By Rep. Tom Hackbarth
Our new legislative biennium is underway and I want to provide some information to help local citizens keep track of what is happening at the Capitol.
For starters, I send periodic email updates throughout the year, especially during the legislative session. These emails allow people to get the latest news, along with my personal thoughts on the issues. You can sign up by visiting my official legislative website at www.house.mn/31B. Just click on the sign-up link near my photo to start receiving my free emails.
A number of nonpartisan websites are also available to help keep citizens informed of the latest news at the Capitol. Here are some links I hope you will find helpful:
HOUSE OF REPS.
Information about the legislative process and the Minnesota House of Representatives can be accessed through the House website. http://www.house.mn.
SESSION WEEKLY
Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. News items are updated Fridays during the legislative session. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessionweekly/. Side note: Session Weekly recently ceased publishing its paper version after 29 years. The main reason Session Weekly shifted to internet-only production is the public’s shift to accessing information online left its printed circulation down 79 percent since 2000.
SESSION DAILY
Session Daily is another nonpartisan publication of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. Each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week during legislative sessions. While Session Weekly includes feature articles and in-depth reporting, Session Daily focuses more on the hard-news nuts and bolts from St. Paul. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/sdaily.aspx
NEW LAWS
A New Laws page also is compiled by the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/Newlaws2012-0.
TV COVERAGE
If you want to watch live or taped video, the Minnesota House of Representatives produces hundreds of hours of nonpartisan, unedited, coverage of floor sessions, committee hearings, issue-oriented press conferences, member interviews and other special events. This coverage is broadcast statewide, along with Minnesota Senate television coverage, on your local PBS station’s digital Minnesota Channel. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/htv/htv.asp
STREAMING VIDEO
The Minnesota House of Representatives provides live Internet video streaming of all television productions. Internet viewers can watch additional coverage not provided on the broadcast channel, including evening, weekend and interim coverage. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/htv/schedule.asp
IDEA TO LAW
Capitol Steps: From Idea to Law is a 16-page booklet explaining, in a simple, straightforward manner, how a bill moves from an idea to law. Capitol Steps is intended as a resource for junior high school students. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/leginfo/How_a_bill.pdf
On a couple of personal notes, the new legislative district lines are now in place and I represent District 31B after previously representing District 48A. Also, new rosters have formed for legislative committees. I will continue serving in areas pertaining to energy and the environment, including as the minority lead with the Environment Policy Committee.
As always, I welcome your input as we address important issues in the House. The best way to reach me is by emailing rep.tom.hackbarth@house.mn.
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