Dear Neighbors,
I held two very productive town hall meetings in Viking and Thief River Falls on Friday. Area residents and city leaders gathered to discuss legislative issues that affect our area. The big topics were: gun control legislation recently heard at the Capitol; the Health Exchange Insurance bill, part of the Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare”), that is moving through committee; and smart and responsible state spending and tax reform.
In Viking, much of the discussion surrounded their failed sewage treatment system. We are working with the Minnesota Public Finance Authority and the USDA to secure the necessary funding to install a new system.
Town Hall at Viking Diner
Visitors at the Capitol
TRF Mayor Jim Dagg, Rep. Dan Fabian, Dalene Monsebroten (Secretary-Treasurer for Northern Municipal Power Agency), Rep. Deb Kiel, Darryl Tveitbakk (General Manager of NMPA), and Stacy Dahl (Minnkota Power Cooperative).
Jasmine Stine, Jazemen Kukowski, and Kaitlynn Wilson of Northland Community and Technical College.
Bob Stenson, School Counselor at TRF’s Franklin Middle School, and Bill Stock, School Counselor at TRF’s Lincoln High School.
Theresia Gillie of Hallock, State Director at Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and farmer/owner of Gillie Grain.
I met with DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr for half an hour to discuss a wide variety of issues. In particular, I conveyed the great concern local governments (such as cities, counties, and watersheds) have with the DNR’s upcoming management plan for Land Utilization Projects (LUP) in Beltrami Forest. I strongly encouraged the commissioner to get feedback from the affected people up north before he signs off on the final plan.
We also discussed the wolf hunting season, and the commissioner assured me the DNR has no intentions of reneging on upcoming seasons, even though there is strong resistance from the environmental community.
Tax Conformity
Last year, I received a number of messages from CPAs who were concerned that the 2012 tax conformity bill was delayed due to a holdup at the federal level. This resulted in several re-filings of income tax returns, and ultimately, it turned into a hassle for taxpayers and CPAs. This year we got it done earlier, and Minnesotans will be able to receive their tax returns in a timely manner.
Minnesota in the News
Do tax increases kill jobs? Minnesota soon to find out
“Dik Bolger is a lifelong Minnesota Democrat, a gray-bearded baby boomer with a braid down his back whose Minneapolis printing company's plant displays work by local artists and sculptors. He backed Mark Dayton for governor, but his take on the Democratic chief executive's plan for new business taxes could be the voice-over for a Republican campaign commercial.”
Minnesota government: Set priorities. Measure outcomes. Reduce costs.
“Too many in politics seem to assume that we're "special" and that no matter how much it costs to do business in Minnesota, people will stay here because they always have. It will take more than wishes to keep Minnesota truly special and to keep those jobs coming our way.”
U.S. Rep. Trey Radel - Florida ready to welcome tax- and winter-weary Minnesotans.
“If Minnesotans want to get a heavy-handed, overtaxing government out of their pocket, I invite them to pack their bags and relocate right here where white sand beaches, cool blue water and low taxes await.”
Please let me know if you are ever in St. Paul. I would love to meet with you at my office. Or, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you might have related to state government. I am here to serve you!
Dan
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A