Dear Neighbors,
The State Capitol is a busy place, and I find much value in the visits from constituents who make the lengthy trek down to meet with me. Last week I had the opportunity to visit with local Soil and Water Conservation District officials to learn about their work.
I also was shadowed by James, a student studying agriculture at the University of Minnesota.
Our work continues to improve the lives of Minnesotans and build a state that works better for all of us. Here’s an update from the Capitol.
Border-to-Border Broadband
All Minnesotans deserve reliable access to high-speed internet. For education, business, agriculture, health care, and many more areas of our lives, internet access isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Tuesday, I presented HF 7, which increases investments in our state’s Border-to-Border Broadband infrastructure program. This program leverages private investments to expand internet access to unserved and underserved areas. Created in 2014, the program has helped expand access to 34,000 households and 5,200 businesses but a great need remains throughout the state.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune had a good article on this topic, discussing Governor Walz’s “moonshot” effort for broadband and highlighting the changing business dynamics for Optum Health in International Falls, moving employees to a telecommuting arrangement. This is just one example of how critical broadband is for rural economies like ours.
Great Start for All Minnesota Children
Minnesotans care about one another, and this value extends to our children. We want to see our kids succeed, but we also want our neighbors’ kids to have good opportunities as well. Last week, the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act, HF 1, the first bill introduced this session, received its first public hearing last week. The bill makes new investments in early learning, child care, prenatal care, and home visiting.
The Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division listened to public testimony about the bill, including parents whose families have benefitted from child care assistance and early learning, highlighting the need to expand these investments. A lack of affordable, accessible child care is especially affecting economies in Greater Minnesota.
More than 30 leading community organizations are supporting this important initiative, and I’m proud to join them as a co-author. KSTP covered the March 7 hearing here.
Equal Rights Amendment
Minnesota women deserve equal rights in all aspects of life. All Minnesotans should have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of gender. Last Thursday, the House took the historic step of approving the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ballot question, letting Minnesotans decide whether or not to give everyone full equality under our Constitution. The Republican-controlled Senate is now responsible for determining whether voters will have that opportunity in 2020.
Prior to the vote, while women legislators took a group photo, I had the honor of joining male legislators to show solidarity in support of the amendment.
Please continue to contact me with your feedback, input, and if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to be your voice 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
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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