AUDUBON, Minn. (KVRR) – A longtime Minnesota state lawmaker has decided not to seek reelection. Democratic State Sen. Kent Eken of Audubon is stepping away after 20 years in the legislature. Eken was first elected as a member of the Minnesota House in 2002. Eken says his decision was based on several factors, including plans to return to teaching, and…
MINNESOTA (KVRR) – People from Moorhead to Detroit Lakes take part in a town hall to hear from their state senator and representatives. Minnesota has the only divided Legislature in the country, so passing anything requires some comprise. People wanted to know how State Senator Kent Eken and State Representatives Paul Marquart and Heather Keeler would like the Legislature to…
MINNESOTA (KVRR) — A Minnesota Legislative wrap-up with District 4 legislators discusses actions and support they took during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As the COVID-19 pandemic upended many Moorhead businesses, Minnesota State lawmakers discuss the resiliency the community had to come back from difficult times,” DFL State Representative Heather Keeler of Moorhead said. With the Cares Act that…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – DFL State Senator Kent Eken of Twin Valley proposes an amendment that would benefit Minnesota senior citizens with their social security. He wants to remove a state tax on social security benefits. It will move the responsibility for the taxes on investment incomes over a quarter of a million dollars a year. The incomes would…
TWIN VALLEY, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) – A Democratic state lawmaker says he disagrees with the latest shutdown orders from Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Sen. Kent Eken of Twin Valley says there should be more of a regional approach when it comes to border cities. Eken says he also believes that the legislature should have more input on the business closing…
ST. PAUL (FOX 9) – After the Minnesota House blocked a Republican effort to end Gov. Walz’s emergency powers over the coronavirus pandemic, Senate Republicans rejected the confirmation of the state’s commerce commissioner. The Senate voted to oust Commissioner Steve Kelley by a vote of 33-31 on Friday. The vote followed another vote in the Minnesota House to allow Governor Walz to…
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Democratic State Senator Kent Eken of Twin Valley and State Representative Paul Marquart of Dilworth both say priorities of the second special session are to pass bonding and tax bills. Marquart says a strong bonding bill is beneficial for rural Minnesota in funding flood mitigation and water and sewer projects. Eken voted to rescind Governor Tim…
MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota could join a growing list of states requiring masks including Texas, California and Michigan as coronavirus cases spike in multiple states. DFL State Senator Kent Eken of Twin Valley says he encourages people to wear masks but worries a one size fits all plan will take away the ability of communities to make their own decisions….
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Legislature is in special session and they’re tackling big issues like coronavirus response and police reform. State Sen. Kent Eken of Twin Valley was one of three Democrats to join Republicans in voting to end Governor Tim Walz’s emergency powers for coronavirus response. The Democrat controlled House struck down the measure allowing the governor…
MOORHEAD, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz and local lawmakers discuss the impact of this years session. The Democrats believe they were able to reach across the aisle to get things done. “It was a good session. Maybe not perfect in my view, but it never will be and it never should be,” DFL State Sen. Kent Eken of Twin Valley…
