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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dennis Smith (R)

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REAL ID & Townhouse Bills Getting Results

Friday, September 29, 2017

Friends, 


Congrats to Taylor Sieve on finishing third on So You Think You Can Dance! She did a great job, represented our area well, and we really enjoyed watching her week after week! On Thursday the Maple Grove football team played tough but was defeated by Eden Prairie and the Osseo football team plays today at 5:00 pm. Good luck boys and to all the other fall sports! 
 

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Rep. Smith attended the Osseo Prayer Breakfast on Thursday

Airport Luncheon

Today I had the honor of joining the Metropolitan Airport Commission at the Annual MSP Airport Luncheon. It was a celebration of our strong airport and tourism industry here in the Twin Cities. The progress and passage of REAL ID was also a subject discussed at length. I am proud to have carried the REAL ID bill and to finally get it passed and signed this session by Governor Dayton. I am also glad to report that the progress on implementing REAL ID has been moving forward as planned and they should be ready to be issued as scheduled next fall. 


Housing First Award

The 2017 Housing Leadership Award recognized efforts during the 2017 legislative session to promote homeownership at price families can afford. I am especially proud of my work this session to specifically address the shortage of condos and townhouses across Minnesota. My bill removed barriers in Minnesota law that had hindered development of multi-family housing such as condos and townhouses. The legislation passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support, 122-7 in the House and 61-3 in the Senate, and received support from all areas of the state.

An improved townhouse and condo market will especially benefit middle and low income Minnesotans looking for the financial stability of home ownership. I was extremely pleased Governor Dayton agreed the changes put forth in my bill are good for Minnesotans and am glad we were able to make this important piece of legislation into law. We are already seeing tangible effects as the market for Townhouses across Minnesota has already seen a marked improvement

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Rep. Smith with his Housing First Award

Equifax Data Breach 

I have heard from many constituents about the Equifax data breach that has effected millions of Minnesotans. This invasion of privacy has left many looking for ways to protect themselves and their financial future. While it is good that public pressure caused Equifax to stop their plan of charging for credit freezes and barring lawsuits for those who opt to use Equifax's services, it should not have been able to charge others to clean up their mess at all. That is why this next session I will join my colleague Rep. Regina Barr in co-authoring a bill to stop credit reporters from charging to freeze credit in instances of a credit breach and it will also ban the ability of reporting agencies to limit right of victims to sue.


Hindu Temple Breaks Ground on Expansion Project

Last weekend I was honored to be invited to attend and speak at the ground breaking ceremony for the new project surrounding the Hindu Temple in Maple Grove. Strong communities of faith have been a great American tradition and a strong, successful population building up around their place of worship benefits everyone in the community. 

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Rep Smith along with other community leaders at the ground breaking ceremony
 

High School Page Program 

The Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program is now accepting applications. Over the last 40 years the program has provided high school juniors with hands-on access to our state government in action. I encourage any high school junior who may be interested in learning more about the legislative process to apply for the page program by December 1st. Click here to apply

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