Dear Neighbors,
Most of you have seen and read news coverage about gun hearings at the Capitol. Hundreds of Minnesotans packed multiple rooms to hear testimony on bills that, if passed, would severely limit our ability to own and keep some of our guns.
I have received hundreds of emails and calls from people up north, and the vast majority is from folks who don’t want their Second Amendment rights limited. To make it clear, I’m not interested in turning over our recreational guns to the state or infringing on our Second Amendment rights. More so, I don’t think this is the appropriate issue to be dealing with at the moment. We should be focused on balancing the budget and getting Minnesotans back to work.
State of the State
You can hear my audio commentary on Gov. Dayton’s State of the State address here.
I was honored to host Rick Trontvet, Vice President of Human Resources for Digi-Key Corporation in Thief River Falls, for Governor Dayton’s State of the State address on Wednesday evening. Rick was one of about 50 business leaders and job creators from around the state who participated in a roundtable discussion with House Republicans prior to the address.
During our round table, some of the job creators said they felt ‘demonized’ being called ‘the rich’ who need to ‘pay their fair share,’ when in fact these main street operations are already struggling to pay high taxes while keeping long-term commitments to their employees. These folks aren’t running companies like Target or 3M. They are our friends, family, and neighbors who make sacrifices day in and day out for a business they believe in.
With time remaining to work out a better budget, I pledge to roll up my sleeves and work with Gov. Dayton and my colleagues across the aisle to craft a budget that works in the best interests of all Minnesotans.
Upcoming Town Halls
Please join me on Friday, Feb. 15, to discuss your thoughts on this legislative session or your concerns about a particular law or regulation. I look forward to seeing you!
Friday, February 15
Viking
1:30 p.m.
Viking Diner
105 S. Main St.
Thief River Falls
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
First Floor
405 Third Street East
Visitors at the Capitol
Mike Flaagan, Lon Aune, Brian Kettring, Dan Fabian, Leon Olson and Kelly Bengtson
I had the opportunity to meet with several constituents and area organizations this week. A special thanks to:
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Anne Temte, President of Northland Community and Technical College
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Deb Liden of TRF for Insurance Day on the Hill
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Amber Hawkins of TRF as part of Minnesota Nurses Association Day (and also a former student of mine!)
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Lon Aune, Marshall County Engineer, Mike Flaagan, Pennington County Engineer, Kelly Bengston, Kittson County Engineer, Brian Kettring, Roseau County Engineer, and Leon Olson, Kittson County Commissioner (pictured above)
I also spoke with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and Executive Director Mark Johnson about their concern that some lawmakers want to repeal the timber wolf hunting season. I talked to Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner of the DNR, about a number of issues, including the expansion of ATV and snowmobile opportunities, especially in Beltrami Forest.
LCCMR Appointment
This week the Speaker of the House appointed me to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). I will work with other legislators and a handful of citizens to make funding recommendations for special environment and natural resource projects. Our funding source comes from a combination of Minnesota State Lottery proceeds and investment income.
Please let me know if you are ever in St. Paul. I would love to meet with you at my office. Or, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you might have related to state government. I am here to serve you!
Dan
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A