Friends,
Yep, that's snow. From 70 degrees to snow in about a week is how you know it's truly fall in Minnesota!
Fall high school sports section playoffs and state tournaments continue with a few of our teams still in the hunt! Wayzata and Maple Grove girls soccer both won their state quarterfinal matches and will continue to the semifinals. Both games will be on Tuesday at US Bank Stadium with the Wayzata girls playing Eagan at noon and Maple Grove taking on Lakeville North at 2:00 pm. The Wayzata and Maple Grove boys were also successful in their quarterfinal matches and will meet on Monday at 8:00 am for a semifinal match at US Bank Stadium. In volleyball, Maple Grove and Wayzata met in the section quarterfinals with the Crimson moving on to face St. Michael-Albertville on Tuesday.
And tonight, Maple Grove will host Wayzata in a section playoff game. The game starts at 7:00 pm tonight! Good luck to everyone and again, congrats to everyone on having great seasons!
2017 Legislator of the Year Award
Last night I was named Housing First's Legislator of the Year for 2017. I am extremely honored to be recognized for my work to help address one of the biggest problems in the Minnesota housing market -- the lack of affordable and starter homes. My bill to ease burdensome regulations placed on condo and townhouse construction has already began to deliver results. Permits for building new condos and townhouses is up considerably. This is good news for everyone, but especially those young and in the middle class looking for the financial stability of home ownership.
Rep. Smith accepting his Legislator of the Year Award
REAL ID
Last week's announcement that Minnesota received an extension to October 10, 2018 to start issuing REAL IDs was welcomed news. However, the issues that MNLARS, the system that the Department of Public Safety is using to issue IDs, tabs, etc., is putting even that date in jeopardy. Minnesota needs to at least have started issuing REAL IDs by that October 10, 2018 or we will need further extensions. I spoke with Tom Hauser of KSTP about this for his "At Issue" program this past Sunday. You can view the entire episode here. I also have a clip from the program here on my Facebook Page.
Rep. Smith talking REAL ID on KSTP
Don't Forget!
- The Osseo Lions Club sponsors the Osseo Lions Halloween Event on Saturday, October 28. The event will begin at Osseo City Hall, 415 Central Ave. at 11:00 AM with all your costumed kids and go trick-or-treating up and down Central Ave until noon. They'll end at the Osseo Community Center for more fun and games and pictures.
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