Dear Friends,
We did it! About an hour ago we buttoned up the final bills of the 2015 session, fixing the bills that were vetoed by the Governor. Legislators are now going to head home to our districts for county fairs, time with family, vacations, and our regular jobs. Here's some of the highlights of the bills passed during special session:
Agriculture and Environment
-$23 million for state agencies fighting avian flu
-$10 million for the Rural Finance Authority to make loans for avian-flu related disaster recovery
-Important streamlining and reform of environmental regulations and red tape while maintaining our clean standards
Education
-$525 million in new funding for education including major investments in early learning scholarships
-$432 dollars per student in increased funding for Willmar Public Schools, $362 dollars per student in increased funding for New
London-Spicer schools, and and $351 for Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City (ACGC).
-Reforming teacher license program to help with Minnesota's teacher shortage
-Fewer state mandated tests
Bonding Bill
1. $8.5 million on its way to Willmar for a rail separation crossing project that will divert a great deal of daily rail traffic through Willmar.
2. Funding for a "State of the Art" poultry testing lab in Willmar
3. $140 million in trunk highway bonds for various road and bridge projects across the state
I was truly honored to represent our area and happy we were able to finish the bipartisan budget. As I have mentioned before: I am a big supporter of shared government where two parties must come together. our work is not over because it's important that we come home next session with a solid transportation bill and a tax bill that will deliver middle class tax relief. I was truly encouraged by what I witnessed this year: legislators coming together to work on good legislation that helps Minnesota.
I hope to see you this summer! Come say hi if you see me around town at the Kandiyohi County fair, parades, or anywhere else.
If you have questions about these or any of the other bills that passed during the regular or special session, please email or call my office. Email me at rep.dave.baker@house.mn or call
651-296-6206.
Have a great weekend,
Dave