Rep. Mike Beard Outlines His Legislative Priorities

Rep. Michael Beard, R-Shakopee, has started fifth term in the Minnesota House of Representatives and is chairman of the transportation policy and finance committee. He also serves on the energy subcommittee and the committees for natural resource policy and finance, government operations and elections, and ways and means.

With the 2012 Minnesota legislative session convening earlier this week, Beard shared some insights and priorities for 2012. 

Racino

“I very much want to see a racino bill pass this session,” Beard said Wednesday. To that end, he has co-authored a bill, introduced Tuesday, that would authorize the state lottery director to place slot machines at racetracks, including . In the bill, a portion of the revenue generated would be dedicated to education and finance and construct a stadium for the Vikings and a ballpark for the St. Paul Saints. The bill was read for the first time Tuesday and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Regulatory Reform.

Highway 101 Bridge in Shakopee

As chairman of the transportation policy and finance committee, he considers one of his top priorities working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on a plan to upgrade and raise the Highway 101 river crossing. The goal is having a working bridge even in times of flooding, which has plagued the area in recent years.

Beard wants the bridge, near downtown Shakopee, to be four lanes. Cost estimates, he said, are $27 million for two lanes and only $8 million more for four.

“It strikes me as prudent to do it now,” Beard said, adding that four lanes are needed for the 20,000-plus vehicles that drive on it daily and for population growth in the coming years.

The Vikings Stadium

Beard, like Sen. Claire Robling, is among a small local team that recently , near . He said Wednesday that the Shakopee site is a credible option and that he’d like to see racino revenue pay for a portion of a stadium, wherever it lands.

Metropolitan Council

Another issue Beard is passionate about is protecting suburban transit operators “from the budgetary whipsaw of the Metropolitan Council.” He said the Council has shifted in focus toward people living in the urban core and that he will fight future attempts to trim suburban funding through legislation. “(Shakopee and Prior Lake) need a person defending them,” he said.

Minnesota State Shutdown After-Effects

Beard said he has proposed legislation that would keep the Minnesota Department of Transportation from shutting down existing work and highway contracts should there ever be a budgetary impasse.

Fence at Shakopee Women’s Prison

If a fence around Shakopee Women's Prison it is built, Beard plans to make sure it fits in with the neighborhood, though he said he's more concerned with the Highway 101 project.