Friends.
Thank you to everyone who came out to my May Town Hall earlier this week. It was another wonderful event. It's so great to have these opportunities to meet with constituents and discuss the issues important to our community in person. If you haven't made it to one yet, please stay tuned for details on my next one in June. Have a great weekend!
Rep. Smith and daughter, Lillian, in front of an oversized American Flag in Duluth
Bonding Bill Signed into Law
This week we learned that Governor Dayton had decided to sign the bonding bill. This is great news as the bonding bill is an infrastructure-heavy, geographically balanced capital investment package featuring $825 million in general obligation bonding to fund construction projects throughout the state.
The majority of funding is dedicated to bricks-and-mortar projects, such as roads and bridges, school safety, water infrastructure, and statewide asset preservation. In addition, the bonding bill includes $32 million for the construction of new veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston, as well as $10 million for the renovation of existing homes.
I co-authored the two key projects for our area in the Bonding Bill:
Another top priority in the bill is $25 million for school security facility grants, making critical improvements for student safety. This was a top priority for me and all of my colleagues in the legislature.
Channel 12 Session Recap
I sat down with Channel 12 News last week to discuss the end of the 2018 Session. In the interview, I highlight a number of the great things in the bonding bill as well as a few other tidbits from the session. Click here or below to watch the interview.
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am honored to serve you at the Capitol. If you are going to be at or around the Capitol, please stop by or schedule a meeting. My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and by mail: 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis