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Standing Up For Rural Minnesota

Standing Up For Rural Minnesota

Early in the 2013 legislative session, Speaker Paul Thissen’s eliminated the House Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Committee, and combine it with the Environment Finance committee, currently chaired by Rep. Jean Wagenius, a Democrat from Minneapolis. Rep. Wagenius has very little experience with agriculture issues, and has a record of voting for policies that disproportionately favor Metro cities and suburbs over Greater Minnesota. Throughout the 2013 session this change in committee structure diminished rural Minnesota’s voice and influence and allowed Agriculture Finance committee to be ruled by a Metro legislator.

I joined with my fellow Republicans Tuesday in voting for a motion that would have moved the Agriculture Finance Committee and recombined it with the Agriculture Policy Committee, as it has been in the past. That committee was chaired by Rep. Jeanne Poppe, a rural Democrat who better understands the issues and challenges facing our state’s agriculture industry.

The motion was introduced by Rep. Rod Hamilton, a Republican pork producer from Southwest MN. He gave a compelling plea for bipartisan support, and I cast my first vote in support of our rural district and agriculture industry. I will continue to push for the committee change, and will continue to advocate for rural Minnesota. It will be one of my highest priorities  to ensure that rural Minnesota is adequately represented, and that we keep the best interests of rural Minnesota and our agriculture industry in mind when passing legislation.

-Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) District 09B

Posted in Agriculture | Also tagged Kresha, Representative, Ron Kresha | Comments closed

The Capitol Steps . . .

People’s House

Twice a week we go into session. When we do, I always insist on walking outside and up the Capitol steps. On Thursday, a couple Reps suggested using the tunnels.

I resisted. “No way, we walk outside and up the steps to the ‘People’s House’,” I said. “This way we always see who is at the Capitol and we always greet any visitors–no matter their intentions.”

Reluctantly, they joined me and walked over and up the steps. As we walked in, there was two mothers and their kids–grade school age– on the steps. I walked over and met each kid and welcomed them the Capitol. One mom looked at my name tag and said, “Oh, we saw where you sit on the House floor.” I was honored.

The kids were so excited that a “Representative” would take a minute to stop and talk. In my opinion, it should not be the exception to stop and visit and thank people; it should be the rule. It is why I always walk up the steps and never take the backdoor.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged 9B Minnesota, Capitol, Kresha | Leave a comment

Kresha Prepares for the Upcoming Session

Little Falls, MN – For the last 10 months Ron Kresha and his team have worked hard to convince the voters of District 9B that he was the best person to represent them in St. Paul. On November 6th, he earned the seat by winning 52.97% of the votes. Since November 6th, he has been working just as hard to prepare for the 2013-14 legislative session.

Kresha will be taking over the newly redistricted seat that was previously held by Mike LeMieur, and he has been busy meeting people, attending meetings, and preparing his office in St. Paul so that he is ready for the January 8th start date. Starting the Friday after election, Kresha has attended two orientations in St. Paul, three education meetings, county commissioner session, a meeting with Essential Health, Central Lakes College, St. Ottos in Little Falls, and set up a curriculum for local social study classrooms to follow him during the session.

“There is just no way to fully prepare for the session. I find myself responding to invitations every day, listening to constituents, writing follow up letters, and reading continually to educate myself on issues,” said Kresha. “As a person who enjoys meeting people and understanding complex issues, this is challenging and enjoyable.”

One of the challenges for a new legislator-elect is managing the sudden influx of new meeting requests. On average Kresha said he gets 6-8 meeting requests a week and everyone wants to meet before session starts. The schedule is very demanding, but Kresha doesn’t mind.

“I really enjoy meeting with people. The issues I hear are not inconsequential and we are at a point where there is a lot of uncertainty at the federal, state, and local levels,” stated Kresha.

Kresha has been assigned to four committees this session: Educational Policy, Agriculture Policy, State Government Finance and Veteran’s Affairs, and Early Childhood and Youth Intervention. The committees meet Monday through Thursday and house session is scheduled throughout the week as well.
While the new session will be challenging, Kresha believes the experience will be rewarding and productive.

“Each day I am very thankful and honored to be chosen to represent this area. I am an optimistic person who believes in our future,” said Kresha.

Posted in Leg Updates | Also tagged Education, Government, Kresha, Morrison, Poltics, St. Paul, Todd | Leave a comment

Agriculture Committee Structure–limits rural voice

In the upcoming 2013 session, the rural voice will be greatly diminished by the metro influence–especially in the area of agriculture. Rep. Rod Hamilton has proposed the following amendment, that I will be supporting, in an effort to get more reasonable representation in the agriculture committees.

As you know, one of every five Minnesota workers has a job that is directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Agriculture is a vital part of the Minnesota economy and we can credit agriculture for carrying the state through these tough economic times. So why is the new majority trying to minimize agriculture’s importance?

The new structure of the House Agriculture Finance Committee for the 2013-14 Legislative Session is of great concern. Minnesota now has Speaker-designate from Minneapolis, an incoming House Majority Leader from St. Paul, and an Agriculture Finance Chair from Minneapolis. The agriculture committee has been combined with other committees which is concerning – we must not diminish the role of agriculture.


Funding for the agriculture industry – as well as the rules under which they operate — is now under direct control of a Representative from Minneapolis.


In the upcoming session, we rural representatives will be facing the full force of legislation from the metro representatives. It will be a challenge to keep our rural focus on important matters like agriculture. Below you will find a letter detailing the changes to the agriculture committee structure. I will be supporting this proposed amendment.

In recent history, the House committee structure included separate committees for environment and agriculture. That tradition ensured that the agricultural community had a voice in one committee by combining policy and finance divisions.

The House DFL Majority will bring the official rules to the floor in early January. The rules of the House govern the committee structure in the House. This is an opportunity to change the rules to make sure we keep with the recent tradition of the House. During this time, I will be offering an amendment to the House rules to move the Agriculture Finance Committee accounts to the committee that will be chaired by Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin). Representative Poppe, has served on the Agriculture Committee, represents a rural area, and understands the importance of agriculture to the Minnesota economy.

During this process, the DFL leaders from Minneapolis and St. Paul will likely make a procedural motion to refer the amendment back to the House Rules Committee. I ask that you support my amendment by contacting rural legislators (both democrats and republicans) and sharing your support. The livelihood of those hardworking men and women in rural Minnesota and the greater agricultural community is counting on your support.

Posted in Leg Updates | Also tagged 9b, Representative, Ron Kresha | Leave a comment
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