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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Joyce Peppin (R)

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Stadium Authority Accountability Moves Forward, House Rules Adopted

Friday, February 17, 2017

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Here is an update from the Capitol.

In this Issue:

  • Stadium Authority Accountability
  • House Rules Adopted
  • Peppin’s MinnTriv

Stadium Authority Accountability

Following last week’s report on the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority by the Legislative Auditor, the House has moved forward to improve accountability at the MSFA.  

First, on Tuesday, the State Government Finance Committee passed House File 778 on a bipartisan vote of 17-1 that will restructure, reform and increase oversight of the agency. This is especially important after it was found that there was even more taxpayer abuse by the authority in the last year beyond the use of stadium suites.

On Wednesday, Rep. Kelly Fenton and Rep. Sarah Anderson sent a letter to members of the MSFA including Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen and executive director Ted Mondale asking about millions of dollars’ worth of public contracts that were entered into with little or no public oversight. According to MSFA records, these contracts moved forward without full board approval. What’s more, contracts were also signed for outside advisory services including communications, even though the MSFA employs a full-time communications director.

The ethical and legal questions surrounding the MSFA and its leadership demonstrate a dire need for serious reform, and changes from the top down. On Thursday, the first steps were taken with both Kelm-Helgen and Mondale resigning.

House Republicans will continue to push forward reforms to the MSFA this session. Accountability to the people of Minnesota is critical, and government appointees should not be using their positions as a means for cronyism and political favor at taxpayer expense.

House Rules Adopted

As Chair of the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, one of the key jobs of my committee is to advance the permanent rules under which the House operates. Everything from deadlines for amendments to establishing calendar targets for bills to move out of committees. This holds everyone to the same set of uniform standards, and helps bills move through the legislative process in an orderly manner.

On Thursday, the House adopted the permanent rules of the House of Representatives for the 90th legislative session which we will operate under for the remainder of the biennium.

Peppin’s MinnTriv

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s MinnTriv Question. The question was: What rare phenomenon occurred in Minnesota in April of 2011, and where did it occur? The answer was an earthquake in Alexandria, MN.

Congratulations to Gregg Heikkinen from Rogers who had the first correct response.

Here is this week’s question:

This chilly Minnesota town may have a population of only 200 people, but has a strong sense of community. Name this chilly small town.

Respond to this email with your answer, and you could be featured in next week’s email update!

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In order to best represent our communities, I need to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Joyce

 

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A