Dear Neighbors,
Long nights are common at the Capitol (we were on the floor until midnight last night), as we continue our work to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. Here’s an update from the Capitol:
1. Space for Mental Health in Schools - Helping Students Thrive
- Yesterday my bill to create space for telehealth in every school passed off the House floor.
- Blaine residents and father-daughter duo Bryan and Brielle are the reason this bill became a reality. They came to me with this problem last year and we have since worked together to make sure high school students have access to space at school to meet with mental health professionals by video conference or phone.
- You can watch my presentation of this bill here.
2. Blaine Robotics Team - Future of STEM!
- I visited the Blaine HS Robotics Team in the Capitol Rotunda this week!
- It was great to see such an enthusiastic group of youth who are excited about a future in STEM.
- Learn more about this awesome team, here.
3. Outdoor Heritage - Supporting Our Environmental Legacy
- I know many residents of Blaine and Lexington value the amazing natural resources here in Minnesota, so I wanted to share two opportunities for you to have a voice in preserving and protecting them.
- The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources is now gathering input about the future of Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund investments and taking feedback about what environmental issues are most important to you. Make your voice heard about how to improve Minnesota's environment & natural resources. Take the survey here.
- On April 1, 2024, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council released its FY25 Call for Funding Requests. An estimated $150+ million will be available for habitat work. Eligibility for these grants includes local units of government, Tribal entities, Park & Rec departments, non-profit organizations, SWCDs, watershed districts, and others. Funding is dedicated for projects that protect, restore, and enhance habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.
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