September, 2019
Another successful town hall
Tuesday marked another day of great turnout for Senate District 48’s town hall meeting! Representative Laurie Pryor, Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, and I had a wonderful time hearing from you all and providing an update on what’s been happening during interim.
For those who were unable to attend, some of our big points of conversation surrounded marijuana legalization, the cost of college, and K-12 school funding. If you have any thoughts you would like to share, I would love to hear them!
Welcoming more new citizens
Last Wednesday I spoke in front of 50 new Americans at the Hennepin County Federal Courthouse. If you have never attended a naturalization ceremony, I highly recommend it. It will make you proud to be an American.
Talking policy with veterans
I recently got invited to a meeting at a local VFW to discuss their legislative priorities, particularly as a member of the Senate Veterans Committee. We discussed veteran homelessness, tax issues, and the Veterans Restorative Justice Act. This bill passed the House and nearly found its way into final budget negotiations. Getting this act signed into law is one of my top priorities for next session.
Visiting the University of Minnesota Extension Office
Early in September, I met with staff from the University of Minnesota’s Hennepin County Extension Office in Eden Prairie, where I learned about the important issues that they are addressing each and every day. Not all education needs to involve credits and testing. They are helping people of all ages learn about everything from environmentalism to nutrition, and I am so grateful that our state has such exemplary public servants.
Talking education with the Walz team
Early last week, Senator Wiger and I got to sit down with Governor Walz’s education policy advisor, Aara Johnson. We talked about priorities for next session, including the need for additional support professionals in schools and ways to take the focus away from testing. We need to remember that educating our youth is about more than just creating a workforce, and these are both a part of addressing that.
Results are in from the annual MN Senate State Fair Poll
Every year, the Minnesota Senate puts together a poll of the key issues facing residents and lets people fill it out at their booth in the education building. This year’s poll results can be found by clicking HERE.
I’d like to know more about where you stand. Questions 2-5 sparked some of the most lively conversations during my time volunteering there, so let me know what you think! It may take me a while to get to all the replies, but I really enjoy having these conversations.
- Where do you stand on private school vouchers, also referred to as K-12 private school scholarship tax credits?
- Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana use?
- What are your thoughts on the creation of a legislative commission on redistricting, in an effort to depoliticize the process?
- How do you feel about red flag laws, when it comes to firearms?
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Meeting a local celebrity
A few weeks ago I got to meet with Dale LaFrenz of Eden Prairie, who was one of the creators of Oregon Trail, a pioneering educational game that helped kids learn about history. He is now running an organization called Real Experiences At Life (RE@L), and continues to work to make the world a better place through connections between technology and education.
Catching up with former students
Early in September I ran into Mikalyna and Nick Sell, who are former students of mine from Eden Prairie High School.
Mikalyna painted “Freedom is not free” in the collage outside my classroom, and they were both amazing students.
Enjoying a friendly rivalry
Patti and I got to attend two Eden Prairie vs. Minnetonka high school sporting events this past week. Both schools are in our senate district, so I like to go to games when I can. Minnetonka won at soccer, and Eden Prairie won at football. Thanks to all the teachers, coaches, and parents for investing in our youth, and thank you students for making time for fun in your busy schedules.