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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mark Uglem (R)

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News from Representative Uglem 04-09-2013

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share with you a column that is set to appear in our local papers this week. It's a good update on the common ground legislators are finding in Saint Paul amidst the battles over the budget and other issues.

We have about six weeks left in session, and the pace is set to pick up dramatically as we continue to piece together the 2014-2015 budget. I hope if you have thoughts or comments that you will share them by contacting my office at 651-296-5513 or by email at rep.mark.uglem@house.mn

Have a great rest of your week,

Mark

 

Legislators finding common ground in Saint Paul

Rep. Mark Uglem, District 36A

I've only been in Saint Paul for a few months now, and one of the biggest and most welcomed surprises for me so far has been that despite the spirited debate over the big issues like the Health Insurance Exchange and the budget, legislators from both sides of the aisle come together every day on bills that are good for their communities and good for Minnesota.

I also am surprised at how little media coverage the good bipartisan work gets. The media tends to fixate on the disagreements between the two parties on hot-button issues, so I wanted to share with you some examples of points of agreement where people are working together. These issues might not grab all the headlines but that doesn't make them any less important.

Last month I had the opportunity to attend a press conference unveiling a piece of bipartisan gun legislation. This bill makes it tougher for violent felons and criminals to purchase guns and improves criminal data-sharing for state and local law enforcement agencies. It has over 70 co-authors from both sides of the aisle, is chief-authored by DFL Rep. Debra Hillstrom, and has the support of gun-rights proponent GOP Rep. Tony Cornish as well as the NRA and several law enforcement leaders. A truly great example of legislators coming together on an oftentimes controversial topic.

I've made a point to try and work with members of the majority to advance bills that are good for our local community as well. I've partnered with DFL Rep. Jerry Newton on legislation to secure funding for Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College (HF442 and HF443).

DFL Rep. Michael Nelson chief-authored, and I signed on as a co-author for HF400, which proposes funding to extend Highway 610 to Highway 94 in Maple Grove. This is a project that will be a boon for commerce in our area, and is long overdue.

A number of bipartisan co-authors have signed on to DFL Rep. Jason Isaacson's bill HF1091 to help fight aquatic invasive species which are plaguing lakes and rivers not only here in Champlin and Coon Rapids, but around our state.

While it may not seem like it, there is good bipartisan work being done on a daily basis on issues good for Champlin, Coon Rapids, and the state as a whole. I hope if you have an idea for a common-sense bill that you'll contact me and let me know. I'm in Saint Paul to serve our community, and am making an effort every day to work to promote good ideas to help our state, regardless of party.