Rep. Laurie Pryor (48A) – Legislative Update
Dear Neighbors,
If you plan to come by with a group taking a field trip or other visit to the Capitol, please let me know; I’d love to say hello.
Earlier this week, we finally passed a bill off the House Floor to comply with federal Real ID requirements. Absent this bill, Minnesotans could have been stopped from boarding commercial flights or entering military bases in 2018.
For too long, politics got in the way of getting this done. I’m pleased though that we were able to pass this legislation on a bipartisan basis and that yesterday morning, the Governor signed the bill into law. Since this happened, the federal Dept. of Homeland Security is likely to give us an extension to roll-out the new IDs.
State Budget
Discussions continue between Gov. Dayton and Republican legislative leadership in an effort to reach an agreement on Minnesota’s two year budget. As you may know, the Legislative session is constitutionally required to end Monday. Wednesday night, Gov. Dayton offered to meet the GOP leaders half way on their proposal for the budget surplus. I felt this was a reasonable compromise to put on the table and could build momentum toward an orderly end of the session. In response, the Republicans in the Legislature responded with an offer essentially unchanged from their prior proposal and insisted on including policy language unrelated to the budget. As Gov. Dayton has repeatedly objected to this; the strategy delays final passage.
There is still time left to get this important work done. We can enact a budget that is firmly in line with our values that makes Minnesota such a wonderful state such as quality schools, affordable higher education, and dependable roads, bridges, and transit. The clock is ticking though, and to get the job done, it will take compromise from everybody. I’m ready to be part of this solution.
Town Hall Meeting
I invite you to join me for a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, June 3. This will be a good opportunity for us to get together and recap the concluded legislative session, and I look forward to answering your questions as well as listening to your input. Please join us if you are able to.
WHAT: Legislative Town Hall Meeting
WHO: State Rep. Laurie Pryor, interested members of the community
WHEN: Saturday, June 3 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Eden Prairie High School, East Commons, Room 212, 17185 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
I hope you will continue to contact me with your viewpoints and any questions. In these final days, your input is particularly valuable so don’t hesitate to call or email me.
Sincerely,
Laurie Pryor
State Representative