Sen. Latz Week in Review: End of Session

[The following news release comes from the office of Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44)]

Once again, there were long periods of waiting in between short floor sessions that did not accomplish much. The Senate heard a few small bills on the floor on Monday, took up one of the Transportation Omnibus bills on Tuesday (I amended my ignition interlock bill onto it) and then the Majority’s Tax bill conference committee report (no agreed with the Governor) on Thursday. At different times during the week we were told a vote on the Vikings bill was imminent and a bonding bill was going to be taken up. Neither came to fruition. Monday, the House leadership has said that they will take up both the Vikings bill and the bonding bill. The Senate will not be allowed to hear either of the bills until Wednesday unless they waive their own rules and declare an “urgency”.  Keep in mind, there are only four days left that the legislature is constitutionally able to meet in floor sessions and pass bills.

I am still waiting to see what the final Vikings bill will look like once it passes the House. As for the bonding bill, I am extremely disappointed that NO money has been included for Southwest Light Rail transit. Cities along the line have been carefully planning and advocating for this line for over 20 years along with the transit community, the chambers of commerce and the metropolitan council. It is one of the number one priorities for the southwestern suburbs and the cities I represent. I am hard pressed to vote for a bonding bill without this project in it and I continue to press to have it in the final discussions.

We are rapidly approaching the final days of session with work still left on the table. I have a feeling that Monday, Tuesday and possibly Wednesday are going to be very long days. Please continue to e-mail, write or phone me regarding your issues and concerns.