans across generations, from a historic investment in education, to measures that will improve quality-of-life and care for our aging population. We passed real-world tax relief for middle-class Minnesotans that will allow veterans, college graduates with student loans, and young families to keep more of their hard-earned money through tax rebates and credits."
 
 
 
The Minnesota House passed a bonding bill with $696.5 million in funding for roads and bridges on a bipartisan vote of 91 to 39. In a political maneuver, the Senate DFL majority failed to pass the bonding bill and prevented funding from going to the following projects in House District 36A:
 

• $30 million for U.S. Highway 10 extra lane expansion
• $11.9 million for rail grade crossing separation in Anoka County
• $3.3 million for the Champlin Mill Pond restoration
 
"I am disappointed that the bonding bill, which passed the House with bipartisan support and was the result of an agreement with Senate majority leadership, was hijacked for light rail funding," said Rep. Uglem. "The Senate majority chose to pay for a single light rail line instead of investing $700 million in roads and bridges throughout the state, going back on their word to House leadership. Meat and potatoes projects like the Hanson Rail Road Overpass and the Champlin Mill Pond restoration were sacrificed in favor of light rail, which costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year, and benefits very few. The safety and wellbeing of Minnesotans was put at risk by a political game, and that is very sad."
 
 
 
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