Friends,
This is a short session, and we have already put a great deal of work on some key issues like getting to the bottom of the MNLARS debacle, making progress on tax conformity, and adding long-term stability to state pensions. Below is a quick update on a bill I am working on and a couple pieces of news that may be of interest close to home. Have a great weekend!
Many Minnesotans have visited or will visit a Workforce Development Center. The current Workforce Development Board has dozens of members, but only one from outside the Metro. HF 2867 would not change who appoints, or the general criteria of the members, except that at least two members need to be from each congressional district, and approximately one-third of the members must reside outside the Metro. The employment and job environment varies across the state, thus this key board must have members that knows about the whole state and lives across Minnesota.
Convention of States
On March 15th at the Capitol in St. Paul, Mark Meckler (a founder of the original Tea Party) and Pete Hegseth (an MN native / Combat Vet / Fox and Friends co-host) will be featured speakers for a rally in support of calling a Convention of the States. Article V of the US Constitution allows a Convention of the States to be called to amend the US Constitution if two-thirds of the states call for it. This is a growing movement around the country. If you are free on March 15th, come see the beautifully restored capitol and learn more about this important issue. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting event.
Kasson receives PFA Funding for Water Treatment Facility Improvements
On Thursday, it was announced that Kasson was one of four southern Minnesota cities approved for grants and loans from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) for projects that will improve wastewater and drinking water facilities. The PFA also awarded funding to Blue Earth, Northrop, and Welcome.
I am pleased to see Kasson has utilized the program offered by the Public Facilities Authority to improve their water treatment facility and wastewater management for the area. Citizens of both Kasson and Mantorville will benefit from this arrangement and the improvements to the water quality
Kasson is planning improvements to its wastewater treatment plant to reduce phosphorus discharge (per new MNPCA regulations) discharge and to connect neighboring Mantorville to its system. Project funding includes a $489,494 grant from the Point Source Implementation Program and a $2.88 million loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund. The 20-year, 1.095 percent loan will save the city $474,964 compared with what it would have paid for a conventional loan of the same amount. In addition, Mantorville will pay Kasson an $819,000 access fee, which will be applied to the project cost. Without this cooperative project, Mantorville would have had to build its own, new facility. Combined this decreases the total spend by both cities and the annual reoccurring costs.
B20 Workshop
The “Be Ready for B20” workshop, sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean and Research Council, will be held in Rochester on March 21 at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 2870 59th St. NW, from 8:30 to 11 a.m; breakfast will be included. The goal of the workshops is to help the industry prepare for the change, and how it will impact fuel providers and end users.
These workshops are a great opportunity for stakeholders to get up to speed on the B20 requirements going into effect on May 1st. I hope diesel retailers, distributors, fleets, farmers, and others will consider attending this workshop to learn about the changes coming to fuel requirements.
According to organizers, topics at the workshop include a history and overview of Minnesota’s law; compliance with the law; diesel and biodiesel basics; best practices for storage handling and use; blending in the spring and fall; and identifying, treating and preventing common diesel issues. Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Department of Commerce Weights & Measures Division and MEG Corp Fuel Consulting are scheduled to speak.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at 952-473-0044 or email email hidden; JavaScript is required
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office anytime by calling (651) 296-9236, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at email hidden; JavaScript is required
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Duane