Dear Neighbors,
We had a week full of late-night hearings as we aimed to get work completed before a key legislative deadline. Here is what I’ve been working on:
1. From Farm to School - Nutrition for Youngest Learners
- This week, the Agriculture Committee passed an update to my bill which gets fresh produce from local farms into schools.
- This bill will make it easier for these nutritious foods to get into early childhood centers so our youngest learners can benefit from our state's great produce while also supporting Minnesota farmers!
- Learn more about this great program, here.
2. Funding Alexandra House - Supporting Victims
- This week I introduced HF 5001, a capital investment request for Alexandra House, a domestic and sexual violence shelter. This bipartisan bill will allow for a much-needed expansion and rehab of the shelter’s facilities.
- Improving outcomes for victims of crime is paramount for improving public safety across our state. Domestic violence in particular is one of the most dangerous crimes, so it’s critical that we get victims out of those situations.
- I’ll keep you updated as capital investment projects are decided upon in the coming weeks.
3. Iftar Dinner - Sharing Faith, Food and Culture
- On Tuesday, I had the honor of attending an Iftar Dinner at the Muslim American Society Blaine Masjid.
- It was an opportunity to learn more about the faith of our Muslim neighbors, join them for prayer, and break the fast with a delicious meal as Muslims continue their celebration of the month of Ramadan, during which they fast from food and drink from sunup to sun down.
- It was heartening to see so many community leaders and members of various faith communities from Blaine and the surrounding area coming together at the event.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.matt.norris@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-2907. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, and follow my Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Matt Norris, District 32B
507 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155