Friends,
The first few weeks of session have been extremely busy. With such a short session, we must adjourn by May 21st, dozens of bills are heard in committees daily. I have been hard at work making sure to make the most of this abbreviated session.
Rep. Loonan with All Saints Senior Living's Griffin Myslivecek discussing the
legislative priorities of Minnesotans in senior care facilities.
Video: Key Issues
A quick video about what we are up to at the Capitol, one of my bills to tackle health care costs by increasing transparency in medical costs, and a few of the other bills I am working on. Also, Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Ending Distracted Driving
I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues for the Distracted Driving Rally at the Capitol. This is an issue that we must deal with. Too many lives have already been lost. This is why I am a co-author on my colleague Mark Uglem's bill to mandate hands-free cell phone usage while driving. That bill passed the Public Safety Committee this week and I am hopeful we will continue to make progress on it.
Rep. Loonan with a bipartisan group of legislators looking to end distracted driving
MNLARS Update
It's been a turbulent year for MNLARS, the new computer system developed by the Department of Public Safety and MN.IT to perform DMV services. Governor Dayton submitted an emergency funding request for $10 million immediately, without conditions or a detailed plan.
Chair of the House Transportation Finance Committee, Paul Torkelson, has introduced HF 3147 which provides the $10 million from the same DVS account but would require the Governor to back-fill $10 million from within his executive agency budgets by June 30, 2019. Governor Dayton has said he accepts responsibility for the MNLARS mess, and this approach will give him the opportunity to back up those words with actions. This bill passed committee last with strong bipartisan support.
The bottom line is Minnesota taxpayers have paid nearly $100 million for a system that is only half built. Before we dedicate one more penny, we need to see real documentation that this funding is needed and that those responsible for this mess are held accountable. It simply would not be wise to allocate $10 million without comprehensive documentation and a plan on how MN.IT plans to spend this funding and provide a product that works. Minnesotans deserve a DMV system that works, but we will not give a blank check to the Governor.
Rep. Loonan (right) at Speaker's rostrum with Speaker Daudt (left) and his daughter, Becky Boone.
Food Share
This is a great cause and is the biggest food shelf push in the state this month. Spread the word and give if you are able: MN Food Share.
If you have any other questions on any of my bills or anything else going on at the legislature, please reach out to my office at (651) 296-8872. You can also reach me via email at rep.bob.loonan@house.mn.
Have a great week,
Bob