Legislative Update – December 16, 2021

Dear Northlanders,

I hope you are having an enjoyable holiday season! This is a wonderful time of year to spread peace and joy while creating memories with loved ones. Here’s an update from the State Capitol.

New Budget Forecast

Last week, officials from Minnesota Management and Budget announced results of the November Economic Forecast which included a $7.7 billion positive balance. The projections mean we will have resources available to invest in workers, families, students, and small businesses to help ensure all Minnesotans are truly able to experience economic recovery. COVID-19 remains a threat and there’s still a great deal of uncertainty for us to encounter, so we can look ahead cautiously but quite optimistically. While our economy is undoubtedly recovering, there are some urgent challenges people and communities are facing. The surplus gives us the chance to help everyone overcome those roadblocks and build a stronger future for our entire state.

Standing with Workers

In the Minnesota House I have the honor to chair the Labor, Industry, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, and in this role I’m committed to helping ensure all Minnesotans have access to safe workplaces with fair pay and benefits. The National Employment Law Project recently issued a report regarding Amazon’s operations in Minnesota. The report cited concerns such as above average injuries, unreasonable speed requirements, and wage gaps, just to name a few. Especially as the company’s economic footprint continues to grow, all workers deserve safety and dignity in the workplace, and it seems a closer look at Amazon’s workplace standards is warranted. In the near future, I’m interested in holding a public hearing on the topic and potential legislation to strengthen workplace safety.

SEIU members at Essentia Health in Deer River have been locked in a fight for a new contract with fair wages and benefits to help recruit and attract health care workers. I joined them for an informational picket this week. It’s one thing to call health care workers heroes, but it’s another to give them the compensation they deserve.

I also had the chance to spend some time recently with members of Teamsters Joint Council 32, and I discussed topics like our work to protect Minnesota’s nation-leading wage theft law and investments in Minnesota OSHA inspectors to help ensure folks are safe at work.

Infrastructure Investments

As a result of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, billions of dollars will be available to Minnesota to improve roads and bridges, expand broadband, update wastewater plants and other important infrastructure. The House Transportation and Capital Investment Committees recently reviewed some of the funding available both now and dollars our state can compete for in the future. This legislation is the biggest single investment in infrastructure in a generation, and these investments will both accelerate our state’s recovery from the pandemic and improve our way of life for years to come.

We’re already starting to see some of this funding become available and today, the Federal Aviation Administration announced recipients of Airport Infrastructure Grants totaling $3 billion from the infrastructure law. Appropriations made to airports in our region include Falls International Airport ($1 million), Ely Municipal Airport ($159,000), Grand Marais/Cook County Airport ($159,000), Richard B Helgeson in Two Harbors ($159,000), Cook Municipal Airport ($110,000), Orr Regional Airport ($110,000), and Tower Municipal Airport ($100,000). Strong airports are important for residents and our regional economy. Congratulations to communities receiving these grants.

Despite the strong federal package of investments, infrastructure needs remain unaddressed all across the state. This coming legislative session, our state’s excellent fiscal position and great credit rating offer us capacity to make investments in our communities. A robust bonding bill will not only repair and renovate our assets, but will continue creating good-paying jobs.

Again, I want to offer my wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays. As the COVID-19 pandemic remains with us, I also hope everyone stays healthy and safe into the new year. Minnesota hospital admissions are rising, and ICUs are reaching capacity. Please help stop the spread of the virus and relieve some of the pressure on doctors, nurses, and other health care workers by getting your vaccine or if you’re eligible, a booster shot.

Don’t hesitate to 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