Dear Friends,
I am extremely disappointed that the recent legislative session has come down to a battle between light rail and our much needed roads and bridges, particularly in our legislative district.
On the last day of session, at the last minute, the DFL Senate majority attached an amendment to the bonding bill that we passed that mandated monies for the SW Light Rail project. It’s ridiculous to do this at the 11th hour with literally minutes to go in the legislative session, and it doomed a very good, bipartisan bonding and transportation package, that had been agreed to by both the House and Senate.
The House bill had bipartisan support, and resulted from an agreement between House Republicans and Senate Democrats. This bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 91 to 39.
This bill included my provisions for $30 million for the US Highway 10 extra lane expansions in Coon Rapids, $11.9 million for the Hanson rail overpass in Coon Rapids, and $3.3 million for the Champlin Mill Pond restoration. Because of the last minute maneuvering by the Senate, all of these projects have been put at risk.
I have always believed that I need to represent the needs and wants of our district, and these projects were the #1 priorities of both Champlin and Coon Rapids. They are being held hostage by the SouthWest Light Rail project, which the vast majority of us will never use.
I urge each and every one of you to call or email Governor Dayton and request a special session at the earliest time available. It is my opinion that we will have to come to some sort of compromise with light rail funding, but I don’t want that to come at the expense of our cities. This has been the major transportation hang-up for the last two years, and I am very disappointed that we have not been able to resolve it.
Other items in the bonding bill are so vitally important to the state. They include infrastructure projects for clean water, additions to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, as well as new roofs, windows, and other basic maintenance needs throughout the entire portfolio of state-owned properties. If we don’t take care of the property we own, the bill will only get higher in the future.
We did pass some important legislation in the tax bill that was passed with bipartisan support in both bodies, and waits for Governor Dayton’s signature.
If you are a college graduate with loan debt, you will benefit from a tax credit to relieve the financial strain of increasing tuition costs. If you are a veteran, you will be happy to know that the state will no longer be taxing your retirement benefits. If you are a young family, you will find that there are increased childcare credits for your young children. If you are a small business owner, you will received tax credits on the property that you own.
It is also important to understand that we did not come to an agreement on REAL ID. This is mandated by the federal government, and it is essentially a Minnesota driver’s license on steroids. We do have some additional time to consider this next year before the federal enforcement deadline, which will require a REAL ID for travel on domestic flights. The reason for the inaction on this bill is that Senate Democrats, and Governor Dayton insist on a provision that would allow licenses to be issues to people who are in our country/state unlawfully.
Please contact me with any of your concerns. I remain committed to a special session so we can deliver much needed bonding projects throughout the state, particularly in our community. Inaction on these important initiatives is not an option. We need a Special Session.
Sincerely,
Mark Uglem