Friends,
The weather so far this Spring has not been ideal for spring sports and that isn't going to get any better this weekend. Stay safe on the roads out there!
Rep. Smith meeting with constituents in his office.
Bipartisan Bill Passes House
My bill, HF3095, passed the House on Thursday. The bill brings consumer and small business-friendly reforms to the contract negotiation process for waste management companies. I was proud to have huge bipartisan support as well as the support of the League of Minnesota Cities as well as many other groups.
We now wait for action from the Senate before the bill will head to the Governor for his signature.
Rep. Smith on the House Floor presenting his bill this Thursday
Supplemental Budget Targets Announced
On Thursday, we announced targets for budget adjustments building on our historic accomplishments of the 2017 Legislative Session that saw tax relief for Minnesotans and extensive investment in our schools and roads and bridges. These 2018 budget adjustments continue our strong commitment to Minnesota families through tax relief, roads and bridges, and school safety.
We are proposing to dedicate the largest portion of the budget surplus toward simplifying Minnesota’s tax code to fully benefit from recent federal tax reform and provide additional tax relief to the middle-class. With state government fully funded from last year’s two-year budget, major investments will focus on common-sense issues like fixing roads and bridges and improving student safety. Savings are found through efficiencies in state government spending.
These budget targets were adopted in the Ways and Means Committee Thursday night.
Roads & Bridges in Maple Grove
This week, a bill I am a co-author on was heard in the Property Tax and Local Government Finance Division. HF 3482 will allow Maple Grove and Plymouth to receive a portion of the revenues from the .5 percent transportation sales being collected by Hennepin County and use tax to use for road and bridge projects if they meet certain qualifying conditions. Maple Grove and Plymouth have contributed 12% of the total taxes being collected by this tax and have received zero dollars in return and over the next five years there are zero projects planned in either city.
This is simply a way we can use an existing tax being collected in our city to help fund road and bridge projects within the city.
New Passport Office in Maple Grove! [Correction]
Last week, I mentioned that an office in Maple Grove has begun to issue passports. I mistakenly stated that it was the Maple Grove Hennepin County Service Center when it was actually the City of Maple Grove Service Center that has begun to process passport applications and renewals.
This is great and convenient news for those in our area who will need to renew or get their first passports. You can schedule an appointment online to get or renew your passport today!
More good news is that thanks to the REAL ID law I authored and that was passed last session, you won't need to use that passport to fly domestically. An interview I did with WCCO TV did a great job summarizing the future of REAL ID and what happens next.
Rep. Smith with constituents at the Capitol
Carpenters Legislative Reception
This week I attended the Carpenters and 49ers Annual Legislative Reception. It was a great event and I had a great time meeting so many people.
Students at the Capitol
On Friday, I hosted a group of students from Mitchell-Hamline Law School at the Capitol. We spoke for almost an hour about life in public service and the legislative process. It was a treat to get to visit with a great group of future leaders from my alma mater!
Clean Lakes
The Maple Grove City Council reauthorized the Maple Grove Lake Improvement Grant program. The city reaffirmed their commitment to keeping our lakes clean and improving the quality of water for generations to come. In line with these goals, I have co-authored a bill to encourage businesses to limit the amount of salt they apply during the winter. Unnecessary and over application of salt flows into our lakes and has an extremely negative impact on the health of one of our most iconic assets in this state.
Rep Smith and Rep. Peppin (middle) with the i94 West Corridor Coalition
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. If you are going to be at or around the Capitol, please stop by or schedule a meeting. 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