Hello Friends!
This week's update covers a number of areas.
It's been a very busy 7 days in St. Paul. We are approaching March 10th, which is the first deadline to have our bills heard in committee. If they are to stay in the process, then they MUST be heard by that time. So far, many of my bills have already been heard, the rest should receive hearings in the coming days.
A few of the week's highlights.
Real ID
Our Real ID bill, HF3, passed off of the MN House Floor with bipartisan support. On January 1st, 2018, Minnesota's exention will expire with the federal government. Anyone without a Real ID will not be able to fly domestically, visit a military base, enter a federal building or cross the border into Canada or Mexico.
HF3 will offer people a choice. If you want Real ID, then you may have one. If you don't want it, then you can have the standard Minnesota Drivers license. Our district was split right down the middle: 50-50. Offering people the freedom to choose was widely requested by the folks in our district. I voted yes. The bill also prevents illegal and/or undocument residents from getting a drivers license in Minnesota.
Preventing Discrimination Against Israel
A bill preventing state funds from going to companies who distriminate against Israelies passed the house floor last night. HF 400 is a bill I co-authored. It prevents Minnesota from doing business with those companies who boycott, discriminate, or have sanctions against, the nation of Israel. I was very happy to support this bill and to stand with our best friend and ally in the middle east. I am hopefull as it makes it way through our legislative process.
Becker Power Plant bill
The final version of my bill, HF113 passed the house last night 80 to 45 with strong bipartisan support. I met with Governor Dayton earlier this week; he confirmed that he would sign the bill. We are now only one signature away from getting a new power plant in Becker. This will be a huge relief to our area and will go a long way towards replacing some of the jobs and the tax revenues we would lose when Sherco Units 1 and 2 shut down in 2023-2026.
We are also working to bring more industry into this area to offset the job losses. I have been working with Xcel Energy to make this a reality. At this time we have several very good prospects.
Protester Bill
I am a co-author on HF 390. It increases the penalites for those who shut down access to highways, airports and mass transit while engaged in protest activities. We passed the bill earlier this week in committee, and the room was packed full of testifiers, many of whom were very vocal in their oppostion to this bill.
I am also working on other bills. For example, two bills I have protect our families and farmers from the over reach of state agencies and also for the continued funding of our local Emergency Response Teams. More on those next week.
Have a GREAT weekend,
God's peace,
Jim