Legislative UpdateDear Friends, Thanks to each of you who have reached out and shared your perspective on the different topics being discussed here in St. Paul! One question I'm often asked is, “Do you guys work together at all in St. Paul?” Despite what you may hear on the news or see on social media, there is good bipartisan work happening. Over the past two years, I’ve been collaborating with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to produce legislation that effectively addresses the rise in chronic absenteeism. It’s simple: when a student is in school attending math class, the student is learning math. Throughout this session, I will continue crafting thoughtful legislation to support our communities. School Attendance - A Bipartisan EffortHouse File 1053 addresses the 15-day drop rule for schools. Currently, when a student is absent from school for 15 consecutive days, the school district is required to drop the student from enrollment for funding purposes. This makes sense from a funding standpoint, but there is concern around what happens when the student is dropped from enrollment, especially if the student moves out of the school district. This bill clarifies that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is responsible for supporting students and families in getting reenrolled in school. Overall, the bill ensures that when a student is dropped from enrollment by a school district, MDE will have the responsibility to support the student and family. House File 1054 and 1413 address the unacceptable lag in reporting from the Department of Education regarding student attendance. Currently, MDE presents two-year-old attendance reports as the most current data available. These bills require MDE to post consistent attendance data for each school year no later than September. House File 1413 also adds the definition of "consistent attendance" to provide further clarification for schools and families. ProStart ProgramShakopee High School testified this week about the ProStart Program, which I am proud to co-author. The ProStart Program, through Hospitality Minnesota, allows high school students to gain valuable experience and skills with hospitality industry professionals. The student testifier shared how her experience with the ProStart Program led to a job at Canterbury Park and her decision to pursue a career in the hospitality industry at Hennepin Technical College. These are the types of pathways we should be supporting to help students find, develop, and excel in their personal gifts and talents.  Rally in Support of Girls’ Sports (Monday, March 3rd)A rally in support of preserving girls' sports will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul. The event will feature Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and advocate for women's sports, as the keynote speaker. Organizers, including House Speaker Lisa Demuth, aim to highlight the importance of fair competition and protecting opportunities for female athletes.  As a husband, educator, and father, I believe every girl deserves a fair and equal opportunity to compete. I proudly watched my daughter learn important life lessons, such as discipline, the value of hard work, and what it means to be a good teammate, while she participated in extracurricular activities. These same lessons have helped her develop into the amazing young woman she is today.
This is why I’m proud to support House File 12, the Preserving Girls’ Sports Act, introduced by my colleague Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover). This important legislation ensures that girls’ sports remain a space where fairness prevails by requiring that only females can participate on female-designated teams at the elementary and secondary school levels.
This bill ensures Minnesota law aligns with common sense, protecting the integrity of girls' sports. This isn’t about exclusion—it’s about fairness, safety, and preserving the opportunities that women have fought so hard for over the years. Generations of women have worked tirelessly to break down barriers and secure the right to compete, and we cannot let that hard work be undone.
Great Connecting With You!!It was another great week connecting with so many of you! Thanks to each of you who took the time to stop by, share your insights, and engage in thoughtful discussions. Your concerns, ideas, and dedication to our community truly make this job special, and I’m honored to work on your behalf. |