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Dear friends and neighbors on the Iron Range,
This week at the Capitol, we continued moving forward with omnibus bills. Several have already passed with strong bipartisan support, and many more are still under discussion. With the House evenly divided, every bill requires bipartisan agreement just to make it to the floor. That means negotiations are critical, and most of the real work happens long before any floor votes take place. Our committee chairs have been working diligently and making difficult choices given the looming budget deficit. Thank you to all of the chairs for the time and effort they have poured into these bills.
 Reps. Bianca Virnig, Huldah Hiltsley, and I got this picture on the House floor last week. Turns out Rep. Virnig is talented with the taking of selfie-style photos!
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Hockey HOF Rally
The push to keep the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth continued this past weekend with a strong show of support at a community rally. Senators Rob Farnsworth, Grant Hauschild and I had the opportunity to speak at the event, joining local leaders, former players, and dedicated residents to emphasize the value of the Hall of Fame to our region.
The Hall of Fame is more than a museum. It represents the legacy, pride, and identity of hockey on the Iron Range. For decades, young athletes here have grown up on outdoor rinks, fueled by a passion for the game and inspired by the legends who came before them. Many of those stories are captured and celebrated within the walls of the Hall. Its presence in Eveleth is a tribute to the generations who helped build Minnesota's hockey tradition.
Moving the Hall elsewhere would disconnect it from the very place that gave it meaning. The Iron Range has played a central role in shaping American hockey history. Keeping the Hall in Eveleth preserves that connection and honors the contributions of the players, coaches, and communities who made it possible. The turnout and energy at the rally showed clearly that this is not just about a building. It is about protecting a piece of who we are as a people.
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True Hope Fellowship Church
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Senator Farnsworth and I also had the chance to guest speak at True Hope Fellowship in Midway over the weekend. True Hope is a supporter of a non-partisan “Heal our Land” ministry at the Capitol. This group spends time at the Capitol encouraging and praying for representatives and senators throughout the session. I sincerely appreciate the work that they do, and it was a great opportunity to speak to the congregation. During the potluck after the service, I enjoyed dining with Eddie LaFrench, a retired Iron Range miner that I used to work with. It was fun to sit down and catch up! |
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Three Rivers Park District
A highlight of the week was the visit from Three Rivers Park District for their annual “Animals on the Mall” event at the Capitol. They brought a variety of animals, including lambs, a snake, a salamander, and a hawk, giving legislators and visitors a unique chance to engage with Minnesota’s natural wildlife up close. I had the chance to hold one of the lambs, which came from a local Minnesota farm. It was a fun and refreshing break in the day. Thank you, Three Rivers, for visiting!
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Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council
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It was a full day with the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council on Wednesday, starting with the Rally for Jobs at the Capitol in the morning. I enjoyed seeing Malissa Bahr from Minnesota Power at the rally as well, knowing that MN Power brings a lot of work to the building trades workforce. |
That evening, I attended the MN Building and Construction Trades Legislative Reception. Both events were a clear reminder of how focused and organized the building trades are in pushing for policies that support good jobs and infrastructure across Minnesota. Thank you to Tom, Andy, and John for the thoughtful conversations and for the work you do every day. It was a pleasure catching up and talking about the path forward together. |
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Rangers in the House
It was so good to see Brian Maki and his daughter Sara at the Capitol last night before session wrapped up for the night. Brian and I have worked in mining together for nearly 30 years, and over the past two years Sara has become a good friend. She’s graduating from St. Scholastica next week, and I’m proud of everything she’s accomplished. Congratulations, Sara!
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Please Contact Me
Please continue to reach out if I can be of any assistance to you. The best method is to use my email – I am rarely near the office phone, but that number is 651.296.0170 and you can try me there too.
Have a great weekend!
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