Friends,
It's that time of year again! Maple Grove Days begins on Wednesday, July 11th, and runs through the weekend. Buttons for the Medallion are on sale at the Community Center for $3 each and the clues can be found here. More information on the rest of the festivities can be found here. I'll be there for multiple days, come by and say hi!
Rep. Smith at the Lions Club annual golf charity event with Maple Grove City Council Member Phil Leith.
Pension Bill Signed
Pensions was an important bill signed into law this session. It’s expected to save Minnesota taxpayers $57 million in fiscal year 2019 and $263 million in the next biennium. Furthermore, according to Minnesota Management and Budget, this bipartisan legislation will eliminate $3.4 billion from the state's unfunded pension liability, improving the sustainability of pensions for police, volunteer firefighters, teachers, and public employees. I was proud to support this bill and have met with so many of you regarding this important topic. This is a win for both the pension holders and taxpayers who will save money by the legislature acting now.
610-94 Project
The completion of the 610-94 project has long been a top priority of mine and our community. This session I authored the bill to allocate funding to make this project a reality. I worked this session to make sure legislators in surrounding communities from both parties realized how important this project is to the entire West Metro. I am extremely pleased with the progress we were able to make building support from both sides of the aisle on this project.
Part of the Brockton Interchange project that was included in the Bonding Bill that became law will be a new lane from 610 to the Brockton Exchange. It is a good step forward toward completing this project. It will help with both traffic safety and the flow of traffic in Maple Grove and the surrounding area.
I look forward to picking this project back up next session and finishing the job for our community.
Session Recap Interviews
Following the end of the 2018 Session, I had a chance to discuss the high points with WCCO Radio with a number of my colleagues. You can listen to that round-table interview by clicking below.
I also sat down with Channel 12 News to discuss the end of the 2018 Session. In the interview, I highlight a number of the great things in the bonding bill as well as a few other tidbits from the session. Click here or below to watch the interview.
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