Hello Northlanders,
I hope each of you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday with your families. This is a great time of year to reflect upon what we’re grateful for in our lives. Here’s an update from the State Capitol.
Veterans Committee
Last week I had the honor of being appointed the incoming chairman for the House Veterans and Military Affairs Policy and Finance Committee. In this role, I’ll lead the committee which delivers funding for the state Department of Veterans Affairs (including veterans homes) and the Department of Military Affairs, and works on policies impacting veterans and active service members. As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, this is a particularly special responsibility for me. I look forward to working with veterans, active service members, and their families, as well as county veteran service officers, the VFW, American Legion, and other organizations to improve the way of life for those who have served. I’m excited to get to work in January when the legislative session begins.
Heating Assistance
As the temperature drops, low-income veterans are being encouraged to apply for help paying heating bills through the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Go to: https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp for general information on the program.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness
Also as the weather gets colder, it is important to be aware of the signs, symptoms and dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. About 500 people die annually from exposure to CO. For more information on how to stay safe, click here.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your feedback, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you
Sincerely,
Rob Ecklund
State Representative