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MN Legislative Wrap-Up

FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT
Friday, May 11, 2012 - 9:59pm

By: 

Andrew Lovelette

Photojournalist: 

Nathaniel LeCapitaine
  • Government (MN)
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Minnesota
  • Twin Ports
Duluth, MN, USA -
DULUTH - The 2012 legislative session was largely consumed by the drama that was the Minnesota Vikings stadium bill, but not much else. "The word used down at the capitol is a do nothing session and it's hard to say that's not really the description," said Sen. Roger Reinert, (D) Duluth. One of Reinert’s biggest priorities this session revolved around the senate bonding bill. Duluth was seeking state funding for a multi–million dollar DTA transit center downtown, but was not included in the final bill, which was disheartening considering the project has the backing of federal and private dollars.  "Number one there are private dollars involved and not a lot of projects have that and number two we had this leveraged federal dollars that go away if we don't match them this year," said Reinert. The city also looking for funding to renovate historic Wade Stadium, but that too was left off. Duluth Mayor Don Ness says not all was lost in the session as legislation was passed to harshen the penalty of selling synthetic drugs from a misdemeanor to a felony. "That will shut down the synthetic drug trade in the state of Minnesota and obviously we've been the epicenter of this issue with the “Last Place on Earth” and the problems that we're seeing in old downtown," said Ness. Reinert said, "Law enforcement has said this is what we need. County prosecutors have said this is what we need. Those are the two groups that have said this is not enough." The city still has hope for some of these projects through a 50-plus million dollar pot created by DEED which will be awarded on a competitive basis. Ness said, "The city of Duluth will be in a position to bring forward a project and hopefully assist us in starting a project yet this summer." Sen. Reinert said he plans to write a letter to Gov. Dayton Monday, suggesting ways to find money and get these projects done. All 201 state legislative seats are up for grabs this fall for elections.

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