Season’s Greetings Lakeville Neighbors,
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Hanukkah is upon us, and Christmas is right around the corner. I hope this update finds you well. May the upcoming year bring us new hope and happiness, from my family to yours, Merry Christmas!
MN Licensing and Registration System Update
In a previous Koznick Connection, I had written about the state’s issues with the new auto licensing system, MNLARS. Despite the millions of taxpayer dollars already spent and months since the initial rollout, we’re still seeing significant issues. We learned that DVS still has 350,000 of backlogged transactions. That’s astounding and simply unacceptable.
While this is a very frustrating situation, I was glad that the Department & Dayton Administration recognized their unpreparedness and the necessity to bring in outside experts to help with the next part of the system, driver's licenses and ID’s.
In the legislature, we’re continuing to hold meetings to hear from registrars and help those in charge of MNLARS identify and solve problems. We owe it to our license workers, registrars, and every-day Minnesotans to hold the state accountable and get this system fixed.
Budget Forecast
The good news is we’re seeing wages continue to grow and Minnesota is at a 17-year low of unemployment. That’s great for Minnesotans! Recently, the state released the annual November forecast of our projected budget.
The forecast showed a $188 million shortfall, but, hopefully, $178 million of that can be backfilled if Congress passes Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding into law this year or next.
This would make a much better forecast and the federal funding is typically included in the state forecast, but the administration took it out this time. You may hear some using “deficit” as an opportunity to complain about the state tax reform bill we passed last session, but keep in mind that actual revenues will be greater than previous years and grows with the economy. Rather than tax and spend, I believe the state simply needs to operate within the revenues it currently generates! In addition to returning some of the previous over-collection of taxes, the 2017 tax bill will help to slow the size of government and additional spending.
Some spending is based on the November forecast, but the actual budget is a function of the February forecast. We’ll have a clearer idea of where we stand when action happens at the federal level, and we see the updated forecast in February.
Legislative Funding
As you know, the governor vetoed funding for the legislature in an attempt to strong-arm the House and Senate into repealing provisions that had been negotiated in good faith between all sides. After a lengthy court case, it appears we’ll be able to pass new funding early in session, and Governor Dayton has now decided to sign it into law. Unless he changes his mind, again.
This is a positive step as it was wrong to try and eliminate funding for a co-equal branch of government. You, the people of Minnesota, deserve to have your voice heard in the legislature.
Recent Visits
Since we’re not in session, I’ve been fortunate to attend a number of interesting tours, meetings, and other gatherings in Lakeville and across the state. A couple weeks ago, I was able to meet Colombian Ambassador Camilo Reyes. He spoke at the University of Minnesota. Colombia is Minnesota’s third largest export customer of corn. I was born in Colombia, and it was a true honor to meet Ambassador Reyes. If only I knew a bit more Spanish!
Recently, I went to Flint Hills Resources to see a training partnership with fire departments in Dakota County. It was pretty amazing to see the demonstration of a car fire, and how dangerous it can be to put out. Thanks to Flint Hills, for donating the reusable mock car and training equipment. I’ve always had a great deal of respect for the bravery of first responders, and seeing this demonstration strengthened that even more.
As I continue to serve on the board of the MN Latino Affairs Council, we have spent some time with an organization called CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio). This group works with Latino families in the Twin Cities and across the state. Last Tuesday, I attended a ceremony where CLUES was awarded $100,000 from the Super Bowl 52 Host Committee Legacy funds! These dollars will be used to build a community kitchen at their new headquarters. What a great cause!
Also this week I was able to see a demonstration of a self-driving, electric bus. They are testing it for the first time in cold weather climates. Demonstrations will also be part of Super Bowl week in Minneapolis, near the Nicollet Mall.
Yesterday, I attended a Teacher and Staff appreciation breakfast at JFK Elementary. We had a good discussion on workforce education and the changing post-secondary educational needs. There are many options for students in skilled and certified careers that don’t necessarily require a four-year college degree. A great example was their new lead custodian, Anna. She was actually recognized for her outstanding work a few years ago and was invited to the White House because of it. Anna is a wonderful asset to JFK, along with the teachers. If you are a teacher or staff, enjoy your upcoming break, and thank you for making our schools better and helping children succeed!
Please Contact Me
If I can assist you or your family this holiday season, please call or email my office.
Many blessings to you this Christmas, and Happy Holidays.
Jon Koznick
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A