Dear Neighbor,
Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope you have been able to spend time with family and friends. I am looking forward to the fresh start and hopefulness of a new year and a new legislative session in the coming weeks.
Recent Community Events
I’ve been out and about at several events in the area over the past few weeks. I recently attended the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s annual Women in Business: Legislative Luncheon. It’s a great opportunity to meet with leaders in our communities to talk about our common goals.
I also recently toured Century College with several other area lawmakers. We are fortunate to have one of the best two year colleges in the country right here in our community. I was especially impressed by the unique education and training opportunities offered, including their growing solar energy program and their Orthotics and Prosthetics program.
I also continue to visit one-on-one with constituents, including constituents interested in specific legislative proposals I will be bringing forward in 2019 (stay tuned!).
New Roles! Assistant Majority Leader and Vice Chair
I’m humbled to announce that my colleagues in the Minnesota House have elected me to serve as an Assistant Majority Leader. I am excited to work alongside Speaker-Designate Hortman to show Minnesotans what leadership can really look like.
I’ll also be serving in another leadership role as the Vice Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee. Having served on the Environment committee over the past two years, I am excited about this new role and the ability to better advocate for protecting our outdoor traditions and resources for future generations.
Session Starts January 8th, 2019
The committee structure and assignments were recently announced. You can read the full list of committees and their membership here.
In addition to serving as Vice Chair of Environment & Natural Resources Policy, I will also be serving on Taxes, Rules, Environment & Natural Resources Finance, and Veterans & Military Affairs.
With all the other changes, my office has also moved! I am now located in room 559 of the State Office Building.
Reminder: Heating Assistance and Cold Weather Rules
For those Minnesotans under certain income levels, help may be available for payment of energy bills, help with utility disconnections or fuel deliveries, and advocacy with power companies and human service providers. For more information please visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website here.
The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is now also in effect, which protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months. More information is available from the Public Utilities Commission here.
News Laws on January 1st
A handful of new laws passed during the 2018 legislative session take effect Jan. 1, 2019. This information can be accessed at http://www.house.mn/hinfo/leginfo/0119nlrelease.pdf
AmeriCorps Recruitment Deadline
AmeriCorps is recruiting for Youth Outdoors Crew Members (ages 18-25) who will perform natural resource restoration projects with a crew of their adult peers and engage youth in after-school service projects and environmental education.
This is a full-time commitment for a year-long AmeriCorps service term. The Crew Member or Leader will receive a monthly stipend and an education award upon successful completion of the term that may be used for education expenses or to repay qualified student loans.
You can find out more about the Youth Outdoor Crew Member application here. The deadline to apply is December 31!
As always, feel free to contact me with any issues or concerns you may have. My phone number and email remain the same, at rep.jamie.becker-finn@house.mn and 651-296-7153. My mailing address is now:
559 State Office Building
100 Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Sincerely,
Jamie |
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