To the editor:
The 2014 Session is now underway. Most of you are aware of the major, statewide issues of the session, so I wanted to take a moment to go over my local priorities for the session.
First and foremost, I’ll be advocating for a number of local bonding projects, including an extension of water and sanitary sewer service for the Brainerd Regional Airport, Central Lakes College repairs, an extension of the Camp Ripley State Veterans Trail, the Baxter Isle Drive extension, and the Pequot Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility Spray Irrigation Replacement. Bonding is critically important for our communities, businesses, and economy to be successful over the long term.
One issue I’m very excited to work on is a job training program. Companies in our area — including the expanding Clow Stamping — tell me that they have trouble finding skilled workers. This bill aims to tackle that by encouraging local companies to hire and train unemployed workers through grants from the Department of Employment and Economic Development to pay for the job training. While our economy has continued to improve, too many people aren’t able to find good-paying jobs. This bill would help people get back to work and gain valuable job skills.
I’ll also be working on a snowplowing issue involving undeveloped land and the city of Jenkins. We passed a temporary fix last year, but need a permanent solution. Another priority is the extension of the Brainerd-Baxter local sales tax. Among other uses, this goes to wastewater treatment facility infrastructure, which is important for local growth.
In addition, I’ll be authoring a bill giving Brainerd the option to purchase the city dam if the city chooses to do so. Another bill involves Crow Wing County land sale — the county has some land that needs to go through forfeiture, but legislation is needed. I will also continue my work on Aquatic Invasive Species, which threaten our lakes and waterways, and by extension, our tourism industry.
Finally, I’ll continue work on a local veterans nursing home. Our veterans deserve to be able, if they choose, to spend the rest of their lives close to their home.
As always, feel free contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. You can reach me at rep.john.ward@house.mn or at 651-296-4333.
Sincerely,
Representative John Ward
District 10A