Dear Neighbors,
Greetings! For those of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Jeff Backer and I am honored to be your new State Representative for House District 12A. District 12A includes all of Big Stone, Grant, Stevens, Wilkin and Traverse counties and the western portions of Douglas and Pope County.
Please keep an eye on your email inboxes as I will be sending out weekly updates on what is taking place in St. Paul and how it affects our district. I am committed to working hard for our communities and pledge to do all I can to keep you up-to-date on legislation and issues that are taking center stage at the Capitol.
I am a lifelong resident of Western Minnesota, having grown up in Browns Valley, and have owned and operated my own small business for the last 23 years. This experience has given me first hand knowledge of the damage that bureaucratic red tape and high taxes have on the small businesses in our district. I am committed to ensuring that Western Minnesota’s job climate will return to one that is competitive with those of our neighbors to the west, North and South Dakota. We cannot afford to have one more business move across the border because of the difficult tax and regulatory environment in Minnesota.
This session, I will serve on three committees. These committees include Agriculture Policy, Health and Human Services Reform, and Health and Human Services Finance. I am excited to be serving on committees that have a direct impact on our lives in Western Minnesota. My work on the Agriculture Policy committee will focus on easing the burden on our farmers. Farming is a way of life and an important economic driver for our communities in District 12A. It is important that we find ways to ensure that our farms are able to thrive and continue producing the food, fuel, and jobs that we rely so heavily on. I am also looking forward to my work on both the Health and Human Services Reform and Finance Committees. My colleagues and I will continue to find ways to ensure fair access and affordable health care for all. We will work to increase oversight on MNSure (Minnesota’s version of Obamacare) and make sure that their executives and staff never receive bonuses again as the rest of Minnesotans struggle with a broken website.
Beginning this past November and December, I have been meeting with local groups to discuss issues that concern them most for the coming year. These groups included both the Breckenridge and West Central Area Schools school boards, the Pope County Board of Commissioners, and the St. Francis Hospital and Nursing Home in Breckenridge. I was happy to meet with these groups to learn how we can work together to address their needs moving into the New Year.
On Thursday, the House passed its first bill of the 2015 session. House File 6 conforms Minnesota’s tax code to some of the federal tax changes made since 2013 as it pertains to items in the 2014 tax year. In total, this bill provides $19.9 million dollars in immediate tax relief for hardworking Minnesotans. I am glad that the first bill we passed this year leaves more money in the pockets of Minnesota’s taxpayers.
Here are a few photos highlighting events from the past week:
I had the opportunity to meet with Starbuck resident, Brady Wulf, after he testified before the Agriculture Policy Committee. Brady is state treasurer for the FFA.
On Wednesday, I attended the Legislative Open House Breakfast with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). Pictured with me is Andrea Rau, MCCL's Legislative Director and Scott Fischbach, MCCL's Executive Director.
Click here for a video interview of myself discussing our district and my priorities for the 2015 session.
Please know that I am here to serve you and be your voice at the Capitol. I am eager to hear your suggestions on how we can make state government work better for all Minnesotans. I strongly believe that, with your input, we can continue to make Minnesota an outstanding place to live, work, and raise a family.
If you are planning on being in St. Paul this session, please feel free to contact my office by phone at 651-296-4929 or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn to set up an appointment. I would love to meet with you and talk about ways we can make Minnesota better. Again, it is an honor and privilege to represent you and your family for the next two years. I am here to be YOUR voice in St. Paul and it is a responsibility that I take very seriously.
Thanks and talk to you soon,
Jeff