Dear Neighbor,
A round of applause for Bailee Schiefelbein of Kimball Area High School, who recently earned second place at the regional Future Farmers of America Discussion Meet and gained a spot at the state competition this April in the process.
Best wishes to Bailee and also good luck to area high school performers as winter seasons continue. High school activities teach teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership, not to mention the great lessons learned in time management. Between family time, class schedules, after-school activities, homework, and jobs/chores in many cases, our children have a full slate and deserve to be commended for their accomplishments.
As for news from the Capitol, we received word this week that MnDOT is extending its ditch-mowing application time frame and that permit requirements will be revised.
Last fall, MnDOT announced it had adopted a statewide standard for mowing and baling in state highway rights of way and had revised the permit application form. A news release issued by MnDOT indicates that, “Due to public concern regarding last fall’s mowing and baling permit announcement, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has extended the time frame for permit applications by those who want to mow and bale on state highway right of way adjacent to their land and has modified permitting requirements.”
The agency also says landowners who want to mow a state highway right of way adjacent to their property now need to apply for a permit before the end of February to be considered ahead of others. All others who wish to mow on state right of way not adjacent to their property may apply for the permit after March 1.
Requirements related to insurance, safety equipment, fees, permit assignments and more are subject to revision by MnDOT.
On another subject, we had an interesting committee hearing this week on a bill that would bring uniform labor laws pertaining to minimum wage, shift scheduling and benefits to our state.
This bill is in response to changes in labor law being pushed mainly in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The authors looking to bring labor uniformity to our state instead of allowing patchwork quilt of local mandates to create added burdens. For example, it would be a nightmare for employers if they had to track the location of their employees minute by minute to tabulate different mandated benefits that may accrue from city to city.
Finally, I am awaiting a hearing on a bill I have authored to name a section of Highway 23 in honor of Kenneth L. Olson, a 1963 Paynesville High School graduate who went on to serve in the U.S. Army and earned a Medal of Honor, our nation’s top military award. Spc. Olson made the ultimate sacrifice when, in the course of battle in Vietnam, he gave his own life to spare the lives of nearby fellow soldiers.
Sen. Michelle Fischbach is authoring the companion bill and I will keep you posted as things progress.
Good luck,
Jeff