By Rep. Paul Anderson
Following lengthy negotiation and compromise, the House last week passed a Real ID bill. Such legislation is needed before the end of the year to allow Minnesotans to travel by commercial airlines in this country. This is a federal requirement intended to increase security, but it has not been warmly embraced by many who see this as an infringement on states’ rights in addition to giving additional information to the government about its citizens.
The bill passed last Thursday gives folks a choice in the matter. What we passed is called a “two-track system,” meaning those who want the new Real ID can get it, while those who have no intention of flying or who don’t want the new license could continue with their current driver’s license.
Minnesota is one of only five states where Real ID legislation has not been passed. We have asked for further extensions before the deadline, but no additional time will be granted. What this means is that beginning next January, those who fly commercially must have the new ID or a current passport before they will be allowed to board a plane. We have been assured by the federal government they would use the new, enhanced ID only for the regulation of commercial air travel in this country. Also, an amendment was added to the bill stating that this new data system cannot be used to track or regulate the purchase of firearms or ammunition.
Similar legislation is awaiting action in the Senate. And of course, whatever is passed by the Legislature must be signed by Gov. Mark Dayton before it becomes law.
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Had a busy weekend with town hall meetings in three district communities, and an invitation to attend a federal farm bill informational meeting in St. Cloud Friday afternoon hosted by Congressman Tom Emmer.
After opening remarks from the Congressman, we hooked up electronically with the House Agriculture Committee chair, Mike Conaway, of Texas, and were able to ask questions about the upcoming farm bill debate. Conaway’s goal is to have the bill wrapped up in the House this fall. I asked about the possibility of increasing the number of acres allowed in the CRP program, to which he responded that would depend on how much funding was available for the program. I also emphasized the importance of the crop insurance safety net for farmers, especially in these times of tight margins, and he was in agreement on the value of crop insurance. I also asked about the possibility of relaxing the federal rule that does not allow land subject to a mandatory conservation program, such as Minnesota’s buffer law, to be enrolled in the CRP program.
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The all-important February budget forecast will be released this week, on Tuesday. That’s the forecast used to create the state budget for the next two years. According to the last projection, our state will have a $1.4 billion surplus to work with. However, it’s not certain how that number will change in the new forecast. With the release of this set of numbers, spending targets will be established for each of the finance committees so they can begin the task of setting their budgets.
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