Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Joyce Peppin (R)

Back to profile

Governor Walks Out and Ends Mediation

Friday, September 29, 2017

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.

In this Issue:

  • Update on Mediation
  • MSFA
  • High School Page Program
  • Peppin’s MinnTriv

Update on Mediation

The Legislature entered court-ordered mediation with Governor Dayton last week. It lasted only two days before Dayton walked out and abruptly ended the process. Sadly, this is commonplace behavior from him. On multiple occasions during the past several years, the Governor has angrily walked out. This all too common occurrence truly reflects conduct unbecoming our state’s chief executive. We entered mediation and made a good faith attempt to negotiate a solution as we worked to ensure that Minnesotans continue to have representation and a voice at the Legislature. The Governor simply turned his back on that process.

I will update you as new developments arise.

MSFA

This week, we saw yet another example of failed leadership at the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) under appointees of Governor Dayton. It came to light that the MSFA hired a security firm for U.S. Bank Stadium that failed to properly vet their security personnel and falsified documents submitted to the state.

Unfortunately, this once again shows the extreme dysfunction and mismanagement of MSFA over the past several years. This Chicago-based security firm they hired has had years of legal and performance issues in other states, but was awarded a $4.2 million contract since U.S. Bank Stadium opened. The safety of people attending events at the stadium and working in the best interest of taxpayers should have come first.

Republicans at the Legislature advanced a number of reforms for the MSFA this year, and will continue to push for additional oversight of state government agencies to protect Minnesota taxpayers and citizens.

High School Page Program

Do you know a high school junior interested in politics and government? If so, encourage them to sign up for the House High School Page Program! Over the past forty years, the High School Page Program has offered a great, hands-on learning experience, providing students with the opportunity to learn more about how their state government works first-hand.

To apply, students will need to fill out the application, receive a faculty recommendation and craft an essay. All applications are due by December 1, 2017. You can learn more about the program and how to apply here.

Peppin’s MinnTriv

Thank you to everyone who participated in the last Peppin’s MinnTriv Question. The question was:  This Minnesota town is known as the “Halloween Capital of the World.” The answer is Anoka, MN.

Congratulations to Bill Price for having the first correct response.

Here is this week’s question: In the late 1990s, this part of Minnesota was involved in a trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada which came to be known as the Walleye War.

Respond to this question and you could be featured in the next e-mail update!

***

In order to best represent our communities, I need to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Joyce

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A