Legislative Update from Rep. David FitzSimmons

Dear neighbor,

Last week, the House gaveled back into session after being on legislative break in observance of the Easter and Passover holidays. I continue to be focused on expanding I-94. While the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) currently says it is not a top priority, I am working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to put pressure on MNDOT to make it top priority.

I appreciate DFL House Transportation Finance Committee Chairman Frank Hornstein coming to St. Michael on Friday to an I-94 informational town hall meeting. We had local mayors, city council members, county commissioners, local business leaders as well as Representative Marion O’Neill of Buffalo and Senator Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake in attendance. The consensus from everyone at the meeting was that expanding I-94 was critical for safety and travel efficiency for all who use it as well as agreement that it will have a huge statewide economic impact.

On Tuesday, I was honored to have been given the opportunity to present House resolutions recognizing the Eagle Scout Award to several constituents – Andrew M. Bollin, Joseph Johnson, Mitchell John Gerads, Mike Hilden, Andrew Mayerchak, and Daniel Mayerchak at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East. Thanks to everyone who came. I appreciated the invitation to be there.

I also had the privilege of touring Dahlheimer Beverage in Monticello on Friday. Dahlheimer is a family-owned business located in Monticello and employs several people in our district. The owner of Dahlheimer expressed concern about how Governor Dayton’s tax on top earners would hurt their ability to expand, hire, and purchase capital and cited I-94 expansion as key to their business and attracting new business in the Monticello area. I continue to oppose increasing taxes on our hard-working families and businesses.

As your voice in St. Paul, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.David.Fitzsimmons@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-1534. You can also send me mail to my office address: 227 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family, friends, and neighbors so they can sign up and stay in touch.

Sincerely,

David