Hamilton

I was pleased to learn that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded nearly $3.4 million locally for state grants to expand broadband access. Our policy changes ensured that the areas that truly needed broadband assistance received it. This...

The Minnesota House of Representatives has taken the first step toward providing tens of thousands of Minnesotans with tax relief by recently approving a tax conformity proposal. I supported the measure. Tax season is here, and it’s critical that Minnesotans are given every opportunity...

EDGERTON — Republicans from eight counties gathered Friday in Edgerton to officially endorse the re-election bids of their current state lawmakers. Sen. Bill Weber of Luverne and Reps. Joe Schomacker of Luverne and Rod Hamilton of Mountain Lake received the party’s support and...

ST. PAUL — Immigrants’ driver’s licenses, a long-simmering issue at the Capitol, came to the fore Wednesday in a House debate over the federal Real ID standards. Shortly before a House panel approved a measure to usher in the federal rules, Rep. Rod Hamilton made clear he did...

Protecting and preserving our food supply was the top focus of comprehensive agriculture legislation approved by the Minnesota House of Representatives recently. The proposal was passed on a 72 to 54 vote. Last session we were able to make record investments in agriculture while addressing...

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House agriculture finance chairman wants to move nearly $2 million out of a fund set up to fight bird flu last year. Chairman Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, offered a plan under consideration so the money could be used for other agriculture disasters. “Right...

I’m the chief author of legislation that would complete the long-awaited Lewis and Clark Regional Water System project. The majority of the funding for the pipeline is in place, and a reliable water source is now available in Luverne. Now it is critical for all parties involved...

A measure designed to conform to federal guidelines and allow Minnesotans to board a commercial airplane in 2018 has been approved in the Minnesota House. This is the first step that the House needs to take in order to begin the discussion process for implementing REAL ID. I expect...

The 2016 legislative session will last 10 weeks this session, and because of this, dozens of people from across southwestern Minnesota have already traveled to St. Paul to make their voices heard. Over the past week I’ve met with farmers, children’s advocates and local officials,...

WORTHINGTON — State Reps. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake; Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne; and Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, invite parents and child care providers to attend a listening session from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Worthington Fire Hall in Worthington, 830 Second Ave., to discuss...

With the start of the 2016 session just around the corner, I’m expecting a handful of topics to dominate the headlines at the State Capitol this year. Tax relief and long-term transportation funding remain on the compromise table from last session. If we can reach consensus with...