Yearly Archives: 2016

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed U.S. Rep Rick Nolan’s bill, H.R. 6014, with unanimous support to reduce unnecessary cost burdens on State and Local governments and their airports from the Federal Government when conducting airport improvement and expansion projects. Currently, State and Local governments are being forced to pay an inordinate amount of money to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to complete a project that could be done at a lower cost by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

Sen. Al Franken said he pressed to pass a major water infrastructure bill in the Senate because it not only creates jobs, modernizes community water systems, and makes the nation's waterways more navigable, but it will also bolster investment in clean drinking water and in efforts to replace dangerous lead pipes

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that several of her key priorities passed the Senate today as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016. The bipartisan bill includes Klobuchar’s provision to provide critical resources and funding to conserve fish and wildlife populations in the Great Lakes, and priorities that require the use of American iron and steel in all projects funded through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and establish a voluntary school and child care lead testing program, among others

U.S. Sen. Al Franken applauded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for releasing federal guidance on how local governments can make sure that their nuisance ordinances don't endanger survivors of domestic violence and other victims of crime.

The St. Louis County Board has approved a preliminary property tax levy of $126,550,079, an increase of 8.5 percent for 2017. The increased money is needed to fund skyrocketing out-of-home placement costs and other investments in children and family services. At the same time, the County's growing property tax base means most people will see little change in their property taxes compared to two years ago

An important reminder for property owners with septic systems in St. Louis County who are considering selling their home between now and next summer: get your septic system inspected now before the ground freezes.

Staff from the County Assessor's Office will be touring storm damaged areas in and around White Township and Biwabik beginning next week to assist property owners who may be eligible for tax credits or abatements following Monday night's storm

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representatives Collin Peterson, John Kline, Tim Walz, Erik Paulsen, Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison, Rick Nolan, and Tom Emmer, have urged the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to carefully consider the potential impact of a proposed rule that could prevent port authorities and other political subdivisions from issuing tax-exempt bonds, a key financing tool for major projects

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Hallock Municipal Airport a grant of $243,021 for infrastructure improvements.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Fergus Falls Municipal-Einar Mickelson Field Airport a grant of $632,736 for infrastructure improvements.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Sauk Centre Municipal Airport a grant of $1,530,855 for infrastructure improvements.

U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)—along with over 20 of their colleagues—urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for action to combat unfair and discriminatory nuisance ordinances that disproportionately affect survivors of domestic violence.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Willmar Municipal-John L. Rice Field Airport a grant of $348,766 for infrastructure improvements.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Baudette International Airport a grant of $217,413 for infrastructure improvements