Hello Northlanders,
After the Easter/Passover recess, action resumed at the State Capitol this week as the House is starting to pass elements of our state budget. So far, we’ve approved Education and Jobs and Energy, with Health and Human Services and Taxes on deck.
Last week during the break, I had the opportunity to again visit Indus School, a unique outdoor education magnet school on the Rainy River. I enjoyed hearing questions from the students and sharing a bit about my role at the State Capitol.
Yesterday, it was good to see Scott Sandelin, coach of the back-to-back National Champion UMD Bulldog Men’s Hockey team, who brought the NCAA Championship trophy with him to the State Capitol.
E-12 Education Budget
Tuesday, we approved a new E-12 Education budget with historic investments in all Minnesota students. All of our students deserve access to a world-class education, but years of underfunding has threatened that. Our budget reverses this course through significant funding increases for schools, amounting to a three percent per-pupil increase in the first year, and another two percent in the second. The Education budget also improves safety for students, teachers, and staff while in school, addresses Minnesota’s special education funding shortfall, and expands students’ ability to earn college credits and develop skills through career and technical education programs.
Jobs and Economic Development
One of my main goals at the State Capitol is to ensure everyone in our state has the ability to prosper and be successful. Unfortunately, while they’re working hard, too many Minnesotans are struggling to make it and are just one missed paycheck away from financial hardship. Our House Jobs budget, which we approved yesterday, contains a few initiatives to address this including access to paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time, and tougher protections for the 39,000 Minnesotans each year who report wage theft.
Significantly, the Jobs budget included my proposal to increase broadband funding by $70 million over the next two years. We know how important fast, reliable internet access is to keeping our rural communities strong. Other economic development measures in the budget include investments in the Minnesota Innovation Collaborative, funding for vocational, rehabilitation services, and expansion of the Helmets-to-Hardhats program, which helps give our veterans a pathway to good paying jobs in the construction trades.
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