Dear Neighbors,

The holiday season is here, and I hope this time of year will be full of joy and fellowship for you and your family. If you plan on traveling to celebrate the holidays, I hope your travels will be safe and hassle-free. As many of our families prepare to share gifts with one another, there are many in our communities for whom this time of year is a struggle. There are organizations doing terrific work to assist those experiencing difficult times that are worthy of our financial help. I hope that you’ll consider making a charitable contribution to a cause or two important to you. Not only are you helping others, but it helps create a feeling of holiday cheer.

This time of year is also a great opportunity to reflect upon what we’re grateful for. I continue to feel honored to represent Minnetonka and Eden Prairie at the State Capitol. I value the engagement I’ve had over the past year with community members, including the many conversations in Saint Paul, as well as those in the community, including my visit this week to Glen Lake Elementary School for a good chat with sixth-graders.

Civics 101 Town Hall

Photo: Raymond T. Rivard, Sun Sailor.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn and I were thrilled to have such wonderful attendance at our recent Civics 101 Town Hall Meeting. With the new presidential primary around the corner next year, the 2020 Census on the horizon, and continued threats to our elections from foreign interference, there was plenty to discuss.

We’re particularly thankful Secretary of State Steve Simon joined us to share some of his insight into our elections. He also remains committed to ensuring Minnesota remains number one in the nation for voter turnout. His office’s website has a wide variety of resources, as well as opportunities for you to get involved.

The Sun Sailor published a story on the Town Hall here. We thank everyone for attending and being so interested in strengthening civic engagement. 

Climate Action Caucus

This past session, the Minnesota House approved, with my support, a package of bold solutions to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce the harm of climate change. Perhaps most significant among these was a 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2050. Unfortunately, the Republican-led Senate blocked this legislation, and it didn’t become law.

My colleagues in the House aren’t letting this stop us from making progress. This fall, many of my colleagues and I formed the Climate Action Caucus. The caucus has held productive meetings to explore some of the causes of and solutions to climate change, including in the areas of transportation, housing, and public health. Momentum continues to build on this critical issue, as Governor Tim Walz recently announced the establishment of a Climate Change Subcabinet and an Advisory Council on Climate Change. DFL members of the Minnesota Senate have also created a Clean Energy & Climate Caucus.

I remain impressed with the energy young people are bringing to this issue, and they deserve to see meaningful action. Working together to develop an ambitious Minnesota Climate Action Plan, I’m confident we can take action to protect our planet. You can learn more about our efforts here.

Holding Vaping Manufacturers Accountable

As a result of vaping’s rapid emergence, 10 years of progress in reducing youth smoking has been wiped out. Through deceptive marketing practices, vaping manufacturers and big tobacco have worked to hook a whole new generation on their deadly products.

Earlier this month, Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit against Juul, one of the leading e-cigarette manufactures, for not just targeting their products to youth using sleek advertising and appealing flavors, but selling products with higher, more potent, and more addictive doses of nicotine than conventional cigarettes and other e-cigarettes, and failing to disclose that info.

This is another issue in which young people are leading the way, and I’m grateful to students in our area high schools working to sound the alarm on these addictive, dangerous products. In the meantime, companies like Juul deserve to be held accountable, and I thank the Governor and Attorney General for their action in court on behalf of the state of Minnesota.

Again, I want to share my warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season. In the New Year, I hope I’ll continue to year your input and ideas. It’s an honor to be your State Representative

Sincerely,

Laurie Pryor
State Representative