Election Day is November 7th!There are many local seats up for election this year, and election day is coming up! You can find your polling place here and see a sample ballot here. From City Council seats to ballot initiatives, the best way to be involved in your community is by making your voice heard. No matter how or where you vote, vote! PFAS Forum with Mark RuffaloOn Wednesday, November 1, I was invited by organizers at the Natural Resources Defense Council, PFOA Project NY, and both NY Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick to provide remarks and advice as author of the precedent setting legislation that bans non-essential uses of toxic forever chemicals in Minnesota. Attendees included Actor Mark Ruffalo, Dr. Linda Birnbaum, several New York Legislators, and impacted community members living with the consequences of PFAS contamination across New York. What happened in Minnesota will undoubtedly lead to future actions in other states. This is a matter of public health as much as it is a matter of protecting our outdoor heritage against future chemical contamination. The writing is on the wall – we need to address our PFAS problem nationwide or face the consequences in years to come. EMS Task ForceA new bipartisan Legislative task force was just established to tackle EMS staffing and resource issues, and I was appointed by Speaker Hortman to bring Southern Minnesota voices forward to strengthen these life-saving services. I have attended a few Emergency Medical Services (EMS) round tables in Southern Minnesota, and it's clear that EMS in rural Minnesota continues to be in crisis. We are committed to working on this vital issue so that no Minnesotan is without Emergency help when crisis strikes. President Biden in NorthfieldI spoke with President Biden in Northfield after listening to the myriad of ways his administration is investing in rural America. Here in Minnesota, we’ve made historical investments in our rural communities, and it’s fantastic to see the Biden-Harris administration joining the fight. There are so many ways to partner on this with our federal partners, and I’m excited about the future prospects for Greater Minnesota.  MOHR Making a Difference AwardIt was invited to join the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR) last week, where I was honored with their 2023 Making a Difference Award. MOHR serves 100+ member organizations across Minnesota who provide day and employment services to tens of thousands of Minnesotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and similar needs. The additional dollars we secured in the legislature this year translates into more people hired with disabilities.  Our New St. Peter Fire HallI am so over the moon excited for our Saint Peter Volunteer Fire Department to have a new, more appropriate space for training, clean up, and truck storage. I am incredibly proud to have brought these dollars back home to St. Peter. We made an investment in our community this year that will last for many years to come, and thanks to our community’s support.  Grants for the ArtsThe Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council recently announced their Professional Mid-Career Artist Grantees! The winners will be using their grants to create art of all mediums, from clay and collages to musical pieces. Congrats to Gregory Euclide and Charlie Leftridge of St. Peter, David Hamlow and Liz Miller of Good Thunder, Sarah Houle, Benji Inniger, Josh Madson, Tristan Richards, and Gregory Wilkins of Mankato, and Pegeen Rozeske of New Ulm. I’m excited to see what you create! Supporting the Arts in our SchoolsThe Fall is a busy time for extra curriculars in our schools, including the arts! This is a great opportunity for a night of family fun while supporting our local schools and the hardworking students who make their shows great. Here are some of the upcoming theatrical productions in our High Schools. Saint Peter HS: Into the Woods - Thursday, November 16th - 7:00 pm
- Friday, November 17th - 7:00 pm
- Saturday, November 18th - 7:00 pm
- Sunday, November 19th – 2:00 pm
Mankato West: Animal Farm (tickets at the door) - Thursday, November 9th - 7:00 pm
- Friday, November 10th - 7:00 pm
- Saturday, November 11th - 7:00 pm
New Ulm HS: The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Thursday, November 16th - 7:00 pm
- Friday, November 17th - 7:00 pm
- Saturday, November 18th - 2:00pm & 7:00 pm
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