Dear Neighbors,
I encourage folks of all political persuasions to attend their local precinct caucus tonight at 7:00 p.m. These civic events are the first stop for selecting and nominating candidates whose names will be on the ballot this fall. You can find the location of your caucus by clicking here.
$90 million Senate office building
I co-authored a piece for the Grand Forks Herald with Rep. Deb Kiel to discuss our thoughts on the new $90 million Senate office building. Take a look at the article, and let me know what you think!
Grand Forks Herald: “Minnesota Senate doesn’t need $90 million palace”
Committee discussion on the wolf hunt
Last week the Environment and Natural Resources Policy committee held an informational hearing on the status of the wolf hunt in Minnesota. Folks in favor and against the hunt were given an opportunity to voice their opinions.
Opponents believe the 2011 legislation was passed too quickly without adequate public input. I, of course, disagree. We had several committee hearings, Capitol meetings, community meetings, and a floor debate.
As far as I’m concerned, we still have too many wolves in our part of the state based on comments I’ve heard from livestock producers and sportsmen. What’s more, the DNR presented information at the hearing that supports what we have been saying for years: timberwolves are a major contributor to the declining population of moose in the state.
I don’t anticipate legislation passing this year that would eliminate the season, though a number of metro legislators would like to end it. I’m going to keep fighting for our livestock producers and deer hunters, and apply for a license again next year!
If you’re interested in watching the debate, click here to watch the committee hearing located under Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Committee discussion on Roundup Ready resistance
The chair of the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance committee called us to a meeting last week to discuss the importance of rotating crops and how farmers should deal with weeds that have developed a resistance to glyphosate.
Some generalizations were made by metro legislators about farmers’ unwillingness to rotate their crops. Here’s what I know: In northwest Minnesota, we grow a variety of crops and there is considerably more rotation going on than in other parts of the state. Also, data shows that our area doesn’t contain nearly the same degree of resistant weeds.
Every farmer I know puts a lot of work into planning their chemical applications, whether it’s pre- or post-emergent. It’s done in consultation with experts and people who have been in the field a long time. This is a business these folks are running.
I do think we have to be vigilant, as legislators and as producers/farmers, to stay informed during this legislative session. I do have concerns that there are people in the legislature who feel strongly that farmers are not doing a good job of protecting the environment, and they want to pass laws that will support their misguided perception. I will be a strong voice for farmers against these attempts.
Great Lakes Airlines suspends service to TRF
Great Lakes Airlines suspended service to Thief River Falls Airport as of Feb. 1. The suspension is the result of several factors, including the shortage of pilots due to congressionally-mandated pilot regulatory requirements
I’ve been talking with officials at Delta as well as Joe Hedrick, manager of the TRF Airport, in an effort to make as many productive contacts as possible with TRF and the airline industry. Joe has been doing an excellent job of keeping me informed and letting me know what I can do to help. I’ve also been in contact with our Washington, DC elected voices, encouraging them to help find a solution. It’s essential TRF has commercial passenger air service.
Read more here from the Grand Forks Herald.
Propane shortage hotline
The state is experiencing a propane shortage. The “perfect storm” hit Minnesota and the nation to create this crisis, with a late and bountiful grain harvest last fall, a major pipeline reversal around the same time, and a long, cold winter.
The state has set up an emergency hotline to help citizens struggling with the propane shortage. The State Emergency Operations Center will be staffed Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to provide information to Minnesotans with propane issues or questions. Call (800) 657-3504 if you have questions or concerns.
$26,000 bonuses to MNsure executives
An independent consultant has reviewed MNsure—Minnesota’s extension of Obamacare—and found that due to “non-existent” management and a deeply flawed system, the $160 million new agency should be completely re-done or fixed using millions more dollars. (Read more here from MPR.)
Here’s the kicker: Turns out, MNsure executives were awarded more than $26,000 in bonuses this fall, even as the system experienced ongoing website crashes, hour-plus wait times, vulnerability to WiFi attacks, and failed data sharing.
How many folks we know get bonuses when their product fails?
Read more here from the Pioneer Press.
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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A