Friends,
This was a busy week in committee with a number of important issues making their way through the process. I have also scheduled my first Coffee with Constituents for next Friday morning. See more details below in my update. Have a great weekend and enjoy!
- US Bank Stadium Suite Controversy
This week the non-partisan Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles presented a report to a joint session of the House and Senate on the use of suites at US Bank Stadium by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA). The entire review can be viewed here but here is a brief overview of their findings:
The audit found that the MSFA violated “a core ethical principle” by providing 158 tickets to friends and families while another 35 tickets were deemed questionable. Less than a third of the tickets were used for marketing guests, the supposed purpose of the suites. See Exhibit 1 from the report below.
- The audit also found that the MSFA’s claim that they need two suites for marketing purposes instead of one is “not supported by facts or logic.”
- The audit recommended the legislature enact a law to control the authorities use of complimentary tickets to events at US Bank Stadium; designate one or both of the MSFA’s suites at the stadium to be used for charitable purposes; exercise more oversight over the MSFA; and finally the legislature should consider enactment of laws to control use of all sports facilities built with public money.
In short the audit found that the MSFA, headed by the Governor’s appointees, have failed to be responsible stewards of the public trust and taxpayer funds. I am glad the legislature is moving forward with reforms to enact better oversight and change the makeup of this board.
Taxpayers deserve better and this is why I have signed on as a co-author to the bill to reform the MSFA and bring more legislative oversight to the process.
On Friday February 17 from 7:30-9:30am I will be at Caribou Coffee at Upper 55th and Blaine Avenue in Inver Grove Heights to hold my first Coffee with Constituents event. I encourage you to stop by to share your thoughts and ideas for what you’d like to see happen during this session. The full address is 5763 Blaine Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. Hope to see you there!
Don’t forget to check to see if any of the almost $700 million in lost and unclaimed property the State of Minnesota is currently holding by clicking here. My bill to have the State of Minnesota take a more proactive role in reuniting people with their property will be heard in committee next week. I’ll keep you up to date as we make progress on that bill.
- Free Tax Prep: Don’t forget to get free tax prep if you are eligible. Visit this site for more information.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas with me. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling me at 651-296-4192, or share your thoughts by emailing me at rep.regina.barr@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Regina
P.S. Here are a few pictures from the past week from meetings at the Capitol and around our community. Have a great weekend!
Rep. Barr in Inver Grove Heights
Rep. Barr with leaders from ISD 196