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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL)

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Legislative Update – January 24, 2020

Friday, January 24, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope 2020 is treating you well so far. We’re quickly approaching the next Legislative Session, which convenes on February 11. Before, during, and after the session, I hope you’ll follow along with the activities at the Capitol. Please “like” or “follow” my official Facebok page here. Additionally, Minnesota House Public Information Services is a nonpartisan office that offers many valuable resources including livestreaming of floor sessions and committee meetings, a YouTube channelSession Daily – a recap of Capitol activity every day delivered via email, and Facebook and Twitter accounts with timely information. 


St. Louis County Public Works Employees Earn Contract

All of our hardworking public employees deserve fair pay and benefits, including health care and retirement. While it’s unfortunate it took a strike to make it happen, I’m pleased that St. Louis County’s snowplow drivers, who are members of Teamsters Local 320, ratified a new bargaining agreement. Coming to this agreement took concessions on both sides. On behalf of my fellow educators, I was honored to visit the picket line to drop off coffee and a check from educators across the Iron Range toward the strike fund before mediation resumed.

After walking the picket line on the coldest days of winter – burning trucks upon trucks of wood to stay warm – I’m glad these dedicated workers are back on the job, and I’m grateful for their service.


New Broadband Grants Awarded

Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program has shown tremendous success in expanding reliable, high-speed internet access to all Minnesotans. Since 2014, 49,000 homes and businesses across the state now have broadband access as a result of these grants which leverage private investments.

In the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers approved $40 million toward broadband grants over a two-year period. This week, Governor Tim Walz announced this year’s round of grant recipients and the 30 broadband expansion projects that will be funded. As part of this package, Paul Bunyan Communications will receive $2.5 million to upgrade access to approximately 914 unserved and 439 underserved locations in rural parts of Itasca, St. Louis, Cass and Koochiching counties, as well as on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. The total cost of the project is $6.2 million, with other funding coming from Paul Bunyan, the Iron Range Resource & Rehabilitations Board, Koochiching County, and Morcom Township.

Morcom’s township officials currently have difficulty conducting basic governmental functions like filing tax documents due to a lack of internet access, not to mention the difficulties students, businesses, and residents experience when they can’t get online. I’m excited to see this project move forward and am committed to meeting our broadband connectivity goals so all Minnesotans can access the fast, reliable internet service they deserve.


Real ID Deadline Coming

Real ID

You may have heard that the federal government’s final deadline to obtain a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card is coming up on October 1. This federal program, enacted by Congress in 2005, requires enhanced security features for driver’s licenses or ID cards to board a commercial aircraft or enter certain federal facilities. After a series of extensions from the federal government, full implementation is upon us, and right now, just 11 percent of Minnesotans are compliant. The Department of Public Safety, the Transportation Security Administration, and the airlines are all working to educate Minnesotans about the need to obtain this new form of license. As an alternative, a passport can still be used as identification to board a flight.

The state Driver and Vehicle Services office has informative resources available here. If you encounter any difficulties in the process of obtaining a Real ID, please feel free to call my office and I will do what I can to assist.


Presidential Primary: Absentee Voting Now Open

For the first time in a generation, Minnesotans will select major party nominees for President in a primary election this year. No matter your party affiliation, it's important to cast your vote and help ensure our government is representative of our shared values.

Absentee voting launched last week, and Minnesotans are now among the first in the nation to cast their votes. You can request a ballot to be mailed to you or update your voter registration here. The Secretary of State’s office has answers to a number of frequently asked questions about the new process available here.

As always, I welcome your feedback on any issue. Please feel free to call or email me any time. It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Julie Sandstede
State Representative