ST. PAUL – State Rep. Jeff Howe recently was sworn into office as the 88th Legislature gathered at the Capitol to begin the 2013 session.
It was the first legislative oath of office for Howe, a Republican who is a military veteran, former firefighter, and business owner living in Rockville. Howe served on that town’s city council until resigning when the Legislature convened.
Howe said his legislative priorities include restoring Minnesota’s economy, protecting taxpayers and advocating responsible state spending. He also plans to use his membership on a veterans-related committee to address issues he witnessed or experienced first-hand in the military.
“We need to do a better job of helping veterans find jobs to match the skills they developed in service,” Howe said. “Not just a hand-out job with a paycheck, but a career that allows veterans to transfer their training from the military to civilian life.
“We also need to do more to address mental-health issues. Going out on deployment is the so-called easy part. Returning from deployment and reintegrating is what’s really hard.”
Another bill Howe authored would turn Highway 23 between Cold Spring and Richmond into a memorial highway honoring slain Cold Spring police officer Tom Decker.
Howe represents the new District 13A, which runs west and south of St. Cloud. The district includes St. Joseph and Avon to the north, runs west to Paynesville and stretches south of Kimball.
He is serving four House committees: Civil Law; Early Childhood and Youth Development Policy; State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs; and Transportation Finance.
Howe encourages constituents to provide him with input throughout the year, especially during the session. He may be reached via e-mail at rep.jeff.howe@house.mn or by calling (651) 296-4373. Citizens may sign up to receive periodic email updates from Howe free of charge by logging on to www.house.leg.state.mn.us/13a.
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Rep. Howe can be contacted by email at rep.jeff.howe@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4373. To receive email updates sign-up on his webpage at www.house.mn/13a.