MAPLEWOOD, MN – This week, Governor Mark Dayton unveiled a $986 million statewide bonding proposal designed to create over 27,000 jobs and improve Minnesota’s public infrastructure.
State Representative Peter Fischer said he is pleased Dayton’s proposal includes $2.02 million to renovate and repurpose existing space at Century College to better meet workforce training needs.
“Century College is an invaluable asset to our community and our economy,” said Fischer. “We need to make sure students have access to a top-notch learning environment right now and into the future.”
The freshman lawmaker has deep ties to Century College, where he earned a degree in the late 1970s while serving as student body president. Last spring, Fischer was named the 2013 Century College Outstanding Alum. He credits his time at the school, then known as Lakewood Community College, for his commitment to public service and helping people make their voices heard.
“Century offers people hope and opportunity,” said Fischer. “Education is key for people who want to improve their lives. Teachers, coaches, higher education instructors – they make a difference. I’m committed to making sure folks have the same opportunities I received when I was a student.”
Fischer added that he thinks the Governor’s proposal is a good starting point in what is shaping up to be a major focus of the upcoming Legislative Session, which kicks off on February 25.
“I applaud the Governor for prioritizing higher education,” said Fischer. “There’s a lot of deferred maintenance at our state’s public colleges and universities. Making those repairs right now saves taxpayer dollars over the long run.”
Another top bonding priority for the first-term lawmaker is to secure funding for the Department of Natural Resources to expand groundwater monitoring. Fischer says additional observation wells are vital to understanding the cause of declining water levels in the region and finding a solution.
“We’ve got to start restoring the water level at White Bear Lake and prevent similar problems from happening throughout Minnesota,” said Fischer. “Our community is the canary in the coal mine. We need every tool we can get to solve this problem. It’s causing enormous harm to our local economy.”
Fischer is holding a town hall meeting with Senator Chuck Wiger on the topic this month to take questions and provide an update on state and local efforts to address the problem. The meeting starts at 9:00am on Saturday, January 25 at Mahtomedi City Hall, located at 600 Stillwater Road.
Rep. Fischer encourages his constituents to contact him with questions, comments, or other feedback ahead of the 2014 Legislative Session. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5363, by email at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn, or by postal mail at 421 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55155.