On June 6, only one bill approved by the legislature remained on Governor Dayton’s desk: a proposal that would have provided $800 million in tax relief to middle class Minnesotans over the next three years. In the end the governor chose to do nothing with it,...
As we wait to hear from Governor Dayton as to whether he will call a special session to address transportation funding and capital investment proposals, many have overlooked what was the biggest highlight of the 2016 session – significant tax relief. By...
With only days left in the 2016 legislative session, Minnesotans can expect the solutions for many State Capitol headline issues to be delivered just before we are required to adjourn. Currently, our House floor sessions are being used to approve smaller,...
It’s fair to say that a comprehensive health and human services bill approved by the Minnesota House recently focuses on addressing a number of statewide problems and improving the lives of those in need of medical care. First, it captures savings from waste,...
Last session, Minnesota lawmakers allocated $525 million in new funding to our schools, and now a current House bill invests even more into our education system. On April 25, a strong, bipartisan group of representatives approved a comprehensive education...
Not long ago, the Senate majority unveiled its proposed budget targets, and I was surprised to learn that it devoted less than four percent of our projected $900 million surplus to transportation. As vice-chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and...
This week, I once again had the pleasure of being joined at a committee hearing with students from Owatonna's Willow Creek Middle School who support the creation of a plaque honoring those who constructed Minnesota's State Capitol. You'll recall that last...
Thirty years ago, few of us worried about identity theft. But in today's world, where many of us utilize our phones or computers to organize our lives, identity theft is on the rise. And the biggest increase for this crime is happening on children. It's easy...
Two months ago I began hearing from a number of constituents who were concerned that Minnesota's REAL ID noncompliance could impact their future travel plans. Today, Minnesota is one step closer towards meeting the federal guideline. Some history: Minnesota...
Hello from St. Paul, Our legislative work continues at the State Capitol, as we continue to hear bills in all of our House committees. Each year the Legislature establishes deadlines for committee action on bills, and the first deadline to have a bill heard and...