Dear Friends,
The legislative session is heating up, with the first deadline for committees coming up next week. Tonight is Governor Dayton’s final State of the State address. And with today’s walkout, students across St. Paul, the state, and the country told all of us that enough is enough.
State of the State - TONIGHT
Again, Governor Dayton will deliver his final State of the State address tonight at 7:00pm in the House chamber. You can watch or listen online; click here for details. You can also follow (and join the conversation) on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #MnSOTS.
Update on Gun Violence
I’m glad to report that there continues to be strong momentum for legislation to prevent gun violence, including my bills for criminal background checks and gun violence protective orders (GVPOs). When Governor Dayton recently released his Safe and Secure Schools Act, he also endorsed these ideas. On Monday, a bipartisan group of state senators announced their own support for criminal background checks. And the Trump administration has urged every state to adopt GVPOs (referred to in other states as extreme risk protection orders).
You might appreciate hearing the discussion about my bills last Friday on MPR. I was also featured in this piece on KARE-11 on Saturday.
March for Our Lives - Saturday, March 24
The movement against gun violence has really been driven by young people. One week ago today, I spoke to St. Paul students who had marched to the Capitol (see photos below). Again, there was a nationwide student walkout this morning. And on the morning of Saturday, March 24, students are leading the organizing for a March for Our Lives, both in Washington, D.C. and at the Capitol. I will be speaking. Please join us!
Photo Credit to Tim Nelson for Minnesota Public Radio News.
Keeping Our State’s Waters Clean
There are a lot of areas where nitrogen levels in our state’s waters are unsafe for human consumption. No Minnesotan should ever experience preventable health risks or drink unsafe water. Last week Governor Dayton announced a number of measures to reduce nitrates in drinking water. It’s critical that our state’s water and air be clean, for our families and for future generation.
Group Visits to the Capitol
Many thanks to Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition for their recent visits. Now more than ever, we need everyone in our community engaged in advocacy and policymaking. #EverybodyIn.
Thank you for the honor of serving our community,
Dave Pinto
State Representative, District 64B
321 State Office Building
(651) 296-4199
www.house.leg.state.mn.us/64b
facebook.com/repdavepinto
Sign up for legislative updates: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/join.asp?id=15444