COVID Restrictions, Taxes and Education, Hot Topics During District 4 Virtual Town Hall

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Senator Kent Eken, Representative Paul Marquart and Heather Keeler hosted a virtual town hall on Sunday.

Residents submitted questions to address a series of issues including ongoing COVID restrictions, taxes, education and more.

Kent Eken was adamant during the town hall that he does not want the state’s economic issues to be rectified on the backs of rural Minnesotans, specifically with additional taxes. “During a deficit time we’re going to have to balance the budget, I want to make sure it’s not being done on the backs of rural Minnesotans and our communities that are already struggling.”

Many of the questions submitted revolved around Governor Walz’ continued use of emergency powers. Paul Marquart, who’s voted numerous times to end the Governor’s emergency powers would like the legislature to have more input, “The legislature needs more say, we need to look at it carefully; I know a lot of people say just eliminate the Governor’s emergency powers, it is not that easy to do that.”

In regards to education, Eken, Marquart and Keeler all spoke of the importance of returning students back to in-person learning as soon as possible.

A recording of the town hall can be viewed on the Lakes Area Radio App. Marquart, Eken and Keeler have indicated they plan to host additional town halls in the future.