Neighbors, I wish you all a very happy holiday season. These days can be joyous and stressful – sometimes at the same time! I hope you can enjoy restful time with loved ones and be reenergized to begin 2024.  TOWN HALLPlease join Senator Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and me for a town hall meeting on Thursday, January 18 from 7 - 8 p.m. to meet with constituents, answer questions, and deliver updates from the Capitol to Southwest Metro community members. RSVP online to receive event location.  New LawsSeveral news laws will take effect on January 1, 2024, among them laws related to earned safe and sick time, past pay history, and extreme risk protection orders. You can access this information here. Summaries of all laws passed by the 2023 Legislature are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services here. As mentioned above, starting January 1, 2024, Minnesota’s new earned sick and safe time law will ensure all Minnesota employees can earn paid sick leave. Under this law, all workers will have the opportunity to stay home when sick. Employers must provide each employee in Minnesota at least one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked and up to at least 48 hours of accrued ESST a year. This is the right thing to do for Minnesota’s workers and our economy, and it also protects public health by reducing the spread of communicable diseases. You can find a full FAQ of this important new law, here. Flag Design CommissionMinnesota is getting a new flag and seal! The State Emblems Commission received 2,123 flag submissions and 398 seal designs in total, and the final version was announced yesterday. The commission has also finalized the new state seal. If the legislature does not intervene, the new emblems will become official on Minnesota Statehood Day on May   DiwaliI wanted to share a photo from the joyous Diwali celebration I attended in Eden Prairie. The event, the Hindu festival of lights, was a needed boost during these dark, chilly days!  Community HonorJian Zhong, of the Eden Prairie Chinese Association, and I recently attended a Flagship Bank and Eden Prairie Community Foundation luncheon to honor community leaders.  Stay connected with the LegislatureDuring the legislative interim, you can still turn to the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for the latest news. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Laurie Pryor State Representative |