Category: SD48

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: June 2, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I want to start by giving a shout out to everyone that helped us donate sorely-needed groceries for the communities impacted in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. As I was coordinating this event with PROP, the City of Eden Prairie, and the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, I couldn’t have imagined this incredible outpouring of support. Proof once again that Minnesotans care about each other.

Food Drive
For those of you interested in other ways to help, the Star Tribune released a list of resources you might find useful. My work in the Minnesota House now turns to the ways we can enact systemic change to address the deep-rooted issues that led not only to the death of George Floyd and other black and brown Minnesotans, but the ongoing unrest in the Twin Cities and areas all over the country. Today, DFL members of the POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) Caucus announced measures for police and criminal justice reform, as well as their intent to make these issues a priority during a likely special session this month. You can watch their press conference, or read an overview of their proposals. These include measures to: Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: June 2, 2020”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: June 2, 2020

Neighbors,

We are in an unprecedented time. The COVID-19 global pandemic has uprooted much of our everyday routines, slowed our businesses and kept us distant from family and friends. As if coping with COVID-19 wasn’t difficult enough, the Twin Cities has experienced violence following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. His death has now been ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County medical examiner. We all wait for swift justice in this heart-breaking loss.

The ensuing unrest and destruction left many of us wondering how we can help. Last weekend, our Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and surrounding communities held a food drive to collect needed items for our friends in the state’s biggest city. You came out in impressive numbers to collect, sort and deliver food for our Minneapolis neighbors directly affected by the upheaval. Thank you for all you’ve done. This just proves once again that Minnesotans care about each other and we are here to help each other in good and bad times.

food Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: June 2, 2020”

Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: May 30, 2020 Weekend Curfews

A message from your Senator

Dear Friends,

The killing of George Floyd at the hands of police has changed our world forever. Now is the time to come together to keep our communities safe, restore order, and continue the pursuit of justice for George Floyd.

Tonight, for our own personal safety and the safety of our first responders we must stay home and abide by the curfew throughout our district, including those imposed in Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina and Minnetonka.

We have received credible information of agitators from out of state that are instigating mayhem in our cities. This is a developing and dangerous situation. We must take necessary precautions to allow the Minnesota National Guard, and local police and fire departments to control the situation and reinstate the peace. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: May 30, 2020 Weekend Curfews”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 29, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to give you a quick update on an emergency food drive that’s taking place in Eden Prairie this weekend, put on in partnership with PROP, the City of Eden Prairie, and the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. On Saturday and Sunday, from 9-11am, we’ll be at the Hennepin Technical College off of Flying Cloud Drive, accepting donations for the senior living facilities in south Minneapolis near the 3rd Precinct.

The recent tragedy and ongoing unrest has left them without access to the resources they require. The foods that are most in need right now are non-perishable and pantry staple items like bread, peanut butter, cereal, pasta, canned goods, etc.

We cannot accept any perishable food items due to non-refrigerated storage space. We will not be able to accept any cash donations, but online donations can be made to local food shelves at www.hungersolutions.org or www.2harvest.org.

We will be at the J1 entrance, to the right of the main entrance. Enter on College View Drive, stay straight toward the auditorium, turn right before the main entrance, and the J1 entrance will be on the left side.

ep

We could use a small number of volunteers. Please email rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn if you’d like to volunteer either Saturday or Sunday. We ask that any volunteers wear masks, and we will also have hand sanitizer available on-site.

Our community has done such an amazing job of sticking together during the challenges we’ve faced this year. If you’re also able to help those struggling in Minneapolis, it’d be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Laurie Pryor

State Representative

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthuhn Update: May 29, 2020


Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to give you a quick update on an emergency food drive I organized, with support from PROP, the City of Eden Prairie, and the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. On Saturday and Sunday, from 9-11am, we’ll be at the Hennepin Technical College off of Flying Cloud Drive, accepting donations for senior living facilities in south Minneapolis near the 3rd Precinct.

The recent tragedy and ongoing unrest has left them without access to the resources they require. The foods that are most in need right now are non-perishable and pantry staple items like bread, peanut butter, cereal, pasta, canned goods, etc.

We cannot accept any perishable food items due to non-refrigerated storage space. We will not be able to accept any cash donations, but online donations can be made to local food shelves at www.hungersolutions.org or www.2harvest.org.

We will be at the J1 entrance, to the right of the main entrance. Enter on College View Drive, stay straight toward the auditorium, turn right before the main entrance, and the J1 entrance will be on the left side.

Directions

We could use a small number of volunteers. Please email me at rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn if you’d like to volunteer either Saturday or Sunday. We ask that any volunteers wear masks, and we will also have hand sanitizer available on-site.

Eden Prairie has done such an amazing job of sticking together during the challenges we’ve faced this year. If you’re also able to help those struggling in Minneapolis, it’d be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

 

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn<

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Late Sunday night, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die for the year. The Minnesota Constitution requires us to adjourn by May 18, so while this was our technical end date, it’s likely we will meet again soon to continue addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and other unfinished business concerning economic support for Minnesotans.

Following the success of our May 13 virtual Senate District 48 Town Hall (which you can watch here), I’ll be joined by Sen. Cwodzinski and Rep. Pryor for another one on Wednesday, June 10, at 7:30pm. You can submit questions ahead of time here, and you’ll be able to watch it live on my Facebook page. I’ll keep you posted on more information as we get closer to the event.

Session Adjourned Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 22, 2020”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 22, 2020

Neighbors,

One of the most unusual legislative sessions in Minnesota history adjourned at midnight on Sunday. Little did we know when session convened on February 11, that just a few weeks later our world would be turned upside down. COVID-19 affected every part of our lives.

Since mid-March, the legislature has operated remotely. Under the guidance of Speaker Melissa Hortman, we complied with best practices for public health. Some legislators voted from their homes, many traveled to St. Paul and voted from our offices, and a very few attended floor sessions in the House chamber. We learned how to use technology in a new way to hold committee hearings and floor sessions. Like many of you who have made major adjustments and are operating under less than ideal circumstances, we were able to accomplish our work with everybody pulling together. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 22, 2020”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 14, 2020

Neighbors, 

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Senate District 48 Town Hall on Wednesday. As usual, your questions were thoughtful. The Facebook format was new for me, but in the absence of a face-to-face town hall, it was great to interact with you! Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Koytza-Witthuhn and I hope to host another meeting soon. If you weren’t able to join us you can view the town hall here.

Changes in the Stay at Home order 

On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced that the current stay at home order will expire on Monday, May 18th, and will be replaced with an order allowing for more businesses to reopen as well as other changes. The governor also extended his peacetime emergency powers through June 12th. These powers have enabled the governor to take necessary action to secure the safety of Minnesotans and provide emergency relief to residents of our state who have been harmed economically by this pandemic.

You can read the full executive order here.  Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 14, 2020”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 8, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’re nearing the end of the 2020 legislative regular session, with our constitutional adjournment date of May 18 just ten days away. Things are moving pretty fast. To make it easier for you to stay in the loop, Representative Pryor, Senator Cwodzinski and I want to invite you to join us next week for a virtual town hall streaming live on Wednesday, May 13, at 12:00 PM on my State Representative Facebook Page.

We’ll be able to provide an update on our work and the path ahead, but more importantly we want to hear from you. Your input is important to us, and the questions, comments, and stories of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted you will help us in our work at the state capitol. In order for us to properly answer your questions, we encourage you to submit them ahead of the town hall here. We look forward to hearing from you! In case of conflict with a scheduled floor session, we will reschedule as soon as possible.

Town Hall Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 8, 2020”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 8, 2020

Neighbors,

This week, the House advanced our Economic Security package that invests in housing, health care, economic security, education and healthy communities.

Also, this week, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released an updated budget, projecting a $2.426 billion deficit in the current biennium. While certainly unwelcome news, the executive and legislative branches have worked over the last decade to smartly manage our state’s resources, resulting in $350 million in the state’s cash flow account and $2.359 billion in the budget reserves. Minnesota has also received nearly $2 billion in federal aid to help provide economic security to get through the COVID-19 crisis.

We have the resources to get through this unprecedented disruption of our daily lives. By staying home, we can keep everyone safe and start the road to recovery. Minnesotans care about each other and we will get through this together. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 8, 2020”