Dear Neighbor,
Just a quick legislative update to, first, let you know that the end of this week brings us to 60 days removed from the end of the 2018 session. By law, legislators are prohibited from sending email newsletters such as this one from the 60-day mark until after the November elections. I’ll still be available on a personal level, so feel free to email or call anytime. Or, as always, constituents are welcome to share with me whatever issues are on their mind when I am out and about in the area.
As for a couple of other notes:
New licenses
New stae driver’s licenses/ID cards are in the process of being implemented to replace the current version that has been used since 2004. The state will begin issuing the new versions in August. You can wait to replace your license/ID until it expires or if there is an address/name change to make.
I want to make it clear these new IDs are not Real IDs, but a revamped version of the current model. As of now, Minnesotans will be able to apply for the Real ID-compliant cards in October and people will have two years to obtain one if they choose. The current/new standard licenses/IDs will suffice for purposes such as boarding flights until Oct. 1, 2020.
People seem to have a lot of questions on this subject and the Driver and Vehicle Services website provides answers on a number of your FAQs. Click here for that link.
New laws
July is the start of the fiscal year, making it a month when new laws often are set to take effect. Unfortunately, the list of what went on the books this month was diminished when the governor ill-advisedly vetoed our omnibus supplemental budget bill that was passed this year. By doing that, the governor took down funding for our schools, tax relief and state tax conformity to help us adjust to changes at the federal level. Click here for an overview of what did become law this month.
Hope you are having a good summer and I will be back with more email newsletters after the black-out period is lifted in November. Until then, we’ll see you around the district, at community events and, once again, I welcome your personal correspondence.
Sincerely,
Chris