Health & Fitness
Update: The "Unsession" and Special Session
Rep. Joe Atkins gives constituents a short update on the upcoming Special Session and next year's "Unsession."
It has been a while since my last column. I tore my Achilles a few weeks back playing basketball, had surgery, and am now catching up. Below are a few updates.
THE UNSESSION. Governor Dayton sent an e-mail to all state employees today announcing his plans to make the 2014 legislative Session the "Unsession" focused on improving government and creating efficiencies in state government as well as repealing unneeded statutory language and programs. For legislators like me, this is welcome news. For years, I have been trying to repeal at least one old or obsolete law for every new law I pass.
MY FAVORITE REPEAL OF A DUMB LAW. Did you know that until a couple years ago it was illegal to sell Minnesota-made beer at the Minnesota State Fair? I repealed that dumb law. I have passed legislation to repeal other obsolete laws over the years, but the law that prevented the sale of Minnesota beer at the Minnesota State Fair had to be the silliest one on the books.
Find out what's happening in Eaganwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
STATE FAIR TOWN MEETING: Thursday, 8/22, 10am-noon. Speaking of the State Fair... If you are planning to attend the State Fair tomorrow, please stop in and see me at my Annual State Fair Town Meeting. I will be in the Education Building from 10am-noon. I am also volunteering in the Health Fair 11 building from 12:30-1:30pm.
SPECIAL SESSION. The governor and legislative leaders just agreed this morning to a special session on Monday, Sept. 9, to provide disaster aid to parts of the state ravaged by June storms. We need to authorize $4.5 million in state funding in order to secure $17.8 million in federal disaster aid.
Find out what's happening in Eaganwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
STUDENT TEST SCORES LEAD THE NATION... AGAIN. For the eighth straight year, Minnesota students led the nation in ACT scores.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS DAYS PARADE FOOD DRIVE: Saturday, 9/7, 11am. I am again organizing the IGH Days Parade Food Drive. Together with Mayor Tourville and great group of volunteers, we push grocery carts in the parade, collecting food, household and school supplies. All the donations go to Neighbors, Inc., our local food shelf, to help local families in need. Now in its 17th year, we have collected over 26,000 pounds of donations as a result of the generosity of parade-goers. Our biggest challenge each year is getting the word out about the parade food drive. PLEASE share this email with anyone you know who may be attending the IGH Days Parade.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please let me know. I can be reached at Rep. Joe.Atkins@house.mn or by calling me at 651-296-4192. Thank you.
