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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Patti Fritz (DFL)

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2013 Session Update: Groundbreaking on South Central College, Ag and Veterans legislation

Saturday, April 20, 2013


I was happy to be in Faribault yesterday to break ground for the South Central College renovation and expansion project.  The project includes both campus renovations to classrooms and labs and construction of a new learning resource center and library.   It took many years to secure the $13.3 million funding for this project, but it was worth the wait as this project advances to improve the college and make the campus more inviting to students and visitors.  The renovation will help to ensure that more young people in the area choose to stay here and get their education.  This is both an education and jobs project because having more programs available to students will benefit area businesses.

On Thursday, the House passed the Omnibus Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance bill.  This bill supports local agriculture by including reforms to expand our biofuel industry as well as investments in areas like the AGRI fund that will create economic growth in farming communities.  The Agriculture Growth, Research and Innovation program (AGRI) funds initiatives such as expanding the Farm-to-School program, providing state grants for the start up, transition, and expansion of family farm livestock operations, assisting with the start-up of any farm, and exploring development of renewable forms of energy.

Contrary to claims that the DFL-led legislature would be “anti-agriculture” this session, our bill also helps farmers and ag-producers by boosting Minnesota Department of Agriculture funding. The Minnesota Farmers Union supports this proposal because our state depends on farmers and a strong ag-economy in communities like Faribault across Greater Minnesota.

Today, the House is discussing the State Government and Veteran’s Affairs Finance bill, which increases funding for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs programs and services by 18 percent.  Our veterans risk their lives for our country and our state and we must make sure that they are properly treated when they return home to Faribault and their hometowns throughout the state.

Our bill modifies Minnesota’s GI Bill education program by expanding eligibility to all veterans.  The legislation would also provide the educational benefit to the spouse or child of soldiers killed in the line of duty.  In addition, the bill creates a grant program to provide assistance to Minnesota veterans who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, including help with utilities, employment, and legal issues.  Other provisions in the bill authorize towns and cities to give contract preferences to veteran-own small businesses and would provide funding for a permanent honor guard for veterans funerals.

I want to thank all of you who have contacted me this session with your input.  As always, please contact me directly with any questions, comments, or concerns on any legislative issue. I can be reached by phone at (651) 296-8237 or by email at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Patti Fritz

State Representative, Faribault