Dear Neighbors:
There are just over three weeks remaining in the legislative session. In that time, we must come to an agreement with the House and the governor on the state’s budget. Conference committees, which serve as the negotiations between the House and the Senate, have been meeting throughout the week and have been working diligently on arriving at compromise budgets that can be sent to the governor.
Passed from the floor: Legacy bill
On Monday, the Senate passed the omnibus Legacy bill with strong bipartisan support. In 2008, voters in Minnesota passed a state constitutional amendment that became known as the “Legacy Amendment.” The amendment increased the state sales tax to fund initiatives that protect our drinking water, habitat, arts, cultural heritage, parks, trails, water, and more. The bill that passed the Senate funds the Outdoor Heritage Fund, state parks and trails, the Board of Arts, Minnesota Historical Society, and many other areas that work to preserve Minnesota’s unparalleled beauty and diverse culture.
Most notably, however, is the $22 million that is included in the bill to support soil and water conservation districts in support of buffer strip implementation. This money is coming out of the Clean Water Fund and is to be used to support landowners in their implementation of the state’s buffer strip mandate, which has become a prolonged headache for many rural Minnesotans.
The Legacy bill unanimously passed the Senate in early April and is currently being worked on in a joint House-Senate conference committee.
Passed: Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority changes
On Thursday, the Senate unanimously passed HF778, a bill that makes substantial changes to the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the body tasked with operating the publicly-funded U.S. Bank Stadium. Following allegations made earlier this year that MSFA commissioners and staff “violated core ethical principles,” this legislation fundamentally reforms the organization of the body. Among the provisions of the bill:
- The stadium space may not be used by the executive director or family/friends unless the use is for a legitimate business purpose and is approved by a vote of the Authority at a public meeting, and the legitimate business purpose is made public.
- Staff may not use the stadium space unless with the express written assignment of duties by the executive director. Staff may not receive free food or beverages and may not receive free parking unless necessary to complete the assigned duties.
- The Authority must report annually to various parties regarding the use of stadium space by Authority members, staff, family, friends, charitable organizations, and vendors or their guests.
- The Authority must make every effort to recover the fair market value of any food, parking, tickets, and access to the stadium provided to a person prior to January 1, 2017, if the provision of those benefits to the person was not in the public interest.
The bill passed the House and awaits the signature of Gov. Dayton.
As always, please contact my office to share any comments, questions, or concerns. I would love to hear from you!
Senator Scott Newman
Senate District 18