Recap Of The Many Victories In 2014 MN Legislative Session

DULUTH- This year's legislative session is one for the record books.Lawmakers passed many key bills, including a minimum wage increase.Senator Roger Reinert called from St. Paul and said, "that $9.50 figure is a wage at which people can work a full time job and finally not qualify for state assistance for things like food and health care."They are requiring kill switches on smartphones and making medical marijuana available to some.Reinert said, "frankly for me I don't think we're doing enough. Veterans who are struggling with issues like PTSD are not going to be included in the medical marijuana bill and I find that very disappointing but it's a step in the right direction."For the Northland, the bonding bill brings millions of dollars in funding for multiple projects.This includes restoration of the NorShore Theatre, revitalizing Wade Stadium and building a new water system for Spirit Mountain.Director of marketing at for Spirit Mountain said, "it will take off some of the demand on the water system down there which will be good for further private development. It will also be good for the economy, creating a lot of jobs down there during the construction phase when this pipe is being put in."The new water system will be environmentally friendly; making snow by taking water from the St. Louis River.The project is a huge step towards rejuvenating West Duluth.Johnson said, "anything that we can do down on Grand Avenue helps spur further development, public and private and will really make that into the gem that the mayor wants it to be."Senator Reinert believes the bonding bill scored a 9 out of ten for the Northland.Reinert said, "a lot of people not from our region thought of a ski hill, a ball park, and a theater as nice–to–haves. Not must–haves, so we had a little bit of work to do at the end of the session to convince people why those were key projects for Duluth but we got that job done."