Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 12, 20210

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March 12, 2021

Stepping Up Vaccinations and Dialing Back Mitigations

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On March 9th, Governor Walz announced that vaccine eligibility has been expanded 3 weeks ahead of schedule, due to 70% of seniors 65 years and older receiving the vaccine. This is an incredible accomplishment. You can find out where you fall in the distribution order by clicking HERE.

If you have not already, get registered with Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector by clicking HERE, to get notified on when a vaccine will be available for you.


And in additional news, this increase in vaccine deployment is also helping us dial back some COVID-19 mitigation measures. While school districts have already been empowered to return to in-person learning and all businesses are allowed to be open, we are now safely increasing capacity limits. Brighter days are on the horizon, and hopefully we can all see each other in the summer for an in-person town hall meeting. You can view the full details by clicking HERE.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 12, 20210”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 5, 2021

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March 5, 2021

Vaccinations Ramp Up As Third Vaccine Arrives in Minnesota

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On March 3rd, the first Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived in Minnesota. It is exciting and reassuring that we will now have a third vaccine that is highly effective in keeping Minnesotans safe. This new vaccine is only a single-dose and does not require cold-storage, so we can likely get it deployed much quicker.

Our state is already a leader in vaccination, ranking 3rd among states for the percentage of doses received that have been administered. I am hopeful that we can achieve herd immunity and end this pandemic even sooner than expected. Precautionary safety measures such as wearing a mask and social distancing are still necessary, but the end is in sight.

If you have not already, get signed up with Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector by clicking HERE, to get notified on when a vaccination is available for you.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 5, 2021”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 26, 2021

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February 26, 2021

Planning for a Successful Session of Compromise and Activism

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Minnesota is the only state legislature in the nation divided evenly between Democrats and Republicans. This has been the case since 2019, and we once again have a unique opportunity to be a model for the rest of the country. Our compromise two years ago to save the provider tax showed that divided government can work for the people, and this year we are going to prove that once again. Big debates over COVID relief will dominate the budget discussion, regarding things like PPP loan taxability, working family relief, and healthcare affordability. Together, with the intention of making our world a better place, I believe we can have a successful legislative session.

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Many of you have written in to share your thoughts on some of these subjects, in addition to other issues as well. Some of the topics I’ve received the most emails on have been:

  • Removing the tax on PPP loans
  • Opposing and supporting adult-use cannabis
  • Protecting the Boundary Waters
  • Vaccinations for COVID-19
Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 26, 2021”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: December 23, 2020

December, 2020

Passing Additional COVID Relief

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The legislature has now adjourned its 7th Special Session for 2020, an unprecedented occasion for our state which normally adjourns for the year in May. Among the bills we passed during this session was a $216 million COVID relief package, to help individuals and businesses most impacted by this pandemic. There is still more to do though, and when the next legislature convenes in 2021 we need to build on this.


Getting Ready for 2021

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As mentioned during a previous newsletter, I have moved offices at the Capitol. My new office is room 2231 in the Minnesota Senate Building, and we are still open (virtually) to address your questions, comments, and concerns!

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I have also moved desks on the Senate Floor, though in our socially distanced environment it is unclear how much I will be using it. Farewell to the desk whose glass shattered in front of me on my very first day in office

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A new session also brings new committee assignments, and they are very similar to the ones I served on last year. I am thrilled to serve you as a member of the following committees:

  • Education Finance and Policy
  • Environment Policy and Legacy Finance
  • Local Government

I hope you continue to stay active in this upcoming legislative session, even though much of it will likely be virtual. So far this month I have met with:

  • The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
  • Constituents advocating on behalf of Hammer Residences and people who live there
  • Students at Scenic Heights Elementary School in Minnetonka
  • School superintendents and school boards in Eden Praire and Minnetonka
  • The Jewish Community Relations Council
  • The Eden Prairie city council
  • Friends of the Boundary Waters
  • And many others!
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We are doing our very best to make civic engagement as easy as possible in this virtual environment, and I am always willing to meet with my constituents. Just shoot me an email and my phenomenal legislative assistant, Greg Weiner, will get us set up for a virtual meeting or phone call!


Talking Education with Senate Media

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Last week I had the opportunity to appear on the Senate’s news program, Capitol Report, with moderator Shannon Loehrke. We had a great conversation about my experience in the classroom, the philosophy of teaching, and my new book. You can check out the segment by clicking HERE!


Virtually Connecting for Another Town Hall

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Rep. Pryor, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, and I hosted a virtual town hall meeting last week, and it was a pleasure to see many of your names pop up as viewers and in the comments section. Thank you to those who submitted their questions beforehand to help streamline this process, and thank you to everyone for your patience during this difficult time. You can watch a recording of the town hall by clicking HERE!


Electoral College Members Cast Their Votes

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In town halls and city halls across Minnesota, citizens engaged. Election officials and volunteers put in countless, thankless hours. On November 3rd we the people exercised our sacred duty in record numbers. Last Monday our state’s 10 electors finished the process. Democracy really is something to behold. 


A New Paper in Town

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Many of you know that in April the Eden Prairie News closed its doors. In response, the community has come together to launch the Eden Prairie Local News, and I could not be more grateful. As Thomas Jefferson once said: “If I had to choose between a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” You can check out an article about this in the Star Tribune by clicking HERE. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen.


Student Workers Begin Receiving Unemployment Benefits

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We have experienced unprecedented layoffs during this pandemic, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. While we have expanded our unemployment insurance program to fit this need, there were still unfortunately people who were unable to access it. A big group of these workers were high school students, who have been working and paying into the system but unable to access benefits. For many families, these students brought home income that was essential to their family’s wellbeing, being used for things like groceries and healthcare. A recent court decision put a fix to this, and the Department of Employment and Economic Development has begun issuing payments. You can view the department’s press release by clicking HERE. Thank you to all of the young people who kept up the pressure on this.


Happy Holidays and Happy Reading

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I know I said this in our last newsletter, but happy holidays again! I know how difficult it is to be socially distanced from our families during this time. Still, this does present an opportunity to grab a book off the shelf that you’ve been meaning to read. What are you planning to read for pleasure this holiday season? I hope whatever you choose to read brings you joy, intrigue, knowledge, or whatever else you are looking for in your book. I wish you all the best and a very happy new year.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 16, 2020

Please join Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn and me for a District 48 Virtual Town Hall tomorrow, December 17 at 7 p.m. To participate, go to my Facebook page: Rep. Laurie Pryor | Facebook. You can submit your questions ahead of time here.

Book Review: Senator Steve Cwodzinski’s Beyond the Lesson Plan

ecades ago, on a driving trip, I listened to a recording of Oliver Sacks reading his book, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. His voice (both literal and literary) was so distinctive that, for years afterward, anytime I would read anything he wrote, I would, in my head, hear him reading it aloud. I have heard other authors, even listened to some reading their work, but this bit of synesthesia has never repeated itself until a few days ago, when I started Beyond the Lesson Plan by Steven Cwodzinski. The warmth, the openness, the earnestness, the simultaneous erudite sophistication and childlike simplicity – all this could only come from one person. And then there are the corny jokes. A warning: be looking ahead for “But I digress!” If you see these words a few paragraphs on, brace yourself!

The book is organized into 33 chapters, one for each year of Mr Cwodzinski’s teaching/learning career. (He presents teaching as a reciprocal engagement between the nominal teacher and students.) Each chapter title is a question, and the chapter investigates the question. The first chapter reveals an event that changed the life of the author: a car accident during his senior year in high school, followed by months of hospitalization, a renaissance of spirit, and a newfound sense of purpose. Later chapters feature stories of the search for his biological father, his proposal and marriage, his children, his travels, his campaign and his three years (so far!) as a state senator. These are interspersed with many, many stories about the classroom, which, in turn, are interspersed with philosophical ponderings and exhortations to our better angels. And did I mention the corny jokes? Continue reading.

Solving the Puzzle Pieces

Since FDR, we Democrats have always stood for workers’ rights, civil rights, farmers’ rights, voting rights, women’s rights and gay rights.  Today, we continue those causes along with educational opportunity, affordable health care and safer communities for all.

I believe that the purpose of life is to solve as much of the puzzle as possible before we pass.

Democrats we all share the same goal:  To leave this world a better place than when we came upon it. Continue reading.

 

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: May 18, 2020

May 18, 2020

Session Adjourns Sine Die, Special Session Likely

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As of this morning, the 91st legislative session of Minnesota has adjourned Sine Die, which means that the 2019-2020 biennium is officially over. We’ve gotten some good things done for Minnesota this year. One of the things I am most glad that we got done was the prevention of financial exploitation of seniors. Some additional items are:

  • An elections bill to help ensure everyone can vote safely in the midst of our current pandemic.
  • A Legacy bill to preserve our state’s clean water, land, and cultural heritage.
  • Passage of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act
  • Wage increase protections for our hard-working state employees.
  • A comprehensive health and human services bill.
  • The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act.
  • A ban on the use of Trichloroethylene (TCE), a known toxin.

We also passed several emergency COVID-response bills over the course of the last two months, as nearly the whole second half of the legislative session took place during the pandemic.

Given that the state of emergency is still in place, we will likely be called back for a special session on June 12 if the emergency is further extended. This gives the legislature the option to end the state of emergency if both the House and Senate overturn it. During this special session, the legislature may also pass additional legislation. A lot of work was left unfinished when we adjourned, and some items I would like to see passed when we reconvene are:

  • A robust infrastructure bonding bill.
  • A bill to allow breweries to sell their products in cans during the pandemic.
  • Appropriations from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) to preserve our great outdoors.

Unfortunately, by the time of the special session it will be too late for our state’s thousands of hourly education workers. We fought hard to keep these critical staff employed and working with students, but unfortunately the Senate Majority impeded all of our efforts. You can view my floor speech on this by clicking HERE.


Celebrating and Reflecting on Minnesota’s 162nd Birthday

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Monday, May 11, was Statehood Day for Minnesota. This is one of only two days each year that the electrolier in the capitol rotunda is lit (the other being the first day of a legislative session). I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made over the last 162 years, and am grateful for everyone who exercised their civic duty along the way. It is always important to be reminded of the hard work of those who came before us, and of our responsibility to future generations.

Also in the spirit of reflection, and with the Pandemic facing us on a daily basis, I have often thought about the words at the Hubert H. Humphrey memorial outside the capitol.

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“The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”


Minnesota Transitions to Phase 2 of COVID Response

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Last week, Governor Walz announced that he will not be extending the Stay Home order, and as of today it is officially ended. We will now be moving into phase two of our state’s response to COVID-19: Stay Safe MN. This will entail a much broader reopening of the economy, while still attempting to do so safely. Bars and restaurants may be allowed to reopen as early as June 1 at limited capacity.

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Thank you to everyone who took action and stayed home when possible during this last month and a half. We have bought valuable time for increasing our testing capacity, hospital bed availability, and supply of personal protective equipment. As the case number increases with broader reopening, our healthcare system will be more prepared to handle this surge. Together, we have saved lives.

Looking Ahead, and Looking Back

When prompted with the question, “What is the first thing you will do when stay-at-home orders are lifted and the economy in your state is fully opened?” roughly 1 in 5 U.S. adults wrote about visiting family, spending time with friends, and hugging loved ones.

After that, where will you want to go first? For me, it will be the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

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During this pandemic, we have lost many before their time. In 1918, an artist died during the Influenza Pandemic. His name was Egon Schiele. He was twenty-eight. He left the world an unfinished portrait of a friend. That painting now sits at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I look forward to seeing it again, like an old friend.


SD 48 Hosts Its First Online Town Hall

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On Wednesday at noon last week, Representative Pryor, Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn, and myself hosted a town hall meeting via Facebook Live. It was a new and interesting experience, and I would like to thank everyone who participated. In case you missed it, you can watch the saved footage online by clicking HERE.


Congratulations, Class of 2020

To all of the high school and college seniors out there missing out on the pomp and circumstance, I know what you are missing. But believe me, you will forever have this unique shared experience that will bond the class of 2020 like no other. You will enter the next phase of your life with a unique and fresh perspective. The people of my generation are waiting with excitement to see all that you will do. Good luck with your post-graduation plans. I spoke about this on the Senate Floor over the weekend, and you can view my speech by clicking HERE.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

Prioritizing Financial Security for All

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Economic security is something all Americans strive for: the ability to have essential needs met and live with dignity. Unfortunately, the very people who were least likely to have economic security before COVID-19 are being hit hardest by our current public health crisis.

We in the Senate DFL are currently working on a package of economic security bills that will help all Minnesotans come out stronger on the other side of this pandemic. This package includes:

  • Guaranteeing safe and secure housing for all
  • Ensuring pay for hourly school employees
  • Supporting broadband infrastructure
  • Passing wage increases for personal care attendants (PCAs)

We have an opportunity to pass forward-looking legislation and be the stewards our parents taught us to be. We can build a better future and provide economic security for more Minnesotans both during and after this crisis. Other proposals I am fighting for are:

  • Ensuring safe ballot access via vote-by-mail for every Minnesotan
  • Reimbursing community education for lost revenue
  • Allowing breweries to temporarily sell products in cans
  • Passing a robust infrastructure bill

Virtual Tour of the Capitol Coming Soon!

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Due to our current pandemic, many school groups have had to cancel their spring capitol tours. Visiting with these students and helping them learn about the building is one of the highlights of the session for me, and so I am currently working on a virtual tour that will be available online. Stay tuned for it in next week’s newsletter!


Stay Home Order Extended to May 18

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This week Governor Walz announced an extension of the Stay-at-Home Order to May 18, which includes bars and restaurants.

However, in a gradual reopening of the economy, retail businesses and other non-critical sectors may reopen with curbside pick-up, bringing 30,000 Minnesotans safely back to work.

For businesses that will be resuming operations, their exemption from the Stay-at-Home Order is contingent on the following mandatory criteria:

  • Develop and publicly post a plan for how to open safely
  • Use online payment whenever possible
  • Employees and customers should wear masks and protective equipment
  • In curbside pick-up scenarios, social distancing guidelines apply. If possible, customers should not leave their vehicle
  • In delivery scenarios, items should be deposited outside a customer’s residence

During this time, please wear a mask when leaving your home. Additionally, you should telework whenever possible, screen for symptoms as best you can, and continue to implement social distancing. Together, we can continue saving lives.


Continuing to Make the World a Better Place

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A five year old sent in a letter from Earth Day last week, asking us to protect the environment they will grow up in. It arrived in the mail this week, and was a great reminder of the things we fight for.


Goodbye, Eden Prairie News

Yesterday was the final issue of the Eden Prairie News. Last week, I wrote a letter to thje editor about this and included it in the newsletter. It has now been published and you can view it online by clicking HERE.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: April 17, 2020

Businesses Begin Reopening

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Earlier today, Governor Walz signed an executive order to expand the list of businesses that can reopen. They are:

  • Bait shops for live bait
  • Outdoor shooting ranges and game farms
  • Public and private parks and trails
  • Golf courses and driving ranges
  • Boating and off-highway vehicle services, including:
    • Marina services
    • Dock installation and other lake services
    • Boat and off-highway vehicle sales and repair, by appointment only

This will help us all get outdoors and enjoy the weather as it gets warmer, and will allow many Minnesotans to return to work. Staying home helps protect the physical health of others, and this expansion of outdoor activities will help improve our mental health as well.


Thank You For Saving Lives

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With the Stay Home order being continued until May 4th, I wanted to thank each and every one of you who who is either an essential worker putting yourself at risk or is staying home and enduring financial hardship. Our success so far in limiting the spread of the disease would not have been possible without you doing your part. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: April 17, 2020”