ST. PAUL – State Rep. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, and other members of the 88th Legislature returned to the Capitol Tuesday to commence the 2014 legislative session.
Howe is in the second year of his first term. His House committee assignments remain: civil law; early childhood and youth development policy; state government finance and veterans affairs; and transportation finance.
“It will be interesting to see which path we take between now and when we are scheduled to adjourn in late May,” Howe said. “This has been portrayed as an ‘Unsession,’ where we eliminate wasteful, ineffective, outdated or burdensome government. On the other hand, we are coming off a 2013 session where we saw historic spending increases and around $2.5 billion more in taxes and fees to pay for government growth.”
A capital investment bonding bill to pay for projects around the state could be a headline item of business this session. Bonding bills require a super majority to pass, meaning the majority will need support from the minority to clear the Legislature.
A number of other important issues likely will come to the forefront this year and Howe welcomes input from local citizens through a brief online survey. Questions pertaining to raising the minimum wage, allowing prescription marijuana, paying for a new Senate office building, repealing taxes, allowing liquor sales on Sunday, experiences with MNsure and more are included.
A link to the survey can be found at Howe’s official legislative website: www.house.mn/13A.
“This survey is an opportunity for local citizens to provide me with input on the issues and let me know where they stand,” Howe said. “Constituent participation is very helpful as I continue doing my best to represent the people of our area.”
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