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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dennis Smith (R)

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Progress on REAL ID

Friday, February 10, 2017

Friends,

It was another busy week at the Capitol as dozens of bills are being heard in committee every day. My bill, HF22, that will aid family farms by exempting them from an annual reporting requirement for land held in trusts passed the Agricultural Finance Committee this week. It will next be heard in Ways and Means. Here is the rest of this week’s update.  

REAL ID Progress

REAL ID made its way through the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee this week in the Minnesota Senate. It will next move on to the State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee in the Senate. I’m glad to see progress in the Senate and my bill soon be on the floor in the House.

In case you missed it last week, I created a video to further explain REAL ID, why we need it, and to clear up some misconceptions about what it is. Click here to watch it. Let me know if you have any questions.

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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.

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.

 

Three Energy Bills Pass House
On Thursday, three key energy bills passed the House. Reining in energy costs by unraveling unnecessary and unburdens regulations is a priority of mine. House Republicans are working hard to make energy sources more affordable and to help maintain energy stability in Minnesota.

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Rep. Smith meets with constituent in his office

Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am grateful to serve you at the Capitol. My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and by mail: 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.

Have a great weekend!

Dennis