Friends,
The House has now passed all of our budget bills and just in time before we head off for a week long break for Passover and Easter. I have included a few highlights of the bills below along with an update on REAL ID. Have a great weekend!
Transportation - Prioritizing Roads & Bridges
Last Friday, the House passed a $2.1 billion over two years Transportation Finance bill that is focused on roads and bridges. Fixing and improving our roads and bridges is a key function of government and I am glad we were able to do that with this plan. The proposal creates a new fund of existing tax revenue streams called the Transportation Priorities Fund. This new fund uses current, transportation-related state tax revenues to invest $450 million in new dollars for roads and bridges. Additionally, the transportation proposal would fund:
- $25 million for the Small Cities Road Assistance program
- $300 million for Corridors of Commerce program
- $35 million for rail grade crossings
- Funding to repair or replace all 97 bridges on MnDOT's local bridge priority list
In addition, while the Highway 610 provision was not included in the bill that passed last week, I am working with my colleagues to continue to work on finding a way to get this project across the finish line. Stay tuned for more.
Jobs & Energy
The House passed our Jobs & Energy Omnibus bill this Thursday. Our plan cuts unnecessary regulations on energy providers and has policy provisions aimed at making energy in Minnesota cleaner and cheaper for consumers, creating new and better paying jobs throughout the state. The bill focuses on making sure Minnesotans have lower energy costs for consumers, and create new and better-paying jobs for blue collar workers across the state.
Rep. Smith with a constituent at the Capitol
Higher Education - Putting Students First
Our Higher Education Bill puts Minnesota's students first. The House Education finance bill puts a freeze for two year state colleges during the 2017-18 school year and a 1-percent reduction in 2018-19. Tuition at state universities would be frozen in 2019. The plan also includes a number of provisions to help students by:
- Creating a first-in-the-nation tax credit for student loan payments, along with subtractions and credits for families saving for college using 529 Savings Plans.
- Guaranteeing admission to Minnesota public post-secondary institution to admit an applicant who is in the top 10 percent of their Minnesota high school graduating class.
- Establishing a workforce development scholarship to incentivize students to enter high-demand occupations after high school graduation.
- Funding a program for student debt counseling through the Department of Education.
- Creating student loan forgiveness programs for people who relocate to Greater Minnesota, or pursue aviation, agricultural or teaching degrees.
- Prohibiting mandatory student activity fees at public post-secondary institutions.
- Creating an academic program for students with intellectual disabilities at Minnesota State.
REAL ID Conference Committee Set
With the Senate having passed REAL ID, the conferees have been named and the Conference Committee has been set for April 18th. As a reminder of why REAL ID is so important, you can watch a video I put together to explain what REAL ID is and what it does.
Enjoy the weather!
Take some time this weekend to enjoy our areas parks, trails, and beautiful weather. Check the Parks and Recreation website for the park closest to you.
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am honored 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