ST. PAUL – Rep. Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, performed his eighth nonconsecutive oath of office to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives Tuesday as the 90th Legislature convened at the Capitol to start the 2017 session.
Knoblach is back in St. Paul for a second consecutive term after being re-elected in November to represent District 14B, which includes eastern St. Cloud and two adjacent townships. He previously served the House from 1996-2006 before stepping aside to return to private-sector business ventures and spend more time with his family.
“We once again face a number of serious issues in Minnesota,” Knoblach said. “It is good to be back at the Capitol so we can begin the legislative process after spending the last several months in our districts talking with constituents and receiving their input on priorities such as providing tax relief and reeling in the rising costs of health care.”
By continuing his post as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Knoblach will be influential in crafting a new two-year state budget this session.
“Our top job this year will be to put in place a priority-based budget that funds important aspects while remaining responsible to the taxpayers,” Knoblach said. “The new biennium brings a fresh start with many new faces in the House and my objective is to put together a good, bipartisan budget plan we all can support.”
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