Dear Neighbors,
It’s been another busy week at the Capitol, with just over a week left to go until adjournment. I presented my Environment and Natural Resources bill before the joint conference committee that is putting together the supplemental budget bill package, and we also selected a new University of Minnesota regent. Here is an update from Saint Paul.
ESGR Banquet
This week, I attended a program for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. ESGR is a Department of Defense program that helps promote “cooperation and understanding” between employers and their employees who have military commitments.
What’s also very neat about the program is that it is employees who nominate their employer, celebrating their strong support for our active military. Minnesota employers honored included larger employers like General Mills, 3M and Xcel Energy, as well as smaller employers, state agencies, health care providers, schools, and more.
With sons serving in both the National Guard and the Air Force, it is wonderful to see Minnesota employers, and our state as a whole, so supportive of the men and women who serve our nation.
Public Safety and Protesting on Highways
On Tuesday, the House passed a bipartisan bill that would increase the penalties for those convicted of blocking access to highways, public transit or airports from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor.
This is a commonsense change that would help ensure that protests are lawful and don’t pose a substantial risk to public safety. Over the past few years, we have seen more folks use protests as a means to shut down highways and airports and that’s unacceptable. Our hope is that by increasing the penalties for this already illegal action, we will deter more folks from doing it.
Governor Dayton has made past statements supporting this measure, and my hope is that he will sign it into law this year.
Regent Selection
On Thursday, the House and Senate held a joint convention to select a new regent to the University of Minnesota. The Legislature chose Randy Simonson from Worthington to fill the open seat in Congressional District 1.
Simonson is a strong conservative and reformer, who I think will make real and positive changes at the U of M.
At the Capitol
Proud to support workforce housing—an important need for many Greater MN communities!
With High School Page Koby Johnson who attends Warren Alvarado Oslo High School
With Jim LaBine who has roots in Argyle
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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
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