Category: SD49

Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: May 5, 2017

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

We are short of two weeks remaining in the 2017 legislative session and time for reaching compromise on a state budget for the biennium is running out. Below I outline the latest on taxes, education, the environment, and healthcare. I am hopeful we will reach agreement on a sensible tax bill that balances relief to Minnesotans and business owners. I am also optimistic on funding for education and healthcare priorities. I look forward to finishing our work on time by the adjournment date of May 22nd. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: May 5, 2017”

Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: April 28, 2017

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

With just three weeks left in the 2017 Session, Senate and House Republicans released budget numbers on April 28 that move more than $200 million further away from Governor Dayton’s budget. Instead of using the current budget forecast, they use budget numbers from last year and argue their numbers are budget increases. This type of accounting does not add up and is a step backwards in reaching an honest conclusion to the legislative session.

These budget targets and tax cut spending proposals are extremely disappointing. This budget takes us dangerously close to bringing the state back into decades of budget deficits. In light of the $1.6 billion surplus (less if you count inflation), the proposed cuts to many state budgets will affect the ability to care for vulnerable Minnesotans and supporting our schools. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: April 28, 2017”

Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: April 21, 2017

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

We are five weeks away from adjourning from the 2017 Legislative Session. Conference committee members have been appointed and we are now waiting for them to meet and find compromise in the differences between the House and the Senate on bills and the budget for the state. State commissioners are involved in the budget negotiations with the conference committees this week. I fully support Governor Dayton’s request that the House and Senate set joint conference committee targets no later than Friday, April 28. That gives conferees two weeks after the Legislature returned from the Easter/Passover break and leaves more than three weeks to negotiate the details of the omnibus budgets before the May 22 adjournment date. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: April 21, 2017”

Rep. Paul Rosenthal Update: April 21, 2017

Rep. Paul Rosenthal (49B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The Easter/Passover Recess has concluded and we returned to our legislative work this week. The House and Senate majorities have passed their omnibus budget bills out of both chambers and conference committees have started meeting to sort out the differences between each body’s bills.  Although both chambers are GOP-controlled, several of the final House and Senate omnibus bills have fairly significant policy and finance differences.  One example is the Health and Human Services Omnibus bill.  The House version, which passed on the Friday before break, contains a $600 million cut and would eliminate MNSure.  The Senate’s cut is half of the House’s and keeps MNSure.  These differences are parallel to the current leadership styles in the Minnesota Legislature; you can read about these here. Continue reading “Rep. Paul Rosenthal Update: April 21, 2017”

Is there $85 million for a new freeway interchange?

The following article by Mike Hanks was posted on the Sun-Current website April 7, 2017:

KYNDELL HARKNESS

It’s a story that is becoming well known, yet nobody knows the ending.

The interchange of interstates 35W and 494 is old and outdated. It’s arguably famous for its congestion. The need for a major overhaul of the intersection has long been discussed and unlikely to be disputed. But when and how improvements to the intersection happen remain a source of debate. Continue reading “Is there $85 million for a new freeway interchange?”

Feds: Southwest light-rail funds cannot be diverted to roads, bridges

The following article by Janet Moore was posted on the Star Tribune website March 1, 2017:

Republican legislators introduced a measure at the State Capitol last week asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to funnel $929 million intended for the Southwest light-rail line to a “block grant that can be used for other transportation projects” in Minnesota. Continue reading “Feds: Southwest light-rail funds cannot be diverted to roads, bridges”