Dear Neighbors,
Happy New Year
There’s a lot to celebrate, including that our days are now going to start to get longer. As you spend time with family and friends celebrating the rest of this Holiday Season, I hope it will be filled with good food, good times, and the joys that come from spending time with the ones we love.
Recognizing our Veterans
Speaking of being grateful, earlier this month I was able to join U.S. Army Sgt. Allan Anderson Sr. receive medals for his service in World War II. Allan was on leave when the war ended and was discharged without receiving these three medals we presented to him earlier this month. It was a really nice ceremony that reminded me of all we owe our veterans. There’s a great story about it from Emily Gedde of the Internals Falls Journal.
Keeping Safe in Cold Weather
As our days have begun to get longer, we’ve seen an incredible cold snap hit most of the state. People generally know how to make sure children don’t get frostbite or hypothermia, but a lot of people don’t know enough about caring for pets in cold weather. There’s a great guide from the Animal Humane Society on keeping pets safe in cold weather here.
Tips on Saving Energy
A family can spend an awful lot of money on energy this time of the year. Recently, the Minnesota Department of Commerce sent out their “10 tips to save energy during the holidays.” That guide has some great suggestions on how to save money on heating, when you’re cooking and when you’re entertaining.
For more energy saving tips, you can sign up for Commerce’s twice monthly Home Energy Tips here or see their complete Home Energy Guide here.
Reminder: Heating Assistance and Cold Weather Rules
I know I’ve said it in the past, but just to reiterate: For those Minnesotans under certain income levels, help may be available for payment of energy bills, help with utility disconnections or fuel deliveries, and advocacy with power companies and human service providers. For more information please visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website here.
The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is now also in effect, which protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months. More information is available from the Public Utilities Commission here.
News Laws on January 1st
While most laws go into effect in July and August after the legislative session, a few new laws go into effect on January 1st. Of the new laws going into effect, one is especially important for those who are losing their hearing. Hearing loss associated with aging can lead to depression, dementia, hospitalizations and falls. A new law will allow home care providers to be trained on recognizing hearing loss and how to improve the lives of those with hearing loss. Minnesota will also now have new license plates honoring fallen officers. You can read about the handful of new laws here.
Governor Dayton’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing
On December 21st, Governor Dayton announced a new task force to address affordable housing in Minnesota. Under Governor Dayton’s leadership, public and private investment totaling more than $5 billion has helped nearly 325,000 low and moderate-income households. Sadly, more than 554,000 Minnesota households still struggle to afford quality housing, a 58 percent increase since 2000.
A lot more remains to be done. The Governor’s Task Force on Housing will recommend policies and practices to help alleviate Minnesota’s housing challenge. You can read more about that here.
Looking toward the New Year
As we enter the New Year and reflect on the past year, I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to represent our community at the Capitol. As we enter the next legislative session in February, I’ll continue to uphold the values of our community. Together we can make sure everyone has a chance to get a quality education, be secure in their retirement, and have a fair shot to make a better life for their family if they work for it.
Wishing you a Happy New Year,
Rob Ecklund