Friends,
Negotiations with the Governor continue during this last weekend before our Constitutionally-mandated end of session Monday at midnight. We've made great progress in negotiations and I am confident we will be able to reach an agreement on many of our budget bills with the Governor. By Monday night, we will have sent two fully balanced budgets to the Governor's desk for his signature. On top of budget negotiations, we continue to pass other pieces of legislation that will help Minnesotans. Have a great weekend!
REAL ID Signed into Law
On Wednesday the House passed the REAL ID bill that I coauthored 120-11. The Senate also passed it with broad, bipartisan support and Governor Dayton signed it on Thursday.
Getting REAL ID passed this session was a top priority and I am proud we were able to come to an agreement that will work for all Minnesotans. Making REAL ID a simple opt-in program for those who wish to use their driver’s license to board airplanes and enter federal facilities including military bases, while retaining an option to obtain an ID under the current system for those who chose to do so, was a great solution that works for all Minnesotans.
REAL ID is a federal law passed in 2005 with the goal to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to obtain fake identification cards by setting standards that states must meet for their driver’s licenses. Some federal facilities, including military bases, have already began to require those without compliant licenses to provide passports or other documentation in order to be admitted.
Now that REAL ID has been signed into law, Minnesotans will be able to get their REAL ID-compliant licenses by October of 2018 at the latest.
Rep. Christensen speaking during floor debate this week
Growler Cap Lifted in House Liquor Bill
Fulton Brewing made news in September of 2016 by announcing they had hit the 20,000 barrel threshold in Minnesota law and would no longer be allowed to sell growlers. On Thursday the Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF444, the Liquor Omnibus bill, on a bipartisan 79-54 vote. The bill includes my provision to expand which breweries can sell growlers by increasing the amount from the current 20,000 limit to 40,000. Minnesota’s growing small breweries and brew pubs have been successful at making Minnesota a craft brew hub. Rather than penalizing successful small businesses like Fulton Brewing, we should be encouraging their success and welcoming more of it.
The current law put an unnecessarily restrictive ban on one of Minnesota’s fastest growing industries. Small breweries and brew pubs have brought new jobs to Minnesota and grown our economy. We should lift the cap on small these small businesses and allow them to thrive. The bill will now head to conference committee to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.
As always, please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on the bills heard in committee and in session. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling my office at (651) 296-9463, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.drew.christensen@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Drew