Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL)

Back to profile

Legislative Update - February 25, 2019

Monday, February 25, 2019
House Image

 

Hello Northlanders,

At our first meeting of the biennium Friday, my colleagues on the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) elected me the new chair. I’m honored for the responsibility with which they’ve entrusted me and look forward to working together to strengthen economic opportunity for our region.

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation is a unique state agency tackling some of the unique challenges we have on the Iron Range. I truly believe that we have great potential to grow, create, and attract jobs while strengthening the vitality of our region. When the Range succeeds, we all succeed.

Sovereignty Day

Last Monday was a historic day in the Minnesota House of Representatives as we commemorated the first ever “Sovereignty Day” as legislators got to spend time with leaders from our state’s 11 tribal nations. The event featured presentations about history, culture, tribal law, and government-to-government relations. We also took some time to honor the memory of Grand Portage Chairman Norman Deschampe who passed away earlier this month.

Full video of the day’s proceedings is available here. Today, I got to visit with interim band chairwoman Marie Spry.

‘Budget for One Minnesota’

Last week, Governor Tim Walz announced his two-year proposal for the state budget. His “Budget for One Minnesota” is focused on investments in education, lowering health care costs, and strengthening community prosperity. While there are a lot of details, and I almost certainly won’t agree with everything, this proposal serves as a great starting point.

There are plenty of items within it I look forward to working with the Governor to deliver, like robust classroom funding, overdue investments in broadband, fixing our aging road and bridge infrastructure, and moving forward with new approaches to reduce the cost of health care. Increases in Local Government Aid and County Program Aid are also critical for communities to be able to deliver key services while keeping property taxes down.

Minnesota Management and Budget has more details on the budget proposal available here.

Veterans Courts

When returning home, we know many of our veterans face challenges. Whether it be trauma, substance abuse, or a mental health issue, too often these go unaddressed. With this, poor decisions can sometimes lead to a veteran falling into the criminal justice system. While accountability is important, many times these situations call for rehabilitation instead of punishment.

That’s why I’m proud to be chief author of HF 998, a bipartisan bill which would expand the use of Veterans Courts and except for serious crimes, could divert a veteran to treatment or another restorative justice-based program. The bill was passed by the House Veterans Military Affairs Division last week, which I chair. We heard from Brock Hunter, president of the Veteran’s Defense Project, who said that many veterans during their time in the military were trained to be self-sufficient, and thus hesitant to seek the help they need. This can turn to alcohol or substance abuse, often in an effort to self-medicate due to PTSD or other trauma from to time in combat.

We know that serving in the armed forces come from a “proud warrior culture.” We have a responsibility to ensure these men and women can be proud of their service, but also get the help they need. Additionally, if they make a mistake, we owe it to them to deliver the opportunity to get back on their feet. We know if they fall toward the path of incarceration, we know their path back to success is even more difficult. Due to the support both from bipartisan members of the legislature as well as Governor Walz, I’m optimistic we can make headway on this initiative to ensure the best outcomes both for veterans and their communities.

Please continue to contact me with your viewpoints and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you in Saint Paul.

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund

State Representative


Rep. Rob Ecklund
409 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

www.house.mn/03A
 
Facebook
Chair, House Veterans and Military Affairs Policy and Finance Division

Phone: 651-296-2190
E-mail: rep.rob.ecklund@house.mn
Legislative Assistant: Josh Kilgard, 651-296-3918