Week of September 2, 2007

We continue to wait and see if the Governor will call a special session. The proposals change daily! In the meantime, here's what and who is coming through my office.

Visitors: lobbyist and staff from North Metro Mayors Association (NMMA) and I-35W Coalition supporting local government aid to suburban cities and supporting a comprehensive transportation funding plan; staff from MN Center for Environmental Advocacy discussing groundwater pollution issues; lobbyists for Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC) and Suburban Transit Association discussing transportation and transit (readers: the NMMA includes Circle Pines and the MLC includes Shoreview; their platforms vary); CentrePoint Energy lobbyist and staff updating me on relevant issues

Constituent contacts: Five residents in favor of constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage; Lino Lakes resident concerned about use of social security numbers by insurance companies; Shoreview resident against an increase in the gas tax; Shoreview resident in favor of an increase in the gas tax; Shoreview resident favoring tougher penalties for adults who leave children in the car and against female genital mutilation; district resident calling me a "party stooge"; Lino Lakes resident against increased spending and for tax cuts

Big Arrest in Metal Theft Case

One of the major bills I worked on in 2007 was combatting the theft of metals like pipe, wire, tubing, etc. from utilities, construction sites, and abandoned homes. There was a major arrest due to the new law on August 30 in Elk River. KARE-11 News covered the story. The search of the suspect's property led to the discovery of materials stolen from other sites in the state.

A Good Primer on the Gas Tax and Where It Goes

House Research at the Capitol put together this very good document explaining where state funding for roads and bridges comes from and where it goes. The only change from this 2005 document is that within five years, 100% of the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) will go to transportation. Of that MVST money, 60% will go to roads and bridges and 40% will go to transit. The biggest chunk of money on the chart is the gas tax, however, which is dedicated by Article XIV of the State Constitution to roads and bridges only.

Here's the link: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/issinfo/sshwyfd.htm.