Dear Friends,
This week I participated in the first meeting of the new Legislative Task Force on Child Protection. We received an overview of the reforms that were passed during the 2015 session and discussed our goals for the task force which will be meeting about twice per month through the summer and fall.
I'm hoping that part of our work will zero in on possible ways to help schools become a more integral part of child protection efforts. Other than parents, it's teachers, paras, and other school personnel that have the most interactions with children and can be helpful in identifying and stopping abuse, and that's an area I hope I can bring my perspective to as a former teacher.
If you have suggestions or would like to share any ideas with the task force on ways we can improve our child protection system at the county level or anywhere else, please email me and I will make sure to share it with other members of the task force. Some of the best ideas and input we receive is from constituents and our county workers, so I will be working through the summer to gather as much feedback and perspective as possible.
KAAL came up to the Twin Cities to cover the first meeting. You can watch their story by clicking
here.
In The Community
Thanks to everyone who attended the Albert Lea neighborhood picnics this week. Colter and I had a great time visiting with everyone who came out, and I was glad to see so many people out with their neighbors. Many thanks as well to the City of Albert Lea and the police and fire departments for organizing and working these events!
I also was able to visit various nursing homes in different parts of District 27A this week. I love sharing news from the last legislative session with residents, and hearing their stories and feedback on what they see as important issues going on in our state and our area. They are such a gift to our community and have so many memories and so much wisdom to share.
Passing of Rep. David Dill
We lost a valued friend and colleague at the legislature this past weekend. Rep. David Dill from Crane Lake represented much of Northeast Minnesota near the Canadian border since 2002, and was respected by legislators of both parties for his collaborative approach and kind heart. Rep. Dill was battling cancer and passed away on August 8. Politics in Minnesota wrote a heartwarming piece that summed up how many at the legislature felt about Rep. Dill which you can read
here.
Take care!
Peggy Bennett
State Representative, District 27A