House Floor Session - part 251017

>> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER. CALENDAR FOR THE DAY. FIRST BILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR TODAY IS HOUSE FILE 1400. THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE.

BILL. SPEAKER HOUSE FILE 1400 NUMBER ONE ON THE CALENDAR FOR. THE DAY AND ACT RELATING. TO HEALTH.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: I RECOGNIZE. THE AUTHOR OF THE. BILL; REPRESENTATIVE. SCHOMACKER TO INTRODUCE.

HIS BILL >> REPRESENTATIVE SCHOMACKER HOUSE FILE 1400 IS A TECHNICAL FIX WE HAVE FOR THE. ADULT BASIC EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT FROM. NURSING. HOMES FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS REQUIRE NURSING HOMES TO REIMBURSE FOR CNA TRAINING.

AND WE PASSED LAST YEAR LEGISLATION TO. ALLOW FOR ADULT BASIC EDUCATION BE PART OF THE J. UST JUST ALLOWS FOR NURSING FACILITY TO BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE DIRECTLY WITH THAT. AND I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS AT THE DESK. THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS. THIRD READING. THE COURT WILL GIVE US THIRD READING >> CHIEF CLERK: THIRD READING HOUSE.

FILE 1400 >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO THE BILL? SEEING NONE; THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THERE BEEN 130 AYE AND. ZERO NAY THOSE PASSANT HAD AGREED TO >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: NEXT BILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY HIS.

HOUSE FILE. NUMBER 2047. THE CLERK WILL REPORT. THE BILL.

>> CHIEF CLERK: HOUSE FILE 2047 NUMBER TWO ON THE CALENDAR FOR. THE DAY AND ACT RELATING. TO HEALTH. FIRST ENGROSSMENT >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE FRANKE TO INTRODUCE.

YOUR BILL >> REPRESENTATIVE FRANKE: THIS IS HOUSE FILE 2047. THIS. IS MINNESOTA CONFERENCE. OF PLAN TO AND.

THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS. WITH THIS BILL DOES IS. IT DIRECTS THE DEPARTMENT OF. HEALTH IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS.

TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC STATEWIDE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE HIV EPIDEMIC. BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF NEW INFECTIONS AND ENSURING THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING. WITH HIV HAVE ACCESS. AND MAINTAIN NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE.

MEMBERS; TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE HISTORY AND WHY THIS IS NEEDED. MINNESOTA CONTINUES TO SEE ROUGHLY 300 NEW HIV INFECTIONS. EVERY YEAR AND HAS FOR THE PAST. 1 5 YEARS.

WE HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE HIV INFECTIONS. AND COORDINATE THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. EVERY NEW HIV INFECTION COST MINNESOTANS. ROUGHLY $400;000 OVER.

THEIR LIFETIME. SO EVERY YEAR WITH 300 NEW INFECTIONS THAT ADDS. $120 MILLION TO. THE EXPECTED STATE.

MEDICAL COSTS. WHAT THIS BILL DOES IT REQUIRES THE COMMISSIONER. OF HEALTH TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE. LEGISLATORS BY FEBRUARY.

1; 2018. THE REPORT MUST IDENTIFY. CERTAIN STRATEGIES TO REDUCE NEW HIV INFECTIONS BY 75%. THE REPORT MUST ALSO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV WHO.

KNOW THEIR STATUS. TO 90%. IT MUST ALSO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV WHO ARE. VIRALLY SUPPRESSED.

BY 90%. IT MUST ALSO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPTIMAL. -OPTIMAL-ALIGNMENT. OF RESOURCES.

THIS REPORT MUST. PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE A COORDINATED. STATEWIDE RESPONSE. I BELIEVE.

THAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL DEFINITELY. HELP US TO. FURTHER BE THE BEST DEFENSE IN THE FIGHT OF. THIS DISEASE.

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS. WE HAVE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THIS DISEASE IS KNOWLEDGE AND. EDUCATION. MEMBERS; I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK A.

FEW PEOPLE FOR OFFERING ME THIS. LEGISLATION. MATT. BUREN OF THE MINNESOTA AIDES PROJECT CHUCK PETERSON OF CLEAR HOUSING AND CONSTITUENT OF MINE; ANNIE ELMER WHO BATTLES THIS DISEASE EVERY DAY; AND SHE IS A WORRIER.

THIS WOMAN. FIGHTS; EDUCATES; DOES EVERYTHING. SHE CAN TO MAKE. SURE THAT THIS DISEASE IS BROUGHT TO.

THE LIGHT AND PEOPLE. ARE EDUCATED. ON HOW THEY CAN HELP. THEMSELVES.

I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT. TO THANK CHAIRMAN SCHOMACKER AND CHAIRMAN DEAN TO. ALLOW ME TO MOVE THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD AND WITHOUT ALL STAMPER QUESTIONS GOOD. YOU; MEMBERS >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS AT THE DESK.

THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING. THE CLERK WILL GIVE IT THE BILL THIRD READING >> CHIEF CLERK: THIRD READING HOUSE. FILE 2047 >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE WAGENIUS >> REPRESENTATIVE LIEBLING THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE FRANKE. I SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

YESTERDAY WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE CONFERENCE. COMMITTEE REPORT. IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; WE TALK SOME ABOUT HOW YOU SAVE MONE. Y IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

WELL THIS IS THE WAY YOU. SAVE MONEY. BY GOING. TO THE FRONT END AND TRYING TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM GETTING INFECTED AND TREATING THEM RIGHT AWAY AND MAKING SURE.

THE TREATMENT IS CONSISTENT. AND EFFECTIVE WHEN THEY DO GET SICK. SO I THINK THIS IS A VERY. GOOD STRATEGY.

I ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE THIS BODY; AFTER WE PASSED THIS LEGISLATION; THIS JUST. TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; GET THEM TO PUT TOGETHER THIS PLAN THAT REPRESENTATIVE FRANKE TALKED ABOUT AND THEN; OF COURSE WE WILL NEED TO FOLLOW THE PLAN. ONCE IT IS PUT IN PLACE. SO I HOPE THIS.

BODY WILL BE CONSISTENT AND FIND THE WILL TO FOLLOW UP WHEN WE GET THE. PLAN BACK WHENEVER THAT WILL BE. SO THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: FURTHER DISCUSSION? REPRESENTATIVE FRANKE >> REPRESENTATIVE FRANKE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK. REPRESENTATIVE LIEBLING FOR. STANDING UP AND INFORM THE.

MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN WORKING WITH THIS AND THEY ARE. VERY COMMITTED TO HOSTING VERY. OPEN PROCESS IN THIS VENTURE. THEY WILL BE HOLDING COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

THEY WILL BE TAKING ALL INPUT COULD ALSO BE SETTING UP A WEBSITE. SO THE INFORMATION WE OUT THERE THE AVAILABILITY TO WEIGH IN ON THIS ISSUE. WILL BE THERE. I LOOK FORWARD.

TO HEARING A REPORT WHEN THEY RETURN IT TO US. YOU MR. SPEAKER I ASKED FOR YOUR. GREEN VOTE >> HOUSE SPEAKER:''S S.

EEN NO FURTHER DISCUSSION THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLE ON THE BILL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE]. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THER.

E BEING 120 AYE AND ZERO NAY. THE BILL IS PASSED AND TITLE. AGREE TO. >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: NEXT BILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY'S HOUSE FILE 2287.

THE CLERK WILL REPORT. THE BILL. >> CHIEF CLERK: HOUSE. FILE 2287 NUMBER THREE ON THE CALENDAR FOR.

THE DAY AND ACT RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST. THE STATE. FIRST ENGROSSMENT >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE QUAM TO INTRODUCE YOUR BILL. >> REPRESENTATIVE QUAM: THIS IS THE ANNUAL CLAIMS BILL.

AND WITHOUT I'LL STAND. FOR QUESTIONS. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE HILSTROM. >> REPRESENTATIVE HILSTROM: TO.

THE AUTHOR; WHEN THIS BILL CAME BEFORE THE WAYS AND. MEANS COMMITTEE WE. WERE TOLD THERE WAS ONE CLAIM THAT WAS. NOT INCLUDED.

IN THIS BILL EVEN THOUGH THE CLAIMS COMMITTEE HAD. APPROVED IT. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT STEPS HAVE. BEEN TAKEN AND WILL THE OTHER CLAIM.

BE PAID SOMEWHERE ELSE WITHIN. THE BUDGET? >> REPRESENTATIVE QUAM: IN REGARDS TO THAT; THAT CLAIM. -THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS WE FELT IT WAS BETTER ADDRESSED. IN COMMITTEES.

OF CLOSER JURISDICTION. SO THAT IS. BEING ADDRESSED IN THE JOBS BILL. >> REPRESENTATIVE HILSTROM: SO IS IT CURRENTLY IN THE CURRENT JOBS BILL? >> REPRESENTATIVE QUAM: YES.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: FURTHER QUESTIONS? SEEING NO AMENDMENTS AT THE DESK. THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING >> CHIEF CLERK: THIRD READING HOUSE FILE 2287 >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION? THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THERE BEEN.

129 AYE AND ZERO NAY THE BILL IS PASSED AND TITLE. AGREE TO >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: NEXT BILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY IS. SENATE FILE 216. THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE BILL.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: >> CHIEF CLERK: SENATE FILE. TO 16 NUMBER FOUR ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY AND ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES. FIRST ENGROSSMENT >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE RARICK >> REPRESENTATIVE RARICK: MEMBERS; THIS BILL IS A TECHNICAL FIX ON SOMETHING WE. WORKED ON.

LAST SESSION. WE WERE DOING. WITH THE MA LIENS PLACED ON PEOPLE'S PROPERTIES WERE 55 YEARS AND OLDER. THEY WERE UNAWARE.

OF THESE LIENS BEING PLACED ON. THEIR PROPERTIES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO OPT OUT OF THE MA PROCESS. SO WE DID. A CORRECTION TO GET THEM OUT OF.

THOSE LIENS. THE. CMS HAD ONE LITTLE CORRECTION FOR US. WE HAD.

AN EFFECTIVE DATE. RETROACTIVELY TO JANUARY 1 OF 2014. THEY BELIEVED IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE REMOVED ABOUT EIGHT AND COULD GO BACK FURTHER SO THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL IS DOING. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS AT THE DESK.

THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING. >> CHIEF CLERK: THIRD READING SENATE FILE. TO 16 >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO THE BILL? THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

THERE BEEN. 129 AYE. AND ZERO NAY THE BILL IS PASSED AND TITLE AGREE TO. >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: NEXT BILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY IS SENATE FILE.

997. THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE BILL. >> CHIEF CLERK: SENATE FILE 997; NUMBER FIVE ON THE CALENDAR FOR. THE DAY AND ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE FIRST ENGROSSMENT >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE ALBRIGHT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ALBRIGHT: SENATE. FILE 997 IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. IT OBLIGATES. HEALTHCARE PLANS TO COVER.

PRESCRIPTION REFILLS. FOR EYEDROPS IF YOU EVER TRY TO PUT JUST FIVE DROPS IN YOUR EYE AND YOU GET SIX. OR SEVEN; YOU PROBABLY END UP RUNNING OUT OF YOUR PRESCRIPTION BEFORE THE TIME ALLOTTED FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTION WITH THIS DOES IS. ALLOWS FOR.

YOU TO GO BACK AND HAVE YOUR PHARMACIST REFILL YOUR PRESCRIPTION WITHOUT HAVING TO GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR. I WOULD URGE A GREEN VOTE. THANK YOU >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS AT THE DESK. THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING.

THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL IT'S THIRD READING >> CHIEF CLERK: THIRD READING SENATE FILE 997 >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING. SENATE. FILE 997 >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION? REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN >> REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN: REPRESENTATIVE ALBRIGHT I WAS WONDERING IF YOU THOUGHT TH. AT INSURANCE COMPANIES IN MINNESOTA SHOULD BE MANDATED TO COVER THESE EYEDROPS? >> REPRESENTATIVE DRAZKOWSKI: REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN I'M OPPOSED TO THIS BILL I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE.

MANDATING THESE CONTRACTS BETWEEN INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THE PEOPLE THAT CONTRACTED WITH. >> REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN: THANK YOU. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: FURTHER DISCUSSION? THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

GAROFALO. VOTES AYE FRANSON VOTES AYE. THERE BEEN 112 21 AND 18 NAY THE BILLS PASSED AND TITLE. AGREE TO.

BE GAVEL >> HOUSE SPEAKER: NEXT BILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY IS 1124 THE CLERK REPORT. THE BILL >> CHIEF CLERK: >> CHIEF CLERK: SENATE FILE 1124; NUMBER SIX ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY. AND ACT RELATING TO STAT. E LANDS.

UNOFFICIALLY ENGROSSED AND. REPRINTED TO INCLUDE COMMITTEE. AMENDMENTS >> HOUSE. SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE LUECK >> REPRESENTATIVE LUECK: THIS IS THE ANNUAL.

LANDS BILL. IT REPRESENTS LAND THAT IS. TAX FORFEITED MOSTLY UNDER. THE COGNOS OF.

THE COUNT SOME OF IT UNDER DNR. THERE'S. APPROXIMATELY 1800 ACRES TOTAL THAT WOULD BE PUT ON THE. AUCTION BLOCK.

IT REPRESENTS I THINK ABOUT 18 DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION HERE. THERE'S ALSO SOME TECHNICAL. ADJUSTMENTS TO HOW WE D. O WHEN TRANSACTIONS.

WE ARE ALSO CONVEYING A PIECE. OF PROPERTY. ACTUALLY GIVING PERMISSION FOR THE MINNESOTA. HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO CONVEY A PIECE OF PROPERTY.

TO THE LOWER SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION WERE LOWER. SIOUX COMMUNITY. WE ARE STRAIGHTENING OUT A JUDICIAL. DITCH BOUNDARY I AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT AMOUNT WATERSHEDS.

PRETTY MUCH A TECHNICAL BILL AND I WOULD ASK FOR. YOUR SUPPORT. > > HOUSE SPEAKER: THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS AT THE DESK. THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING.

THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING SENATE FILE 1124 >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO THE BILL? REPRESENTATIVE HANSEN. >> REPRESENTATIVE HANSEN: REPRESENTATIVE LUECK; I THINK I READ SOMEWHERE IN THE BRIEF THAT. IT WAS MONEY THAT WAS GOING TO BE COMING BACK INTO THE OUTDOOR.

HERITAGE FUND. COULD YOU EXPLAIN. --DID WE PURCHASE SOME. PROPERTY WITH LEGACY FUND; AND NOW A FEW YEARS LATER WERE SELLING IT.

? COULD YOU MAYBE HIGHLIGHT. WERE EXPLAIN WHAT. THAT IS? OR WHERE IT IS IN THE BILL? >> REPRESENTATIVE LUECK: YE. S; WHAT HAPPENED THERE IS THE WAS A PIECE OF PROPERTY PURCHASED.

. NOW; ST. LOUIS COUNTY HAS GOT. A ATV SYSTEM TRAIL THAT RUNS ACROSS THE THAT;; SO WE ARE.

BASICALLY GIVING PERMISSION FOR THE STATE TO SELL BACK. 2.5 ACRES TO ST. LOUIS COUNTY. .

ONCE THAT IS TAKEN CARE OF; THEN THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING TO GO BACK. TO LESSARD-SAMS. YOU ARE. SPOT ON.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HANSEN: REPRESENTATIVE LUECK; IS THAT A FEE TITLE ACQUISITION THAT WAS. MADE WHERE THEY. -THE TRAIL WILL GO; OR WAS IT AN. EASEMENT WHERE THE TRAIL WILL GO? >> REPRESENTATIVE LUECK: I BELIEVE IT WAS A FEE.

TITLE TRANSACTION; BUT AGAIN; WE HAVE. TO GO GO TO STAFF TO MAKE SURE. . I DO BELIEVE IN FACT IT WAS.

FEE TITLE. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE; THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THERE.

BEEN 131 AYE AND. ZERO NAY THE BILL IS PASSED AND TITLE AGREE TO >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: NEXT BILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR FOR THE DAY IS. SENATE. FILE 2008.

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE BILL. >> CHIEF CLERK: SENATE FILE 2008; NUMBER SEVEN ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY; AND ACT RELATING TO COMMERCE. >> HOUSE. SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS; TO YOUR BILL.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS: MEMBERS; SENATE FILE. 2008 SIMPLY CLEANS UP SOME. OLD LANGUAGE WITH REGARD TO GROCERY. STORE PRICING.

WHEN THEY USE A STICKER. EVERY ITEM AND USE GREASE PENCILS. TH. IS JUST ALLOWS RETAILERS HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO STILL REQUIRE THE PRICING IS CONSPICUOUSLY DISPLAYED.

SO MEMBERS IT'S CLEANING UP SOME. OLD LANGUAGE. I DO. NOT BELIEVE THAT THE GREASE PENCIL MANUFACTURES ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL BUT EVERYONE ELSE IS.

I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. >> H. OUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO. THE BILL? THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS AT THE DESK.

THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING. THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILLETS THE READING >> CHIEF CLERK: THIRD READING SENATE. FILE 2008 >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO THE BILL? SEEING NONE; THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

THE. RE BEEN 130 AYE AND ZERO NAY THE BILL. IS PASSED AND TITLE AGREE TO. >> [GAVEL] BE SPEAKER >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPORT.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND. LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION >> CHIEF CLERK: PEPPIN FROM THE. COMMITTEE ON RULES AND. LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION PURSUANT TO RULE 1.21 AND 3.33 DESIGNATES THE FOLLOWING BILLS TO BE PLACED ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE DAY.

FOR FRIDAY; MAY 12; 2017 AND ESTABLISHES A PRE-FILING REQUIREMENT FOR. AMENDMENTS OFFERED TO THE FOLLOWING BILLS GOOD HOUSE FILE NUMBER 399; 470; 697; 10;001; 1620; 1725; AND 2080; AND SENATE FILE NUMBER 1399. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: WITHOUT OBJECTION WILL REVERT TO MESSAGES FROM. THE SENATE.

THERE IS A MESSAGE FROM. THE SENATE. >> CHIEF CLERK: MESSAGE FROM. THE SENATE.

THIS IS. THE NASH MOTION. MR. SPEAKER I HEREBY ANNOUNCE THE PASSAGE BY THE SENATE OF THE FOLLOWING HOUSE FILE HERE WITH RETURNED.

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE. IN. WHICH AMENDMENT OCCURRENCE OF THE HOUSE IS RESPECTIVELY REQUESTED A. HOUSE FILE 330 AND ACT.

LEADING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THE MESSAGE IS ON SECRETARY OF. THE SENATE. NASH MOVES THE HOUSE CONCUR IN THE SENATE.

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE FILE 330 AND THE BIL. L BE THE-PAST AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE NASH TO ASK LENA. SENATE AMENDMENT >> REPRESENTATIVE NASH: THIS IS THE INTERIM ORDINANCE.

BILL AND AS MUCH OF THE PAINS ME TO AGREE WITH A MORE. DELIBERATIVE BODY AMENDMENT WAS DEEMED. TO BE INNOCUOUS BY THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES AT FIRST I WAS GOING TO REFUSE TO CONCUR B. UT IN CONSULTING WITH THEM AND THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THEY ARE STILL NEUTRAL ON THE BILL.

SO FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT VOTED FOR IT BEFORE; STILL VOTE DRINK FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T YOU CAN ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR MIND AND VOTE GREEN NOW. THANK YOU. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT? SEEING NONE; ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY; AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES.] OPPOSED; NAY.

THE. MOTION PREVAILS. >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE COURT WOULD GIVE THE BILL ITS. THIRD READING AS AMENDED BY THE.

SENATE SPEAKER. THIRD READING HOUSE FILE 330 AS AMENDED BY. THE SENATE >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING AS AMENDED BY. THE SENATE >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO THE BILL? SEEING NONE; THE CLERK WILL TAKE.

THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THERE BEEN. 90 AYE AND 41 NAY THOSE.

PAST AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE AND TITLE WE DO. >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: ANOTHER MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE. >> CHIEF CLERK: MESSAGE FROM. THE SENATE.

THIS IS THE. ALBRIGHT MOTION IS THE SPEAKER I HEREBY ANNOUNCE PASSAGE BY THE SENATE THE FOLLOWING. HOUSE FILE HERE WITH RETURNED AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE IN WHI. CH AMENDMENTS CONCURRENCE OF THE HOUSES RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR HOUSE FILE.

NUMBER 474 AND ACT RELATING TO. HEALTH OCCUPATIONS. THE MESSAG. ES ON SECRETARY OF THE SENATE.

ALBRIGHT MOVES THE HOUSE CONCUR IN THE SENATE. AMENDMENT TO HOUSE FILE 474 IN THE BILL BE. PASSED AS AMENDED BY THE. SENATE.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: I RECOGNIZE THE AUTHOR REPRESENTATIVE. ALBRIGHT TO EXPAND THE SENATE. AMENDMENT. >> REPRESENTATIVE ALBRIGHT: COMING BACK OVER FROM THE SENATE THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION IN TERMS OF THE BACKGROUND CHECKS.

AS. WELL AS THE USE OF THE. DATA THAT WAS NOT. PICKED UP ON THE HOUSE SIDE AND SO THAT MEMBERS I WOULD URGE A GREEN VOTE.

THANK YOU. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION ON THE. SENATE AMENDMENTS? REPRESENTATIVE LIEBLING. >> REPRESENTATIVE WAGENIUS: >> REPRESENTATIVE LIEBLING: AN EXTRA MOMENT OF LOOKING WOULD.

BE APPRECIATED. REPRESENTATIVE ALBRIGHT;; HAVE YOU HEARD. FROM THE-WELL LE. T ME ASK YOU; WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THE PROPONENTS OF.

THE BILL? ARE THEY HAPPY WITH. THE AMENDMENT? >> REPRESENTATIVE ALBRIGHT: REPRESENTATIVE LIEBLING ALL. THE COURT TO THIS BILL ARE IN. FULL AGREEMENT AND THEY ARE.

STRONGLY SUPPORT OF. THE MEASURE TAKEN UP BY. THE SENATE >> HOUSE SPEAKER: SEEN NO. FURTHER DISCUSSION.

; ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY; AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES.] OPPOSED; NAY. THE MOTION PREVAILS. >> [GAVEL] >> CHIEF CLERK: >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE BILL ITS THIRD READING AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE.

>> CHIEF CLERK: THIRD READING AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE; THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE ROLL. >> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THERE BEEN 130 AYE AND ONE NAY THE BILL IS PASSED AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE AND TITLE AGREE TO >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE? >> REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS WE ARE SERVED SO WELL BY OUR PAGES ALL THROUGH THE SESSION.

AND ONCE IN A WHILE WE NEED TO CELEBRATE WITH. THEM AND RYAN NASH HAS. JUST BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA. INTO THEIR SCHOOL OF.

LIBERAL ARTS. WE THINK THEY ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THEM. CONGRATULATIONS; RYAN. [APPLAUSE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: CONFERENCE.

COMMITTEE REPORTS. >> CHIEF CLERK: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOUSE FILE. NUMBER FOUR. THIS IS THE.

DAVIDS MOTION. THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOUSE FILE FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCING OPERATIONS OF THE STATE AND. LOCAL GOVERNMENT THE REPORT IS ADDRESSED TO THE HON. KURT L DOUDT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ON REAL. SHELL FISCHER NOT PRESENT OF THIS AND WE THE UNDERSIGNED COUNTRIES FOR HOUSE FILE NUMBER FOUR REPORT WE'VE AGREED UPON THE ITEMS IN DISPUTE. AND RECOMMEND. AS FOLLOWS.

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT IS. SIGNED BY FOUR OF THE MEMBERS ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSE AND FOUR. OF THE CONTRARIES ON BEHALF OF. THE SENATE.

DAVIDS MOVES THE REPORT OF THE. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. ON HOUSE FILE NUMBER FOR THE ADOPTED AND THE BILL BE PASSED AS AMENDED BY THE. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: I RECOGNIZE. THE AUTHOR REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS TO EXPLAIN THE REPORT. >> REPRESENTATIVE. DAVIDS: MEMBERS; THIS IS THE HOUSE.

FILE FOUR. THE OMNIBUS TAX BILL. I WOULD LIKE TO GO THROUGH. THE CHANGES FROM ONE LAST LEFT.

THIS FLOOR. THERE. WERE SEVERAL SENATE PROVISIONS THE. WERE ADOPTED.

WE ACCEPTED THE. WE ACCEPTED THE SECTION 179 EXPENSING CONFORMITY IN FULL. . WE HAD LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID.

; 6 MILLION CPA; 6 MILLION; A. SCHOOL DEBT EQUITY AID FOR. TWO YEARS. WE HAVE THE.

AD CONTAINMENT COMPROMISE THAT. WE ACCEPTED. WE SCALED-BACK PROVISIONS A BIT ON. SOCIAL SECURITY STUDENT LOANS AND WE HAVE TWO YEARS.

OF ANGEL CREDIT AT $10 MILLION A YEAR. FROM THE BILL WHAT WAS REMOVED; WAS REDUCING THE RENTERS CREDIT; THE TAX EMPOWERMENT ACT. MOST. OF THAT.

AND THE ONE TIME INCREASED TO THE PROPERTY TAX REFUND THOSE ITEMS WERE REMOVED. SO; THAT'S. RATHER THAN GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE BILL I JUST GONE TO THE CHANGES FROM CONFERENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CONTRARIES; CHAIRMAN.

DRAZKOWSKI; REPRESENTATIVE HERTAUS. REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF. REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART AND AGAIN TO THANK OUR. ENTIRE STAFF HOUSE RESEARCH; PARTISAN.

AND NONPARTISAN. AND I WOULD APPRECIATE MEMBERS SUPPORT. ON PASSING AND ADOPTING THE REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE. COMMITTEE COULD.

THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO THE REPORT? SEEING NONE; ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY; AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES.] OPPOSED; NAY. THE MOTION PREVAILS.

>> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL GIVE THE. BILL ITS THIRD READING AS AMENDED BY THE. CONFERENCE SPEAKER THIRD READING AS AMENDED BY CONFERENCE. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO.

THE BILL? REPRESENTATIVE LOEFFLER >> REPRESENTATIVE LOEFFLER; THIS. BILL THAT MORE THAN ANY OTHER WE CONSIDER REALLY SHOWS. THE MAJORITY PARTY PRIORITIES. WHAT IS AN IN THIS BIZ.

MEGA-BILLION-DOLLAR TAX BILL IS. SO DISAPPOINTING. THERE'S NO INCREASE IN THE WORKING FAMILY. TAX CREDIT; DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR TAXPAYERS; OR ADEQUATE FUNDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID OR COUNTY PROGRAM AID PROGRAMS.

THE WORKING FAMILY TAX CREDIT. REWARDS WORK. IT HAS BEEN. ACADEMICALLY SHOWN REPEATEDLY.

THROUGH RESEARCH THAT LIFT. S FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY AND EVEN SHOWS UP IN THE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE AND LATER LIFE SUCCESS OF THE CHILDREN OF FAMILIES THAT. RECEIVED THIS. WHEN YOU ARE LIVING FINANCIALLY ON THE EDGE; THIS.

700-$800 CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MANAGING AN UNEXPECTED MEDICAL BILL; A MAJOR CAR REPAIR; OR OTHER. NORMAL MINOR CATASTROPHES THAT HAPPEN NORMALLY IN LIFE. THAT SEND TOO MANY PEOPLE. SPIRALING INTO UNMANAGEABLE DEBT AND EVEN INTO EVICTION AND HOMELESSNESS.

THERE THERE. ARE 345;000 HOUSEHOLDS. IN MINNESOTA THAT GET THIS EVERY YEAR. THERE ARE IN EVERY.

DISTRICT. STATEWIDE; IT'S 12% OF ALL OF. OUR HOUSEHOLDS. WE DISTRIBUTED ON.

THE FLOOR THE INFORMATION. FROM THE COUNCIL NONPROFITS THAT. SHOWS YOU COUNTY BY COUNTY HOW MANY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS. GET THIS AND COUNT ON IT FROM YEAR.

TO YEAR. WHILE THE AVERAGE STATEWIDE. IS 12%; ENROLL COUNTIES IT IS EVEN HARD TO. YOU WI.

LL SEE NUMBERS AT 15; 16; 18; EVEN 20%. IN SOME COUNTIES ONE OUT OF FIVE HOUSEHOLDS COUNTS. ON THIS. WHILE THE WORKING-I.

SUSPECT THAT THE DIFFERENCE; AND THEN YOU CONTRAST THIS WITH. THE 1100 PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT. BY EXPANDING THE TAX AMOUNT OF. AN ESTATE.

IT ONLY BENEFITS 1100 RICHEST PERSONS. WHO DIED IN MINNESOTA EACH YEAR. THEY. HAVE TO HAVE AN ESTATE WORTH.

TWO-$7 MILLION. BECAUSE THE AMOUNT BELOW THAT IS ALREADY. TAXED FREE. AND THE DIFFERENCE IN THOSE THRESHOLD THERE ARE SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND FARMERS ALREADY IN LAW.

I SUSPECT MANY. OF US HAVE NO ONE THAT RICH IN. OUR DISTRICT THAT WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT. STATE ESTATE TAX BREAK; BUT ALL OF US.

HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE WORKING FAMILY TAX CREDIT. MANY. OF YOU WHO HAVE WEALTHY. CONSTITUENTS PROBABLY KNOW THEY'VE ALREADY.

TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF TRUSTS. ; ASSET TRANSFERS; AND OTHER WAYS. TO AVOID THIS TAX; BUT THERE IS ALWAYS SOME. WHO DON'T.

AND; THAT'S THEIR PREROGATIVE; BUT THIS PROVIDES. $161 MILLION AND. GROWING; ONGOING; TO THE HEIRS OF. THESE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA.

THESE ERRORS MIGHT NOT EVEN LIVE IN MINNESOTA. MUCH OF THIS. INHERITED WEALTH HAS NEVER HAD TAXES PAID ON ITS. IT IS BASED.

ON INVESTMENTS. AND TRANSFERS FROM ONE RICH GENERATION TO THE NEXT. SO THERE'S NO. CAPITAL GAINS REALIZED.

AND RECOGNIZED AND HAD. CAPITAL GAINS TAXES PAID ON. IT. WHILE BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE GET.

THEIR STATEWIDE PROPERTY TAX LEVY REDUCED AND FROZEN. ; INCLUDING THE FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES THAT OWN MANY OF THE SKYSCRAPERS. BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THEY LIKE OUR ECONOMY.

THERE IS NO PROPERTY. TAX RELIEF IN THIS FOR HOMEOWNERS. OR RENTERS. NOTHING IN THIS BILLION-DOLLAR.

TAX BILL FOR THE MAJORITY OF. OUR CONSTITUENTS. THERE IS NO INCREASE IN THE HOMESTEAD CREDIT. THE RENTERS CREDIT.

EVEN. AFTER PROPERTY TAXES WENT. UP OVER $700 MILLION IN THE LAST. TWO YEARS.

I PREDICT PROPERTY TAXES WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP. THERE'S NO PARTNERSHI. P IN THIS BILL WITHOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST. CITIES GET.

ONE TIME-A TINY $6 MILLION INCREASE IN LOCAL. GOVERNMENT AID FOR THE ENTIRE STATE. OF MINNESOTA. OUR COUNTIES ARE.

UNDER DRAMATIC BUDGET PRESSURE DUE. TO MANDATED HHS AND PUBLIC SAFETY OBLIGATIONS THAT WE PUT ON THEM. THEY; TOO; ONLY GET ONE TIME. ON THIS OF $6 MILLION.

THAT. -THAT THE RESULT WILL BE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES WITH NO HELP FOR THE TAXPAYERS. SUBJECTED TO THEM. WE CAN AND SHOULD DO BETTER.

. THIS BILL DOESN'T STEP UP FOR THE ORDINARY WORKER AND THEIR FAMILY AND WE SHOULD REJECT IT. >> HOUSE. SPEAKER:.

REPRESENTATIVE HALVERSON. >> REPRESENTATIVE HALVERSON: THERE ARE REALLY. GOOD REASONS TO DEBATE TAX POLICY. IN MINNESOTA.

THERE'S REALLY GOOD POLICY WE CAN MAKE TO OUR. TAX SYSTEM. ONE. THING THAT IS IN THIS BILL THAT REALLY.

SHOULDN'T BE. ;; AND THE REASON WHY WE SHOULD SEND IT BACK; HIS TAX BREAKS FOR BIG TOBACCO. IN MINNESOTA. THERE SHOULD.

BE DISTRIBUTED AN. ARTICLE FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE. THAT WAS ISSUED ON MAY 3 OF. THIS YEAR THAT.

INDICATES THAT THE. TOBACCO COMPANIES FROM OUTSIDE OF MINNE. SOTA HAVE SPENT ALMOST HALF $1 BILLION TRYING. TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION HERE IN THE STATE.

EXCUSE ME; HALF. $1 MILLION. INFLUENCE LEGISLATION IN THE STATE. OF MINNESOTA.

LAST YEAR AND TH. IS YEAR. THAT INCLUDES DONATIONS. TO CAMPAIGNS.

. IT INCLUDES DONATIONS TO THIRD PARTIES WHO. SUPPORT CANDIDATES.. BIG MONEY IS BIG BUSINESS WITH THE.

BIG TOBACCO. WHY ARE THEY. SO INVESTED IN MINNESOTA'S. TAX BILL IN MINNESOTA'S.

TAX POLICY? ONE REASON. NEW CUSTOMERS. THE NEW CUSTOMERS. FOR THE TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE.

OUR KIDS. WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SUED THE TOBACCO COMPANY SEVERAL. YEARS AGO AND THEY HAD TO OPEN UP. THEIR PLAYBOOK.

WE FOUND OUT JUST. HOW SERIOUS THEY WERE ABOUT TARGETING THE CHILDREN OF THE STATE. OF MINNESOTA;; AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA RESPONDED. BY USING.

PROVEN POLICY THAT WORK TO REDUCE TOBACCO USE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE. I WANT YOU GUYS TO THINK ABOUT. YOUR FAMILIES. THINK ABOUT PEOPLE IN.

YOUR LIFE WHO YOU HAVE LOST. TO TOBACCO. THOSE LOSSES ARE FAR TOO CLOSE IN MY LIFE. I KNOW THEY ARE IN YOURS AS.

WELL. TOBACCO COST LIVES. OF MINNESOTANS. TOBACCO USE INCREASES THE.

HEALTHCARE COSTS THAT WE SPEND. IN MINNESOTA. HERE WE ARE; IN OUR TAX BILL. IN 2017; AFTER OUR STATE AND OUR.

COUNTRY HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZ. ED YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR BY TOBACCO COMPANIES AND WE ARE GIVING THEM A TAX BREAK. [INAUDIBLE] TAX BREAK FOR. THE PEOPLE MINNESOTA.

THIS IS A TAX BREAK TO ENSURE BIG TOBACCO COMPANIES CAN CONTINUE TO COME INTO OUR STATE AND HOOK OUR KIDS ON. THEIR PRODUCT AND THEY CAN CONTINUE TO BE. BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PROFITS. AFTER SUFFERING OF PEOPLE IN OU.

R STATE. THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILIES. . LOOK AT THE FACE OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

. THINK ABOUT IF YOU WANT THEM TO. START SMOKING. THINK ABOUT THEM.

-THINK ABOUT IF YOU WANT THEM. TO TRY CIGARS; FLAVORED CIGARS. THINK ABOUT IF YOU WANT THEM. PICKING UP A CAN.

OF COPENHAGEN. THE ANSWER IS GOING TO BE; NO. BECAUSE WE KNOW THE HARMS THAT. TOBACCO COST TO OUR STATE.

THIS TOBACCO TAX DECREASE. DOES NOTHING. BUT HELP BIG TOBACCO HOOK OUR KIDS ON CIGARETTES. AND HOOK OUR KIDS ON ADDICTIVE.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS. MINNESOTA STOOD UP TO THE TOBACCO COMPANIES AND WE SAID; NO MORE. I AM HERE TO TELL YOU; IT IS TIME TO LET. THEIR INFLUENCE FADE AWAY.

IN MINNESOTA. WE DON'T NEED THEIR BIG MONEY IN. OUR CAMPAIGNS. .

WE DON'T NEED THEIR BIG MONEY IN THIRD-PARTY. INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES IN. OUR CAMPAIGNS. BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THEY DO WITH THAT.

BIG MONEY. THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO. MAKE SURE THAT THEIR HOOKING OUR KIDS ON THEIR PRODUCTS. SAY; NO; TO TAX CUTS TO.

BIG TOBACCO. SAY; NO TO. SENDING MILLIONS OUTSIDE THE STATE. OF MINNESOTA AT THE EXPENSE OF.

OUR KIDS. SEND THIS. BILL BACK. >> HOUSE.

SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE FREIBURG >> REPRESENTATIVE FREIBURG: REPRESENTATIVE HALVERSON IS A TOUGH ACT. TO FOLLOW ON THIS TOPIC. LIKE TOBACCO MARKETING. TO YOUTH BUT I WILL TRY MY BEST.

TO DO SO. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE ASPECT OF THIS. OF THIS BILL THAT I THINK IS REALLY A PROBLEM HERE. THAT IS THE PROVISION RELATED TO PREMIUM CIGARS.

SO THIS BILL. WOULD ELIMINATE THE. REQUIREMENT THERE PREMIUM CIGAR BE HANDROLLED. SO ANY MACHINE MADE CIGAR THAT'S MASS-PRODUCED.

NOW QUALIFIES FOR THIS TOBACCO. TAX BREAK. IT REDUCES THE MAXIMUM TAX ON THE PREMIUM CIGAR. FROM $3.50; TWO $.50 A.

SEVENFOLD DECREASE IN THE PRICE OF A. TOBACCO PRODUCT. NOW; OUR YOUTH ARE YOUNG PEOPLE; IN MINNESOTA ARE THE MOST PRICE. SENSITIVE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE.

SO. THIS AFFECTS-THE EFFECT OF THIS TAX-CUT IS TO MAKE THESE PRODUCTS MORE APPEALING TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND MORE ACCESSIBLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE. AS IF THAT'S NOT BAD ENOUGH CIGARS ARE FREQUENTLY SOLD. IN CANDY FLAVORS; AND FRUIT FLAVORS; IN.

ALCOHOL FLAVORS. . THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME RESTRICTIONS ON. FLAVORINGS THAT.

CONVENTIONAL CIGARETTES DO. SO THESE PRODUCTS ARE STILL OUT THERE. THEY ARE CHEAPER. THERE ARE IN FLAVORS ATTRACTIVE TO KIDS AND KIDS WILL BUY THEM IF THIS PASSES.

THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND IS REPRESENTATIV. E HALVERSON NOTE THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY KNOWS THIS AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE SO INVOLVED IN LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGNS IN MINNESOTA. . THAT'S WHY THEY FIGHT THESE TOBACCO TAX INCREASES WHY THEY RAISE RED HERRING ARGUMENTS LI.

KE A BLACK MARKET BEING CREATED. THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN. THESE PRODUCTS. ARE THEN SOLD TO KIDS ARE THEN PURCHASED TWO KIDS.

. THIS BILL SHOULD BE REJECTED FOR MANY REASONS IN THE CIGAR. TAX BREAK; THE TAX BREAK. FOR BIG TOBACCO IS ONE OF THEM.

VOTE; NO. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: DISCUSSION TO THE BILL? REPRESENTATIVE. TRAN MARQUARDT >> REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART: COLLEAGUES; FROM THE SIDE OF THE AISLE; HAVE ARTIE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIFICS OF. THE BILL AND REASONS WHY WE.

SHOULD NOT. VOTE FOR THIS TODAY. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT. THE BUDGET.

BECAUSE THIS BILL. REALLY IMPACTS WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT YESTERDAY AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE NEXT. FEW DAYS. BUT WHEN YOU SET YOUR BUDGET; YOU ARE SETTING YOUR.

VALUES. AND PRIORITIES. THAT IS WHAT YOU DO. YOU SAY THIS IS YOUR VISION OF THE STATE.

THIS IS WHAT. YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING. TO SEE THE BIG IMPROVEMENTS TO KEEP THIS THE GREAT STATE THAT IT IS. BUT THE.

BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE MAJORITY DOES. NOT REPRESENT THOSE VALUES. TO THOSE PRIORITIES; THOSE DREAMS. AND HOPES OF THE STATE.

OF MINNESOTA. IT REALLY. CAN'T BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE GOT. TAX-CUT REPRESENTING 70% OF THE.

BUDGET SURPLUS YOU CAN'T DO ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN BUILT ON; AND THAT'S A. GREAT EDUCATION; EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE; CARING FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE. THOSE THINGS THAT MADE US A VERY HIGH. QUALITY STATE.

WHEN YOU HAVE GOT. FOR DOLLARS IN TAX CUTS. FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR OF. NEW INVESTMENTS.

IN E-12 EDUCATION THOSE. ARE NOT THE STATES PRIORITIES. THOSE ARE NOT THE. RIGHT BALANCE.

WHEN YOU ARE. LOOKING AT TRYING TO DO THOSE. THINGS THAT MAKE THE. STATE GREAT; JOB CREATION.

AND INFRASTRUCTURE; YOU ARE NOT. GETTING THERE BUT YOU NEED. TO BE. I'VE HEARD IN THE LAST COUPLE OF.

DAYS;; YESTERDAY YOU HEARD SOME OF THOSE BUDGET BILLS. COME FORWARD THAT YOU'RE KIND. OF SHOCKED. AND JUST-WE WISH WE COULD DO MORE IN THIS AREA; WERE; I KNOW THIS IS NOT.

QUITE ENOUGH; BUT WHEN YOU PUT 70% OF YOUR OF YOUR BUDGET. INTO TAX-CUT THE REST OF YOUR BUDGET. IS NOT GOING TO BE HUNKY-DORY. IT'S NOT LIKE THESE TARGETS.

FELL FROM THE. CEILING HERE OF THE. HOUSE CHAMBERS. THEY DID NOT JUST COME DOWN AND SAY.

; OKAY; TAXES ARE GOING TO BE THIS EDUCATION IS GOING TO. BE THIS. IT DID NOT. JUST HAPPEN.

IT WAS A CONCERTED EFFORT. EVERYONE DECIDED THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE PRIORITIES; THE. GOALS. SO WE HAVE AN EDUCATION.

BILL BECAUSE. OF MASSIVE TAX-CUT WE HAVE AN. EDUCATION BILL; THAT IN A TIME OF $1.6 BILLION SURPLUS DOESN'T EVEN. HIT INFLATION.

1.5; PERCENT. LIKE I SAID; FOUR DOLLARS OF. TAX CUTS FOR ONE DOLLAR. EDUCATION FUNDING.

YOU ARE NOT EVEN HITTING INFLATION. THEN YOU ARE HEARING THE. DECISION BETWEEN. VOLUNTARY PRE--KATE WERE TARGETED PRE-K I THINK WAS MENTIONED YESTERDAY THAT WE HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN.

TARGETING PRE-K; OR MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE THAT IS A FALSE CHOICE. THAT DOESN'T. COME DOWN. TO DOLLARS.

WE KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO. THIS SESSION. THAT WOULD IMPACT THE STATE MORE THAN. ANYTHING ELSE IT WOULD.

BE PREKINDERGARTEN. FOR EVERYONE IF WE COULD. GOV. DAYTON HAS BEEN A CHAMPION FOR.

EARLY CHILDHOOD. EDUCATION. BUT IT HAS BEEN A BIPARTISAN EFFORT. .

LOOK AT THE EARLY. LEARNING SCHOLARSHIP FOR. BACK IN THE 1112 SESSION GOV. DAYTON WAS A CHAMPION FOR THAT.

REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE. NOW IT'S UP TO. $130 MILLION. WHICH.

IS GOOD. IT'S A HUGE. EXCELLENT COMPONENT AND LAST SESSION. GOV.

DAYTON CHAMPION THE. VOLUNTARY PIQUE WHICH PASSED ALSO BY PARTISAN. LEE. SO; MEMBERS; IF YOU THINK YOU CAN AFFORD THE.

VOLUNTARY PRE-K; IF YOU WERE TO TAKE THE. $161 MILLION THAT IS GOING TO THE WEALTHIEST MINNESOTANS AND. THE ESTATE TAX CONFORMITY; $161 MILLION; YOU COULD FUND 25;000 25;004-YEAR-OLDS FOR PRE-K; VOLUNTARY PIQUE. IT'S THAT EASY BUT THAT'S A CHOICE.

. SO WHEN YOU SAY; WELL WE'VE GOT A TARGET RATHER THAN THIS; THAT. IS A FALSE CHOICE. BECAUSE IT'S VERY EASILY TO DO.

AND YOU'VE GOT TO CHANGE YOUR PRIORITIES. WHIL E I AM ON VOLUNTARY PIQUE; IF YOU'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT. TAX RELIEF; THIS IS EXCELLENT FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES; WORKING FAMILIES. BECAUSE; FOR EXAMPLE; THE EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS GO TO 185% OF THE.

POVERTY LEVEL. BUT IF YOU HAVE TWO PARENTS AND TWO CHILDREN; YOU HIT THAT AT $45;500. SO WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY. VOLUNTARY PIQUE YOU ARE.

ELIMINATING OPTIONS. AND IT CREASING COSTS FOR WORKING PARENTS. THAT'S WHAT YOU DO. THE AVERAGE.

WORKING PARENTS. WITH VOLUNTARY PRE-K WOULD SAVE. ABOUT 2500-$4000 A YEAR. THAT.

IS SIGNIFICANT FOR THESE MIDDLE. INCOME FAMILIES. IT'S HUGE. RIGHT NOW; WE ARE FUNDING 74 SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT APPLIED.

AND GOT VOLUNTARY PRESCHOOL. 269 DISTRICTS; FROM EVERY SINGLE COUNTY NOW. HAVE APPLIED FOR THE NEW FUND AND RURA. L MEMBERS; LISTEN TO THIS.

OF THOSE 269 SCHOOL DISTRICTS; 66% OF THE STUDENTS; 60S. 6% OF THE STUDENTS WERE SCHOOL BOARD. HAVE APPLIED FOR NEW FUNDING FOR THE. VOLUNTARY PIQUE OR FROM RURAL.

MINNESOTA. TWO THIRDS FROM. RURAL MINNESOTA. WHY IS THAT? BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT.

OF SHORTAGES OUT THERE. BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE TAX CUTS WE ARE. GOING TO TUITION INCREASES AROUND. THE STATE AND HUGE CUTS TO OUR UNIVERSITY I TALKED TO.

TWO PRESIDENTS. OF UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE BACK IN. MY AREA. ONE SAID; THEY'RE GOING HAVE.

TO CUT $7.5 MILLION. AND SO I SAID TO HER; I SAID WELL GIVE ME A. WHAT IS A COMPARISON TO YOUR BUDGET. THAT 10% OF HER BUDGET AT HER UNIVERSITY.

I SAID; WITHOUT GOING TO MEAN? SHE SAID; IT'S GOING TO MEET CUTS. TO STAFF WHICH. ULTIMATELY MEANS CUTS TO PROGRAMS AND SHE. SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED A.

PROGRAM LIKE. NURSING. THINGS THAT WE NEED. TO GENERATE OUR ECONOMY.

I TALKED TO A PRESIDENT OF A COLLEGE IN. MY AREA. SHE SAID; [INAUDIBLE] YOUR CHOICES HAVE HU. GE INVOCATIONS WHAT'S GOING.

TO HAPPEN. [INAUDIBLE] NOT GETTING PROPER INCREASES OF A CURE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT WAS A. CHOICE MADE WHEN WE PUT 70% OF THE. BUDGET SURPLUS IN THE MASSIVE.

TAX CUTS IT JUST DOESN'T. WORK OUT AND IT DOESN'T MEET THE NEEDS OF MINNESOTA. I. REMEMBER BACK IN THE LATE 90S; THE GOVERNOR VENTURA WAS THE GOVERNOR THEN WE HAD SURPLUSES.

AND WAS OF IT ALL BACK. WE REMEMBER THAT. GIVE IT. ALL BACK.

WELL THEY GAVE A LOT OF. IT BACK AND FOR ABOUT THE NEXT 12-14 YEARS WE HAD. CONSTANT DEFICITS. WHERE TUITIONS WENT UP; CLASSROOM SIZES GOT BIGGER.

. LGA WENT DOWN FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS HAD. HUGE IMPACT. ONE OF THE.

THINGS GOVERNOR DAYTON IN THIS LEGISLATURE HAS REALLY TRIED TO DO IN THE LAST. 2-3 YEARS; IS CREATE STABILITY IN. THIS BUDGET NOT ONLY FOR. TODAY; BUT INTO THE FUTURE.

WE REALLY NEED TO WATCH THAT. SO; MEMBERS; WE'VE GOT A LOT OF. CHOICES HERE; BUT WHEN YOU HAVE. A BUDGET WITH.

70% OF IT IN THE TAX-CUT IT DOESN'T LEAVE MUCH MORE FOR PEOPLE. FOR HELPING PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE. SO; LET'S GET-LET'S VOTE; NO. ON THIS.

LET'S GET. THROUGH THIS STEP IN THE PROCESS BECAUSE WE. DO NEED STRATEGIC TARGETED. TAX CUTS.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST. ARE SENIOR CITIZENS; OUR FAMILIES OUR FARMERS ARE VETERANS; OUR SMALL BUSINESSES. WE NEED THOSE. AND WE CAN DO THAT BUT WE CAN DO THAT WITH A BALANCED APPROACH THAT ALSO.

INVESTS IN THOSE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE HAVE. ALWAYS INVESTED TO MAKE THIS A GREAT. STATE ECONOMICALLY AND WITH QUALITY OF LIFE. AND THAT'S IN OUR EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND TAKING CARE OF OUR MOST. VULNERABLE PEOPLE. LET'S GET THE RIGHT PRIORITIES;; THE. RIGHT VALUES; THE RIGHT BALANCE; AND WE CAN STILL.

DO THAT. I DO APPRECIATE. CHAIRMAN DAVIDS FOR HIS WORK ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND HIS INCLUSION. OF ME IN THE DELIBERATIONS AND SO FORTH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. ; BUT WE HAVE MORE WORK. TO DO. WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO AND.

I'M CONFIDENT IN THE NEXT 12 DAYS. I THINK IS WHAT WE HAVE LEFT; THAT WE ARE GOING. TO GET A BUDGET THAT IS BALANCED AND HAS THE RIGHT PRIORITIES. I THINK.

WE START. BY VOTING; NO HERE TODAY AND MOVING ON AND WORKING. WITH GOV. DAYTON FOR THAT RIGHT BALANCE.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN >> REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN. POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. MEMBERS; I WOUL. D LIKE TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO STUDENTS IN THE GALLERY THEY WALKED 100 MILES TO THEIR STUDENTS.

UNITED FOR A GOOD CAUSE TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF AFFORDABLE COLLEGE TUITION. THEY JUST FINISHED THEIR 100 MILE. WALK. [APPLAUSE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN I CAN ONLY ASSUME REPRESENTATIVE CONSIDINE ALSO WALKED THAT FULL 100 MILES AS I SEE HIM UP THERE.

[LAUGHING] DISCUSSION; DISCUSSION TO THE BILL; MEMBERS? REPRESENTATIVE DRAZKOWSKI >> REPRESENTATIVE DRAZKOWSKI: MEMBERS; THANK YOU FOR. THE DISCUSSION. JIM AND DAVIDS THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS BILL. IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE WITH YOU ON THE.

COMMITTEE. REPRESENTATIVE. TRENT MARQUART IT'S BEEN REALLY ENJOYABLE. TO DEVELOP A.

STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU THIS SESSION AND I ENJOY ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON. THIS BILL ROUTE AND LOOK FORWARD TO US. BRINGING THIS TO SUCCESS IN HAVING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE ON THIS BILL. BUT I.

WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT BEEN DISCUSSED NOT ONLY TODAY BUT. ALSO YESTERDAY AND IN THE CONTEXT OF. THIS BILL. BY THE WAY; MEMBERS MUST THE FOLKS FROM UPSTAIRS HEAD OUT AFTER THEIR 100 MILE JOURNEY; THEY WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW THERE'S TAX RELIEF IN THE BILL TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR HIGHER EDUCATION COSTS.

MEMBERS; YOU KNOW; WE HAD DISCUSSION YESTERDAY ABOUT HOW. AT LEAST WAS CHARACTERIZED. THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH MONEY. NEVER ENOUGH MONEY FOR EDUCATION; NEVER ENOUGH MONEY FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; IT'S NEVER ENOUGH MONEY FOR.

HIGHER EDUCATION. MEMBERS; THOSE THREE AREAS TOGETHER AS WE ALL KNOW COMPRISE ABOUT 85% OF THE STATE GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET. NOW; IF YOU LOOK AT THE. ACTUAL NUMBERS; WE WERE ONLY TALKING.

OR AT LEAST WE WERE TALKING YESTERDAY ABOUT THE TWO MAJOR BILLS; THE EDUCATION BILL AND THE. HHS BILL WE ARE ONLY TALKING TO THE INCREASES OVER THE BASE AND THEY MADE IT SOUND LIKE THOSE NUMBERS WERE SMALL. AND I HEARKEN BACK TO SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS. TALK YESTERDAY THEY WON MORE AND MORE AND MORE.

MONEY I. HEARKEN BACK TO A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN I HEARD ONE OF HER SAY; JUST. A FEW HUNDRED MILLION MORE DOLLARS. ; THAT'S ALL WE WANT.

I HEARD THAT AGAIN YESTERDAY. JUST GIVE US A FEW HUNDRED MILLION MORE DOLLARS. MEMBERS; WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WITHOUT MONEY. COMES FROM.

IT COMES FROM. THE HARD-WORKING TAXPAYERS. OF MINNESOTA. IT HAS TAKEN FROM THEM AGAINST THEIR WILL IN.

ORDER TO. FUND THE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE FIND HERE. EVERY YEAR SO WE HAVE TO BE. VERY CAREFUL AND.

DO A GOOD JOB WITH THEIR MONEY AND PRACTICE. FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY WE ARE SENT HERE TO EXERCISE. BUT; IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTUAL NUMBERS; MEMBERS; THE EDUCATION SPENDING. INCREASE IS A 1.1 $1.1 BILLION INCREASE OVER THE LAST BIENNIUM.

THE HHS INCREASE. ; I DON'T HAVE HIS NUMBER NAILED DOWN. IT SOMEWHERE. SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF.

1.6; WERE; $1.8 BILLION INCREASE. IN SPENDING OVER THE LAST BIENNIUM. T HE FOLKS YESTERDAY TALKING SAID; WELL WE WON MARKET WE WANT EVEN MORE THAN THAT. WELL THE FRUSTRATIONS; MEMBERS; THAT WORKING MINNESOTANS.

HAVE HAD AS THEY'VE SEEN THIS BEHAVIOR LONG HAPPENED HERE; AND WE SAW THE. LAST BIENNIUM. WHERE WE HAD A $1.9 BILLION SURPLUS. AT.

$1.9 BILLION OVER COLLECTION OF THE. PEOPLE'S MONEY WAS SCHEDULED THROUGH. THE BIENNIUM THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO END. WHAT DID.

WE PROVIDE FOR TAX RELIEF FOR. THEM? ZERO. NOW I TAKE. THAT BACK.

WE HAD $50 MILLION; OR. SO TAX-CUT. FOR MILITARY VETERANS FROM THEIR PENSION. BENEFITS IN THE INCOME TAX ON THOSE BENEFITS.

THAT IS THE. ONE PIECE ; 50 MILLION IN THE. LAST BIENNIUM. THE REST.

WE SPENT HALF OF THE. PROJECTED SURPLUS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF. $8 BILLION IN INCREASING THE SIZE. OF GOVERNMENT IN EACH OF.

THE AREAS THAT. WE INCLUDED OUR SPENDING. DECISIONS IN. SO MEMBERS OF THIS BILL.

ACTUALLY BEGINS-IT'S A FIRST STEP TO. GIVE BACK SOME OF THE OVER. PROJECTED COLLECTION-THE OVER COLLECTION OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY. TO THE.

HARD-WORKING MINNESOTANS WHO ARE OUT THERE. TRYING TO FEED. THEIR FAMILIES; TO PUT GAS IN THEIR CAR; TO PAY FOR THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR THEIR KIDS TO PAY THE MORTGAGE ON THEIR HOUSE. ; TO PAY FOR THEIR.

HEALTH INSURANCE; OF WHICH MANY OF THEM. CAN'T AFFORD. THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. IT'S A $1.1 BILLION.

TAX CUT; AND AS I MENTIONED; OUT OF. THE 85% OR SO OF THE BUDGET DECISIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT; WE ARE LOOKING AT. RIGHT NOW; A $3.5 BILLION INCREASE. IN SPENDING FOR THOSE THREE MAJOR AREAS; EDUCATION; HHS; AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

$3.5 BILLION. INCREASED SPENDING BETWEEN LAST YEAR AND. THIS YEAR. WE WOULD LIKE.

TO GET BACK TO THE. HARD-WORKING MINNESOTANS WHO TOIL IN THEIR LABOR EVERY YEAR TO TRY TO GET AHEAD IN. THE FACE OF A HEADWIND. OF INFLATION THAT IS EATING THEM UP.

; BUT IN THE FACE. OF GOVERNMENT INFLATION HAS BEEN WHAT; 1.7%? WHAT ARE INCREASE IN SPENDING; MEMBERS; HAS BEEN ABOUT 30% INCREASE IN THE LAST SIX YEARS. IN SPENDING IN THE STATE BUDGET. IT JUST KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND GOING.

AGAIN. SO WE HAVE GOOD TAX RELIEF F. OR THOSE HARD-WORKING MINNESOTANS. WE OF TAX RELIEF IN HERE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE HAVING INCOME TAX MONEY TAKEN OUT OF THEIR.

SOCIAL. SECURITY BENEFITS. THOSE BENEFITS THAT THEY ARE. DEPENDING ON.

WE DECREA. SE THE TAX ON OUR SENIORS AND GIVE THEM SOME BREATHING ROOM AS THEY TRY TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE DECISIONS. IN THE FUTURE OF THEIR LIVES. MINNESOTA FARMERS HAVE A GREAT.

OPPORTUNITY HERE TO PUT THEM. ONTO PACE; OR BEGIN THAT. FIRST STEP. THAT REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART AND I ARE WORKING.

ON THE WITH. THE ACT CONSTRUCTION LEVY TAXES AND THE FIRST STEP. IN PUTTING-THE FIRST STEP OF A. TWO-STEP PROCESS AND.

PUTTING THEM ON PACE ON AN. EQUAL LEVEL WITH. THE PEOPLE WHO HAPPEN TO LIVE. IN TOWN..

OUR VETERANS ARE ALSO COVERED. IN WE THROW IN SOME PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR VETERANS AS THEY MOVE FORWARD; AND OUR SMALL BUSINESSES; ALL ACROSS THE STATE. BENEFITS BY-I HEARD SOMEONE. I THINK REPRESENTATIVE LOEFFLER WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU KNOW.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT SKYSCRAPERS AND. RICH PEOPLE. MEMBERS; IT. IS NOT.

WHAT OUR. STATE GENERAL LEVY PROVISION IN THE BILL DOES IS IT FREEZES THE. AUTOPILOT INCREASE THAT IS ADDED. ON TOP OF THAT EXTRA PROPERTY TAX THAT.

EVERY SINGLE. BUSINESS INCLUDING THE. SMALLEST BUSINESSES IN EVERY CORNER. OF MINNESOTA ARE FORCED.

TO PAY ON TOP OF WHAT THEY PAY FOR. THE COUNTY. PROPERTY TAXES FROM OTHER SCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES; AND THEIR CITY. OR COUNTY PROPERTY TACTIC THEY ARE FORCED TO PAY ANOTHER STATE PROPERTY TAX ON TOP OF THAT.

NOT ONLY ARE THEY FORCED TO PAY BUT IT'S. AN AUTOMATIC INCREASE. OVER TIME. SO WE STOPPED.

THE INCREASE AND KEEP. IT FROZEN AND THEN WE SIMPLY REPEAL THAT. EXTRA TAX FOR THE. FIRST $150;000 OF PROPERTY VALUES.

.. BENEFITING. THE MOST EVERY ONE OF THOSE. SMALL BUSINESSES IN EVERY CORNER OF.

EVERY JURISDICTION OF OUR. GREAT STATE. SO THIS HELPS MINNESOTA FARMERS. IT HELPS MINNESOTA SENIORS.

HELPS. MINNESOTA VETERANS AND MINNESOTA'S SMALL. BUSINESS OWNERS SO THAT THEY. CAN BECOME-BEGIN TO.

GET AHEAD AS WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING AND SPENDING AND SPENDING THEIR. MONEY HERE IN ST. PAUL. IT.

IS TIME FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING THE BILL TO FINALLY GET. SOME RELIEF. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE AUTHOR OF THE. BILL REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS >> REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS: MEMBERS; I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ON THE CONFERENCE REPORT FOR HOUSE FILE FOUR. THERE HAS BEEN MANY. FALSE NARRATIVES.

I'VE HEARD SPEAKING TO WHAT THIS BILL IS ABOUT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LET THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY KNOW WHAT THIS BILL IS REALLY ABOUT. MEMBERS; THIS BILL IS ABOUT. SENIOR CITIZENS THAT ARE BEING KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY WHY ARE WE CHARGING SENIOR CITIZENS. TAXES ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY? WE PUT MANY MANY THOUSANDS.

OF SENIORS; WILL NOT HAVE THAT BARDEN. ANY LONGER IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS. BILL. SUBTRACTION FOR.

529 PLANS; SUBTRACTIONS AND CREDITS. ; FIRST IN THE. NATION; STUDENT ARE THEY STILL UP THERE? NO; THEY'RE NOT. FIRST IN THE NATION.

STUDENT LOAN. TAX CREDITS FIRST IN THE NATION. THAT'S WHAT. THOSE STUDENTS WALKED 100 MILES FOUR.

CREDIT FOR-LET'S EVEN WE. HAVE THE CHAIRMAN DRAZKOWSKI HIT A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. SUBTRACTION BEGINNING FARMER. CREDITS.

REPRESENTATIVE PEARSON DID A LOT OF WORK ON THAT. IT'S IN THE BILL. INCREASING CHILD AND. DEPENDENT CARE CARE.

CREDIT WE GET TO MENTION THAT. IT IS IN. THE BILL. FOR.

WORKING FAMILIES; FOR PEOPLE THAT. ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. EXEMPTING THE FIRST $150;000 ON THE PROPERTY TAXES FOR YOUR SMALLEST BUSINESS APPEARED. THOSE GO TO YOUR SMALL.

TOWNS. LOOK AT THE MAIN. STREET THE [INAUDIBLE] MANY OF THEM APPEARED THAT'S IN THE BILL. FEDERAL CONFORMITY THIS ABOUT.

SENIORS. FARMERS. VETERANS. PROVISIONS FOR VETERANS IN.

THE BILL. STUDENTS. COULD FAMILIES SAVING FOR COLLEGE. DAYCARE.

COSTS. SCHOOLS. DEBT SERVICE-DEBT EQUALIZATION. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY PA.

$39 MILLION. SIX LGA; SIX IN CPA; 27 IN A PROVISION BROUGHT TO US I THINK REPRESENTATIVE. SWEDZINSKI TO ELIMINATE THE CELTICS ON CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL PURCHASED FOR CITIES. AND COUNTIES.

THAT'S A DECREASING COST. $39 MILLION TO OUR CITIES AND OUR COU. NTIES. SO MEMBERS; I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH A BRIEF LIST HERE.

IF. YOU REPRESENT. ANY OF THESE COMMUNITIES YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT VOTING FOR THE BILL. NEWPORT; DULUTH PORT AUTHORITY; ST.

PAUL;; ROCHESTER; RICHFIELD; WORKFORCE. HOUSING. TIF BURNSVILLE ANOKA ST. LOUIS PARK.

BE ADINA MAPLE GROVE; AND BECAUSE. THE GREAT REPRESENTATION OF. RICHFIELD ANOTHER RICHFIELD PROVISION IN. THE BILL.

COTTAGE GROVE WAYZATA. KUHN RAPIDS; WORKFORCE HOUSING IN THE BILL. THEN LET'S KEEP GOING TO EAST GRAND FORKS; MANKATO AND NORTH MANKATO. FAIRMONT; DULUTH MOOSE LAKE; CLAY COUNTY; SLEEPY.

EYE; WYNDHAM; NEW OM; FERGUS FALLS; SPICER NEW. LONDON GARRISON WEST MILLE LACS LAKES ALBERT LEE. WALKER PROCTOR TWO OF M. Y FAVORITES; PROCTOR AND HERMANTOWN RIGHT UP THERE WITH RICHFIELD.

AS FAR AS I'M. CONCERNED. WYNDHAM; CLAY COUNTY. AGAIN.

WORTHINGTON. . THIS BILL HELPS ALL OF THOSE. COMMUNITIES; MEMBERS.

SO EVEN IF. YOU DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR THE BILL; YOU SHOULD. LIKE I SAID BEFORE; I SAID MEMBERS; I P. UT MY PANTS ON EVERY MORNING WHEN I GET TIME JUST LIKE YOU DO AND THEN I GO OUT AND WRITE GREAT.

TAX BILLS THIS IS. A GREAT TAX BILL. PLEASE; VOTE YES >> HOUSE SPEAKER: SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE. ROLE ON THE BILL.

>> [ROLL CALL VOTE]. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THERE BEEN 76 AYE AND 57 NAY THE BILLS PASSED AS AMENDED BY CONFERENCE ENTITLED REDO >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT. >> CHIEF CLERK: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOUSE.

FILE 861 THIS IS THE TORKELSON. MOTION CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOUSE. FILE 861 AND ACT RELATING TO. TRANSPORTATION FINANCE.

. THE REPORT IS ADDRESSED TO THE. HON. KURT DOUDT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE.

HON. MICHELLE TRAN FISCHBACH PRESIDENT OF THE SUMMIT WE THE UNDERSIGNED CONFEREES FOR HOUSE FILE. 861 REPORT THAT WE'VE AGREED UPON THE ITEMS IN DISPUTE AND RECOMMEND. AS FOLLOWS.

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT IS SIGNED BY. FOUR OF THE FIVE COUNTRIES ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSE AND FOUR OF THE FIVE CONFEREES ON THE PART OF THE. SENATE. TORKELSON MOVES THE REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE FILE 860 1B ADOPTED IN THE BILL BE PASSED AS AMENDED BY THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: I RECOGNIZE THE AUTHOR. REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON TO EXPLAIN. THE REPORT >> REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON: MEMBERS MR. SPEAKER I LIKE TO.

REQUEST A ROLL CALL ON. THE ADOPTION >> HOUSE SPEAKER: ROLL CALL HAVING BEEN REQUESTED; SEEING FIFTEEN HANDS THERE WILL BE A ROLL CALL. REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON >> REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON: IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME AGO THAT WE PASS THIS OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR. THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF CHANGES IN THE PROCESS.

. I WILL START WITH A NUMBER OF HOUSE PROVISIONS THAT ARE NO LONGER IN THE BILL. NO LONGER IN THE. BILL IS THE MONEY FOR THE CITY.

OF REDWING REGARDING A ROAD. PROJECT THERE. THE REASON. FOR THAT.

THE CITY OF REDWING IN THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT SO THAT PROVISION IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. ALSO IN THE CITY OF HASTINGS THERE WAS. A BILL. THAT CHANGES BE LIMIT ON A ROAD.

THAT AGREEMENT HAS ALSO BEEN REACHED BETWEEN THE CITY OF HASTINGS MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. SO THAT PROVISION IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. YOU PROBABLY HEARD IN THE. NEWS THAT THERE'S AN AGREEMENT TO DISSOLVE.

CFIT SO ANY LANGUAGE IN THE BILL LATER. TO DISSOLUTION HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BILL. THE. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT.

TO IMPROVE NEW LIGHT RAIL PROJECTS. HAS ALSO. BEEN REMOVED. A FAREBOX RECOVERY REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BILL.

THE FREIGHT RAIL LIABILITY PROTECTION LANGUAGE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BILL. QUITE ZONE FUNDING HAS. BEEN REMOVED IN A COUPLE OF STUDIES. ; WE HAD A BUNCH OF STUDIES WE DID OUR BEST TO CONSOLIDATE.

AND CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF STUDIES IN THE BILL TO. HAVE BEEN REMOVED ONE FOR 94; 494; 690 FORGE INTERCHANGE ANOTHER WAY. FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY 65. WE.

DID ACCEPT A NUMBER OF. SENATE PROVISIONS. THEY ARE-THE METRO MOBILITY TASK FORCE. IS BEING ESTABLISHED IN THIS BILL TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF.

THE COST AND ISSUES AROUND THE OPERATIONS OF METRO MOBILITY. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JAMES. SEN. JAMES MATTSON.

MEMORIAL HIGHWAY LANGUAGE THAT MAKES IT EASIER. TO TRANSFER A MOTOR. VEHICLE TITLE IN THE EVENT OF A DEATH. OF A CURRENT HOLDER OF.

THAT TITLE. LANGUAGE THAT SIMPLIFIES. THE TITLE PROCEDURE WITH. MANUFACTURED HOMES.

THERE IS A SECTION OF. LANGUAGE REGARDING BIKEWAYS AT THE REQUEST. MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT. OF TRANSPORTATION.

THERE'S AN. OVERWEIGHT EXEMPTION FOR. EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO TRAVEL ON. OUR HIGHWAYS AND FINALLY; FROM THE SENATE THERE IS LANGUAGE.

REGARDING THE ACTIVE. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM. WITH THAT; MR. SPEAKER I LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL THAT I FEEL ARE.

VERY IMPORTANT AND PEOPLE SHOULD. TAKE NOTICE. FIRST OFF; THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL. BILL THAT BRINGS IN OVER $2 BILLION.

OF NEW AND AUTHORIZED NEW FUNDING. FOR STATE. ROADS AND TRANSIT SYSTEMS IN THE STATE. OF MINNESOTA IN THE.

FIRST BIENNIUM. AND A TOTAL. 5.5 BILLION OVER A 10 YEA. R PERIOD.

OUR GENERAL TARGET THREE AND $72 MILLION IS REDUCED SOMEWHAT FROM OUR ORIGINAL PROPOSAL BUT STILL SUBSTANTIAL. THERE. ARE SOME OTHER CHANGES IN FUNDING AS A RESULT OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SENATE. WE LEFT THE HOUSE FLOOR WITH $25 MILLION SCHEDULED FOR SMA.

LL CITIES.. THOSE UNDER 5000 IN POPULATION. . THE SENATE'S POSITION WAS.

10 MILLION. WE COMPROMISED AT 20 MILLION. WE GOT A LITTLE CLOSER TO OUR POSITION. THAN THE SENATE'S POSITION WAS.

THAT IS $10 MILLION. EACH YEAR. THERE IS MONEY IN THIS BILL. FOR THE SEVEN METROPOLITAN COUNTIES TO HELP WITH THEIR ROAD PROJECTS.

.. THERE IS. A NEW FUNDING STREAM; ONE-TIME FUNDING. FOR TOWNSHIPS; TOWNSHIPS CAME UP A LITTLE SHORT.

IN OUR EQUATION; SO THERE'S $2 MILLION A YEAR IN THIS NEXT BIENNIUM FOR TOWNSHIP ROSE. ONE. TIME FUNDING. SINCE.

WE LEFT THE HOUSE FLOOR THERE'S BEEN A. SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IN. METROPOLITAN. COUNSEL FUNDING.

WE HAVE REPLACED THE. FUNDING FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE EXISTING LIGHT RAILS. ; THE GREENLINE AND BLUE LINE AS THEY. STAND TODAY.

THAT'S ABOUT. $50 MILLION OVER THE BIENNIUM. WE. HAVE ALSO MADE A.

GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE MET COUNCIL AS FAR AS THEIR. OPERATING FUNDS GO OF $50 MILLION TO GET THEM. BACK TO AN. OPERATIONAL POSITION WITH A SHOULD.

BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE EXISTING SYSTEM THEY HAVE IN PLACE. GOING ON. TO ANOTHER. THAT'S ANOTHER FUNDED IN THE BONNEVILLE BUT I WILL BROUGHT INTO THE TRANSPORTATION BILL.

THAT'S A LOCAL BRIDGE PROGRAM. IT'S A PROGRAM THAT HAS. -IS VERY WELL RUN TO WEAVE AND I SCHEDULE BRIDGES THAT. ARE SELECTED TO.

BE REPLACED THE ENGINEERING HAS BEEN DONE. LOCAL FUNDING IS IN PLACE. THE JUST WAITING FOR THE STATE FUNDING. THAT'S BEEN DONE IN THE PAST WITH THE BONDING FUNDS.

THIS WILL PUT $25 AND THIS. NEXT BIENNIUM. AND THAT IS GOING TO BE AN. ONGOING EXPENDITURE IN THE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET.

S. O THAT BRIDGEWORK CAN CONTINUE ON AN. ANNUAL BASIS AND COUNTY ENGINEERS AND COUNTY BOARDS ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND OTHERS. CAN MAKE THE PLANS.

THEY NEED TO REPLACE THOSE BRIDGES. GREATER. MINNESOTA TRANSIT CONTINUES TO GET A PERCENTAGE. OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE LEASE SALES TAX ON AN.

ONGOING BASIS ALONG WITH THE FIVE METRO COUNTIES THAT GET. THEIR SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF. ROAD AID FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE LEASE SALE TALKS. AND FINALLY A PORTION OF THAT MOTOR VEHICLE.

SALES TAX CONTINUES TO GO TO THE HIGHWAY USER TRUST. DISTRIBUTION FUND. WITH THAT; MR. SPEAKER I THINK I'VE COVERED.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHANGES IN. THE FUNDING STREAMS IN THE BILL AND I WILL BE HAPPY. TO STAND. FOR QUESTIONS.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER: ADOPTION OF THE. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT REPRESENTATIVE NELSON. >> REPRESENTATIVE NELSON: REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON; I. AM LOOKING AT THE.

SPREADSHEET HERE AND I. UNDERSTAND THAT COMMENTS COMMITTEE REPORT CAME. BACK AND WAS AN ADDITIONAL $20 MILLION. INTO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT.

AND I'M JUST WONDERING WHERE THIS IS. AND I'M LOOKING AT THIS AND I'M LOOKING ON LINE 528 ON THE. SPREADSHEET; AND. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S MONEY GOING INTO.

THE HIGHWAY USER TRUST FUND AND THEN COMING OUT OF THE. HIGHWAY USER DISTRIBUTION TRUST FUND. ON 528; AND 529 IS THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING. ABOUT HERE? WHAT MONEY.

IS THAT? >> REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON: I DON'T HAVE A COPY OF THE SPREADSHEET IN FRONT OF ME. THE GUY THAT WROTE THE SPREADSHEET. IS CURRENTLY SEARCHING THROUGH IT. AS YOU KNOW THE SPREADSHEET TO GET A.

LITTLE COMPLICATED. BUT; YOU MENTIONED 20 MILLION COULD ACTUALLY; SINCE HIS BILL LEFT THE HOUSE FLOOR. WE'VE ADDED. 50 MILLION IN TRANSIT FUNDING TO THE MET COUNCIL AND.

IT IS ON LINE 328 OF THE. SPREADSHEET. LINE 328; PAGE 8 OF THE SPREADSHEET. YOU WILL SEE AN AMOUNT OF.

$50 MILLION TO KEEP THE BUSES RUNNING IN. METROPOLITAN MINNESOTA. >> REPRESENTATIVE NELSON: REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON. WELL I SEE THAT ON--WHAT DID YOU.

SAY; 328 BUT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT. THIS [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE I'M. SEEING THIS 20 MILLION IN 16 AND ALSO ON 554; THERE'S. 20 MILLION.

ON 554; THERE'S 20;000;016 BEING TRANSFERRED. OUT OF HIGHWAY USER TRUST FUND. AND HE WENT IN AND OUT HERE AND WENT OUT HERE. I GUESS; THE QUESTION I HAVE IS FOUR YEARS WE HAVE HEARD FROM.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPREAD THE. MYTH THAT WE ARE TAKING. GAS TAX DOLLARS; MONEY OUT OF. THE TRUST FUND AND USING IT FOR.

TRANSIT; AND WE ALL IN THE PAST AND NOT DO. NE THAT. THAT'S DEDICATED MONEY CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATE MONEY. FOR THAT.

.. WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE HERE IS THAT WE ARE TRANSFERRING. IT OUT OF THE HIGHWAY USER. TRUST FUND AND TRANSFERRING IT IN TO THE.

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL FUND. AND SO IT'S GOING FORWARD; IF IT W. E DO THIS THE WAY IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME; WE ARE NOW ACTUALLY TAKE MONEY OF THE. OUT OF THE HIGHWAY USER TRUST FUND AND.

PUTTING IT INTO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT; AND I LIKE THE EXTRA MONEY GOING TO. METROPOLITAN TRANSIT. TO OFFSET SOME OF THE CUTS THEY WERE LOOKING TO HAVE TO DO. FOR SERVICE AND I'VE GOT LOTS OF EMAILS FOR MY RESIDENCE.

; MY CONSTITUENTS IN MY DISTRICT; THAT USE THE BUS TO GET TO WORK AND GET ROUND. SO. I LIKE THE FACT THAT WE ARE PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THAT; BUT I HAVE SOME QUALMS ABOUT. TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE.

TRUST FUND THAT GOES TO BUILD ROADS AND BRIDGES AND MAINTAIN OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND PUTTING IT IN THIS FUN. WE NORMALLY DO IT OTHER WAYS AND. I GUESS I GOT CONCERNS. ABOUT THAT.

IS THAT WHAT I AM SEEING HERE REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON? >> REPRESENTATIVE. TORKELSON: THANK. YOU REPRESENTATIVE NELSON FOR. THE QUESTION.

FIRST OFF; I HAVE TO SAY THIS IS A SENATE PROVISION THAT WE ADOPTED. . SECOND; WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT IS A TRANSFER IS NOT A TRANSFER AT ALL. IT IS A REARRANGEMENT OF THE SPREADSHEET FOR THIS COMING BIENNIUM.

THAT. MONEY NEVER WAS IN THE HIGHWAY USER TRUST FUND BECAUSE THE BILL-IT WAS NOT LIKE IT WAS FUNDS PAST IN A BILL. THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT IS GOING FORWARD. ..

THE PROPOSAL HAS CHANGED. ADMITTEDLY; THERE'S MORE MONEY. IN THIS REARRANGEMENT PROPOSAL. GOING TO THE BUS SYSTEM AND LESS MONEY GOING TO THE.

HIGHLY USER. TRUST FUND. THAT IS HOW AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED WITH. THE SENATE.

BUT WE ARE NOT. TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE FUND. THAT. MONEY IS NOT THERE YET BUT IT WON'T BE THERE UNTIL A BILL PASSES OFF THE HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR AND ASSIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NELSON: REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON; I. AM LOOKING AT THE SHEET HERE AND. THE SPREADSHEET; AGAIN. THE MONEY COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE TAX.

SALES TAX OF THE AUTO PARKS DEDICATION. IS GOING INTO. THE UTD; HIGHWAY USER TRUST FUND; AND THEN IT'S. COMING OUT.

DOWN HERE. SO IF THIS BILL PASSES; AND I REALIZE WERE NOT DOING IT YET. BUT IF THIS BILL PASSES; THE FUTURE WE WILL BE DOING IS TAKING THE MONEY THAT WOULD HAVE GONE INTO THE. GENERAL FUND FOR SALES TAX ON THE AUTO PARTS AND PUTTING IT IN THE TRUST FUND AND THEN IT LOOKS LIKE WERE TAKEN ABACK OUT OF THE TRUST FUND.

AND; YES; IT MAY BE. ON PAPER JUST BE A SHIFT BUT AGAIN. IT LEADS TO THAT MYTH THAT IT. HELPS PROSPER-PROMULGATE.

THAT MYTH; THAT WE ARE STEALING MONEY OUT OF THE TRUST FUND. FOR THAT SUPPOSED TO GO FOR ROADS AND BE DISTRIBUTED TO OUR CITIES. IN THE COUNTY'S AND ARE TOWNSHIPS. ; AND THAT MONEY THEN IS GOING TO INSTEAD OF GOING TO THOSE ROADS IS GOING BACK OUT.

AND INTO ANOTHER FUND. SO AGAIN WE ARE TAKING MONEY OUT. IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE WERE TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE HIGHWAY USER TA. X DISTRIBUTION FUND AND PUTTING IT INTO METRO TRANSIT.

AGAIN LIKE I SUPPORT METRO TRANSIT; BUT. WE NEED TO FIND OUT A DIFFERENT WAY. WE DON'T WANT TO OPEN THAT. UP BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST STEP IF WE.

DO IT FOR THIS THEN MAYBE LATER ON SOMEONE WILL FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO DO IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE. ; AND I GUESS. I'VE ALWAYS-SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THIS LEGISLATURE AND BEEN ON THE. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE; IT'S ALWAYS BEEN SACROSANCT THAT WE DON'T TAKE.

HIGHWAY USER TRUST FUND MONEY AND SPEND IT ON OTHER THINGS. OTHER THAN ROADS AND. BRIDGES. REPRESENTATIVE.

TORKELSON: >> REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON I DON'T AGREE WITH YOUR INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THESE NUMBERS MEAN; BUT I HAVE TO. SAY THAT I'VE GOT A REPORT ON. MY DESK. ; NOT ON THIS TEST; AT ON THE DESK ON MY OFFICE OF LEAKS FROM THE HIGHLY USER TRUST FUND.

YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED MAYBE YOU HAVE SEEN THE REPORT BECAUSE IT'S IN. AVAILABLE TO THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE. YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED-MAYBE YOU WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED THERE'S A NUMBER OF LAKES OUT OF THE HIGHWAY USER TRUST FUND EVEN THOUGH; TODAY USES ALL DEDICATED FUNDS. NOW IN OUR PROPOSAL OF COURSE WE ARE CAPTURING GENERAL.

FUND DOLLARS THAT ARE GENERATED BY A VARIETY. OF AUTO AND TRANSPORTATION. RELATED RESOURCES. .

THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY FUNDS TO MOVE IF WE WERE NOT CAPTURING THOSE FUNDS. THE CHANGES. YOU DESCRIBED THAT ARE IN THE SPREADSHEET; AGAIN; PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AS WE PUT A BI. LL TOGETHER NEGOTIATING WITH THE SENATE AS TO WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE WITHIN THIS BILL.

BUT TO DESCRIBE THAT IS TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE HIGHWAY. USER TRUST FUND IS. A MISREPRESENTATION. >> REPRESENTATIVE NELSON: MEMBERS; I GUESS.

I'M GOING TO QUIT ASKING QUESTIONS BECAUSE. WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME. AND AGAIN THIS GOES BACK TO MY FIRST YEAR WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE HERE AND I WENT TO THE CHAMBER. AND I GOT STUCK IN WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE FROM.

NORTHERN MINNESOTA BUSINESSMAN AND THEY WERE TALKING AND. THEY SAID THERE'S A GREAT MYTH OUT THERE WERE STEALING MONEY OUT OF THE TRUST FUND. AND USING IT FOR OTHER PROGRAMS OTHER THAN. HIGHWAY AND MNDOT AND.

THEY SAID I'D BE WILLING TO PAY MORE. GAS TAX IF I COULD BE GUARANTEED IT WAS NOT GOING TO GO FOR EDUCATION OR THIS OR THAT. OR BUSES IN THE METRO AREA; AND AT. THAT TIME IT DIDN'T.

IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE I KNOW THERE'S BEEN LEAKAGE OUT OF THE. HERE AND THERE. BUT MEMBERS; TO ME THIS LOOKS LIKE ON PAPER I. GUESS THAT IT LOOKS TO ME AND IT LOOKS TO OTHER PEOPLE.

THAT I'VE TALKED TO ME THAT THIS. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE STARTING DOWN. THAT ROAD LEAVING LEAKING MORE MONEY OUT OF THE HIGHWAY USER DISTRIBUTION FUND AND. USING IT.

FOR OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN ROADS AND BRIDGES AND. MNDOT OPERATIONS. SO I'VE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS BILL AND. I WOULD.

SUGGEST THAT WE VOTE; NO COME ON THIS ADOPTION SEND IT BACK AND MAYBE FIX THE LANGUAGE SO THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK. THIS WAY. IF IT'S COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND NOT PUT IT INTO. THE FUND BEFORE COMES.

BACK OUT AND GOES INTO THAT MET TRANSI. T >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE YOUAKIM >> REPRESENTATIVE YOUAKIM: REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON; MY QUESTION REGARDING ARTICLE 3 SECTION 130.. COULD YOU; PLEASE; TELL ME WHY WERE. REOPENING SUBURBAN.

TRANSIT ASSOCIATION FOR ONLY. ONE CITY? I BELIEVE. IT'S EXCELSIOR? >> REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON. : THE REASON FOR THAT IS THERE'S ONLY ONE CITY THAT IS MADE.

A REQUEST TO TAKE A LOOK AT. THE POTENTIAL OF JOINING THE. OTHER CITIES THAT TAKE PART IN THE OPT OUTS. >> REPRESENTATIVE.

YOUAKIM: ACTUALLY I WAS LISTENING TO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE LAST NIGHT. AND AS YOU ARE CLOSING UP THE BILL AND IT'S UNLIKE SOME OF YOUR OWN CONFEREES WERE. SURPRISED THAT AND UNAWARE THIS WAS EVEN AN OPPORTUNITY. ; OR AN OFFER THAT COULD'VE BEEN OUT THERE.

SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE. ABOUT THAT; BUT WITH THAT. BEING SAID; I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROVISION. INEQUITIES IT DOES FOR REGIONAL TAXPAYERS.

WE HAVE FOUR SUBURBAN. PROVIDERS THAT RECEIVE TAX DOLLARS BUT ARE NOT GOVERNED BY THE MET COUNCIL. THEY CAN SET. THEIR OWN RULES AND THE BEEN GRANDFATHERED IN FROM AN OLD PROPERTY TAX.

BASE SYSTEM. IN THIS BILL WE ARE ALLOWING. JUST ONE CITY THAT OPPORTUNITY. WIT.

H THIS BILL WERE ALSO GIVING ADDITIONAL MONEY TO THE SUBURBAN OPERATORS THAT ONLY SERVE 12 CITIES. IN ABOUT 5.5% OF ALL TRANSIT RIGHTS IN THE ENTIRE. METRO AREA. ALL THE WHILE; WERE CUTTING.

METRO TRANSIT. 83 CITIES AND 66% OF THE REGIONAL RIDES IN THE. METRO AREA AND THOSE. WRITERS COME FROM AS FAR WES.

T AS MOUND; AS FAR NORTH AS. HORSE LAKE AS FAR SOUTH AS LAKEVILLE. [INAUDIBLE] AND UB CUTTING SERVICES FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THOSE WRITERS EVERY DAY JUST TO BENEFIT A FEW. .

80% OF THOSE WRITERS GET. TO WORK OR SCHOOL ON TRANSIT. 40% THAT ARRIVE IN ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS TO WORK ARRIVE ON TRANSIT.

AND DESPITE THE PRESENTATION IN THIS BILL WE DO SEE A. LACK OF FUNDING FOR METRO TRANSIT THAT. IS GLARING THE FIRST FEW YEARS AND BECOMES BLINDING IN THE. OUT YEARS.

IT'S. LOOMING OVER $190 SHORTFALL IN 2020 FOR THE MET COUNCIL. WON'T EVEN GET THEM TO THE BASE OPERATING BUDGET THIS YEAR; OR LET ALONE ALLOW. FOR EXPANSION.

SO I'M PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE ABOUT THIS. PROVISION BECAUSE. I'M ACTUALLY IRRITATED BECAUSE MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. IN ST.

LOUIS PARK WILL SEE. SERVICE CUTS AND. NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THIS LOVELY SELFLESS TRANSIT BUS SERVICE. WHICH IS ONE OF THE SUBURB.

AN PROVIDERS THAT YOU'RE CREATING A WINDFALL FOR THEY COM. E FROM ITASCA ENGINE HASN'T AND DRIVE RIGHT TO MY CITY ON THE WAY TO MINNEAPOLIS WITHOUT STOPPING. MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. IN HOPKINS THAT ARE JUST A LITTLE OVER 9 MILES AWAY FROM MINNEAPOLIS; IF THEY DON'T CATCH.

THE NEXT BUS BUS IN THE. MORNING CAN'T. IT CAN TAKE THEM IN OVER AN HOUR TO GET. TO WORK.

MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN ST. LOUIS PARK LIVE ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY. IF THEY DON'T CATCH. AND EXPRESS BUS IT CAN TAKE 40 MINUTES.

THAT'S IF THE BUS IS HAVING TO COMPETE ON THE SAME ROADS WITH TRAFFIC. SO THE BOTTOM LINE IN. THIS BILL WE ARE PICKING WINNERS AND. LOSERS AGAIN.

THE BIGGEST LOSERS ARE. TRANSIT -DEPENDENT FOLKS IN THE METRO AREA. THESE ARE THE FOLKS TRYING TO GET. TO THE JOB.

STUDENTS TRYING TO GET TO SCHOOL. OUR ELDERLY TRYING TO EACH IN PLACE AND SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF. OUR COMMUNITY. THEY LIVE IN THE 83 CITIES THAT.

YOUR CUTTING; AND MAYBE THAT'S OKAY FOR YOU BUT IT'S NOT FOR ME. SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO. CONSIDER THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT ADOPTING THIS CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE SUNDIN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SUNDIN I WOULD LIKE TO CHAIR CHALLENGE. CHAIRMAN TORKELSON'S REPRESENTATION ABOUT NEW FUNDING FOR THIS ACTUALLY SWIPING MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND VIA THE TAX. REVENUES FROM PARTS AND REPAIRS AND AUTOMOBILE IT'S A SHIFT. IT'S A RAID.

CALL IT WHATEVER YOU WANT YOUR SWIPING IT FROM THE GENERAL FUND. ; AND I THINK WE PROBABLY CAN COME. UP WITH 372 MILLION REASONS WHY WE. SHOULD NOT MISUSE OUR TAXING AUTHORITY.

HERE IN THIS BODY. IT SIMPLY AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE REST OF THE PROGRAMS THAT THE. STATE RUNS. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO.

DO TODAY IS. ASK REPRESENTATIVE HANSEN HOW THIS AFFECTS. THE ENVIRONMENT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ASK REPRESENTATIVE. SAUKE HOW THIS AFFECTS THE LGA DOWN.

IN ROCHESTER. WERE; MY FRIEND. REPRESENTATIVE CONSIDINE HOW THIS AFFECTS THE. SECURITY HOSPITAL.

WERE; POSSIBLY. REPRESENTATIVE MURPHY HOW. THIS AFFECTS NURSING FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A GIMMICK TO.

GET SOME OF US IN. THIS CHAMBER THROUGH THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE. LET'S BE CLEAR THIS IS. NO SOLUTION.

IT IS NO. LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE FOR. DEDICATED FUNDS. WE NEED AN INCREASE IN THE.

GAS TAX. . LET'S PONY UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE STATE. OF MINNESOTA AND THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.

THANK YOU. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE HORNSTEIN. >> RE. PRESENTATIVE HORNSTEIN I URGE A RED VOTE ON ADOPTION.

THIS BILL IN A MENTAL. STRUCTURE IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME WHEN I LEFT THE HOUSE FLOOR. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS. THIS BILL STILL RELIES ON GENERAL FUND.

MONEY THAT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE OVER. THE LONG-TERM. I THINK. REPRESENTATIVE SUNDIN AND OTHERS HAVE CHARACTERIZED.

WHY THIS IS JUST THE WRONG WAY. TO GO. THIS IS A RAID ON THE. GENERAL FUND.

WE HEARD FROM. REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART AND WE HAD ELOQUENT TESTIMONY ALL. DAY YESTERDAY ABOUT WHY. THIS IS PROBLEMATIC.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE PRESSURE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TUITION WHEN WE RAISE THE GENERAL FUND. WE WANT TO SEE ADDITIONAL CLASS-SIZE ISSUES. WE ARE GOING TO SEE. ADDITIONAL FOLKS BEING AFFECTED BY HEALTHCARE CUTS ON AND ON AND ON.

THIS IS THE WRONG WAY. TO FUND. ROADS AND BRIDGES. SO WE NEED.

DEDICATED RELIABLE CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED AND. RELIABLE FUNDING.. WE. HAD CONTRACTORS DURING SESSION AT.

OUR HEARING TELL US. HOW IMPORTANT THAT DEDICATED. LONG-TERM RELIABLE. FUNDING IS.

EVEN AT THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THERE WAS A. PUBLIC HEARING. WE HEARD THE SAME. FROM CONTRACTORS.

THE CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER I DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH THEM; BUT THEY REITERATED HOW. IMPORTANT. LONG-TERM DEDICATED RELIABLE FUNDING IS.

IF. YOU ASCRIBE. TO THE FACT THAT IT'S OKAY TO FUND ROADS AND BRIDGES. THIS BILL [INAUDIBLE] METROPOLITAN TRANSIT.

MEMBER'S; FOR THOSE ARE THE. MAIN REASONS AGAIN THE. FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND STRUCTURE OF. THIS BILL.

AS IT PASSED OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR. REMAIN INTACT.. THERE'S LESS MONEY F. OR ROADS.

THERE CONTINUES TO BE A. TRANSIT SHORTFALL.. WE CONTINUE. TO FAIL AT DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

WHICH IS FOCUS ON A RELIABLE. DEDICATED SOURCE OF FUN THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN THIS BILL. SIMPLY. TO MAINTAIN OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES OVER THE NEXT.

FEW YEARS. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY. IN THIS BILL TO EXPAND. THE SYSTEM.

WE HAD; I THINK OVER. $1 BILLION WORTH OF. BONDING REQUESTS IN ROADS. AND BRIDGES THAT WE HEARD IN OUR COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON HAD A HEARING. FROM BOTH SIDES OF. THE AISLE; AND VERY ELOQUENT. TESTIMONY ABOUT WHY WE NEED.

THOSE PROJECTS. WE ARE NOT GOING TO EVEN MAKE A DENT IN. FINDING THEM IN THIS AND OF YOUR MEMBERS; PLEASE; VOTE NO ON ADOPTION. WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER IN THIS BILL.

. WE NEED TO START FROM SCRATCH AND GET THE. JOB DONE. THANK YOU.

>> HOUSE. SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG >> REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG: I THINK I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I. JUST HEARD SOMEBODY SAY THAT WE. ARE RATING OUR TAXING AUTHORITY BY.

ACTUALLY INCLUDING. INCOME TAX DOLLARS AND OTHER. DOLLARS RAISED FOR TRANSPORTATION. YET; I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ANYBODY.

; ALL THE DOLLARS THAT. WE APPROPRIATE THEN WITHOUT BERATING. OUR TAXES? I DON'T THINK SO BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AND. THE AUTHORITY.

TO APPROPRIATE THOSE TALKS DOLLARS HOWEVER. WE WISH. TO ME; THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE USE OF FUNDING IN. ORDER TO REALLY HAVE EVERYBODY HAVE.

AN INPUT AND AN IMPACT. INTO TRANSPORTATION. IT'S NOT JUST THOSE THAT DRIVE CARS. AND VEHICLES.

IT IS ALL OF US. OUR. ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE; TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE; IS FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT. TO ALL OF US.

WE. CAN'T CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN IT ON THE. BACKS OF THAT DRIVE CARS THAT ANYMORE. I MEAN; YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT.

IT HAS IN METRO AREA IN REGARD. TO TRANSIT. GASOLINE TAXES. ABSOLUTELY IMPACT AN INCREASE IN GASOLINE TAXES; ABSOLUTELY IMPACT THOSE LOW INCOME IN.

GREATER MINNESOTA THAT DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY OR THE ABILITY TO USE. PUBLIC TRANSIT. THAT IS ALSO A COST TO THEM. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT AS. A STATE WE DO NEED TO COME TOGETHER. WE DO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE METRO AREA AS WELL AS GREATER MINNESOTA AND I THINK. THIS BILL IS ONE OF THOSE.

THAT'S ALWAYS ATTEMPTING TO DO THAT. ACROSS THE BOARD; THERE'S. MORE DOLLARS IN ALMOST. EVERY AREA.

SOME WOULD SAY THERE'S NOT ENOUGH IN ONE PARTICULAR AREA. OR ANOTHER;.. THAT COULD OR CANNOT BE TRUE DEPENDING ON. YOUR OUTLOOK.

WE HAVE. TO REMEMBER THAT. DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT GROUPS HAVE DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES AND DIFFERENT PRIORITIES. THAT.

DOESN'T MEAN ONE IS MORE RIGHT THAN THE OTHER. BUT IT DOES MEAN WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER. SO I THINK THIS IS A GREAT BILL. I REALLY ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO SUPPORTIVE YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING TO DO FOR TOWNSHIPS; FOR OTHERS THAT ARE GETTING DIRECT DOLLARS; ADDITIONAL DOLLARS THAT HAVE NOT HAD FOR A LONG TIME; AND LET'S MOVE IT FOR.

THANK YOU. >> HOUSE SPEAKER: FURTHER DISCUSSION TO THE MOTION? ON THE MOTION TO ADOPT? REPRESENTATIVE-SEEING NO. FURTHER DISCUSSION. THE COURT WILL TAKE THE ROLL CALL ON THE MOTION TO ADOPT.

>> [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. THERE BEING 74 AYE AND 50 NAY. THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONFERENCE. COMMITTEE REPORT.

PREVAILS. THE CLERK WILL GIVE. THE BILL THIRD READING IS MEANT BY. CONFERENCE SPEAKER.

THIRD READING HOUSE HOW IT 61 IS AMENDED. BY CONFERENCE >> HOUSE SPEAKER: THIRD READING. >> [GAVEL] >> HOUSE SPEAKER: ANY. FURTHER DISCUSSION? REPRESENTATIVE BERNARDI.

>> REPRESENTATIVE. BERNARDI: THIS BILL NEED SOME MORE WORK. RIGHT NOW; IT IS SIMPLY WRONG FOR MINNESOTA ADDRESSING A TRANSPORTATION NEED. WE NEED.

A NEW CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED LONG-TERM RELIABLE FUNDING. TO KEEP MINNESOTANS. MOVING EFFICIENTLY. AND EFFECTIVELY.

THIS BILL FAILS THAT. IT'S LIKE. A BAND-AID. IT ROBS MONEY FROM OUR GENERAL FUND.

WHICH IS THE FUND THAT WE USE TO INVEST IN. OUR STUDENTS FAMILIES. AND SENIORS. BY FUNDING EDUCATION; NURSING HOME AND HEALTHCARE THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

MINNESOTA NEEDS A. $6 BILLION FUNDING OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. TO FIX OUR. CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS BILL. SHORTCHANGES MINNESOTA. MINNESOTA WILL. FALL SHORT IN GROWING THE JOBS.

AND GROWING OUR. SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY WHEN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS WEARING OUT. IN OUR-[INAUDIBLE] ARE. WOEFULLY INADEQUATE.

WE NEED A MULTIMODAL SYSTEM THAT SERVES. THE PEOPLE. ACROSS MINNESOTA. THIS BILL FAILS AND FALLS SHORT.

. NOT ONLY. DOES IT-NOT ONLY DOES IT NOT PROVIDE A NEEDED FUNDING FOR OUR ROADS. ;; BRIDGES; BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE; IT LEAVES A HOLE IN THE BUDGET FOR.

METRO TRANSIT. PEOPLE MIGHT IN MY COMMITTEE HAVE SHARED THEIR. STORIES ABOUT HOW. TRANSPORTATION AFFECTS.

THEIR LIFE. VICKI; TAKES A BUS IN. MY COMMUNITY IN. DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET A DECENT JOB TO HELP PAY. HER BILLS. AND SHE EMPHASIZED; BARELY.

SHE DOESN'T HAVE HUGE. USE DOLLARS FOR CAR; INSURANCE. OR PARKING. BARB IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO HAS SURGERY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE COMMUTING.

BY USING THE BOSS. BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT. INJURY. MARION IN MY DISTRICT; HER HUSBAND CAR BROKE DOWN AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE.

NORTHSTAR TRAIN HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO WORK FOR A. WHOLE WEEK. LIVING NEXT TO. A TRANSIT.

-TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM; THAT PROVIDES TRANSIT HELPS KEEP THEIR PROPERTY. VALUES UP SHE SHARED WITH ME. ERIN; WHO MOVED IN MY DISTRICT RECENTLY; HAVING TRANSIT ACCESSIBLE. TO HIM ALLOWED HIS FAMILY TO MOVE.

FROM 221 CAR. SAVING THEM A LOT. OF MONEY AND KEEPING. 25;000 MILES A.

YEAR FROM-OFF THE ROADS THEY HAVE BEEN DRIVING BEFORE. THEY USE A. GREEN LINE AS WELL AS THE NORTHSTAR. MOIRA LEFT A JOB NOT TOO LONG AGO BECAUSE IT.

WAS NOT GOOD. PUBLIC TRANSIT. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO'S A. PROFESSOR SAID HER STUDENTS AT.

METRO STATE MUST HAVE ACCESS. TO BUS; RAIL AND. BIKE WAY AND METRO MOBILITY TO GET TO SCHOOL. IT IS IMPERATIVE; SHE SAID.

THEN; TERRY; SHE IS A FRIEND OF MINE; HER DAUGHTER. WENT TO HER. KIDS SCHOOL. SHE SAID THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE.

TO ATTEND ST. PAUL CONSERVATORY FOR THE. PERFORMING ARTS IF IT WERE NOT FOR. METRO BUSES.

TWO MORE STORIES. KATIE; SHE'S A MILLENNIAL FRIEND OF MINE. AND SHE SAVES ON PARKING EACH DAY BY TAKING A. BUS AND SHE ACTUALLY.

LIKES MAPPING NAPPING ON THE BUS AS WELL. THE OTHER MODE. OF TRANSPORTATION IS JAMES. HE HAS THE ABILITY TO AFFORD A CAR AND GAS; BUT HE MOVED FROM ANOTHER STATE.

TO MINNESOTA AND HE. DOESN'T LIKE DRIVING ON THE SNOWY. ICY ROAD. HE ACTUALLY HAS AN.

ANXIETY DISORDER AND. USES TRANSIT AS HIS CHOICE. OF TRANSPORTATION. SO THERE'S ALL DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE GET ABOUT IN.

OUR COMMUNITIES. THERE'S DIFFERENT TIMES IN THEIR LIFE WHEN THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE. TO GET ABOUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DEPENDENT.

ON TRANSIT IF THEIR PARENTS DON'T HAVE A CAR. OUR. ELDERLY PEOPLE NEED TO. HAVE OPTIONS WHEN.

THEY ARE HAVING WHEN THEY GET RID OF THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE OR THE KIDS TAKE IT AWAY. NO MATTER HOW OLD A PERSON IS FROM ONE. -101 THEY NEED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO. MOVE SAFELY EFFICIENTLY.

AND EFFECTIVELY THROUGHOUT. THEIR LIFE. WE NEED TO SEND THIS. BILL BACK SO WE.

CAN-WE CAN BUILD THE KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS THE MINNESOTA VALUES. THAT WE HAVE OF SUPPORTING. PEOPLE. IN MINNESOTA'S SUCCESS.

THANK YOU. >> HOUSE. SPEAKER: REPRESENTATIVE ROSENTHAL. .

>> YOU DON'T ALLOW. FUTURE LINES. TO HAVE THE ADVANTAGES. THAT THE BLUE LINE AND THE.

GREEN LINE CURRENTLY HAVE. AND I THINK THAT IS WRONG. AND. YOU MAKE THIS FALSE.

COMPARISON THAT ONE FORM OF. TRANSPORTATION IS MUCH MORE. EXPENSIVE THAN THE OTHER. YOU SEEM.

TO THINK THAT ROADS. ARE FREE. THEY'RE NOT. THEY'RE EXPENSIVE.

AND WITH. HEAVY TRUCKS; THEY BECOME MORE. EXPENSIVE. [INDECIPHERABLE] INFORMATIONAL HEARING.

49435W. INTERCHANGE. IT'S ONE OF THE. EIGHTH OR NINTH; TENTH.

WORST IN THE COUNTRY. AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT COSTS. TO FIX? FOR LESS THAN A MILE. OF ROADWAY?*.

$250 MILLION FOR LESS THAN A MILE OF. ROAD. SO THE SUGGESTION THAT ONE. AREA OF TRANSPORTATION IS.

SUBSIDIZED OVER OTHERS IS A. FALSE PREMISE. THIS BILL. DOES NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP.

OUR FAMILIES; OUR. BUSINESSES; THAT MINNESOTA CHAMBER IS. AGAINST THIS BILL. THE CEO.

OF THE MAJOR CORPORATIONS. HAVE COME OUT AGAINST THIS. BILL. THIS.

BILL NEEDS TO GO. BACK -- NEEDS TO GET BETTER. -- A LOT. BETTER.

AND I URGE. MEMBERS TO VOTE "NO.." >> MEMBER FROM. HENNEPIN; REPRESENTATIVE. CARLSON A.

>> THANK YOU; MR. SPEAKER; MEMBERS. THE WEEK OF MAY. 21ST; 23 WEEKS FROM NOW; IS.

NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK. WHEN WE PROUDLY SALUTE THE TENS. OF THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC. WORKS PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK.

TIRELESSLY EVERY DAY... [TALKING TOO FAST]. PUBLIC. WORK ROLE PLAYS CONNECTING.

ALL OF US. AS A CORNER. STONE OF. CIVILIZATION; PUBLIC.

WORKS PROVIDES; MAINTAINS; AND PROVES [INDECIPHERABLE] AS WELL AS SERVICES THAT PROVIDE. FOR A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE. WITHIN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES. ITS ROADS; BRIDGES; AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION THAT KEEP.

US* LINKED TOGETHER FROM. COAST TO COAST. IT'S CLEAN. WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES.

THAT KEEP US HEALTHY AND ALLOW. OUR COMMUNITIES TO. GROW AND PROSPER. IF THE GOAL OF.

PUBLIC WORKS IS TO CONNECT. US; THIS TRANSPORTATION BILL. ONLY DIVIDES US FURTHER. EVEN WITH THE MONEY TAKEN FROM.

THE GENERAL FUND; THERE'S. STILL INSUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR. OUR ROADS; BRIDGES; AND. TRANSIT.

MIN DOT HAS STATED* THAT THE FUNDING PROPOSED. IN THIS BILL DOESN'T EVEN KOR. THE EXISTING MAINTENANCE OF. EXISTING* STRUCK INFRASTRUCTURE.* AND THE NEEDS ARE REAL.

FOR EXAMPLE; LAST MONTH THE. 86TH 3 BRIDGE OVER W BLOOMING. TON* WAS HIT BY A TRUCK HAULING. OIL STORAGE TANKS.

BUT. THAT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME. THIS HAPPENED. BACK IN.

FEBRUARY 2016; A TRUCK HIT A. BRIDGE AND RUPTURED A GAS. LINE THAT RUNS UNDERNEATH IT. THIS BRIDGE IS FINALLY.

BEING REPLACED THIS SUMMER AND. WILL BE. RAISED TWO FEET SO. THESE TYPES OF INCIDENCES.

DON'T CONTINUE TO OCCUR. THIS. IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE. OF THE NEEDS.

THAT WE HAVE TO REPLACE. AND REPAIR OUR. AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. IT'S CRUMBLING.

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS VITAL TO. OUR STATE ECONOMY; AS WE. ALL KNOW; AND OUR QUALITY OF. LIFE.

IT CONNECTS US. VOTE. "NO" ON THIS BILL SO WE CAN. FINALLY GET SERIOUS ABOUT.

STAYING CONNECTED; PROVIDING THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR OUR. ROADS; BRIDGES; AND TRANSIT. >> MEMBER FROM. DAKOTA; REPRESENTATIVE GRAPH.

LOW. >> THANK YOU* MR. SPEAKER. AND THANK.

YOU REPRESENTATIVE. TORKELSON FOR BRIPGING. THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD. TODAY.

WE SEE* CLEAR. DELINEATION ON EACH. SIDE OF THE AISLE. REPUBLICANS WANT TO FIX.

ROADS. YOU WANT TO REPAIR. BRIDGES. WE WANT TO MOVE.

PRODUCT. BUT. TODAY THE DFL IS. OPPOSED TO IT.

WHY? BECAUSE. THE DFL HAS A DIFFERENT. GOAL. THEIR GOAL IS TO RAISE.

TAXES. REPRESENTATIVE. TORKELSON; [TALKING TOO FAST]. REGRESSIVE TAXES ON THE.

MIDDLE CLASS. TAX. INCREASES ARE THEIR GOAL. FINE.

COMMENT EARLIER. WE NEED. CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED. REVENUE.

WE. HAVE CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED REVENUE. THERE'S NO PROHIBITION ON. GENERAL FUND REVENUE FOR ROADS.

AND BRIDGES. WH. AT THEY'RE SAYING IS; THEY WANT TO RAISE. TAXES.

AND AS WE'RE GOING. FORWARD WHEN WE HEAR THESE. COMMENTS THE CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE IS OPPOSED TO THIS BILL? NO; THEY'RE NOT.

EVEN IN THE. SORT OF. TRUTH-FREE; FACT-FREE ERA OF POLITICS; PRETTY MUCH DOCUMENTED THE. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS NOT.

OPPOSED. TO THIS BILL. I'D. LIKE TO FIND A.

RERCHTION POINT TO. THAT. [INDECIPHERABLE] CARLSON... BUT THE REALITY IS; WE'RE HEARING NOTHING NEW.

FROM THE DFL TODAY. THE SAME. OLD LINES. SAME OLD.

LIBERALS; SAME OLD. EXCUSES; SAME OLD DEMOCRATS. >> THE MEMBER FROM NICOLET. TE E*.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON. C. >> THANK YOU; MR. SPEAKER.

I'M VE. RY PLEASED TO SPEAK AT. THIS MOMENT. BECAUSE I'M A.

PROUD DFLER. FROM MANKATO. MINNESOTA. AND.

I'M... RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AND I THINK I'VE. CONSISTENTLY OVER MY CAREER IN THIS HOUSE.

WORKED FOR A REAL. TRANSPORTATION BILL TO HELP RURAL. MINNESOTA; HELP ALL OF. MINNESOTA.

BUT I WANT TO TALK. ABOUT RURAL ECONOMIC. DEVELOPMENT TODAY. WE NEED GOOD.

PAYING JOBS IN RURAL MINNESOTA; AND I THINK THAT'S. WELL-UNDERSTOOD. INDEED; A LOT. OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID; "THIS IS A SESSION OF.

GREATER MINNESOTA TO FOCUS ON. THAT." WELL; ROADS. AND BRIDGES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF. THAT -- THEY REALLY ARE.

I. THINK EVERYBODY IN RURAL. MINNESOTA KNOWS THAT. AND.

I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU WHERE. I LIVE IN RURAL MINNESOTA; I. THINK THERE'S A REAL STRONG. UNDERSTANDING THAT WE NEED NEW.

CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED. MONEY. AND INDEED; THE. TOWNSHIPS ARE.

PART OF THAT -- I'LL GET TO THAT IN JUST A. MOMENT. THIS BILL THAT'S COME. TO THE FLOOR IS 167 MILLION LESS DOLLARS ROADS AND.

BRIDGES THAN THE BILL THAT LEFT. THE FLOOR; HOUSE A COUPLE. OF WEEKS AGO. IN OTHER.

WORDS; THIS. IS A STEP BACKWARDS. BUT WHEN I THINK. ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN.

MINNESOTA -- IN. RURAL MINNESOTA -- RIGHT AWAY GO TO. AGRICULTURE. THAT'S* THE BASIS.

OF THE ECONOMY CERTAINLY. ALONG THE. [INDECIPHERABLE] VALLEY SOUTHERN MINNESOTA WHERE I LIVE. AND THEN WHEN.

I THINK. ABOUT AG CULTURE OUT. IN THE COUNTRYSIDE START THE. FIRST ROAD THAT THAT DRAIN GOES ON AFTER IT COMES OFF THE.

FIELD IS TOWNSHIP PROKED. AND THE TOWNSHIPS ARE NOT* SATISFIED WITH THIS BILL. AND. THEY'RE NOT SATISFIED; BECAUSE.

IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT COME CLOSE TO MEETING THE NEEDS. THEY HAVE. THE TOWNSHIPS. HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THEY NEED 20 MILLION.

DOLLARS A YEAR* TO. MAINTAIN THE ROADS THEY HAVE. WHO'S ON. THOSE TOWNSHIP.

ROADS? SCHOOL BUSES. THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE. COUNTRYSIDE AND THOSE GRADE. TRUCKS.

THEY KNOW THEY. ABSOLUTELY NEED MORE MONEY; AND. THIS BILL ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT DO IT. SO WHAT'S THE.

OPTION. FOR THEM? TO RAISE. PROPERTY TAXES. JUST AS THE.

COUNTIES HAD TROUBLE FUNDING. THEIR ROADS AND SO WHAT DO A. BUNDLE OF. COUNTIES IN.

MINNESOTA MN DO? THEY. RAISE THE SALES TAX. WHAT WE'VE. DONE AS A LEGISLATURE; WE'VE SAID; "WELL; WE WON'T TAKE.

ON THE TAX ISSUE; BECAUSE WE'RE. SCARED. OF THAT. WE WON'T.

ACKNOWLEDGE IT. WE PASS IT. DOWN TO THE. COUNTIES.

WE. PASS IT DOWN TO THE. TOWNSHIPS." IT'S NOT THE RIGHT WAY. TO DO IT.

IF WE'RE. GOING TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE IN THIS. STATE; THE FIRST THING WE NEED. TO DO IS.

TO MAKE SURE THE. ROAD THAT GRAIN TRUCK DRIVES ON. IS QUALITY ROAD.... [TALKING TOO FAST].

THIS BILL. DISEASE NOT COME EVEN. CLOSE* TO MEETING THAT NEED. I.

LIVE IN A REGIONAL CENTER AND WHEN I LOOK AT RURAL. MINNESOTA; ESPECIALLY IN MY. REGION; I SEE OTHER REGIONAL. CENTERS AS.

HAVING THE. POTENTIAL FOR HAVING THOSE. GOOD PAYING. JOBS RURAL.

MINNESOTANS NEED. I THINK. OF TOWNS LIKE HUTCHSON; WILL. MER* PLACES IN FAIR MONT AND I.

THINK OF PLACES* WHERE. THERE'S LOTS. OF PLACES OPPORTUNITY TO GROW GOOD PAYING. JOBS; NEW INDUSTRIES.

ADVANCING INDUSTRIES THAT CAN PROVIDE THE KIND OF WAGES. FAMILIES NEED TO SURVIVE IN. RURAL MINNESOTA. THE.

CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE PROGRAM WAS. DEVELOPED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I. WANT TO.

GIVE KUDOS TO MY. COLLEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE. ORNSTEIN FRK. HE RECOGNIZED.

REGIONAL CENTERS WERE. UNABLE TO CONNECT. THEMSELVES. THAT.

THE CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN. REGIONAL CENTER TO REGIONAL. CENTER THROUGH HIGH QUALITY. HIGHWAYS WAS A FUNDAMENTAL.

INFRASTRUCTURE. WE NEEDED TO IMPROVE. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. OPPORTUNITIES IN.

RURAL MINNESOTA. ONE OF MY BIG. DISAPPOINTMENTS ABOUT THIS BILL. IS; THERE'S NEW LANGUAGE.

ADDED TO CORRIDORS OF. COMMERCE THAT WILL FUNDAMENTALLY. ALTER THE PROGRAM. I'VE TALKED.

TO THE TRANSPORTATION -- THEY BELIEVE IF. THIS LANGUAGE IS ADOPTED IN THIS BILL IT. WILL MAKE UNCOMPETITIVE THE. REQUEST FOR.

PROJECTS TO. CONNECT REGIONAL CENTERS LIKE. NEW OHM; HUTCHINSON AND. WILL MER.

AND BECAUSE* THE. INSISTENCE ON A CRITERIA THAT. FAVORS THE MET [INDECIPHERABLE] POLL TAN AREA WHERE. THERE'S MORE TRAFFIC AND.

THERE'S MORE. -- WELL; FUNDAMENTALLY MORE TRAFFIC -- WOULD GIVE THEM A DISTINCT. ADVANTAGE; WHICH WOULD LIKELY. SIPHON OFF THE MONEY FOR.

CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE; THE ONE. OPTION WE HAVE TO IMPROVE. CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN OUR REGIONAL CENTERS AND THEN NOT. ALLOW US TO GROW THE ECONOMY.

IN THOSE REGIONAL CENTERS. WHERE THERE'S REALLY A LOT OF. OPPORTUNITY. FURTHERMORE.

THIS BILL IS CUTTING GREATER. MINNESOTA TRANSIT AT A TIME. WHEN THERE'S EMPHASIS ON MORE. MINNESOTA TRANSIT.

DEVELOPMENT OF THAT TRANSIT. WHERE I'M LIVING; THERE'S A. CUT OF 14 MILLION DOLLARS* IN SUPPORT OF GREATER. MINNESOTA TRANSIT.

THAT. GREATER MINNESOTA TRANSIT CAN. HELP WORKERS GET TO THOSE JOBS. THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN.

DEVELOP IN RURAL MINNESOTA. THE CHOICE HAS BEEN MADE. REPRESENTATIVE. PETERSBURG REFERRED TO.

IT. THE IDEA THE. POLICY -- THE CHOICE OF POLICY. IS THAT LET THE ROADS.

COMPETE WITH SCHOOLS AND. SERVICES AND. OTHER NEEDS OF THE. GENERAL FUND.

FOR SOME REASON. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FEELS THAT THAT'S A GOOD. IDEA. OKAY.

I'LL RESPECT THAT YOU. THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA -- I. DO NOT. AND WE SAW.

THE EVIDENCE YESTERDAY IN TERMS. OF A LONG-TERM PROBLEM AND A. SHORT-TERM PROBLEM. LAST NIGHT WHEN.

THE CONFERENCE. COMMITTEE MET. AGAIN; THEY TOOK SOME. MONEY OUT OF THAT.

HIGHWAY DISTRIBUTION FUND; AS FURTHER. QUESTION EARLIER. TODAY.* IT SHOWS THE FRAGILITY. OF THAT MONEY GOING.

FORWARD INTO FUTURE YEARS. THAT WERE DEPENDING ON. GENERAL FUND. IF WE COULD TAKE IT LAST.

NIGHT WHEN WE GOT A BIG. SURPLUS. WHAT DO WE. DO IN THOSE YEARS.

THAT DON'T HAVE A. SURPLUS? WE CAN'T COUNT ON. THAT FUNDING FOR ROADS AND. BRIDGES WHEN WE'RE ONLY COUNTING ON THE GENERAL FUND TO.

FUND IT. AND IN THE. SHORT-TERM; WE SAW. IT ON THE FLOOR.

YESTERDAY WHEN WE COULD. NOT COVER INFLATION FOR PUBLIC. SCHOOLS. THE CHOICE TO.

MAKE ROADS COMPETE WITH OUR SCHOOLS AND THEN WE CAN'T COVER. INFLATION FOR OUR PUBLIC. SCHOOLS. AND WE COULD NOT.

PROVIDE A. PAY RAISE FOR ANY OF. THE PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS -- THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR. PEOPLE WITH.

DISABILITIES. NO PAY RAISE. IN THE BILL THAT. WE PASSED OFF.

THIS FLOOR YESTERDAY. THAT'S WHAT. COMPETITION OF GENERAL. FUNDS FOR.

ROADS DOES TO SERVICES. AND BASIC EDUCATION NEEDS THAT WE HAVE. THROUGHOUT THE. STATE.

IT'S A DANGEROUS. PRECEDENT THAT'S SET. IT'S NOT. THEIR APPROACH TO.

GO. I REALLY BELIEVE -- AND I BELIEVE. THIS STRONGLY. I'VE TALKED.

ABOUT TRANSPORTATION A LOT IN. MY CAREER HERE; BUT ALSO. CERTAINLY AT HOME. I REALLY.

BELIEVE. MINNESOTA WANTS A COMPROMISE ON. THE TRANSPORTATION BILL. AND I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE.

AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS. BILL PARTICULARLY TO DEMONSTRATE. TO MINNESOTA THAT WE CAN DO. IT -- WE.

CAN WORK TOGETHER ON. BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND. CRAFT A. BILL THAT WORKS FOR.

BOTH WAYS; THAT CAN ACCEPT THE. PREMISES THAT ARE MADE BY. BOTH PARTIES IN TERMS OF. FUNDING PARTICULARLY FOR ROADS.

AND BRIDGES AND SO; AS WE. MOVE FORWARD*. I HOPE WE CAN. ACCOMPLISH THAT.

I THINK. WE CAN KEEP. WORKING AT THAT. I.

ENCOURAGE US TO KEEP WORKING. AT THAT -- GENUINE. COMPROMISE -- THAT. ALSO INCLUDES NEW.

CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED FUNDING FOR THE ROADS. AND BRIDGES. THIS BILL. DOES NOT PROVIDE THAT.

THIS IS. NOT THE COMPROMISE THAT. MINNESOTA IS LOOKING FOR. I.

ENCOURAGE. YOUR "NO" VOTE. Z. >> MEMBER FROM BROWN.

REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON. >> . >> WELL; THANK YOU; MR. SPEAKER; THANK YOU MEMBERS.

FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE FOR. YOUR VIGOROUS DEBATE OF. TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING. FIRST I THINK.

YOU ALL HAVE A COPY OF THE. CONSTITUTION IN YOUR DESK. I. WON'T ASK YOU ALL TO GET IT.

OUT. BUT IN THE CONSTITUTION. IT SAYS THERE IS HEREBY CREATED. A TRUNK HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

WHICH SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED; IMPROVED; AND MAINTAINED AS PUBLIC HIGHWAYS OF THE. STATE. THE QUESTION HERE IS NOT. THE SOURCE OF FUNDING.

THE. QUESTION IS THE WILLINGNESS. TO PRIORITIZE TRANSPORTATION. SPENDING AS BEING CRITICAL.

TO SUCCESS OF OUR STATE. OF MINNESOTA. NO ONE. IN THIS STATE WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO.

SCHOOL IN MANKATO; OR WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO THEIR. JOB IN. RICH FIELD OR. BLOOMINGTON* OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THIS STATE -- BY THE WAY.

YOU DON'T GET YOUR FOOD AT. THE GROCERY STORE EITHER WITHOUT A ROAD. WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE TRANSPORTATION AS. ONE OF THOSE CRITICAL LEGS OF.

THE STOOL THAT KEEPS. MINNESOTA HEALTHY AND WORKING. THERE ARE 33 OTHER STATES. IN THIS UNION THAT UTILIZE.

THE GENERAL. FUND FOR. TRANSPORTATION. AND SOMEHOW IT.

SEEMS LIKE WE PRETEND. THAT WE DON'T. IT'S A. FALLACY.

WE'VE ALWAYS USED. GENERAL FUND DOLLARS. FOR TRANSPORTATION. THERE'S A.

NUMBER OF DOLLARS IN OUR. BASE SPENDING; BUT ALSO EVERY. TIME WE PASS A GO BOND THAT. IS USED.

FOR ANY KIND OF. TRANSPORTATION PROJECT; THOSE. BONDS ARE SERVICED BY. GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.

WE'VE. SPENT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS. OF DOLLARS THROUGH THE. YEARS ON TRANSPORTATION.

AND THEY'VE COME OUT OF THE GENERAL. FUND. TO PRETEND THAT. WE DON'T IS KIND OF PUTTING YOUR.

BLINDERS OUT. I NEED TO. CLEAR UP ISSUE BROUGHT UP BY. ONE OF.

MY FELLOW MEMBERS OF. THE ALL PALL CAUCUS* WHO. SAID THAT THE. CHAMBER IS NOT IN.

FAVOR OF THIS BILL. I GOT A. NOTE DIRECTLY FROM THEIR. LOBBYIST.

THEY ARE. NOT TAKING A. STAND ON THIS BILL. THEY ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THIS.

BILL. AND I ANTICIPATE. THAT; AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK. THROUGH THE PROCESS; WE MAY.

EVEN SEE BROADER SUPPORT FROM. THE CHAMBER. CORRIDORS OF. COMMERCE.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON. CAME TO ME YESTERDAY. WITH SOME. INFORMATION THAT I WISH.

HE WOULD HAVE SHARED. SOONER; AND WE MAY STILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT. BUT. THE TRUTH IS; THE HISTORY OF.

THE CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE. HAS BEEN 50/50 SPENDING BETWEEN GREATER MINNESOTA AND THE. METRO. I SEE NOTHING IN.

THIS BILL THAT. CHANGES THAT PROCEDURE. WE'RE GOING TO GET. MONEY OUT TO GREATER.

MINNESOTA. WE HAVE $50 MILLION. IN CASH. TO DO THE WORK ON.

SOME OF THESE PROJECTS. THAT REQUIRES. CASH. PLUS WE HAVE.

$300 MILLION IN BONDING; A. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY. WE ALSO HAVE $300 MILLION. IN TRUNK HIGHWAY BONDING FOR THE REST OF THE SYSTEM.

THE ISSUE OF. GREATER MINNESOTA. TRANSIT -- GREATER MINNESOTA. TRANSIT IS.

DEAR TO MY HEART. AS ANYONE ELSE'S. BUT WHEN I. LOOK AT THE FUND BALANCE OF.

THE DEPARTMENT OF. TRANSPORTATION; THERE IS $27 MILLION. JUST SITTING THERE. IT'S NOT.

WORKING FOR ANYBODY. SO. WHILE WE DO MAINTAIN AND. INCREASE.

THE ONGOING FUNDING FOR. GREATER MINNESOTA TRANSIT; WE'RE SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE. DEPARTMENT AND TO THOSE WHO. CARE ABOUT GREATER MINNESOTA.

TRANSIT TO UTILIZE THE. RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE. NONE OF US CAN AFFORD TO. PUT RESOURCES IN A BOX AND WAIT.

FOR THEM TO BE10; 2017 WILL. RECONVENE SHORTLY. >> >> PLEASE; STAND BY. >>.