Dear Friends,
Committee work is in full-swing, meaning short floor sessions and long committee meetings. Committee is where a bulk of the legislative work gets done, and bills can undergo major changes from the time they are introduced to the time they come to the House floor for a vote.
As I mentioned in my email update from earlier this week, the House passed flood disaster relief funding that will help all of the counties in our district. I also gave my first floor speech, which you can watch by clicking here or on the image below.
I introduced my first bill this week, and am looking forward to Monday when my first education bill will be formally introduced.
My first bill, HF449 would designate Shell Rock River a state water trail. This will put Albert Lea and surrounding areas on the water trail map and encourage tourism, helping people to be aware of our beautiful area and waterways.
I'm grateful to my bipartisan co-sponsors on the bill including our neighboring Rep. Jeanne Poppe, and Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee Denny McNamara.
My education bill, which will be introduced on Monday, would help close a loophole in state law and prevent anyone who has certain child related sex offense convictions from getting or retaining their teaching license – convictions related to things like child pornography, child prostitution, and child sexual assault.
It was a little surprising to me to learn that this was not already explicitly part of state law, so I thought it would be a good bill to tackle early on.
I also got to tour the Minnesota Department of Agriculture facilities this week. We have such top notch facilities, and it was a fun behind-the-scenes look at the work that they do, and the equipment that they use.
Today I had a great visit with the staff and residents at Prairie Senior Cottages in Albert Lea. The people there were so welcoming and had great feedback about long-term care issues and other topics at the legislature.
It was a privilege to meet Larry, a Vietnam veteran whose mother lives at Prairie Senior Cottages.
As always, please contact me with your questions, comments, and feedback. Email me at rep.peggy.bennett@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-8216. Don't forget to like my page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reppeggybennett and follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PeggyABennett.
It's an honor to represent you in Saint Paul.
Sincerely,
Peggy Bennett
State Representative, District 27A