Friends,
Extreme cold last week and a foot of snow this week, seems that the groundhog seeing his shadow is a little off. For those of you new here, Welcome to Minnesota! Stay safe on the roads and have a great weekend.
My Bills
- HF 371 - Housing aid portion dedicated: The state gives additional money to cities with old housing. This money should be spent on urban renewal and things to decrease the issues that required the extra funding and thus fixing the problem.
- HF 372 - Local government aid portion dedicated to creating a loan program: One of the strongest justifications for LGA is the big-ticket capital and infrastructure needs like water treatment facilities, that can swamp local property tax capacity. This bill would address that by creating a fund to help with these projects and provide stability.
- HF 466 - Alternative fuel vehicle tax imposed. Would provide a reasonable contribution for road funding from alternative fueled vehicles. Some proposals based on mileage would require a massive and expensive support and reporting system.
Renewable Energy Mandate
This week, Democrat House & Senate members announced plans to impose a 100 percent “carbon-free” energy standard on the state’s electric utilities. The House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill to do that this week.
We all agree that clean energy is a good thing and preserving the environment for future generations is something we need to do. However, this proposal is a radical proposition that will cause utility prices to soar and negatively impact local communities that rely on the energy industry for jobs and property tax revenues.
This proposal is another example of some lawmakers forgetting about science and the consequences of their good intentions. Last week's cold snap was the perfect example of why the entire mix - from natural gas to coal to nuclear along with wind, solar, and other renewables - need to be part of our energy future.
Contact Me
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office anytime by calling (651) 296-9236, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn
Have a great weekend,
Duane