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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Sandy Layman (R)

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News From Representative Layman 2-15-2018

Thursday, February 15, 2018

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Dear Neighbors,

TOMORROW, Friday, February 16, Senator Eichorn and I are teaming up for in-district office hours from 3:00-5:00pm at the Itasca County Family YMCA in the Active Living Center (400 River Rd, Grand Rapids, MN 55744). With the legislative session beginning on February 20, this is a great time to bring your suggestions, ideas, and questions before session starts. I’d love to hear your opinion!

Last year, we passed a number of important bills including legislation to provide $650 million in tax relief in the next two years, invest a historic amount in roads and bridges without raising taxes, and added $1.3 billion MORE in education funding. We’re seeing the impact of these bills both locally and throughout the state. My hope is to see us use the successes of the 2017 session to spur us toward new goals this year.

This session, we’ll look to tackle some big issues like federal tax conformity, fixing MNLARS, and continuing to work toward lowering health care costs while increasing access. Personally, I’m working on building a bipartisan coalition for more broadband dollars. Legislative leaders are hopeful for a budget surplus, but we won’t know with certainty until the forecast comes out later this month. If there is a surplus, broadband expansion in Greater Minnesota is near the top of my list.

Although we passed a large bonding bill last year, 2018 could also be a bonding year. I anticipate a good deal of discussion about the size and scope of such a bill. I’ll continue to advocate for local bonding projects like the sorely needed waste water project in Deer River and the exciting new Tioga regional recreational trail project in Cohasset.

Again, it would be great to see you drop by tomorrow anytime between 3:00-5:00pm at the Itasca County Family YMCA in the Active Living Center. If you can’t make it, please feel free to call or email my office.

Have a great weekend,

Sandy