Legislative Update - Building a Better Shakopee

Hello Friends, 

This year, part of our legislative work included passing the largest investment in jobs and infrastructure in state history - a bipartisan package delivering over $2.6 billion to communities across the state, including Shakopee.

This wasn’t an investment that’ll produce results right away, but it establishes the groundwork for building a better Shakopee. To give you a sense of a timeline for the projects for which this legislation invested, just this week I participated in the ribbon cutting for the Highway 169 pedestrian and bicycle bridge, which was a project partly funded by similar legislation I supported in 2020.

I want to thank all the city staff, construction workers, and engineers who made our new bridge possible. This bridge started as an idea from Bruce Loney while I was Mayor of Shakopee, and we were able to fund a large portion in my first term at the Minnesota House. I am so happy to see the completion of this important bridge for the Southbridge and Dean Lakes neighborhoods, connecting them to Quarry Lake Park, jobs in the industrial park, and the major trail systems along the Minnesota River.

The work to build a better Shakopee never stops, which is why I welcomed the House Capital Investment Committee to Shakopee last week to advocate for local infrastructure projects that could be included in legislation we’ll pass next year.

I joined Rep. Bakeberg and local officials to bring several projects before the committee, including a $7.2 million proposal for the Louisville Regional Trail Corridor. The proposal would design and construct 4.3 miles of multi-use trail, linking the Merriam Junction Regional Trail to the Big Woods Regional Trail - connecting the communities of Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Louisville Township. The other Shakopee-centric proposal requests $4 million to build the Shakopee Innovation Hub, which would serve as a regional workforce training and entrepreneur incubator facility. 

It’s always great to get out of the committee room and out into the communities that are actually impacted by these crucial investments, and I look forward to advocating for these projects next session.

With the new bridge open, additional infrastructure dollars on their way, and the new 19,000-seat amphitheater making headlines, we’re building a lot of new things in Shakopee to get excited about! 

Driver’s Licenses for All

As of October 1st, all Minnesota residents are eligible to earn a Driver’s License, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. This is a major move towards safer roads, as it will allow us to decrease the number of unlicensed, uninsured drivers on our roads and increase the amount of title and taxpaying Minnesotans driving on our streets and highways. 

For two decades, our undocumented neighbors have been unable to obtain a driver’s license in Minnesota, making it difficult for tens of thousands of Minnesotans to reliably get to their jobs, school, and run errands without risking themselves or their families. The change is thanks in large part to the advocacy of many members of our community.

If you are one of the estimated 81,000 people in Minnesota who are now eligible for a driver’s license with Driver’s Licenses for All, additional resources for translations into other languages are available with the virtual assistant. The driver's license manual is available in multiple languages on the Department of Public Safety’s Forms/Documents/Manuals page.

Fall Clean Up Day

Reminder that this Saturday, October 21, is Shakopee’s Fall Clean Up Day. Some quick tips and guidelines:

• They do NOT accept box trucks or trailers over 16 feet.
• The line is first come, first served. If the line is long, it may be cut off prior to 11:30am
• Double check our list of accepted materials so you don't get turned away.
• Try to pack your vehicle in order of stops to make unloading quick and easy!

For pricing and a list of accepted items, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/cleanupday.

Stay Connected - Upcoming Event Dates

We have a couple upcoming events in the works, so be sure to mark your calendars. The first is a Lawns to Legumes Workshop I’m hosting with Rep. Hansen, Rep. Rehm, and Sen. Morrison. 

This year, I authored successful legislation to ensure the state’s popular Lawns to Legumes program stays funded, and next weekend you’ll have the opportunity to meet with professionals at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to learn how to make your lawn more pollinator-friendly. 

I also have some Town Hall dates coming up, with more information to come. For now, mark your calendars for the evening of November 14 and 16. Regardless of whether you’re able to join us for any of these events, always feel free to reach out with any questions or comments you have on our work. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov

Jared Margolis, Legislative Assistant | Jared.Margolis@house.mn.gov