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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Ben Lien (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 20, 2015

Friday, March 20, 2015
Greetings from the House Floor,
 
Governor Dayton held a press conference in Moorhead on Monday to talk about his transportation package and rail infrastructure initiatives.  Sen. Eken, Rep. Marquart, Mayor Williams, Fire Chief Dyson, Police Chief Ebinger and I were in attendance.  The governor spoke and answered questions on his plan to fund $6 billion dollars in transportation needs across Minnesota over the next 10 years and improve rail safety and infrastructure at 75 locations around the state.  The turnout for the press conference was great and I really appreciate everyone’s engagement in these very important issues.  The governor’s transportation plan would provide $1.677 million and $663,791 in new funding for Clay County and Moorhead, respectively.  The governor’s rail infrastructure plan would provide $478,269 and $75,798 in new funding for Clay County and Moorhead, respectively.
 
The governor also released his supplemental budget this week after the February forecast projected a surplus of $1.87 billion dollars over the next biennium.  His supplemental budget continues his focus on education and working families.  Some major points of Governor Dayton’s supplemental budget are as follows:
 
·         Fully fund universal pre-kindergarten for 4 year olds
·         Increase the per pupil K-12 funding formula
·         Provide school breakfasts to every pre-K through 3rd grade student
·         Fully fund tuition freezes at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State College and University systems and expand the State Grant program
·         Increase the Working Family Tax Credit
·         Expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits
·         Expand the K-12 Education Tax Credit for education related expenses for families
·         Increase the Minnesota Family Investment Program
 
The House Committee budget targets must be set by Tuesday next week. One area in which we need to continue progress is long-term and senior care. Governor Dayton did include $25 million in his supplemental budget for nursing homes across the state to build on the work we did last session for long-term and senior care. We need to do more. These types of facilities and organizations are reliant on state reimbursements. They must be able to continue the quality care for their residents and provide competitive salaries for their employees.
 
Bills passed off the House floor this week were HFs 794 (Statutory Sections on Surveying) and 841 (Resident Status for Higher Education Grants/Scholarships for the State’s National Guard Members) and SF 578 (Minnesota Trust Code).  HF 841 provides residency eligibility to anyone enlisted in the state National Guard for higher education State Grants.  The bill was amended on the floor to include the spouses and dependents of enlisted members.
 
 
Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,
Ben