By Dan Sparks

State Senator, District 27

The 2016 legislative session has now come to a close. This was a unique session, with ongoing Capitol renovations and a short 11 week session giving us less time than usual to pass necessary and important legislation. This shortened timeframe posed new challenges that restricted what could be accomplished this year.

With divided government it is sometimes difficult to find common ground. We were able to reach a compromise on two major bills, our supplemental budget bill as well as a bipartisan tax bill. Both of these bills included a mix of Democrat and Republican proposals, and address a large number of our shared priorities. At the end of the day, both of these bills passed with strong bipartisan support.

The supplemental budget bill provided targeted investments with part of the budget surplus. I’m very happy that education at all levels, from early education through college received additional funding.  Education is one of the core missions of state government. Another good use of onetime dollars are the $35 million in broadband grants and $27 million for economic development programs, which will help businesses and workers across the state.

This was my first session serving on the tax committee and it was a very informative experience. We were able to craft a fair tax bill that will help families, students, veterans, and businesses throughout the state. It included an increase in eligibility for the working families’ credit to help hundreds of thousands of hardworking Minnesotans, a first in the nation student loan tax credit that will relieve the burden on student debt for thousands of college graduates, and an increase to the availability of the military service income tax credit, helping veterans who qualify.

Although they may not get the headlines, there were many bills passed this session that will benefit and improve our state.  I am proud of the work I did with members across the aisle in both the House and Senate to pass important legislation this year. This included work in telecommunications reform, utilities railroad crossings, improved building constructions regulations and agriculture policy updates. Several of these were historically contentious issues that were only accomplished through dedicated time and energy toward finding compromise.

It is not always possible to address every issue each session, but there were two items that I believe most of us were hopeful of finalizing transportation and capital investment projects. All parties worked until the final minutes of the session to pass a bill that would have moved us forward on these remaining issues, but time expired with one difference still unresolved.

I want my constituents to know that though I understand the need to address important transit corridors in the metro and why some of my colleagues needed this issue addressed, I voted against their amendment to the final bill. I knew that we had limited time and worried that we would not be able to get the revision processed. Due to that concern, I needed to stand up for the interests of our district and vote no. Unfortunately, the House did adjourn before the bill made it back to them for approval.

Senate and House leaders and the Governor have discussed options to still make sure these issues are addressed. I believe these are areas where we can find compromise. I will continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle if we are given that opportunity.