Friends,
It's finally summer with school sports and graduation parties wrapping up, hopefully you are able to take some time to enjoy the nice weather with your family and friends. This week's update includes a letter I submitted to our local paper about the governor defunding the legislature, a few local reminders, and congratulations to a local athlete who will represent the USA at an international competition. Have a great weekend!
Townhall on Tuesday!
I will be holding a Townhall on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:00pm to talk about the 2017 Session and hear your thoughts, concerns, and ideas. We will be in Room 133 at the Maple Grove Community Center. Hope to see you there!
Governor Dayton’s Wrong and Dangerous Action
On Monday the first court hearing on the case between the Legislature and Governor Dayton regarding the governor defunding the legislature with his misuse of the line-item veto. This week I submitted a letter outlining my thoughts on this case. You can read the full letter here but here is an excerpt:
This legislative session was one of the most productive in recent history. Minnesotans will see tax relief, well-funded schools, and a $5 billion increase in transportation funding over the next 10 years. These were the result of negotiations between the Republican Legislature and Democrat Governor Mark Dayton. No one side got everything they wanted. Both Republicans and the governor had to compromise to reach these deals for the good of Minnesota and that’s exactly what happened.
That is why it was so disappointing to see the step taken by Governor Dayton to defund the Legislature because he received blowback from liberal special interest groups who were upset at the compromise agreements the governor signed into law. After signing the bills, Governor Dayton chose to line-item veto the funding for the House and the Senate, an action that is not only unprecedented in Minnesota history, but it has never been successfully done in any of the 50 states or the Federal Government either.
Save the date: Capitol Grand Opening
After a $310 million restoration and four years of work, the Minnesota State Capitol is open to the public. To commemorate this special occasion and to invite Minnesotans back to the People’s House, there will be a Grand Opening Celebration held on August 11, 12, and 13. The celebration will have something for everyone – fireworks, concerts, demonstrations by the artisans that worked on the restoration, behind the scenes tours, and much more. Most of the events are free, or offered at a very low cost. Please mark your calendars and plan to celebrate the People’s House this summer!
In honor of "National take your dog to work day" here is a picture of my dog Reagan joining me at the Capitol
Farmers Market Returns Outdoors
Last Thursday kicked off the outdoor season for the Maple Grove Farmers Market. Hours are from 3:00 - 7:00 pm every Thursday outside of the Maple Grove Community Center. See more information here.
Congratulations
- Congratulations to Emily Shilson of Maple Grove for winning a national wrestling tournament. She will go on to represent the USA at the World Championship in Athens, Greece this September. Read more here.
- Congratulations to the Wayzata Boys Golf team that won the 3A State Golf Tournament this passed week over Minnetonka, St. Thomas Academy and a handful of others. Great job guys!
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