Review Current Legislative Session with Local Legislators

The purpose of this case is to review and discuss City priorities with our state Legislators.  The City typically holds a similar meeting each year at the beginning of the year. 

Senator Jim Abeler, Representative John Heinrich, and Representative Peggy Scott have all accepted an invitation to attend this work session.  Some will likely attend remotely.

 

Highway 10 remains Ramsey's top legislative priority for the Minnesota Legislature.  The project will also likely need additional Federal funding to proceed.

The City was fairly successful in the 2020 Legislative Session.

• $8.4M for Highway 10 Improvements
• Adjustments to Fire Relief Association pertaining to dissolution of Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with City of Nowthen (Note: a technical correction of this legislation will be submitted for 2021).

Two items have been held over after being introduced in the 2020 Legislative Session, with hopes of approval in 2021.

• Extend Project Deadline (5 Year Rule) for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 14 (The COR)
• Sales Tax Exemption for Public Works Campus

Other options of direct local interest would include:

• Sales Tax Exemption for the Water Treatment Facility
• State Funding for Water Treatment Plant

Additional discussion on broader policy priorities (e.g., Local Government Aid, Metropolitan Council Governance, Executive authority, etc.)  are also of interest and will be discussed by the Council at a future Council  meeting.

Based on discussion.

No action requested at this time. The purpose of this case is to review and discuss City priorities with our state Legislators. A case will be brought forward to the Council in February to formally adopt a legislative platform for 2021.