Dear Edina Neighbors and Community Members,
I hope you and your families are doing well. As Session will begin January 31, 2022 - my newsletters will start again so please be on the lookout for bi-weekly newsletters until session begins at which point you will receive weekly updates from me.
What to Expect this Session
This is a Policy and Bonding year at the Minnesota State Capitol which means our legislative Session will be shorter as we completed a balanced budget in 2021. Session will take place from January 31, 2022 to May 23, 2022.
Legislators will have to deal with several pressing policy issues this year -- and considering our economic forecast briefing today, it is clear we will have legislation dealing with tax policy this session. Some issues top of mind that have already been raised for the 2022 Session include gun safety measures, addressing unemployment insurance tax rate increases, the rise in auto thefts, a large surplus and approving a bonding bill for Capital Investment Projects throughout the state.
I will update more on these issues and more as they unfold.
Auto Thefts in Edina and Minnesota.
In a trend that is occurring across Minnesota and the US as a whole, Edina is seeing a steady rise in auto thefts. We will all have to come together as a community to address this troubling issue.
I’ve been in contact with our Police Chief Tod Milburn, and to address immediate needs, our police department has increased patrols throughout Edina and specifically in areas that have been targeted.
In February, I plan to introduce a piece of legislation that would create an immediate accountability system after an arrest has been made. For weeks I have gathered details from law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts to see how a comprehensive program to target and hold accountable youth offenders committing these auto thefts would function best in Minnesota. Once I have finalized this legislation, a copy of the proposed legislation will be provided to the community. Do you have ideas that should be considered to address the rise in auto thefts? Please email me with your thoughts and ideas to: rep.heather.edelson@house.mn
What YOU can do now
Auto thefts are crimes of opportunity. People committing these crimes will look for open garage doors, unlocked cars -- and keys that are left in your car.
While I absolutely agree that no one should ever take your property, it is critical now that residents be on alert -- and do their part while we address this issue.
The Edina Police Department Recommends these crime prevention tips:
- Take your vehicle’s keys; do not leave them in or on your vehicle in a spare key holder.
- Do not leave your car running while unattended.
- Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
- Park in well-lit areas when possible.
- Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Close garage doors, even when you are home.
You can also check out the video and recommendations of our Edina PD here.
Minnesota Management and Budget Forecast Released Today.
Minnesota Management and Budget recently presented their budget and economic forecast. Put simply, the forecast shows that our economy is in a very strong position. Because of our wise economic decisions, we are now able to make progress on several important issues affecting Minnesota.You can watch the full budget presentation here, and read the full forecast here.
What are your initial thoughts? Take this quick survey to let me know what you think we should prioritize with this budget.
2022 Edina Community Health and Safety Center Bonding Request.
The City of Edina will have a bonding request of $10 million before the Capitol Investment Committee this Session for the construction of a Community Health and Safety Center. This center would house another fire station for our growing city and replace the existing Fire Station 2 which operates as a satellite site. The new center would have 8-9 full time firefighters and operate as a fully operational station. The facility would house the Edina Community Health Department, city inspection services, housing licenses and inspections and recycling and organic collection services.
Redistricting - Deadline February 15, 2022.
The DFL House Majority released their map in November - a copy of which can be found here highlighting what the proposal for Edina would be.
The Republican Senate Majority released their map that can be found here.
I have concerns about both of the proposed maps as they remove large parts of the retail economic district in Edina and put them in another district. With that said, both of the above proposed maps are drafts and likely there will not be a joint agreement between the Senate and House. Redistricting will then move to a special judicial panel appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court. They will have the final word to decide on an unbiased Redistricting map that takes into account population numbers and expected growth by February 15, 2022.
Out in the Community (Around the State) Highlights.
It was great to attend the Women in Business Event put on by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce last week, and to hear from Chief Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lorie Skejerven Gildea.
A few days before Thanksgiving I was honored to join Representative John Huot, Representative Liz Reyer and Senator Greg Clausen in Rosemount to help distribute Thanksgiving meals with 360 Communities!
My Office’s Non-partisan ‘Intern for a Day’ Program is Back!
My office is again offering the Intern for a Day program to high school students who live or go to school in Edina! This is a great way to spend a day at the Capitol and learn more about the behind the scenes activities of how public policy is made and details of how the legislature operates.
Do you know a current high school student that may be interested? Have them fill out this form and submit by the deadline of January 14th:
- Intern for a Day will take place for 6 Thursdays in February and March from 9:15 AM to 2:15PM (Feb 3, 10, 17 and 24 -- and March 3 and 10)
- Students must contact their school advisor for approval to participate
- This is non-partisan and will focus on public policy and how our state government operates
- Students must secure their own transportation to and from the capitol
- This is a great experience to list on college applications!
- For more information, please contact my office Intern Director Kelly Streit with questions at kellymstreit@gmail.com
Stay in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn or 651-296-4363 with your input or questions. You’re also welcome to follow me or ‘like’ my official Facebook page for additional updates.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Edina residents and families in the Minnesota House!
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative