Dear Neighbor,
The House and Senate leadership and Governor Dayton are meeting through this weekend to work out the differences in the state agency finance bills. With only two full weeks left in the session, the finance bills soon should be moving forward for passage and the governor’s desk.
In order to ensure we stay on a realistic timeline to get the next two-year state budget in place, it is time to act.
Unlike the last few days of session before we adjourn, the governor cannot ignore bills passed earlier and let them slip into a pocket veto. At this point bills reaching his desk will become law unless he specifically vetoes them.
We had several visitors in St. Paul this week. Aaron Hautala, owner of Red House Media, Johnna Johnson, owner of Mixed Company Coffee House and Dan Jurek, owner of True North Base Camp and others from the Crosby area came down for the Capital Investment Committee hearing on Wednesday. I want to thank them for a great job of representing our community on this very important project.
Aaron provided testimony on the merits of the $3.6 million bonding proposal to upgrade the mountain bike facilities at the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. The testimony was well received by the committee. I am optimistic we will get that project funded so we can start moving dirt.
On Thursday, in addition to being a wonderful, warm day, the entire sixth-grade class from the Aitkin Rippleside Elementary School brought an extra bit of sunshine and energy to the capital. They, along with their teachers, toured our sparkling, newly renovated capital. I had a chance to briefly chat with many of the youngsters and they were full of great questions. What a wonderful group of young people. Thank you to their teachers and parents for supporting this important adventure for them.
Happy Cinco de Mayo to our neighbors to the south! The Mexican Army turned the tide against French domination of their country on this day in 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
Please be safe as we enjoy the many warm-weather recreational opportunities this weekend.
Sincerely,
Dale