Cook County delegation visits with officials at state Capitol

This week a delegation of Cook County residents went to the Capitol in St. Paul to speak with Minnesota legislators about projects that are important to Cook County.
 
Those making the trip included:
 
--Charles Skinner, the co-president of Lutsen Mountains

--Mary Somnis, director of the Cook County-Grand Marais EDA

--Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux, mayor of Grand Marais

--Karen Blackburn, executive director, Cook County Higher Education

--Bill Crandall, superintendent, ISD 166

--Jim Boyd, Executive Director, Cook County Chamber

This is a bonding year, and the delegation was strongly encouraging legislators to fund two bonding priorities:

• $2.3 million for a new DNR public water access on the southwest corner of Grand Marais Harbor

• And $3 million for three segments of the Gitchi Gami State Trail, a bike trail paralleling Highway 61 that will eventually stretch from Two Harbors to Grand Marais.

 
The delegation was also seeking $150,000 in additional workforce development funds for Cook County Higher Education.  Rep. Rob Ecklund has introduced a bill in the House to accomplish this. The bill was heard in committee this week in St. Paul.
 
In the interview posted below, WTIP's Joe Friedrichs speaks with District 3A Rep. Rob Ecklund about the Higher Ed funding bill and his visit with the Cook County delegation this week.