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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Bob Loonan (R)

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Legislative Update: Bagpipe Surprise!

Monday, April 10, 2017

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! 

House Image

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:

  • 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.


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:

  • $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.


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