Friends,
Last week the House finished passing our omnibus budget bills before we headed out for a week break in observance of Passover & Easter. Little did my colleagues know but I had a surprise for them once we finished up on Friday evening. See video of me playing my colleagues off for Passover & Easter break here and read a little about a few of our budget bills below. Have a great week!
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.
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:
Transportation Plan
Our transportation funding proposal invests around $6 billion into building our roads and bridges over the next 10 years, without raising the gas tax. It also reallocates $450 million into a dedicated Transportation Priorities Fund, using existing tax revenue on transportation related items. This bill also does not appropriate a single cent of taxpayer money to funding light rail transportation through the Met Council.
Funds in this bill are also dedicated to the following items:
Essay Contest
Don’t forget to have your school-aged children enter the Capitol restoration essay contest by April 28th. Visit the website to learn more!
If you have any other questions on any of my bills or anything else going on at the legislature, please reach out to my office at (651) 296-8872. You can also reach me via email at rep.bob.loonan@house.mn.
Have a great week,
Bob