Dear Northlanders,

Last week I had the opportunity again to meet with many different constituents. I remain deeply grateful that folks take the time to travel to the Capitol to ensure their voices are heard on important issues.

Thursday was ABATE Day on the Hill and I enjoyed meeting with motorcycle enthusiasts to hear their priorities.

It’s an honor to partner with county governments, and I got to meet with Cook and Koochiching County Commissioners.

I also got to meet with several occupational therapy students from St. Scholastica.

Guard Deployments

The Minnesota National Guard has announced several scheduled deployments for the coming year. About 700 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry will deploy to the Horn of Africa this summer to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this summer. This fall, nearly 100 soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. Also this fall, more than 150 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry will deploy to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Finally, 40 soldiers of Minnesota National Guard’s 177th Cyber Protection Team will mobilize within the continental United States to provide support to U.S Cyber Command late this year.

As the chair of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and as a Minnesotan, I thank our brave, dedicated soldiers for their service and wish them all the best. I also thank their family members for their sacrifices, including being apart from loved ones for an extended period of time.

New Broadband Investments

Last year, I was proud to be the chief author of legislation to invest in our state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program. The Legislature and Governor ultimately agreed to invest $20 million each of the next two years to help more of our rural communities meet connectivity goals. High-speed broadband will be available to more folks in areas like St. Louis and Koochiching counties as a result of one of these grants. I’m excited about the progress we’ve made, but we can’t rest until service has reached all unserved and underserved areas of the state.

Last week, the House Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Division held a public hearing on legislation I’ve authored to increase this funding to $30 million per year, and to deliver it on an ongoing basis. Broadband shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be something every student, business, and family can count on in the 21^st century.

Getting Prepared for COVID-19

With the disease being spread across the world and several confirmed cases in the United States, it’s extremely important for our state to do everything we can to be prepared for COVID-19, a viral respiratory illness often referred to as the Coronavirus. Health experts think it’s a matter of when – not if – the disease makes it to Minnesota and officials at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Governor Walz, and legislators are taking this threat seriously. As we continue to learn more about it, a unified coordinated structure is being implemented with MDH and hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers. There are currently no confirmed cases in Minnesota, but MDH’s labs are prepared to test patients for the condition.

There are several basic precautions for all of us to take as Minnesotans to prevent the spread of COVID-19. First thing’s first: wash your hands thoroughly. It may seem like common sense, but washing your hands for at least 20 seconds is critical to effectively remove microbiological bacteria. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and be sure to cover your cough with your sleeve or elbow. Lastly, if you’re sick: stay home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently advises no nonessential travel to Italy, South Korea, China, or Iran. If you’re planning to travel overseas, check the CDC’s Travel Health Notices for more information.

It’s natural to be concerned when there is a new condition like the Coronavirus emerging, especially with as many unknowns there currently are, but Minnesotans are resilient, and our state government is well prepared to address this challenge. To learn more, the MDH website has a comprehensive set of resources including information on the condition, tips for Minnesotans, and current testing figures.

Protecting Voter Privacy

I heard from some folks concerned about their privacy when voting in our presidential primary, and their info regarding their preferred party getting out into the public. I supported legislation last week that will give voters the ability to opt-out of sharing this data. The legislation also restricts the sharing of that data only to a national party representative, and only for the purpose of verifying participation in the primary. You can read more about this bill here.

Budget Forecast

Last week state budget officials released the new economic forecast, showing a positive budget balance of $1.5 billion, an increase of $200 million from the forecast in November. We still need to be cautious in case the economy experiences a downturn, and recognize that inflation isn’t fully accounted for, meaning that in reality, the number could be much smaller. For my part, I’ll remain committed to investing in the things that have made Minnesota so successful in the first place like world-class schools, affordable health care, good jobs with fair pay and benefits, and new economic opportunities, like broadband.

Please continue to contact me with your viewpoints, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund
State Representative