Category: SD50

Dear Neighbors,

I hope summer has been treating you well. We all know summer in Minnesota is truly something special. No matter our differences, we come together to enjoy everything our state and community has to offer. I hope you can get out and enjoy some time with family and friends, and get to know our neighbors.

Night to Unite / National Night Out

Tuesday, August 7th, is Minnesota Night to Unite and National Night Out. These events are held the first Tuesday in August in neighborhoods across the country to celebrate a commitment to our safe communities. If you would like me to stop by an event in your neighborhood, please let me know and I will try to attend. I am hoping to get to as many neighborhood events as possible. So if you see me, please say hi and introduce yourself! Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 19, 2018”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you are getting ready for a fantastic 4^th of July. While most people think of Independence Day when they think of early July, Minnesota policymakers also think about the new laws that take effect on July 1^st.

This year the House and Senate Majorities decided to combine nearly all of the proposals we worked on this year into one large proposal. There certainly were a lot of programs with bipartisan support, but there were too many controversial programs that Governor Dayton would not support and promised to veto. Which means just a handful of new laws take effect July 1, 2018. Among the topics addressed are: athletic trainers, claims against the state and tweaks to a development fund. To read more click here. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) – Legislative Update”

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you for the honor of serving Bloomington in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The 2018 Legislative Session finished and the dust has settled. It seems that everything can be spilt into three groups: the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, there is a lot more work that needs to be done if we are to build an economy that works for everyone and a better future for all Minnesotans.

There were some bright spots for Bloomington. I am glad we passed funding for $12 million in upgrades at Normandale Community College, $15 million for renovations at Fort Snelling state park, and $10 million in funding for metro parks, which supports regional parks in our community. The 494 and 35W interchange was selected for a $204 million upgrade to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety. We also reformed the state’s pension programs, which will stabilize pensions for teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other state workers for years to come. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: June 8, 2018”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We have about a week to finish up our work at the legislature and a lot needs to come together for things to go smoothly.

Just Over A Week Remains

We must finish our work by the time the clock strikes midnight on Sunday, May 20th. The last few years we had a rough end to the legislative session. Unfortunately, we are really behind schedule and it might be a repeat of past years where a lot of work was not finished. We still have not had meaningful discussions on adequate school funding, finding solutions for the state’s opioid crisis, protecting seniors from abuse, making our schools safer and ending senseless gun violence, shoring up state pensions, fixing public infrastructure, and protecting hard-working Minnesotans from tax increases. In fact, the Dayton Administration has sent Republican leaders 270 pages of input and concerns about legislation being considered without much of a response. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: May 11, 2018”

Dear Neighbors,

Major road improvements in Bloomington were announced this morning! MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) will add MnPASS lanes to portions of 494 near 35W to help traffic flow during rush hour. The 494/35W interchange will also receive some major upgrades. Like any major construction project it will take time to finalize the details, but the bottom line is improvements are on the way. Here are more detailed descriptions for two of the projects from MnDOT.
Highway 494, France Avenue to Highway 77 – estimate up to $134 million
This project will construct a MnPASS lane on Interstate 494 from France Avenue to Highway 77 in the eastbound direction and a MnPASS lane from Highway 77 to I-35W in the westbound direction. The proposed project is intended to improve the capacity of the interstate and dramatically improve the reliability of the average rush hour trip.

Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: May 1, 2018”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We’ve finished most of our committee work and omnibus bills are moving quickly for a vote on the House Floor. The House Majority’s plan for quick passage includes bundling various issue areas, some of which are not related, into large omnibus bills. One example is the Transportation and Health and Human Services bill, which we will hear next week.

The Senate is planning to do one, massive, all-encompassing bill, so it will be interesting to see how the two legislative bodies will reconcile the differences within their bills. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 27, 2018”