Congrats, Oak Point Elementary!Recently, the U.S. Department of Education announced the 2023 recipients of the National Blue Ribbon School awards. I’m pleased to share that Oak Point Elementary School in was one of nine Minnesota recipients this year! A big thanks to all our teachers, administrators, and the school staff who contribute to the academic success and overall well-being of our students and future generations. City Wide Open House on October 7The City of Eden Prairie invites you to the Citywide Open House for an exciting peek into the inner workings of our bustling city, home to nearly 65,000 residents and 3,000 businesses! Meet city staff, view a variety of exhibits and demonstrations, climb aboard and take photos with Eden Prairie's fleet of fire trucks, police vehicles and public works equipment, and more. The event will take place at the City Center from 11am-2pm tomorrow, October 7th. Hope to see you there! Increasing Student’s Financial SkillsLast month, I met with folks from the Minnesota Credit Union Network. It was especially great to chat with the folks from Royal Credit Union, which has a branch right at Eden Prairie High School. This session, we added taking a personal finance class as a graduation requirement for all of Minnesota’s high school students. By ensuring our kids are equipped with the skills and knowledge to responsibly manage finances, we will set them up for success in adulthood.  Expanded Driver’s License Eligibility Began October 1Beginning October 1st, more of our neighbors will be able to earn a driver’s license regardless of immigration status as a result of legislation we passed earlier this year. This law reverses the short-sighted and dangerous 2003 law prohibiting those without U.S. citizenship status from obtaining a driver’s license in Minnesota. This change was widely supported by the business community, law enforcement, religious and community leaders across the state. The Minnesota Department of Driver Vehicle Services has a wide variety of information on its website, including step-by-step guides in multiple languages outlining what is needed to take the written test and behind-the-wheel test, and how to schedule those appointments. Bottom line: getting a driver’s license is a privilege and requires the same rules everyone must abide by to prove they can legally drive. Minnesota statute also requires ALL drivers to be insured. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or need assistance.  Indigenous People’s DayAfter recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day via proclamation in recent years, Minnesota will observe the day as a state-recognized holiday and schools choosing to remain open will devote at least one hour to informing students about its significance. This session, I joined my legislative colleagues to enact the change following years of advocacy by the Minnesota House Native American Legislative Caucus and members of the eleven tribal nations in Minnesota.  |