Friends,
Merry Christmas! From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We have much to celebrate this time of year, and I hope you'll take a second to reflect on what's most important in your life. I'm so thankful for my loving family, and for the opportunity to represent our great community at the Capitol.
December Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who came out this past Monday for my monthly town hall. It was great to discuss the 2017 Session and answer your questions on what's in store for 2018. If you were unable to attend, keep an eye out here for details on my next one. Hope to see you there!
Southwest Light Rail Delayed... Again
Southwest Light Rail (SWLRT) was in the news again this week, this time with another delay and cost increase. With costs approaching $2 billion dollars (and growing) to build SWLRT, it's becoming increasingly clear to more and more Minnesotans that SWLRT may just not be the right solution to our transportation needs. We need an "all of the above" approach that includes building more lanes as well as cost-efficient mass transit options.
All of our transportation options must keep in mind there are massive technological innovations right around the corner. Just a few months ago, I attended a self-driving car expo in Saint Louis Park. We should make our transportation investments with this and other, unknown, technological innovations in mind. Is it really a good idea for Minnesota to invest $2 billion in a fixed route like SWLRT at this time? I think we have better, more flexible transportation investments we can make.
MNLARS Update
Earlier this month, I appeared on Channel 4 to discuss the types of licenses and sort out the details Real ID is offering us. Knowing the type of license that is best for you, as well the impact of that choice, is important once the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) starts issuing licenses in October of 2018. Since then new leadership has taken over the project and a new vendor has been contracted with to ensure driver's licenses are distributed smoothly and without widescale issues.
I have been in contact with the new leadership team and they are aware of the headaches that the MNLARS transition caused thousands of Minnesotans in 2017. They are confident that the issues that plagued the initial rollout of MNLARS will not continue into 2018. I hope this is the case but will continue to monitor the situation and demand we find out what exactly happened to make 2017 such a disaster for our licensing centers.
Minnesota Lawyer "Capitol Retort"
This month's version of Minnesota Lawyer has the regular feature that I am part of discussing current events and happenings in Minnesota as well as national politics. This week we chatted about Republican Senate President Michelle Fischbach in line to become the Lieutenant Governor with Tina Smith being appointed to replace Al Franken who will resign on January 2nd. There is disagreement between legal experts as to whether Sen. Fischbach can, as she contends, continue to serve as Senator while also being the Lieutenant Governor, which has no legally defined duties.
We also were asked what we wanted from Santa and I asked for snow so we can enjoy some outdoor sports over Christmas break!
With the new year almost here, the 2018 session is right around the corner. 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.
Merry Christmas and safe travels!
Dennis