Farewell!
Dear Neighbors,
As I step away from my role as your state representative, I find myself immersed in a blend of gratitude and reflection. Serving you and our community has been a profound honor, an experience filled with challenges, triumphs, and countless moments of inspiration. Each decision, each vote, each handshake at the Capitol was fueled by the trust you placed in me and the shared values that unite us.
Looking back, some of my proudest accomplishments stem from our collective commitment to supporting Minnesota families and those who serve our nation with bravery and honor—our veterans. Together, we championed critical legislation, including:
- Clean Water for East Metro: Facilitating the current and future needs of Lake Elmo and surrounding communities.
- Funding for Hwy 36 and Lake Elmo Ave Interchange: To ensure safe and unimpeded traffic for our community, commerce, visitors, families, and students.
- The Veterans Restorative Justice Act: Offering second chances to those who’ve served.
- Increasing the Veterans Property Tax Exclusion: Providing well-deserved financial relief.
- Modernizing the Homestead Market Exclusion: Ensuring fairness and clarity.
- Tax Relief for Veteran Organizations: Empowering community pillars.
- Tuition-Free Postsecondary Education for Purple Heart Recipients and Families: Honoring sacrifices with opportunities.
Beyond legislation, I’ve been privileged to stand firm on critical issues. Returning School Resource Officers to our schools — a step towards safer classrooms and stronger community-police relationships — which was a victory for our children's' future. We safeguarded your First Amendment rights by restoring religious freedom exemptions into the Minnesota Bill of Rights and took a stand against government overreach, ensuring no list would track individuals for expressing views deemed “undesirable.”
From fortifying infrastructure to advancing education and defending freedoms, my dedication to this district has always been guided by your support and the belief in what we can achieve together.
As I pass the torch, I encourage you to extend your trust and enthusiasm to our newly elected Representative, Wayne Johnson. Rep.-Elect Johnson is poised to champion our community’s values by bringing balance and common sense back to St. Paul. But being a representative is a shared endeavor. It thrives on the voices and engagement of constituents like you. I urge you to connect with him, share your concerns, and contribute to shaping our future.
You can reach Rep.-Elect Johnson at Rep.Wayne.Johnson@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-4244 once he is sworn in starting at noon on January 14th, 2024. Letters can also be sent starting on January 14th addressed to:
Wayne Johnson, 2nd Floor Centennial Office Building, 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Once more, I extend my deepest thanks for the opportunity to serve as your representative. These past two years have been unforgettable, and I look forward to seeing our community flourish under Rep.-Elect Johnson’s leadership.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mark Wiens