Dear Neighbors,
I’d like to pass along the warmest wishes from my family to yours for a Happy New Year. Turning the calendar to 2016 is a good time for all of us to reflect upon the successes and challenges of the year gone by, as well as to look forward to the goals we hope to achieve for ourselves, our families, and our communities in the next 12 months.
REAL ID/Possible Special Session
I have heard from many of you with concerns about Minnesota’s lack of implementation of the federal REAL ID standards for driver’s licenses. This program, enacted by Congress in 2005, requires enhanced security features for all identification needed to enter certain federal buildings, military bases, nuclear facilities, and to board commercial aircraft. The latter especially has caused many Minnesotans anxiety as to how long current driver’s licenses will be adequate to travel. In 2009, the Legislature passed and then Gov. Pawlenty signed a bill prohibiting the state Department of Public Safety (DPS) from complying with this measure.
Originally, the Department of Homeland Security had set 2016 as the deadline for states to come into compliance. Gov. Dayton has sought a special session of the legislature to solve this problem. After recently denying Minnesota an extension, last week DHS announced Minnesotans will have until January 22, 2018 before the new, more secure IDs will be required. While this situation perhaps isn’t as urgent as a week ago, there will be significant resources borne by DPS, MnDOT, and deputy registrars to get this program up and running.
Gov. Dayton still hopes agreement can be reached for a special session, and a legislative working group is attempting to hammer out a fix. Two other working groups are also meeting ahead of a possible special session to discuss extended unemployment benefits for laid off Iron Range steelworkers and how to best address racial disparities in the state of Minnesota, respectively.
As there are significant differences between the two sides, it remains to be seen as to whether legislative leadership and the Governor will reach an agreement and whether we will be called into special session.
Capitol Art
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who attended last month’s meeting in Minnetonka to discuss artwork at the Minnesota State Capitol. It was an honor to be joined by the likes of former state Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson and Rep. Diane Loeffler of the Capitol Preservation Commission to hear our community’s thoughts on how to proceed with this important issue as the two-year renovation of the Capitol continues.
I invite you to follow this process as discussions continue. The Capitol Restoration Commission’s website is a great resource for information. Additionally, House Public Information Services has posted some fascinating videos on their YouTube channel of the very specialized work involved in such an intensive restoration.
Issues in Upcoming Legislative Session
Substantive issues such as investments in our state's transportation infrastructure, ways to continue the work to eliminate our state's significant achievement gap and ensure that all Minnesota students receive a great education, and consideration of tax relief for our hard working citizens and local businesses, among other important concerns such as environmental protections, will be considered during the upcoming legislative session.
As always, I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns about all of these topics, and any others of importance to you. Please stay in touch.
Best Regards,
Yvonne Selcer
State Representative