Hello Friends!
It's been a very productive week in St. Paul. There are two main items to touch on:
1. This week, I co-authored a bill to have the Minnesota law changed to hand's free cell phone use only. 14 other states require cell phone use to be hands free. Let me be perfectly clear on this: you will still be able to talk on your cell phone while you drive. It will need to be hand's free. Many folks have asked me why is there need for this law. Simply put, distracted driving is now the # 3 cause of death on our roads. This equates to one person every four days! We have had a 14% increase in traffic fatalities in the past year. The number is projected to increase in 2017.
Recently, a dad and his daughter were killed in our district when their van was broadsided by a distracted driver. The driver was too busy looking at Facebook to notice the red light. I was at that scene. It was tragic.
Also, in the past week, we have had two fatal crashes in Foley. My heart breaks for the families involved. Please keep them in your prayers. I am working with MNDOT to see what can be done to prevent further crashes in this location.
2. This week, we passed my bill, HF 113 off of the House floor. This bill will allow for the construction of a new gas power plant in Becker, to replace the closing Sherco 1 and Sherco 2 units. It is a huge step forward towards replacing the jobs, tax base and energy that we will lose. Governor Dayton released a statement yesterday saying he would sign a similar bill once it passes the Senate, which should be soon.
We also passed two other important energy bills. One removes a burdensome solar mandate program and the other stopped the Public Utilities Commission from interfering with locally elected power Co-ops. I am hopeful that the governor will sign those bills as well.
The future just became a little brighter for Central Minnesota.
Have a GREAT weekend!
God's peace,
Jim