Dear Neighbor,
Just a quick update from the House as we continue working to tie down the session’s loose ends with our May 21 date for adjournment rapidly approaching. We anticipate spending the weekend at the Capitol in an attempt to finalize a number of bills that remain in the process of negotiation between the House, the Senate and Gov. Mark Dayton.
Until we have news on that front to report, I want to pass along word that the governor today issued an executive order waiving the hours of service requirements for carriers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles obtaining and delivering anhydrous ammonia or other fertilizers, and providing direct assistance in emergency relief efforts.
This executive order is necessary after the late winter snowfall we received shrank the window of time for planting preparation, driving up demand in fertilizer and causing a bottleneck in the supply chain – particularly in northwestern Minnesota. With state departments looking at curtailing when fertilizer can be applied, it is crucial that we are able to have access to it and get our work done on time.
I soon will pass along more news from the Capitol, so stay tuned as we make our way to the finish of this session.
Sincerely,
Paul