Greetings,
MNLARS UPDATE
Last week, lawmakers were briefed on a new internal document at MN.IT, Minnesota’s IT agency, about the mismanagement of the MNLARS project. The document intensified shortcomings in the MNLARS design process.
What’s frustrating to me is that this document was available, but not disclosed, during the time that MN.IT was asking for additional funding to fix the MNLARS issues. It was only discovered after KSTP-TV did a freedom of information request.
Fox 9 TV did a story on this and included one of my committee comments. To view the report, click here.
ELECTROLUX WORKER RETRAINING BILL
As many of you know, Electrolux is set to close in 2019, which means many area residents will be looking for work, and may need to find a new line of work. That’s why I’m co-authoring legislation that would provide $650,000 in funding to help retrain dislocated Electrolux employees. The funding would go to Career Solutions of St. Cloud, who would help retrain folks in areas including computer literacy, GED achievement, and manufacturing and construction trades.
BUDGET TARGETS
A few days ago Minnesota House leadership unveiled budget targets. We’re proposing dedicating 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. Other key investments would include additional road and bridge funding and revenue to ensure student safety in schools.
VISITORS
We continue to see a good stream of constituents and other visitors stopping by my office in St. Paul. This week’s included Kim and Lorraine Schneider and Ed and Helen Maier who discussed utility issues.
Several union workers also shared their legislative thoughts and concerns.
Supporters of private colleges and protecting the gray wolf also made their voices heard.
If you know of anyone who would like to receive future email updates, forward this email to them and have them sign up here. Also, if you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-7808 or rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Tim