Dear Neighbors,
I hope fall has been treating you well! Here are a few items I wanted to share with you:
MCEA Trailblazer Award
I was recently awarded the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)’s “Trailblazer Award.” The Award recognizes legislators who distinguish themselves as strong environmental leaders in their early years of service in a legislative body.
As a freshman member serving on the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, I’ve fought to protect clean water and wild rice, supported legislation for hunters and anglers, and promoted renewable energy and other efforts to combat climate change. It was a great honor to receive this award.
DNR Fall Color Finder
There is still time to view some of the beautiful fall leaves! The Minnesota DNR provides daily updates on how the fall colors are progressing through the state, including information about each State Park. This is a great tool for planning day or weekend trips. Click here to see the map and find out more.
What do you value?
What would make life better for you, your family and our community? Recently, DFL House members have been engaged in conversations all across Minnesota—from Apple Valley to Grand Rapids and beyond—asking just that question. The idea is to simply listen and facilitate a dialogue about our shared values and future. The conversations have been robust, challenging, moving, and thoughtful. People from all walks of life have attended and shared so much about themselves and their communities.
Now, it’s your turn to join so many other Minnesotans and share what you value and what you’d like to see Minnesota do. Please take this opportunity to fill out a brief, four question survey.
House High School Page Program
Modeled after the United States Congress Page Program, the Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program was established in 1975. Today, the program remains dedicated to providing students with meaningful opportunities and has evolved into one of the top page programs in the nation.
Throughout the course of their week in Saint Paul, High School Page Program participants are exposed to a wide variety of experiences, designed to provide them with a deep understanding of our state government.
The Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program is open to all Minnesota high school students in their junior year. Applications are due by December 1st! For more information and the applications, please visit the High School Page Program website.
MNLARS Update
Late last month, Representative Rick Hansen and I drove to Willmar for a hearing on the implementation of the MN Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS). After hearing about the problems, I met with the Assistant Commissioner and staff from Driver & Vehicle Services to discuss challenges with the system and concerns raised by constituents.
Here is a link to the letter we sent to Governor Dayton and a Q&A response from DVS.
If you have any problems with obtaining or renewing a license or your tabs or registering a vehicle, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance. We are here to help!
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any issues, questions or concerns you may have.
Jamie
P.S: Don’t forget to forward this update to your friends and neighbors. They can sign up to receive these updates here.