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We were 23 members strong, also joined by Honorary Member Elaine Olson. After the invocation Tim Hunt led off the brags, noting he had filled out his Brags & Fines Punch Card and was happy to report the "little" procedure to eliminate a heart flutter had been successful; to make sure of it, however, he was leaving early for cardiac rehab. Once again we were then plunged into the NDSU - UND rivalry (With stakes so high, how does one even choose which school to list first? It wouldn't be a problem if the U of M was in the mix as it would take top spot.), with Randy Kempfer thanking John MacFarlane for noting last week UND's three game winning streak, which is exactly 1/13 of NDSU's recently completed 39 game winning streak, which Randy also pointed out. Randy also bragged about his son who joined him and Zach Stach to fill back packs at the United Way. He then capped off his brag by letting us know he had become the President of the Minnesota Optometric Association. Congratulations Randy! There was a sighting of Jamie Larson and when he spoke up to indicate he was paying $25.00 for missing one or two meetings and to announce his engagement we were able to confirm his actual attendance. Keith Olson paid to be back from Florida but has to return to retrieve a replacement (?) for a vehicle that blew an engine while he was down there. Greg Darling paid for missing a couple meetings awhile back and then claimed that while he was at Outstate Brewing last week he did not have any beers. Anthony Nordan bragged, referencing the Otter Cove again but wanting to thank our speaker of the day for his assistance last Easter in distributing food and for his work on behalf of our community. Wally Cole also recognized our speaker for his work at the legislature, noting the first bill Representative Rasmusson ever introduced was to improve upon some statutes affecting chiropractors in the state. Jordan Rasmusson followed up by stating it was his blessing to work with the Salvation Army. Buzz Lundeen contributed to acknowledge The Daily Journal article and Dean Monke for the former's story of the latter's retirement after 25 years. Kathy Austvold finished off the brags by stating she knew our speaker when he was a fifth or sixth grader at Morning Sun. Bonnie Denzel introduced Representative Jordan Rasmusson, who is the sixth generation of his family to live in Otter Tail County. Jordan started out by referring to the state's budget projections, noting we had gone from the largest projected deficit in state history to a $1.6 million projected surplus. He hopes that can be converted into tax relief, including the state creating an exemption for forgiven PPE loans. He has spent a lot of time addressing vaccine distribution, talking to Department of Health representatives almost daily. Jordan approaches his work as having 40,000 bosses - his constituents, and serves on the following House committees: Commerce, Capital Investment (handling the bonding bill, with Fergus Falls' riverfront project receiving $1.7 million in last year's legislation), Human Services Finance & Policy, and the Pension Commission, the latter overseeing $80 million in pension benefits for public employees. In addition to sponsoring the bill for chiropractors so they can better adapt to key changes caused by the pandemic, Jordan is the chief author on a bill to increase funding for crisis stabilization units (there is one located in Fergus), which he described as ultimately saving the state money. He is also sponsoring the safe place for newborns legislation, also referred to as the "Baby Moses" law, allowing a woman to anonymously turn over a baby born to her for placement. Jordan is also the chief author of a bill that would reflect our largest investment in broadband infrastructure across the state -- $120 million for that. There is also a lot of constituent service work that goes with being a legislator. In the question and answer period, President Anthony thanked Jordan for his support of legislation that increased funding for treating opioid epidemic. Jamie Larson commented on the need for the state to exclude PPE loan forgiveness from income and Mark Bring commented on supporting HF 1882 and SF 1827, designed to replace some tax revenues that will be lost in municipalities when utility plants shut down their coal plants. It was a most informative presentation and hopefully we will be able to have Jordan back after the legislative session is over. Thanks to Jordan for his service! |
