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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jeff Howe (R)

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Gold'n Plump expansion; House transportation plan would aid local cities

Friday, April 10, 2015

Dear Neighbor,

Congratulations to Gold'n Plump for starting the first phase of a two-part expansion plan in Cold Spring and St. Cloud.

The first phase is a $35 million project which includes a building addition, new equipment and an upgraded hatchery. Plans for the second phase of expansion remain works in progress. Reports indicate the phases together could increase production by 33 percent, or up to 352 million more meals per year. It is good to see that Gold'n Plump, which plays an important role in our local economy, is building for an even stronger future.

As for news from the Capitol, finance bills for our new state budget – including one to fund transportation – are moving through the process and soon will be presented to the full House.

The omnibus transportation bill is one that I have been especially close to as a member of the committee that is preparing it. Meetings this week included an overview of the plan and public testimony.

One big benefit the House's transportation plan is that it would provide new funding for cities with populations of less than 5,000. As it stands now, House File 4 would provide cities in District 13A with combined funding of more than $400,000 per year for roads and bridges.

I recently met with a conglomeration of transportation-minded people in Rockville, ranging from county commissioners to county engineers, local transit providers and members of the public. We discussed their needs and talked about what the House transportation plan would mean to them.

They were receptive to the House plan and were intrigued by the fact we would provide a $7 billion commitment to transportation over the next 10 years without raising the gas tax (as the governor proposes). They also seemed to like the bill I authored that would dedicate existing taxes collected from the purchase of auto parts to roads and bridges.

Also at the Capitol this week, the governor announced he is proposing an $842 million bonding bill to pay for construction projects around the state. The sheer size of that number has raised some eyebrows, especially when you consider big bonding bills traditionally are passed in even-numbered years. A lot of work remains on the budget, so we'll see if there is enough time to consider a bonding bill. In any case, the governor is going to have a hard time gaining support for a bill that large.

We also received the annual State of the State Address from the governor on Thursday. The subjects he emphasized the most were transportation and education.

Please stay in touch as we make our way toward May 18, the day we are scheduled to adjourn. I welcome your thoughts on the issues and invite you to participate in a survey I am conducting to learn more about where residents of District 13A stand. Click here for the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/repjeffhowe2015survey.

Good luck,

Jeff