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

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Another Busy Week at the Capitol!

Friday, March 10, 2017

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With visitors for Catholics Day at the Capitol on Thursday – Thanks for sharing your views!

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On Wednesday, it was Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Day at the Capitol – Thanks for advocating for our business community!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Here is an update from the Capitol.

In this Issue:

  • Reforming the MSFA
  • Sunday Sales Update
  • First Committee Deadline
  • Rogers is the Fastest Growing City in MN
  • Peppin’s MinnTriv

Reforming the MSFA

On Monday, the House passed legislation with strong bipartisan support that will reform the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA). This needed legislation comes after appointees of Governor Dayton provided access to stadium suites and perks to friends, family and political allies, abusing their positions of power.

Under House File 778, the use of MSFA suites will be limited solely to marketing purposes after a recent Legislative Auditor report revealed only 29 percent of tickets were being used for marketing. Additionally, the bill limits MSFA board members to attend two times per year for oversight purposes, but they must pay market value for their tickets.

Another provision would reform the governance structure of the board. The new seven member board would consist of one appointment each by the Governor, Mayor of Minneapolis, House Speaker, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. The bipartisan board would then elect its own Chair.

After the Star Tribune reported on abuse of power and unethical behavior by the MSFA, it’s clear that reform is critical to rebuild public trust and ensure that something like this does not happen again. Even now, we are learning more about problems with MSFA leadership when it was revealed recently that ex-Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen skipped to the front of the line to buy seat licenses and season tickets for Vikings games in luxury seats, jumping ahead of long-time season ticket holders to get tickets for her friends and family, and provided free access to select groups.  

It is my hope Governor Dayton will sign this bill into law which brings more accountability, oversight and reform to the MSFA.  

Sunday Sales Update

On Tuesday, Governor Dayton signed House File 30 into law which repeals the ban on Sunday alcohol sales. The law takes effect July 1, 2017, with Sunday, July 2 being the first day Sunday sales will be permitted.

First Committee Deadline

Today is the House’s first committee deadline which is for committees to act favorably on bills in their house of origin. These deadlines are put in place to help legislation continue to move through the process and receive all the necessary committee hearings in a timely manner before ultimately being debated and passed out of the House and Senate.

You can learn more about committee deadlines in a video put together by House Public Information Services here.

Rogers is the Fastest Growing City in MN!

Rogers is a great place to call home and raise a family, and so it’s no wonder they were ranked number one for the fastest growing city in Minnesota from 2010-2015. The town increased in population by nearly 4,000 residents—a 44 percent increase!

I am proud to represent a community like Rogers with a strong small business community, great schools and caring neighbors. Congratulations to Rogers and its residents!

Peppin’s MinnTriv

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s MinnTriv Question. The question was: This controversial but popular game of the 1960s was first invented by a Minnesotan. What is the game called today and what was the game originally called before the idea was sold to Milton Bradley? The answer was Twister which was originally called Pretzel.

Congratulations to Susan Spears from Rogers for having the first correct response.

Here is this week’s question: Minnesota is home to a famous flying squirrel and his moose sidekick. Name the famous pair and their fictional Minnesota hometown.

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