End of Session Recap: Sen. John Hoffman

The legislative session that just ended may be known for the things that did not become law. However, Senator John Hoffman says northwest metro highway projects may be the high point for local residents.

Senator John Hoffman of Champlin points to the $4 million interchange planned for Highway 169 on the north edge of Brooklyn Park.

“Of course 169 and 101st the interchange, that was something I was chief author on from the beginning,” Hoffman said.  “Also one of the things that got added in at the end too was the fixing of 252 which I think it’s important for all of us in the north metro.”

Those items are in the bonding bill which the Governor had not acted on as of Friday afternoon.

Hoffman also lists shoring up pensions for state workers and teachers as an important accomplishment.  But he says thousands of disabled and elderly Minnesotans are at risk because nothing was done about a 7 percent cut to reimbursement rates for caregivers.

“We know our aging population, those people who are counting on government to do that,” said Hoffman.   “These are truly government services for protecting those with disabilities and those that are elderly. I’m disappointed there was no real urgency to help fix that.”

Hoffman says the bill should have been considered separately and not wrapped up in one big bill the governor vetoed.