Accessibility menu
State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
REP. ATKINS SWORN-IN AS LEGISLATURE CONVENES
ST. PAUL, MN - The 86th session of the Minnesota Legislature convened Tuesday, January 6. Representative Joe Atkins, first elected in 2002, was sworn-in to begin his fourth term in the Minnesota House serving Inver Grove Heights and portions of South St. Paul. Over his last six years at the State Capitol Rep. Atkins has earned the reputation of an effective legislator committed to bipartisan cooperation. Those qualities will be sorely needed in St. Paul this year as lawmakers tackle unprecedented fiscal and economic challenges.
“It is an honor to serve my community in the legislature," said Rep. Atkins. “This will be a difficult session, but I am confident we can find responsible solutions to the many challenges facing our state.”
This session Atkins and his colleagues are charged with balancing a record $4.8 billion budget deficit resulting from the impact of a steadily worsening state economy. Forty-one other states are facing similar situations as receipts from sales, income, corporate, and other state revenue sources continue to fall. State Economist Tom Stinson reported last month the current recession is the longest and deepest our state has seen since 1942. Minnesota lost nearly 30,000 jobs over the last 12 months, with another 77,000 slated to disappear in 2009.
“First and foremost this is a jobs issue,” said Atkins. “Economic recovery needs to be at the top of the agenda this year. More than ever, we need to work together with the federal and local governments, as well as private industry, to put every possible resource into rebuilding our struggling economy.”
Rep. Atkins is also focused on restructuring state government to find cost savings and more efficient means to deliver quality government services for Minnesotans. Much of that work will begin throughout the weeks to come in legislative committees. Atkins will resume his post this year as chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee and will also serve as a member of the Energy Finance and Policy Division and the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division.
Throughout the legislative session Rep. Atkins encourages constituents to contact him directly with questions, concerns, and suggestions on any legislative issue. Atkins can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4192 or by email at rep.joe.atkins@house.mn.
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.