Hello from St. Paul,
How can we get more people to make downtown Farmington a destination?
It’s a question many in the city have been asking for years. If you want more people to spend their free time downtown, you have to give them a reason to do so.
Maybe allowing Farmington to create a social district is the answer?
This week, I sponsored legislation that would allow the Farmington City Council to vote on whether to allow a social district. The goal is to enhance pedestrian traffic and support local businesses. It would give Farmington the opportunity to hold more events and festivals downtown, and it would allow people to carry alcoholic beverages in the designated downtown areas during these times.
If passed, my hope is this social district bill will help provide an economic stimulus for Farmington and entice people to enjoy the downtown area.
STOPPING NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Last week, I told you about a bill I’m chief authoring that would prevent elected local and state officials from signing non-disclosure agreements on local economic development projects.
A separate, bipartisan bill that I’m co-authoring was heard in the Elections committee this week, and a Farmington resident traveled to St. Paul to testify in favor of it, and another Farmington constituent gave testimony by Zoom. The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the House floor for a full debate.
I’m pleased the issue is being taken seriously in the Minnesota House. NDA’s prevent elected officials from being transparent with the public about what they’re doing. That’s not how government is supposed to operate.
NO FINANCIAL AID FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
This week, the higher education committee heard legislation that would make illegal immigrants in Minnesota ineligible for state financial aid. To me, this legislation is common sense. Financial aid coming from the state, funded by state taxpayers, should only go to legal residents of this state. With a large budget deficit on the horizon, we need to start finding ways to cut costs. This bill would be a good place to start.
FLY THE FLAG!
This week, the House elections committee approved a bill that allows residents in homeowner’s associations to fly military flags.
Under current law, any homeowner’s association document that limits the right of a residential property owner or tenant to display the United States flag and the flag of the State of Minnesota is void and unenforceable. This bill adds the National League of Families POW/MIA flag, the flag of any branch of the United States Armed Forces, or a Blue Star Service flag or a Gold Star Service flag, to the list of flags to which the law applies.
The bill passed unanimously and its next stop is the House floor.
In liberty,
Drew