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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 9 cation between employers and higher education functions. Rep. Isaacson refer- enced recommendations received from a recent task force, and while not as com- prehensive as he would like going into a budget year, providing options on how best to reinvest in all levels of education, from middle school students involved in technological courses, and giving schools the tools they need. Rep. Isaacson ad- vised that this would be his focus over the next few years. Rep. Isaacson provided a shameless plug for the Rice Street bridge at 694, opin- ing that he hoped it made it into legislation as currently written, since in viewing an area map it was obvious that the 1-694/1-494 are had not be sufficiently served, even based on the sheer number of bridges built on either side of that corridor; and expressed his hope that the bridge made it into the bonding bill. Rep. Isaacson expressed his passion about his home area and the ability of legisla- tors to blatantly ignore the needs of the Northeast Metropolitan area; advising that a coalition of him and other legislators was planning an end to that by making a stand to get the needed infrastructure in this area comparable to other regions and counties. Rep. Isaacson advised that they were currently putting together a bill to stipulate that from now on, any newly enacted taxes that were specific to the sev- en county metropolitan area would specify that all funds would be returned to that area and not allow the money to be allocated elsewhere to avoid this continuing to occur. Further, Rep. Isaacson expressed his interest in repealing three recently enacted bills: business to business taxes, warehouse taxes, and communication taxes; noting that a hearing was scheduled next week to consider such a repeal. Rep. Isaacson concurred with Rep. Hausman that a larger rainy day fund was nec- essary than the current levels. Regarding recent news articles about basic standards for teacher licensure, Rep. Isaacson noted the need to review facts versus political maneuvering; and impacts in that previous legislation in the State of MN that caused the State to lose good teachers and discourage more from coming to work in MN. While it was neces- sary to hold teachers to a high standard, Rep. Isaacson opined that it should not be an unrealistic standard, but allow for a fundamental skill set versus what was cur- rently written. Mayor Roe thanked each legislator for their presentations; and their support for the City of Roseville's interests at the state level. Discussion among legislators and Councilmembers included organized collection and differences for cities organized under previous laws versus current legislation retaining market share for existing vendors and potential cost savings for resi- dents; defining where legislators stood regarding bonding bills and the proposed Metro Transit's Bus Rapid Transit line on Snelling Avenue; current status of and future needs to increase capacity on Highway 36 through Roseville, not just fur-