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| Date: | March 8, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| STATE LAWMAKERS FORM RURAL CAUCUS Senator Senjem elected treasurer |
(ST. PAUL) -- Minnesota Senate and House lawmakers formed the legislature's first Rural Caucus recently to discuss issues that face legislators representing Greater Minnesota, include effects of an aging rural population, a slowing growth of the labor force, rural health care and worldwide trends related to agricultural demand.
Senator Doug Magnus of Slayton, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and House counterpart Representative Rod Hamilton of Mountain Lake were elected co-chairs. Senator David Senjem of Rochester was elected treasurer and member of the executive committee.
“My hope is that this group will work with leaders and policy experts to understand and focus on downward trends in Minnesota’s rural economy,” said Senjem. “And using this information, we can work with our legislative colleagues and serve constituents in building a better future for Minnesota.”
During the group’s first meeting State Demographer Tom Gillaspy spoke about demographic changes in rural Minnesota and issues of particular interest for the next several years that may affect Minnesota’s economy and governmental budgets. Other meetings have included discussions of local government aid and energy security.
The Rural Caucus will meet on a weekly basis during the legislative session and regularly invite policy experts, state leaders and others to participate in their discussions. More than 30 legislators from the Minnesota Senate and House attend the meetings.
