Tony Jurgens represents District 54B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Minnesota House District 54B, located in the southeast Minneapolis-St Paul metro area, includes the communities of Hastings, Afton, Denmark Township, Nininger Township, and parts of Cottage Grove.
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By Rep. Tony Jurgens, 11/11/2019
Hello from the State Capitol,
On this Veterans Day, I’d like to take a moment and thank all of our active and retired military personnel for their service to our country. Without their sacrifices, the freedoms we enjoy today would not exist.
Over the past several days I’ve had the opportunity to honor and thank our veterans at a number of events, including the 13th Annual Cottage Grove Area Prayer Breakfast last week.
On Friday the Minnesota Veterans Home – Hastings held an event for veterans including remarks by Commissioner Larry Herke and music by the United States Air Force Midwest Winds. Eugene Leifeld, past Third District American Legion Commander, gave the keynote address.
The Veterans Day Concert at the Hastings Middle School was held on Sunday and featured music by the Hastings River Valley Band and the 204th Army Reserve Band. The highlight was the “Armed Forces Parade” that featured the songs from each branch of service and the ovation for those who served as they stood during their respective song.
The State of Minnesota’s Veterans Day Celebration was held in Inver Grove Heights today. We heard from Commissioner Larry Herke, Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, and many others. Music was performed by the 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band.
To all who have served or are serving our nation, my deepest thanks on this Veterans Day.
HOUSE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE VISITS HASTINGS
As a member of the Minnesota House bonding committee, I spent much of October traveling across Minnesota with fellow committee members in order to learn more about statewide construction projects that are seeking funding.
On October 22, I was pleased to host the committee in Hastings so lawmakers could learn more about two local bills that I’m carrying on behalf of the City: the city hall preservation project, and the Highway 316 renovation project.
I’ve been exploring multiple ways to fund Highway 316 since I reached an agreement with MnDOT in 2017 to leave speed limits alone and increase driver and pedestrian safety. MnDOT came up with a plan – after holding open house meetings for resident input – that city leaders also endorsed that would put roundabouts at Tuttle and Tiffany Drives, as well as Spiral Boulevard, and construct a center median and paths for walkers and bicyclists.
With a $1.5 million funding gap for this Highway 316 project, I’ve been trying to find a creative way to ease the financial burden. The only portion of this project where capital investment dollars can be used is for the creation of bike and pedestrian paths, so I am seeking up to $1.5 million for this purpose and to get this project funding in place.
Upon entering Hastings, we pulled over so members could see firsthand the dangers associated with this stretch of roadway. After a welcome on the bus from Mayor Fasbender, Hastings Public Works Director Nick Egger joined us to explain why the project is necessary and encourage legislative support. After sitting at Tuttle Drive for several minutes waiting to turn onto Highway 61, everyone on the bus understood the needs for improvements along this road.
From there we traveled to City Hall to look at the historic building that is in dire need of repair, and were joined by numerous city leaders, chamber members and others. Hastings City Planner Justin Fortney then gave a tour and presentation regarding the about numerous interior and exterior improvements that are needed throughout the building.
My legislation would authorize $2 million in bonding proceeds to assist with this construction project, contingent on the City providing a $2.6 million investment on its own or finding those funds from outside sources.
As we left, I heard from a number of committee members who called the Hastings visit “memorable.” While that doesn’t guarantee my two Hastings bills will be approved in the Capital Investment Committee next session, it can’t hurt.
I think it’s also a positive that both the Hastings City Hall and Highway 316 proposals were included in the House version of the capital investment bill last session before members had a chance to view the projects (that legislation did not become law).
It’s worth noting that the Senate and Governor’s Office are also conducting capital investment tours, and I’ll be interested to hear their thoughts if or when they make it to town. But for now, the House Capital Investment Committee has been fully briefed on these plans, and I will continue fighting for their inclusion in the House’s bonding bill that will be unveiled during the 2020 session.
Talk to you soon,
Tony
Representative Tony Jurgens
351 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-3135
E-mail: rep.tony.jurgens@house.mn
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Here are a few of the pictures from the Hastings Rivertown Days Parade today. Thanks to the team of volunteers, friends and family that joined us and to everyone that came out to see the parade for the awesome reception.
Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy Jodi Greene, a Northfield, MN native, stopped at the Capitol today on her way to Navy week in Duluth. We talked about littoral combat ship 21, also known as USS Minneapolis/St. Paul which was recently christened in Marinette, WI. We’re hoping for the ship to be commissioned in Duluth next year which would be a great opportunity for more Minnesotans to attend the event and for crew members to meet people of our state that the ship is representing.
Another successful parade in Afton celebrating Independece Day It was hot and humid but the clouds and breeze helped. Thank you to everyone that joined us and to the great crowd of spectators.