Dear Neighbor,
It’s a tremendous honor to serve as your State Representative. Last Tuesday was a special day as I took the oath of office to represent the people of Shoreview, Arden Hills, Mounds View, and Spring Lake Park.
As Minnesotans, we care deeply about each other and want to see one another have the opportunity to succeed. We’re facing some challenges though. School districts are facing budget crunches, putting excellent education for our kids in jeopardy. Health care continues to cost too much for too many families. The threat of gun violence gives parents and children anxiety. Our infrastructure is aging and struggling to meet our needs going forward.
To keep Minnesota headed in the right direction, we need to address the key values which have made our state so enviable in the first place. By investing in our schools, protecting affordable and accessible health care for everyone, and ensuring our communities are safe and healthy, we can build a bright future for all Minnesotans.
Minnesota Values Agenda
My House colleagues and I got right to work, putting these values at the forefront by rolling out the Minnesota Values Agenda, the first 10 bills filed. Among these are bills addressing some of the core ideas we’re looking to move forward, including to fund student support grants – including grants for student mental health services, stop prescription drug price gouging, and expand affordable health care options.
I’m honored to be the chief author of one of these bills which will help end sexual harassment in Minnesota workplaces. All Minnesotans deserve to work in safe environments with basic human respect for one another, free of hostile, unwanted behavior or advances. For far too long, courts have upheld a “severe or pervasive” standard in sexual harassment cases. This has made it nearly impossible for survivors to see any type of justice, and my bill would substitute this with a more reasonable standard. Last session, a similar initiative had broad bipartisan support, but didn’t make it to the finish line. I’m optimistic we can advance the measure this year.
There are also a pair of common-sense measures to end gun violence I’m pleased to support. One would keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people through expanded criminal background checks. The other would prevent gun violence through enactment of Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Over the past year, I’ve overwhelmingly heard from our community that action on this issue is long overdue. With such broad support among Minnesotans of all backgrounds and political persuasions, I’m hopeful we can take these reasonable measures to stop gun violence and save lives.
I’m proud to co-author a number of other bills, including the “hands-free” bill to prevent distracted driving. To see the bills I’ve authored, please follow this link.
Chats with Kelly
Minnesotans deserve a state government that’s effective, responsive, and accountable. To this end, I’m committed to keeping an open door for constituents and want to hear all of your ideas, input, and feedback. Please feel free to call me at the Capitol at 651-296-0141 or email me anytime at rep.kelly.moller@house.mn.
Also, I’ll be hosting “Chats with Kelly” the fourth Sunday of every month during the legislative session at Shore 96 in Shoreview (1056 Hwy 96 W) from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. This month, we will meet on Sunday, January 27. I hope to see you there, and if you can’t make it, call my office and I will make time to meet with you.
It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Kelly Moller
State Representative