ST. PAUL – State Rep. Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, took his 11th oath of office to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives Tuesday, more than a century since his great-grandfather was sworn into office in the same recently renovated Capitol building back when it was new.
Ole Opdahl, a farmer who was born in Norway, represented Freeborn County in southern Minnesota. He served the Minnesota House from 1903-06, including during the 1905 grand opening current State Capitol opened.
On Tuesday, Nornes and fellow legislators took the oath in the same building amid a grand re-opening just as the finishing touches are put on a massive $300 million renovation.
“It is interesting to stand on the steps of the Capitol and serve in the same building as a relative I never met,” Nornes said.
Nornes was re-elected to serve District 8A in November. He is chairing the House Higher Education Policy & Finance Committee for a second consecutive biennium – and fourth overall. Nornes also is serving Education Finance, Agriculture Policy, and Ways and Means committees.
“I am pleased to be back at the Capitol taking on the key issues,” Nornes said. “Our top responsibility in 2017 will be to set a new two-year state budget. The good news is we have a state surplus, which also means tax relief is a top priority this session because Minnesotans have been overcharged.”
Nornes said he encourages local citizens to in District 8A to contact his legislative office this session by calling (651) 296-4946 or by emailing rep.bud.nornes@house.mn. Nornes also provides periodic email updates and citizens can sign up to receive them at his official state website: www.house.mn/8a.
“We again face significant challenges and input always is welcome from the people in our district,” Nornes said. “It is humbling the people of 8A have placed their trust in me as their state representative and I will continue working as their voice at the Capitol. It is an honor to serve in the House and I look forward to what the next two years have in store.”
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