The Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 6, 2015
By Lee Ann Schutz
Ok, I admit it. As a community journalist, I hated covering the Legislature. I found it complicated and time consuming, so I relied heavily on the columns provided by our state lawmakers to inform readers about the happenings at the capitol.
I sure wish I knew then, what I know now – there are plenty of tools to help community editors and writers with legislative coverage, AND there are people at the capitol to help answer your questions – I’m one of them, so keep my contact information handy.
The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services office provides nonpartisan informational content that is available for use in your publication or on your website. It all begins when you sign up for daily news and information alerts.
Daily during the legislative session and other times when news from the House warrants, you will have access to stories, press releases, photos and videos. We encourage reprinting or use of this content with proper credit.
On our HPIS home page, you will see featured content, including Session Daily stories. We encourage direct linking to the stories, or, if reprinted, please use the tagline: Courtesy House Public Information Services, and include the writer’s name.
This information can be accessed by following us on through our social media accounts:
Photos of House activity
Images from the House of Representatives photographers regarding newsworthy events at the House are available. They can be accessed from our HPIS home page. Click on “This week’s slideshow” to view photos.
The gallery photos can be saved and used on your website, or high resolution photos are available, upon request, by contacting me. We request photos be credited Courtesy Minnesota House of Representatives, along with the photographers name.
Video and Audio
Videos of many Minnesota House activities are available through our YouTube account. Again, feel free to provide links to these on your website. Additionally, Minnesota House television programming, which includes floor sessions and select committee hearings, is webcast live over the Internet. Go towww.house.mn/htv/liveweb.htm.
Archived video and audio of floor sessions, select committees, some special events and press conferences is available. Go to www.house.mn/audio/default.asp
More on the web:
House of Representatives: www.house.mn
House Public Information Services: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/hinfo.asp
Sign up for HPIS email alerts: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/subscribesw.asp
House video and audio: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/htv/schedule.asp
Minnesota Senate: www.senate.mn
Minnesota Legislature: www.leg.state.mn.us
Legislative meeting schedule: www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/sched.asp
Check bill status: www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.aspx
Frequently asked questions about the Minnesota Legislature: www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.asp
Lee Ann Schutz spent nearly 20 years as a community journalist. Now, as editor and assistant director of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services, she helps produce nonpartisan information and content about the Minnesota House. She can be reached at 651-296-0337 or leeann.schutz@house.mn.