Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The House is busy at work with the first committee deadline today. Here is an update from the Capitol.
MSFA Reform
In response to the Vikings Stadium suites scandal that saw high profile political appointees in the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) entertaining friends, family and political friends, the House passed bipartisan legislation this week that will bring much-needed reform to the troubled MSFA.
First, after a nonpartisan report by the Legislative Auditor found that only 29 percent of tickets at the two U.S. Bank Stadium suites were used for marketing purposes, this bill would ensure that they will be used solely for marketing purposes going forward.
Additionally, to bring more legislative oversight to the MSFA board, all current board members’ terms would end immediately, and the board make-up going forward would be appointments from the Governor, Mayor of Minneapolis, House Speaker, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader.
With more stories of misuse of our taxpayer-funded stadium, including that now ex-MSFA Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen skipped to the front of the line to buy seat licenses and Vikings season tickets for herself, friends and family shows the need to bring reform and accountability to protect taxpayers and stop abuse of political power. This legislation is about ensuring this kind of unethical behavior does not happen again, and I am pleased this bill is advancing this session.
Road Construction Bill
On Monday, the House concurred and sent a bill to Governor Dayton that will help ensure road construction projects planned by counties and townships can start on-time when road construction season begins. He signed the bill into law earlier today.
House File 434 allocates $5 million to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to create wetland bank service areas that are given as credits to local road authorities to offset “no net loss” requirements for any road projects that impact wetlands. This emergency funding allows BWSR to cover its obligations by purchasing credits from private wetland banks, so locally planned road construction projects can continue on-time when construction season begins later this spring.
This was an important bill for Greater Minnesota, and I am glad that it was made a priority in both the House and Senate.
Constituent Visits
With constituents who were in Saint Paul last week advocating for the arts
With University of Minnesota-Crookston students and their advisor
With students from Mankato Mount Olive Lutheran School who were touring the State Capitol and learning more about Minnesota state government. My daughter, Katie teaches science there.
With constituents for Chiropractors Day on the Hill
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B