Hello Northlanders,
Winter has sure arrived and with that, we are open for business in northern Minnesota! I hope you all get the chance to get out and ice fish, ski, snowmobile, or take part in whatever winter sport or activity you enjoy. Personally, I was happy to get one last trek via snowshoe this past weekend before I made the 300-mile trek to the State Capitol to begin the 2019 Legislative Session.
Investments in Broadband
Yesterday, my fellow House DFLers and I held a news conference to unveil the Minnesota Values Agenda. As part of this, I’m carrying a bill to invest $70 million over the next two years in high-speed broadband through the state’s Border to Border Broadband Grant Program. Especially in rural areas, homes, schools, and businesses are either underserved or completely unserved by broadband internet. For our businesses to compete in a global economy, for our students to get a well-rounded education, and for innovative health care delivery methods to be effective, folks depend on fast, reliable connections.
Session Convenes
On Tuesday, the House gaveled in to start the 2019 session. I’m honored by the enormous trust my constituents have again placed in me with the responsibility of representing them at our State Capitol and look forward to the work ahead. This session, I’ll be serving as chair of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division. Additionally, I’ll be serving on the following panels: Agriculture and Food Finance & Policy Division; Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division; Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division; Labor Committee; and Ways and Means Committee.
Today on the House Floor, we shared stories in remembrance of former Rep. Tom Rukavina who passed away earlier this week. Tom was a hero to both the Iron Range and working people everywhere. We will miss him dearly. Video can be found here.
Stay in Touch
With a great deal of work ahead of us, I encourage you to follow the happenings at the State Capitol all session long. The House Public Information Services Office offers streaming video of floor and committee hearings, “Session Daily,” a daily newsletter recapping legislative activity, a YouTube channel, and other informative resources. Please encourage your neighbors to sign-up for these updates, too, which they can do at this link. Lastly, I have a new State Capitol Facebook page which you can “Like” here.
I hope you’ll reach out to me and share your input, ideas, and feedback. Please feel free to call my office at 651-296-2190 or email me any time.
It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Rob Ecklund
State Representative