Dear Neighbors,
With weeks until adjournment, we are in the final home stretch of the legislative session. We’ve been spending less time on the House Floor and in committee to allow time for conference committees to meet and iron out differences between House and Senate proposals. Separate House and Senate ‘budget targets’ or parameters were set in late March; joint targets were released last Friday. Majority Leader Gazelka and Speaker Daudt have committed to wrapping up conference committee work today to get finalized bills to Governor Dayton. While this is encouraging news, I hope the Republican Legislature will reconsider how some of their deep cuts will impact Minnesotans and compromise with the Governor. Compromise is the only way we can move our community and state forward.
I am pleased to report I have gained bipartisan support for bills that I have authored that help our community. The Transportation Conference Committee has accepted the creation of a full service Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) in New Brighton to be included in the final transportation omnibus bill. Additionally, another bill I have authored related to Ramsey County jobs passed unanimously off the House Floor today. You can learn more in my video Capitol update here.
Your input is crucial in these last few weeks of budget negotiations. Please feel free to contact me with your ideas, suggestions or comments at 651-296-5510 or at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy
State Representative