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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dan Fabian (R)

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Capitol Update from Rep. Dan Fabian

Friday, January 13, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been another busy week in Saint Paul. Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.

Environment and Natural Resources Committee

This session, I have the honor of serving as Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. This week, we held our first hearings, receiving overviews from agencies over which we have jurisdiction including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

This year, I am asking commissioners and agencies to bring forth reform ideas, and suggestions on ways that they can partner with Minnesota businesses, communities and citizens. Too often, these agencies are seen as punishers bringing down burdensome regulations and exercising rulemaking authority. To protect our environment, as well as be responsive to local units of government, farmers, businesses and citizens, we must ensure agencies are working with Minnesotans to come up with commonsense solutions that work for all parties involved.

I look forward to helping enact reforms this year, and will also work to pass a responsible budget out of our committee later this session.

House File 6

This session, I again introduced legislation to reform the way that members of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) are appointed. Currently, all five commissioners on the PUC are appointed by the governor for six year terms, but the membership is heavily skewed toward metro representation. In fact, PUC members currently live an average of just 17 miles away from the Capitol.

By making PUC appointments based on congressional district, we would be able to bring more perspectives to the PUC board and include more rural voices on a commission that has influence over important parts of Minnesota’s economy.

This legislation is something I hope to advance this session, and I will keep you informed as it moves through the committee process.

Broadband Grants for Northwest Minnesota

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that six broadband projects in Northwest Minnesota were granted nearly $5 million in funding.

These project will serve households, businesses, farms and folks throughout the area, helping get broadband in previously unserved areas. Thanks to Republican-led efforts last year, we are bringing broadband to places that need it most, and when combined with federal funding, our state will see more than $100 million in broadband expansion in 2017 alone.

What’s more, Thief River Falls School District also received a $30,000 broadband grant from the Department of Education this week. Technology is a key component to improve student learning, and these Greater Minnesota education grants will help improve connectivity in the classroom and on buses where many kids spend hours every day going to and from school.

Broadband expansion and improvement in Northwest Minnesota is so important, and I am glad to see these grants which will help meet local needs this year.

Follow me on Facebook!

To stay up-to-date on what’s happening at your State Capitol, feel free to “like” my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RepDanFabian.

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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

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A