Tag: HD48B

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 18, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We’re now in the last weekend of the legislative session, with a deadline to adjourn by midnight Monday. I will be at the State Capitol all weekend working as talks continue between Governor Walz and legislative leaders on an overall agreement on the state budget. Once this is done, House/Senate conference committees can put together details for each area of the state budget. We have a responsibility to work together to strengthen the lives of Minnesotans, and I’m committed to delivering a budget that does this.

Last week, neighbors in Eden Prairie approved a school referendum for the Designing Pathways program. I’m thankful our community values education so highly. Sen. Cwodzinski and I continue to keep a close eye on the E-12 Education Conference Committee and we’re advocating for a budget that includes strong investments for schools across the state so all students have an excellent education. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 18, 2019”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 17, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

With just a few days remaining in the 2019 legislative session, Governor Walz and legislative leaders are working on an overall budget agreement, while joint House/Senate conference committees are preparing to reconcile the many differences between budget bills passed by each body. I’m honored to serve on the Higher Ed. conference committee. Once our target is agreed to, I’ll work to ensure we pass a higher education budget that gives all Minnesotans an opportunity to go to college or enter career training without taking on massive debt.

I was recently visited by Lisa Lewis and Maureen Kostial, two community members who are alumni of the University of Minnesota, sharing their support for the U of M.

Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 17, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 10, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

There is just over one week remaining in the 2019 legislative session. House/Senate conference committees are currently meeting to resolve differences between each chamber’s version of the state budget. House and Senate leaders, along with Governor Walz, are working to reach an overall agreement. I’m hopeful we can reach a compromise, conclude our session on time, and deliver results which will improve the lives of Minnesotans.

E-12 Education

For my part, I’ve been closely following the Conference Committee charged with coming to a conclusion on the E-12 Education budget. All students deserve the opportunity to attend world-class schools no matter where they live, what their background may be, or what they may look like. Our House DFL Education budget includes much-needed investments in all students across the state, increases funding for special education, and includes funding for more school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses. It also includes many components of my bill, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children” Act with stronger investments in early childhood education. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 10, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: April 25, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature returned to the State Capitol this week following our weeklong recess to observe Easter and Passover. It was a good chance to spend time in the community hearing from neighbors, and I want to thank everyone who attended our Town Hall Meeting last week. I know I can speak for Rep. Pryor and Sen. Cwodzinski in saying we all deeply appreciate the involvement and engagement from neighbors like you. Hearing your priorities makes us all more effective in our roles in Saint Paul.

Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: April 25, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthuhn (HD48A) Update: April 15, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a whirlwind of activity at the State Capitol as the finance bills comprising our Minnesota Values Budget are assembled. This week the Legislature is in recess for the observance of the Easter/Passover holidays. When we return next week, there will be about a month remaining to complete our work. There’s a lot of work still to do and I’m committed to delivering results that make our state work better for everyone.

Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthuhn (HD48A) Update: April 15, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Over the last week, there were many visitors from Eden Prairie coming to advocate for a wide range of issues: from education and early childhood investments to chiropractic care, labor issues and the hospitality industry. I also had a visit from George Esbensen, our former Eden Prairie fire chief, and Ram Gada, representing the India Association of Minnesota. Not to mention, it was National Puppy Day!

Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2019”

Rep.. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 13, 2019

 

Dear Neighbors,

Serving our community in Saint Paul is a great honor, and every day, I find inspiration from community members. Many of them travel to the State Capitol to share their hopes, dreams, and challenges. Their stories help in my efforts to work together to build a Minnesota that works better for all of us. I would be glad to have you visit, as well.

In particular, I continue to be impressed with our student leaders in Eden Prairie and across the state. Claire Willett, a junior at Eden Prairie High School, recently spent a week at the Capitol as part of the House High School Page Program. Additionally, two of our Eden Prairie Early Childhood educators recently testified in the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit with community members who are educators, physicians’ assistants, dentists, pediatricians, transit workers, and those who work in the housing industry.

Continue reading “Rep.. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 13, 2019”

Minnesota Angel Investment Tax Credit Bill Introduced

From the March 12 morning take:

A coalition of supporters of the Angel Investment Tax Credit (AITC) will submit a letter to Sen. Paul Anderson and Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn this morning to the House Jobs Committee at 8 a.m. VERBATIM: “The AITC, which was first available in 2010 but expired at the end of 2017, resulted in more than $421 million in private investment in Minnesota startup and emerging companies during that time. Data also shows that investment in startup or early stage companies was 80 percent higher, approximately $280 million, in the eight years the Angel Credit was in effect than it was the eight years prior. The AITC is a useful tool for entrepreneurs from all over the state and from many different industries. From 2015-2017, companies owned or managed by women or minorities received more than $30 million in investment through the credit. The clean technology industry received nearly $13 million during the same time frame. In 2017 alone, companies in Greater Minnesota were the recipients of almost $10 million of investment via the credit, one of the highest totals in the history of the program.”  

LETTER: http://bit.ly/2VVQDmv

HF 1, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act,” to receive first House public hearing Thursday

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Thursday morning, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division will hold a public hearing on HF 1, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act.” Authored by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL – Eden Prairie), HF 1 includes new investments for early childhood education and development, child care, prenatal care, and home visiting. The committee’s discussion will focus on the early care and development component of the bill, including the creation of a “Great Start Fund.” This fund will increase the availability of learning scholarships focused on children from birth to age 3, addressing both Minnesota’s opportunity gap and high child care costs.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – Saint Paul) will meet at 8:00 a.m. in Room 120 of the Minnesota State Capitol.

WHAT: Committee hearing on HF 1, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act”

WHO: Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL – Eden Prairie), bill author; Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – Saint Paul), committee chair; Karla Smith, a parent whose family has benefited from early learning scholarships; Kiarra Zackery, a parent who has benefited from the state Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP); Shareece Gabriel, Child Care Development Director, YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities

WHEN: 8:00 AM, Thursday, March 7, 2019

WHERE: Room 120, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul

Nearly 30 Organizations Express Support for the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act

ST. PAUL, MN – Nearly 30 organizations have sent a letter expressing their strong support for H.F. 1, the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act. This legislation, authored by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL—Eden Prairie) and Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL—St. Paul), would increase support for prenatal care, home visiting, and early care and learning opportunities. The endorsement of these organizations is more evidence of the strong momentum this session to help get every child off to a great start.

Read the full text of the letter below: