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

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Legislative Update – July 11, 2022

Monday, July 11, 2022

Hello Northlanders,

This weekend, I had the honor to take part in a celebration of the Silver Bay Veterans Home for 30 years of caring for veterans in our region. Thank you to the outstanding staff and leadership for all of their dedicated work, and most importantly, the veterans who reside there for their service to our nation.

Ecklund speaking at event

 

FEMA and SBA to Visit

Next week, officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration are scheduled to tour northern Minnesota to see first-hand the damage from this year’s historic flooding. In their assessment, FEMA and SBA officials will determine the availability of individual assistance or low-interest loans for residents and businesses who experienced damage.

In advance of their visits, they are mapping locations to visit. As part of this effort, you should report any damage to your county emergency management officials. Koochiching County residents and business owners can report damage to Willi Kostiuk, Emergency Management Coordinator, at willi.kostiuk@co.koochiching.mn.us. St. Louis County residents and business owners can report damage to Dewey Johnson, Emergency Management Coordinator, at johnsond@stlouiscountymn.gov

Last month, Governor Tim Walz formally requested a federal disaster declaration to assist local communities with costs incurred. As we all work to recover from the recent devastating floods, the next step is a comprehensive damage assessment. Residents and business owners reporting damage to local officials as soon as possible before folks from FEMA and the SBA arrive will help them see the extent of the harm and hopefully get much-needed federal relief to those who are counting on it

I’m deeply grateful for the volunteers, first responders, and citizen soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard who sprang into action to protect people and property throughout this historic flood. Folks in our region are resilient, and I know we will all pull together to fully recover from this disaster.

Service Bonuses

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting applications for service bonuses for soldiers who served in the Armed Forces following September 11, 2001 during the Global War on Terrorism. The State of Minnesota has traditionally offered these bonuses following conflicts, and this session, the Legislature appropriated funding to recognize the service by the most recent generation. Those who served – and Gold Star families – are eligible for bonuses up to $2,000. Learn more and apply here.

Reminder – Frontline Worker Pay

This session, lawmakers invested $500 million toward additional pay for frontline workers in appreciation for their sacrifices during the most uncertain days of the pandemic. Those working in health care, food service, retail, transportation, first response, and several other fields are eligible. The deadline to apply for this bonus pay is quickly approaching. To learn more about eligibility requirements and apply, visit frontlinepay.mn.gov.

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

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund
State Representative