This week was full of constituent visits, including city council members, bankers, milk producers, and firefighters. It is always a pleasure to have constituents visit at the Capitol. If you are going to be at the Capitol, please let me know.
Higher Education Committee
Thursday, the Higher Education Committee heard an overview of Gov. Dayton?Äôs higher education budget proposal for the upcoming biennium. Gov. Dayton released his budget proposal last week, highlighting an overall increase in spending of roughly $4 billion, or 10 percent, compared to the last biennium?Äôs budget; his proposal sees an increase in higher education spending as well. We are fortunate to have a highly qualified and educated workforce in Minnesota and adequately funding our state?Äôs colleges and universities is important in maintaining those high standards. However, we must do so in a responsible manner to ensure we are also looking out for our future.
REAL ID
Tuesday, the Senate Transpor-tation Finance and Policy Com-mittee heard a bill to make Minnesota driver licenses and identification cards compliant with federal ?ÄúREAL ID?Äù policy. This policy came as a result of the 9/11 attacks and requires states to implement additional security features into their ID cards. As we inch closer to the federal government?Äôs 2018 deadline for implementation, this is quickly becoming an urgent issue; if Minnesota does not come into compliance, our licenses and identification cards could not be used for boarding airplanes or visiting certain secure federal facilities. The legislation, Senate File 166, creates a two-tier system, offering both a REAL ID-compliant and a non-compliant option. The legislation passed the committee and will be heard next week in the Senate Judiciary Finance and Policy Committee.
Ditch mowing
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has quietly implemented a new policy that would require permits and place additional restrictions on the mowing and baling of certain ditches, primarily along state highway rights-of-way. This has caused a significant amount of backlash from the public, much of it having to do with the way MnDOT rolled out this policy change and the lack of input from affected landowners. My colleagues and I have been in contact with district officials from MnDOT to express our frustration.
In response to the public outcry, MnDOT issued a press release earlier this week noting they are ?Äú?Ķ evaluating what changes can be made to the special provisions for the permit to address [these concerns].?Äù They also agreed to extend the deadline for landowners to apply for mowing and baling permits until February 28.
Sen. Michelle Fischbach
2113 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
95 University Ave West
St. Paul MN 55155
Tel. (651) 296-2084
Email: sen.michelle.fischbach
@senate.mn