In This Edition:
- Update on Supplemental Budget Bills
- REAL ID Update
- Corridors of Commerce
- Hands Free Bill
- At the Capitol
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol and around the community.
Update on Supplemental Budget Bills
Last week, I shared a number of the provisions that were included in the supplemental bills passed by the House. Issue areas in our supplemental bills include education, transportation, state government, jobs and energy, health and human services, and agriculture.
I have been appointed to the conference committee that is working to craft one large supplemental budget adjustment bill package that combines initiatives in all of these issue areas. We are working with the Senate to find a compromise, and also advance a final package we believe will garner bipartisan support and be signed into law by Governor Dayton.
With just over a week to go in the 2018 legislative session, we are working hard to finalize our proposals and find agreement. I will keep you updated.
REAL ID Update
This week, Minnesota received federal assurance that a traditional Minnesota-issued driver’s license will continue to be sufficient to board domestic flights through October 1, 2020. We codified language in a MNLARS bill package earlier this session that required the Dayton Administration to seek an extension once it became available.
This is great news for the people of Minnesota. You can read more in a recent Star Tribune article here.
Corridors of Commerce
The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently announced more than $400 million in Corridors of Commerce funding for four projects that will help relieve congestion and improve commerce. Notably, included in that funding are two important projects for the metro area.
The first is up to $79 million for Highway 494 from Bush Lake Road to I-35W. The funding will construct the first phase of a turbine interchange that includes a directional ramp for I-35W North to I-494 West. This project has great significance to our area, and I have worked hard and partnered in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues to advocate for funding to address the 494/35W interchange from every conceivable source. Receiving money through the Corridors of Commerce program is a critical first step.
The second project is up to $149 million for I-494 to construct a MnPASS lane from France Avenue to Highway 77 in the eastbound direction, as well as a MnPASS lane from Highway 77 to I-35W in the westbound direction.
Reducing congestion in the metro area is critical to ensure families, businesses and our economy continue to thrive. House Republicans have prioritized investing in road and bridge repair and improvement, and Corridors of Commerce is another critical tool to improve our transportation infrastructure in the metro.
Hands Free Bill
This week, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced legislation I am co-authoring known as the “Hands Free” bill. This legislation would ban handheld cell phone use when operating a motor vehicle.
Eden Prairie resident Vijay Dixit has been a tireless advocate to end distracted driving. Vijay lost his 19 year old daughter, Shreya, on November 1, 2007, because of a distracted driver. Through the Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation, Dixit has been active in the community and in the schools advocating for distraction free driving. I was pleased that Dixit and his family were at the Capitol this week to support the legislation.
Distracted driving is a very serious problem in Minnesota, and I think this is an important bill that will help keep more drivers’ eyes on the road and off their phones.
At the Capitol
With students from Eden Lake Elementary School who came to visit the Capitol this week. Can you spy me in the back left of the photo? The third graders are almost as tall as I am!
With Eden Prairie High School junior, Ishaa Dhamne, who served as a page in the MN House this week and seemed to really enjoy her experience. I look forward to attending the EPHS spring choir concert where Ishaa is a member of the concert choir!
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If you need assistance on a matter related to state government, or have questions, comments or suggestions about what is happening in the Legislature, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Sincerely,
Jenifer Loon