Legislative Bio: Rep. Ryan Winkler

Representative Ryan Winkler
Party: DFL
District: 44B
Elected: to the House in 2006
Committees: Government Operations and Elections, Legacy Funding Division, State Government Finance
Occupation: Attorney
Education: BA from Harvard, JD from University of Minnesota
Home: Golden Valley

What is your proudest moment in office?

“My proudest moment in office was passing the Interstate 35W compensation bill,” Winker said. This legislation, which passed in 2008, compensated the 185 victims that were affected by the bridge collapse. 

“The state owned that bridge and it was important for the state to step up and help the people that were injured or killed that day,” he said.

As part of the bill, the state contributed $40 million to a compensation fund set up for those affected by the collapse.

What are your five goals for the session?

“Overall, I want to find common ground for both parties to work on together that strengthens our state,” Winkler said. As part of that overall goal, Winkler says the following are on his to-do list this year:

• Make tax codes simpler for people and businesses.
• Connect high school students with certification programs so they have a technical education as soon as they graduate and can enter the workforce.
• Reform how government works, which includes legislation to prevent another state shutdown.
• Increase the amount of research and development from colleges by making grant money more accessible.
• Use the state surplus to pay down debt.