Hello from St. Paul,
Thursday was ATV Day in the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee and we spent the entire committee hearing on ATV-related bills.
As the chief author of HF1327, I was pleased to finally get a hearing after four years of denied hearing requests. We had a reception later in the day.
This bill is the result of years of discussion between manufacturers, dealers, volunteer ATV clubs, ATV Minnesota, and the Department of Natural Resources. The bill contains two parts. First, it increases the allowable weight of ATVs on public trails from 2,000 to 3,000 pounds and second, it would remove the reference to low-pressure tires from the ATV definition.
Consumer preferences for versatility and new technology are moving the ATV industry in new directions and this means adding a cab, doors, or other features in order to work and recreate year-round. Perhaps the most compelling is innovating towards electric alternatives to gas-powered ATVs. We know from the automotive industry that electric power sources are heavier than gas-powered versions – on average 40 percent – the same is true for ATVs. While it may be natural to assume heavier ATVs would have negative impacts on our public trails, there is little scientific or engineering data to support this idea.
The outdoor recreation industry is incredibly important to our state and to many of our communities and constituents. Many ATV enthusiasts come to communities up north to ride, and DNR data shows the seven-country metro has the highest concentration of ATV ownership in Minnesota. Our state is home to ATV manufacturers who employ thousands of our fellow Minnesotans and partner with hundreds of small businesses across the state for supply chain and distribution. This, combined with the impacts on the tourism sector, results in hundreds of millions of dollars of economic benefit each year to our state.
It is outdated rules and regulations the DNR imposes such as this that impede the success of our local snowmobile and ATV manufacturers and our local economy. Also frustrating is a DFL-led effort to attack snowmobile use north of US Highway #2, that would allow the DNR commissioner the ability to decommission a trail at the whim of 150 petitioners that live or own land in the state of Minnesota. The bill language for the unnecessary HF1012 can be found by clicking here.
ARCTIC CAT SHUTTING DOWN
It is troubling to see the attacks on a struggling power sports industry. We are experiencing that struggle locally with the recent announcement of the closure of the Arctic Cat facility in Thief River Falls.
It is sad to learn that any business decides to close its doors. It is even more troubling to hear when that company has been a mainstay in the community for decades.
I would encourage any Arctic Cat workers who are interested in learning what state resources are available to them to visit the following website: www.careerforcemn.com/dislocatedworker.
Personally, I also want to remind displaced employees that I stand ready to help them and their families in any way I can. I can be reached at rep.john.burkel@house.mn.gov and by phone at 651-296-9635.
BUDGET OUTLOOK WORSENS
This week, House lawmakers heard from Minnesota’s financial experts about how our economy is performing.
The simple answer is: not good.
For the current budget cycle, we now have a $456 million surplus. That number has gone down since a projection in early December which expected a $616 million surplus. And that number declined from last March, when we were told to expect a $1.7 billion surplus.
Worse is what’s on the horizon. For our next budget cycle, expenses are now expected to exceed incoming revenues by $6 billion – which is in the neighborhood for the largest deficit in our state’s history.
Just a reminder: two short years ago a Democrat-led legislature and Governor Walz chose to waste an $18 billion budget surplus, raise taxes by $10 billion, and grow government spending by 40%.
This is an unfortunate trend. Our economic numbers continue to steadily decline, and we can thank the Democrats’ irrational spending decisions for it.
ELIMINATING “DUTY TO RETREAT” BILL DEBATED ON HOUSE FLOOR
A bill that strengthens Minnesota’s right to defend themselves and their families was debated on the House floor this week. The legislation eliminates Minnesota’s “duty to retreat” status, which basically means a person must try to flee from a dangerous situation before use of force is considered justified and lawful.
Earlier this year, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a ruling that significantly restricted Minnesotans' ability to defend themselves without facing prosecution. The bill discussed this week ensures that when law-abiding citizens act in self-defense, they aren’t forced to consider whether or not they can safely retreat.
When their life is on the line, a person shouldn’t need to worry about being prosecuted because they defended themselves, and this bill would provide that peace of mind.
Unfortunately, House Democrats saw it differently. Every one of them voted against the proposal, and it failed by one vote. After some maneuvering on the House floor, it is possible the bill could be debated again later this session.
LOCAL VISITORS
Appreciated my visit recently with Heather Everson with the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL).
MACIL is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to advocate for a statewide network of independent living services and supports for Minnesotans with disabilities throughout the State. Thank you, Heather, for your efforts to increase independent living of people with disabilities to live with dignity in community settings!