 Neighbors, Recently, I was honored to welcome the Capital Investment Committee to Mankato in the hopes of building on the success of the 2023 legislative session. My role as a state legislator is to work with our community partners to advocate for our needs. I thank the House Capital Investment Committee for the stop in Mankato and I look forward to supporting our projects to be included in the 2024 bonding bill. The committee heard a presentation about the replacement of Armstrong Hall at Minnesota State University Mankato, and toured Riverfront Park, the Mankato Children’s Museum, Caswell Park, and Minnesota State South Central College. I am also supporting construction of a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Regional Office and Lab in Mankato. Our crime labs are overwhelmed with the volume of evidence coming into their facilities. There have been recent funding investments in our public safety sector and construction of this facility would be a big boost to aid criminal prosecutions across the state and help reduce wait times so victims can achieve justice. I will strongly advocate for inclusion of the BCA lab in the 2024 bonding bill. The stops were part of the committee’s statewide tour schedule throughout Minnesota.  Drivers Licenses for AllAs of October 1st, all Minnesota residents are eligible to earn a Driver’s License, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. This is a major move toward safer roads, as it will allow us to decrease the number of unlicensed, uninsured drivers on our roads and increase the amount of title and taxpaying Minnesotans driving on our streets and highways.  State Flag and Seal Redesign Submission Deadline SoonThe State Emblems Redesign Commission is accepting submissions to develop, design, and recommend to the legislature a new official state flag and seal to represent our great state as it is in the 21st century. You are invited to submit your own creative design. Five submissions will be selected for final consideration. The Commission will certify its adopted designs in a report to the legislature and governor no later than January 1, 2024. More information including eligibility, can be found here. The deadline for submissions is October 30. Free Covid TestsThis fall, Minnesotans will once again be able to order free rapid-antigen COVID tests through the federal government’s at-home testing program. Each household can order up to four tests to be delivered directly to your home. These tests are intended to be used by the end of this year and will begin shipping this week. For more information or to place your order, you can visit COVIDTests.gov. Community EventsMinnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison visited St. Peter recently to listen to community members discuss housing needs, food insecurity, law enforcement reform, and more. While we made progress this session on so many key issues, there is more work ahead. I appreciate AG Ellison’s visit and commitment to listening to our community discuss our priorities. Leaf Color ReportsThe leaf colors are fully on view in Southern Minnesota and you check the weekly Minnesota DNR updates on the Fall Color Finder, to read the latest report, sign up for updates, view photos, and learn about events. Make the most of your autumn travels, whether you are exploring Greater Minnesota or spending the day in one of our beautiful regional parks! Stay connected with the LegislatureDuring the legislative interim, you can continue to visit the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here. The 2024 legislative session convenes at noon on February 12. I look forward to seeing you in the community over the next few months and I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can send an email to rep.luke.frederick@house.mn.gov or call me at (651) 296-3248. Also, please visit and “like” my Facebook page for more Capitol and community updates. Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature. Sincerely, Luke Frederick State Representative District 18B – rep.luke.frederick@house.mn.gov
487 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-3248 Committee assignments:
Vice Chair: Human Services Policy Judiciary Finance & Civil Law Agriculture Finance & Policy Elections Finance & Policy |