Friends,
We are back from the Legislative Break and are beginning to work on and negotiate our budget bills. Our budget proposal, which will cost the state $3 billion less than the governor’s proposal, includes nearly $2 billion of tax relief for Minnesota families and an increase in investments for our schools. I’m confident that our budget offers a bright future for Minnesota for generations to come.
Minnesota’s Energy Future
As a member of the Job Growth and Energy Affordability committee, I have been paying particular attention to our omnibus proposal, which was put together recently. I know that many of you have concerns about the energy future for our state. I can confidently say that our budget puts our state on stable ground to address future energy concerns by investing in cleaner and more affordable energy. I hope that you will connect with me to share your thoughts as our omnibus moves onto the House floor.
Safe, Effective Travel for All Minnesotans
As the snow melts off of our roads, a top concern continues to be the state of our roads and congestion throughout Minnesota. We have introduced the Road and Bridge Act of 2015, a ten-year, $7 billion transportation proposal that invests in reliable infrastructure to reduce congestion and increase safety for those traveling in each and every part of the state. While Governor Dayton has proposed that we raise the gas tax to pay for our transportation needs, we’ve demonstrated that burdening Minnesota families with an additional tax is simply unnecessary by addressing transportation concerns by reallocating current funds. Included in the proposal is a reallocation of the Motor Vehicle License Tax, which will provide our county with $12 million of dedicated transportation funding. I’m proud of the Road and Bridge Act of 2015, which will provide transportation funding in the short- and long-term to ensure your needs are met.
Met Council Reform
Like many of you, I am concerned about the overreach of this unelected council on our district. I am proud to report that we have worked on many proposals to reign in their control, including bills to require approval of members by city councils, and a bill which would require that all plans are advisory, not mandatory. I look forward to continuing to have these discussions throughout the session.
In Our Community
I am honored to represent such a vibrant community, and am excited to share with you the many events coming up in our district!
Did you know that more than 81 trains travel on the Hanson railroad tracks in Coon Rapids every day? I have had great conversations with community leaders such as Mayor Jerry Koch about how to ensure safety for all of our residents who live or travel along the tracks. If you would like a say in these and other matters, the city is looking for a new City Manager! I will share additional details as they become available.
As the weather heats up, many of us begin to think of the abundance of fresh produce grown right in our own backyard. If you are interested in planting new varieties of apple or plum trees, or blueberry bushes, contact the Coon Rapids City Forrester at (763) 767-6455 by April 24, 2015 to purchase new trees in the 2015 Coon Rapids Tree Sale.
Remember that Andover’s Spring Recycling day will occur on April 25, 2015 from 9:00am-1:00pm at the Andover City Hall (1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, MN 55304). Also, be sure to mark Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 11:00am-2:00pm on your calendar for the Fix it Clinic, where you can learn to reassemble broken items found throughout your home. The Fix It Clinic will be held at the Andover City Hall, and is sure to be a valuable event for all.
Enjoy your weekend,
Rep. Peggy Scott