Greetings,
As conference committees continue to do their work and other bills work their way through the legislative process, the Minnesota House is still passing a number of provisions to help our state.
Transportation Funding
Today, House Republicans joined together in an effort to reach a compromise on road and bridge funding. Our state has a $900 million surplus, and we don’t need to raise the tax on gasoline in order to pay for our transportation needs. The governor will present his transportation offer on Monday, and I hope he listens to the majority of Minnesotans who don’t want to pay more at the pump in order to fund a basic function of state government: roads and bridges.
Rep. David Dill Memorial Trail (HF2528)
On Wednesday, the Minnesota House unanimously passed a bill renaming portions of the Arrowhead Trail system between International Falls and Little Marais the David Dill Memorial Trail. Rep. David Dill of Crane Lake passed away last summer. He was an avid outdoorsman and a small business owner. Rep. Dill had numerous friends on both sides of the aisle and his presence and friendship are missed in the Minnesota House.
Memorial Highway Dedication (HF3652)
My colleague, Rep. Jeff Backer, authored a bill to designate a stretch of Highway 28 as the Staff Sergeant Kevin Witte Memorial Highway. Again, this bill passed the House unanimously, 124-0. Staff Sergeant Witte’s parents were on hand to watch the vote. It’s a small gesture, but it’s important to remember those who risk their life to preserve freedom around the world, especially when they make the ultimate sacrifice.
Local Government Liquor Bill (HF3699)
Yesterday, we passed a bill allowing local communities to extend liquor licenses to certain otherwise exempt locations. This bill included a provision by Rep. Tama Theis to allow the city of St. Cloud to authorize a liquor license to St. Cloud State University to sell alcohol at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center during events. Many of us go to games, concerts, and shows at this facility, and it makes sense to allow the university to sell alcohol during these occasions.
Extending Legislative Task Force on Child Protection (SF2428)
One bill we passed today extends an important legislative working group known as the Legislative Task Force on Child Protection. This is a bipartisan group focused on addressing the needs of Minnesota’s most at-risk kids. They’ve already done some great work in drafting legislation to help these children, and I look forward to the task force continuing their work.
National Law Enforcement Memorial Day – May 15, 2016
This year, National Law Enforcement Memorial Day is Sunday, May 15. This is the day that our nation remembers those law enforcement officers who lost their life in the line of duty. On Friday morning at the beginning of the House session, we were joined by an honor guard from the Minnesota State Highway Patrol as a resolution was read honoring the memory of those who lost their life in the line of duty.
Happy Birthday, Minnesota!
May 11, 2016 marked the 158th anniversary of Minnesota becoming a state. On May 11, 1858 Minnesota become the 32nd state in the Union.
Fun Fact:
James Buchanan was president of the United States in 1858 when Minnesota became a state.
Do you know who the 16th president was? ANSWER: Abraham Lincoln
Please Contact Me
I’ll be sending out more updates during the final days of session. If we’re discussing a topic of interest to you, please contact my office. I can be reached at 651-296-7808 or by email at rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Tim