ST. PAUL, MN – Over 250 policymakers, advocates, and community members gathered today at the University of St. Thomas for a forum about state policy on early childhood, an increasing area of focus this legislative session. At the Prenatal to Three Policy Forum, part of a quarterly series led by Representative Dave Pinto (DFL-St. Paul) and Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud), attendees shared proposals on a wide variety of topics, from prenatal care to early-learning system reform.
Early-childhood advocates sense strong momentum on this issue this session. The first bill from the House DFL majority - House File 1 - is a comprehensive proposal titled the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act. The Senate Republican majority has set child care and early learning as among their top priorities. And the Walz-Flanagan administration has already expressed interest in action in this area.
Rep. Pinto released the following statement after today’s event concluded:
“Every Minnesota child deserves a great start in life, for the benefit of us all. I look forward to working with the Senate, the administration, and the groups and individuals who presented today to ensure this great start on behalf of the youngest Minnesotans.”
A full agenda for today’s Prenatal to Three Policy Forum is available here.
Rep. Pinto encourages community members of St. Paul's Macalester-Groveland, Highland Park, and Fort Road/West 7th neighborhoods to contact him on any legislative issue. He can be reached by email at rep.dave.pinto@house.mn or phone at 651-296-4199.