Friends and neighbors,

Here at the Capitol, things move very quickly. I have been in St. Paul for about a month as your legislator, and it is a thrilling experience to see how everything gets done. I am working hard to make changes that will positively impact our state and community.

I recently signed on to a bill that will prohibit abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. I believe that all life is precious, valuable, and has a place in this world, and should be protected at all costs. There is of course an exception if the mother’s life is at risk, but a heartbeat indicates life. Each life of an unborn child has potential and holds incredible value, and I am committed to fighting for these children who do not have a voice. As a father of 12 beautiful children, I have seen almost everything from conception through adulthood, and it is all incredible.

Governor Walz introduced his budget last week, which is a mess of taxing, spending, and investing in the Twin Cities over rural areas. For example, he included $150 million to rebuild Minneapolis after the riots last summer. Minneapolis leadership let the city burn for four days before stepping in but expects the rest of Minnesota to cover the damage it caused. To me, that is unacceptable. We have rural areas in our state in desperate need of infrastructure upgrades, and they’re being left in the cold. We need to be prioritizing Minnesotans across the state, not just focusing on one area.

As a freshman member of the Senate, I am focusing my efforts on rural Minnesota and building up our communities. I have introduced several bills that will prioritize efforts to keep cities like Austin and Albert Lea running to the best of their ability. One of my bills secures funds for the wastewater treatment plant in Austin. As of right now, we are $13 million from completing the construction phase. This is an investment in our community that will create jobs and maintain a better way of life.

I am also working on a Shell Rock River Watershed bill for sediment removal and the cleanup of Fountain Lake in Albert Lea. This project is only $7.5 million from being completed and the results would do make massive improvements for the area. Projects like these are what keep Minnesota strong and growing. As the legislature, we need to focus on the rural areas instead of forgetting people exist out here. Rural Minnesota is the backbone of our state, and I will continue to prioritize legislation that highlights that.

Things change at the Capitol quickly and I would love to hear from you! Please reach out via phone or email, we can set up a Zoom meeting or catch up in district. I am here to represent you, so let me know what you’d like to see from me here in St. Paul.

Sincerely,
Gene Dornink