Greetings –
As the legislature moves to the Passover/Easter Break, I wanted to provide you with an update.
Road and Bridge Act of 2015
On Monday, we introduced the Road and Bridge Act of 2015. This $7 billion, ten-year plan ensures an ease in congestion and an increase in safety for Minnesotans traveling throughout our district and the state by allocating funds to invest in repair and improvements statewide. The act also includes a proposal to reallocate revenue from the Motor Vehicle Lease Tax to fund transportation in Greater Minnesota. This act will help to address Minnesota’s long-needed support of infrastructure.
Budget Proposal
On Tuesday, we introduced our budget proposal. The proposal continues to invest in Minnesota’s top priorities, including quality education for our children, investments in critical transportation infrastructure, and ensuring quality long-term care for our seniors and vulnerable adults. We are proposing a $39.949 billion budget, including more than $2 billion of tax relief for Minnesotans and $100 million placed in the budget reserves. The budget will cost the state $3 billion less than the Governor’s proposal, ensuring that Minnesota’s budget does not grow faster than family budgets.
National Medal of Honor Convention
I am very excited to announce that Minnesota has been selected to host the 2016 Medal of Honor Convention! The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award, awarded to recipients that show great valor above and beyond the call of duty. I am looking forward to the opportunity to honor our veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice at the Convention, which will take place from September 26-October 3, 2016. The Convention will include school visits, memorial services, meet-and-greets, and concerts.
Legislative Recess
The legislature begins the Easter and Passover Recess on Monday, March 30th. At this point, bills will have finished two out of three deadlines, and we will soon be approaching the third deadline. Once we return from the recess, the budget will be our top priority as we work to invest in Minnesota’s future. I look forward to seeing many of you in-district next week.
Legislative Survey
As we head into the second half of the legislative session, please take a few moments to share your thoughts on the issues we face here at the Capitol. Your responses to my 2015 Legislative Survey provides me with the opportunity to see how my district would solve many pressing issues.
If I can ever be of assistance to you on a state government or community issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. You can schedule a time to meet with me in St. Paul by calling my Legislative Assistant, Dorene, at (651) 296-3780, or you can contact me via email at rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Tim
This Week in History: In 1971, Minnesota was one of the first states to ratify the twenty-sixth Constitutional amendment, giving eighteen-year-olds the right to vote in elections. Measures are currently being debated in the House and Senate to lower the age of voter registration.