Senate Report, By Dan Sparks

The 2016 legislative session is just around the corner! Beginning on March 8, my colleagues in the Senate and the House will once again be busy with committee hearings, drafting bills and working to pass legislation into law. Between the end of last session and the beginning of this one, I have been meeting with constituents and industry groups to hear what concerns they have and what should be addressed this year.

This upcoming legislative session will have two major needs — crafting a robust bonding bill to support public infrastructure and other public facilities, and managing our budget surplus. These needs will require compromise and working together, as we will only have until May 23 to get our work done. If we work together, we will be able to get these critical bills passed by the end of session.

Even-numbered years are traditionally years for a bonding bill. Over $3.5 billion in requests from local governments, colleges and universities, and state agencies have been made. While there is a strong case to make for many of these projects, we will not be able to fund them all. Gov. Dayton has released a $1.5 billion proposal with a special focus on improving our state’s water quality through drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.

I appreciate the governor’s focus on improving water quality, as well as his support for many projects that have critical regional and statewide significance. A bonding bill should support needed improvements in every corner of the state and should have the public’s interest in mind. I will work with my colleagues in the Senate, House and with local community leaders input as well, to ensure local projects are included in any Senate proposal.

In addition to the bonding bill, we must manage Minnesota’s budget in a responsible way. Thankfully, we are in good fiscal shape. We are projected to have a budget surplus for the upcoming year, thanks to a strong and improving economy. It is important that any approach with the surplus must be balanced. Maintaining a health budget reserve — a rainy day fund — makes fiscal sense, and one third of our surplus will automatically go into our reserves.

The remaining surplus should be used for the priorities we all share. I will work to provide tax relief for families and the middle class, as well as targeted tax relief for our farmers and small businesses. We will also be working toward a long-term funding solution for our transportation network, which is critical to the success and well-being of our communities. Finally, I will be working to increase the funding for rural broadband; access to broadband is vital to the economic health and future of our communities.

Although we face a relatively short session, I believe we can get our work done and make strong progress in many areas. If you have questions or concerns about legislation and the upcoming session, I encourage you to contact my office at 651-296-9248 or at senator.dan.sparks@senate.mn.

 

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the District 27 senator.