Friends,
This week the House wrapped up passing our budget bills. I am proud of the work we've been able to accomplish -- especially with making Minnesotans safer and fixing our roads and bridges across the state. Read a bit about a couple of the important bills we've passed in the last week. Have a great weekend!
Public Safety
On Monday the House passed the Public Safety Finance bill by an overwhelmingly majority 94-37. The proposal targets sex offenders by issuing stronger penalties and longer supervision for convicted sexual predators, dedicates funds for additional sex trafficking prevention grants, and increases penalties against those who possess and disseminate child pornography.
The inclusion of my bill to close loopholes that allow sex offenders to escape serious punishment and subsequent tracking in the public safety bill was an important step toward getting justice and to prevent future victims. It’s time someone speaks for the victims and looks to prevent future victims. This bill will help to do just that and I am proud it passed.
I am also pleased that my bill to protect firefighters, nurses, and other medical personnel was included in the public safety bill that passed the House. As a law enforcement officer, I saw first responders and medical personnel placed in dangerous situations while simply doing their job. I am glad my bill to afford them the same protections under the law as police officers is part of the public safety bill passed.
During debate on the Public Safety bill, I spoke at length about the importance of closing loopholes that allow sex offenders to evade the system. You can watch highlights of that here.
Transportation Plan
The House approved a plan to invest $6 billion over the next 10 years toward the state’s transportation needs without raising taxes. Our transportation bill is great news for all Minnesotans. By putting the focus on roads and bridges, we were able to invest significant resources into key projects across the state, all while not raising taxes. This bill is a step in the right direction for greater Minnesota.
The proposal creates a new fund of existing tax revenue streams called the Transportation Priorities Fund. This new fund uses current, transportation-related state tax revenues to invest $450 million in new dollars for roads and bridges. Additionally, the transportation proposal would fund:
- $25 million for the Small Cities Road Assistance program
- $300 million for Corridors of Commerce program
- $35 million for rail grade crossings
- Funding to repair or replace all 97 bridges on MnDOT's local bridge priority list
You can watch a quick video on the transportation plan here.
Rep. Grossell met with a group of nursing students from his district
Please continue to stay in touch to share our thoughts or concerns. My phone number is 651-296-4265 or you can email me at rep.matt.grossell@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Matt