Friends,
Greetings as we prepare to celebrate our great nation’s independence this July 4. Here are some legislative jottings as we try to stay cool in this sweltering heat. Stay hydrated and please, please keep a close eye on small children, puppy dogs and other pets.
Saturday town hall meeting
Please join me for a town hall meeting I am hosting 9 to 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday) in Room 125 of the Maple Grove Community Center. The feedback provided at these meetings always is appreciated and I look forward to yet another opportunity to hear from people regarding whatever state-level issues matter most to them. Hope to see you there!
Housing Leadership Award
In last week’s email, I mentioned that I was the recipient of a 2018 Housing Leadership Award for my efforts on this subject during the 2018 Legislative Session. I am honored to receive this award and below is a photo of me with a plaque presented by Housing First Minnesota. It is incredibly rewarding work to help Minnesotans achieve the American dream of homeownership. I look forward to using this year’s accomplishments as stepping stones to even more improvements that will benefit people down the road.
Good news re: Line 3 pipeline
There was good news from St. Paul yesterday as the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission both approved a certificate of need for replacing the aging Line 3 pipeline and agreed to follow much of the preferred route across the northern third of Minnesota.
The new $2.6 billion Line 3 is moving closer to reality as a replacement for the original pipeline, which was installed in the 1960s and is showing serious signs of decay. It currently is operating at a little more than half of its capacity due to safety reasons.
The new line would stretch 340 miles across Minnesota from Alberta to the Enbridge terminal in Superior, Wis. The path approved by the PUC mainly follows Enbridge’s preferred route, with a modification to avoid Big Sandy Lake, which is nine miles north of McGregor in Aitkin County.
More boxes need to be checked before work officially begins, but Thursday’s decisions were crucial to making this much-needed project become reality. The benefits of a new Line 3 are substantial and I am pleased to see this progress.
New laws taking effect
Gov. Mark Dayton’s veto of the omnibus supplemental budget bill diminished the number of new laws set to take effect July 1, but some regarding athletic trainers, claims against the state and tweaks to a development fund are set to launch. Click here for more information on what new laws will hit the books this weekend.
Maple Grove Days approaching
Maple Grove Days is now a week and a half away and I look forward to seeing so many people out and about in our area. The big parade will be 6:30 p.m. July 12 (Thursday) and there are tons of other activities and event scheduled as well. Click here for a full rundown. Thank you to all the local officials and volunteers who work so hard to make this annual celebration such a great success and look forward to what undoubtedly will be another five best days of summer. Buttons are still for sale for $3 and, among other things, provide discounts at a number of local businesses. You can purchase them from ambassador candidates or at the Community Center.
Happy Independence Day!
Until next time, I wish you and your family a happy and safe Independence Day as we celebrate the cherished freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this great nation. We are truly blessed as Americans and it always is fun to see the Red, White and Blue fly high during this holiday season. God bless America!
As always, your thoughts on issues related to state government are welcome. You can email me at Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, call (651) 296-5502, or just let me know in person at tomorrow’s town hall meeting or if our paths cross around town.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis