Republican Representative Steve Drazkowski says he is pleased that Governor Mark Dayton appears to have abandoned his bid to broaden the state sales tax to service transactions.
           
Drazkowski is a member of the House Tax Committee and he says the committee and the Governor heard a lot of protests from the business community.

Republican Senator Jeremy Miller of Winona has co-authored bipartisan legislation that would provide assistance and guidance for local governments as they set guidelines for silica sand mining.

Drazkowski tells Winona Radio News he supports that idea and there is a house bill being crafted that would utilize state agencies but still assure local govenments keep their authority.

Drazkowski says at least two democrats support the bill and he believes there enough votes to get the bill passed through the House.