Friends and neighbors,

Discontinuing Northstar operations:

This week inthe Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, we heard an important bill I authored this session to support our local community. S.F. 3494 would discontinue Northstar passenger rail operations, which offers service between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis. This bill would require the commissioner of transportation and the Metropolitan Council to request approval from the Federal Transit Administration to discontinue these operations.

This request must also state that Minnesota will not reimburse the federal government for funds already spent. 

Northstar continues to experience drastic decreases in ridership. Ridership declined from pre-pandemic levels of 767,767 rides in 2019 to 152,456 in 2020. Additionally, according to the Metro Transit director of finance, total ridership in 2021 is forecasted at about 51,000. 

These numbers clearly demonstrate that the Northstar is not being regularly used and there is good reason to end costly operations. For years, Sherburne County taxpayers have been heavily subsidizing this rail operations and discontinuing this idle service would reduce local property taxes. 

I believe a more sustainable transit solution, such as a rapid bus system, would better meet the needs of our community and not have the high price tag of the Northstar.

Ensuring consumer choice of fuel:

In the Senate Energy and Utilities Finance Committee, I also presented a bill, S.F. 2185, to prohibit local municipalities from banning the service hookup of propane and natural gas. This is an issue that is occurring in cities and states across the country and being referred to as “electrification.’ For example, more than 50 cities in California have enacted policies to ban or discourage gas hookups from new buildings.

I strongly believe this is an overreach of government power and denies consumer choice of fuel. Furthermore, there are approximately 28 states that have passed legislation such as the bill I am carrying this session. It is time for Minnesota to also pass this important policy so building owners continue to have the right to choose the best fuel to meet their individual needs.

Increasing funding for county attorney Trial Court training:

Additionally, in this week’s Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, we heard a bill I authored to increase funding for county attorney Trial Court training.

Since the early 1980’s, the Minnesota County Attorneys Association (MCAA) has received bi-annual legislative appropriations for prosecutor training. This has allowed MCAA to train thousands of prosecutors and provide more than 900 accredited classes. 

It is imperative for the MCCA to continue these important trainings, such as the highly popular trial school training, which uses audio-visual equipment to provide instantaneous video critiquing ability. County Attorney Offices are also currently experiencing a lack of experienced applicants due to the great increase in retirements. For this reason, additional funding is needed for New Attorney topics and to ensure additional training is available to meet case law updates and emerging issues. 

Therefore, I am carrying S.F. 3332 this session to appropriate a $100,000 grant in fiscal year 2023 for MCCA prosecutorial Trial Court and law enforcement training. The base appropriation for this would then be $200,000 in each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and thereafter.

Contact me

As always, if have questions or concerns on any other legislative topic, feel free to contact me any time. You can call me at 651-296-5655 or send me an email at sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn. It is a privilege to serve as your state senator.

Sincerely,

Mary