I want to extend my well wishes as we head into what is sure to be another busy holiday season. No matter what your celebration or family looks like, I hope your holiday season is filled with love, joy, and laughter with your nearest and dearest. Here’s an update on some exciting happenings in our community and around the state. Investing in Community InfrastructureLast week, I hosted the Capital Investment committee at two sites in the district as part of their 2023 bonding tour. The committee is touring facilities around the state seeking investment and stopped by New Brighton’s Hansen Park, which is seeking to build an All-Abilities Inclusive Playground, and the Columbia Heights Public Works facility to enthusiastically support proposals on how investments in these projects will have a positive impact on our community. It’s always a joy to get to welcome my House colleagues into our district and show them what makes it such a special place to call home. The Capital Investment Committee will finalize which proposals receive funding next session. I will continue to advocate for our district to receive some of these investment dollars! Visiting Columbia AcademyI was grateful for the opportunity to visit with students, teachers, school board members, and administrators at Columbia Academy in Columbia Heights last week! I was able to hear about how the investments made in our schools this past session and the recently passed levies will help improve day to day operations. Thank you to Principal Berkas and all of the wonderful teachers and staff at Columbia Academy for all you do for our kids as they grow and learn.  Honoring our TroopsHappy Veterans Day to all who have served or are currently serving. This year, the Minnesota Legislature honored the service and sacrifice of Minnesota Veterans through a budget that included an expansion of the Minnesota GI Bill benefit, homelessness initiatives, and funding for numerous smaller initiatives such as Metro Meals on Wheels and funding for the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. Channel 5 did a great piece on the Veterans Restorative Justice Act, which I had the honor to serve as chief House author of when it passed in 2021. It's wonderful to see the impact of this bill on the lives on Minnesota Veterans and their families. There is more that we can and must do to support Veterans and I look forward to continuing that work in the coming session! Human Rights for Kids Recognition of Minnesota’s Progress Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to speak at the launch of the Human Rights for Kids 2023 National State Ratings Report. The report provides a comprehensive look at how each state treats children in the justice system based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child standards and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Minnesota was recognized by this important national organization as the most improved state in the nation! In just one year, Minnesota gained new credit in the report for reforming our felony murder statute, limiting solitary confinement, ending life without parole for kids, and creating a release safety valve for children serving lengthy prison sentences. In addition, we invested heavily in mechanisms to support struggling kids and keep them out of the system in the first place, and to help divert them from our legal systems as efficiently as possible. I’m incredibly proud of these achievements. We will continue this work to build a system that focuses on rehabilitation and meaningful accountability, rather than arbitrary punishment, so that all youth in Minnesota have an opportunity to achieve their full potential. You can watch my comments at the seminar here. Minnesota Corrections Association Presentation Thank you to the Minnesota Corrections Association for the invitation to discuss legislation we passed this year to enhance our system of corrections in Minnesota. This session, I was honored to chief author legislation that reformed our probation funding formula, created an Office of Restorative Practices with accompanying grants, and made deep investments in intervention and prevention to support at-risk youth - and more! This was an area of emphasis for me as Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee in the House. I was joined on this bipartisan panel by colleagues on both sides of the aisle - Rep. Paul Novotny, Rep. Jeff Witte, Sen. Jen McEwen, and Sen. Grant Hauschild.  House Page Program Opportunity Do you know a high school junior interested in government? We have a deadline fast approaching for the High School Page Program at the Minnesota House, with applications due Wednesday, November 22. This is a great program dedicated to providing students with a unique, challenging, and enriching educational experience. Throughout the course of their week in Saint Paul next session, High School Pages engage in a wide variety of activities designed to provide them with an understanding of the legislative process, state government, public policy, public service, politics, and much more! You can learn more about the program here. Minnesota Values Project Survey Almost seven years ago, the Minnesota House DFL started the Minnesota Values Project (also known as MVP) formed a partnership between Minnesotans, elected officials, and organizations to create a shared vision for the future of our state. Working together, we’ve strengthened our communities by improving education opportunities, making affordable health care a reality, and increasing economic prosperity for all Minnesotans. Through this project we have facilitated hundreds of meaningful conversations with people across Minnesota about their priorities. We’re continuing this work and want to engage with as many Minnesotans as possible. Looking ahead to the 2024 legislative session, we’re looking to hear more perspectives and feedback from Minnesotans. As part of this effort, I’d appreciate it if you took part in the new Minnesota Values Project survey. The survey only takes a few minutes, and as we build a shared vision for our state, your input is crucial in this process. You can take the survey here. |