Hello Friends and Neighbors,
To all the mothers and grandmothers I wish you a happy belated Mother’s Day! I hope you enjoyed a day of special recognition! As our work at the Capitol gets underway today, about one week remains in the 2018 legislative session. Last week we began our conference committee work on the tax bill and omnibus bills that have been passed in recent weeks. This is the process of legislators from the House and the Senate working out differences between bill versions that have been approved by their respective bodies. Following approval of conference committee reports, the bills then head to the governor’s desk for final approval. We are working with the Senate to find compromise and advance a final package we believe will garner bipartisan support and ultimately the governor’s signature. Here’s the link to a newspaper column I wrote last week that summarizes the omnibus bills. In addition to that update, I’d like to highlight a few veterans bills.
Veterans Bills
I am proud of the legislation the House passed last week to help and honor our nation’s veterans. Here is a brief summary of that legislation:
- SF1703: designates July 16 Atomic Veterans Day to honor United States military personnel who were exposed to atomic radiation during the course of their service
- SF2692: requires the Department of Military Affairs to make it easier for members of the National Guard to learn about and receive life insurance through the National Guard Association of Minnesota
- SF1694: Honors the late Gen. John Vessey designating his birthday – June 29 – as Gen. John Vessey Day in Minnesota. Vessey served 46 years in the military, advancing through the ranks to a four-star general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
In previous weeks, the House also approved legislation to use excess funds from the Vikings stadium reserve account and spend it on the construction of three new veterans homes throughout Minnesota.
Real ID Update
Minnesota recently received federal assurance that a traditional Minnesota-issued driver’s license will continue to be an acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights through October 1, 2020. Earlier this session, we also passed a law to require the Dayton Administration to seek an extension for Real ID once it became available.
This is great news, and Minnesotans can now continue traveling without complications. In addition, Minnesota is set to begin issuing Real ID-compliant licenses later this year.
At the Capitol
Minnesota Zoo Executive Director John Frawley was at the Capitol last week as the House recognized the zoo’s 40th birthday.
Staying in Touch
In the final week of the legislative session, please feel free to contact me with any questions, thoughts, or concerns that you might have on any of the issues that will be coming before me on the House floor. I appreciate the input I receive from constituents and would love to hear from you. I can be reached via email at rep.barb.haley@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-8635.
Sincerely,
