Legislative Update: December 5, 2023

Neighbors,

As many of us take moments this time of year to gather with family, friends, and loved ones, I'm excited to share some important updates in our community. 

MNsure Open Enrollment Happening Now

This year’s open enrollment window on the state’s exchange started on November 1st and runs through January 15th, 2024. Minnesotans seeking coverage through MNsure must enroll by December 15th, 2023 to have a full year of health insurance starting on January 1st, 2024. For those who enroll between December 16th, 2023, and January 15, 2024, coverage will begin on February 1st instead. 

Farewell Recognition and Reception for SLP Mayor Jake Spano

On Monday, Dec. 18, immediately following the 6:30 p.m. city council meeting, Mayor Spano will be recognized at a reception for his years of service to our city. This is the last city council meeting at which Mayor Spano will preside as Mayor.

Both the council meeting and reception will take place in the council chambers, third floor, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park. Light refreshments will be served at the reception following the council meeting. No formal program is planned for the reception. You can RSVP online.

Mayor Spano announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t seek a third term as mayor. The conclusion of his term as mayor on Jan. 2, 2024, will mark 12 total years Spano has served on the St. Louis Park City Council. He was first elected mayor in 2016 after serving a four-year term as an at-large council member. I thank him for his service to our community!

We hope you can join us in giving a final farewell to Mayor Spano!

December Events

On December 11, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make its annual stop at St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP)! 

Come to 6822 Lake St W ahead of the train to enjoy warm food and beverages, listen to holiday music, drop off your food shelf donation, and grab a good spot. 

They will be taking financial donations or healthy food items for the St. Louis Park Emergency Program. The mission of the Holiday Train is to address food insecurity in the communities it stops. People are welcome to start gathering at about 4:00. Family-friendly fun begins at 4:30 and concludes with the arrival of the highly anticipated illuminated Holiday Train and live musical performances at 6:00. 

While waiting, snuggle up for an outdoor holiday cartoon showing. Step inside their Warming House to warm up by snapping a pic at their seasonal photo station or playing some games. Hot food and beverages will be available for purchase, winter hats, light up holiday necklaces, and more!

Recent Activities

Here are some highlights of some of my recent activities:

• I had the pleasure of welcoming the House Capital Investment Committee on their bonding tour - and then it was SO COOL to introduce our new Mayor-Elect Nadia Mohamed who took over and introduced the projects.
• I visited the Hillcrest Village by the Community Action Center in Northfield. It is 17 units, all-electric, all affordable, and net zero. Residents have $240 PER YEAR energy bills. The cost to build was only about 7% more than code, more than made up by the decrease in energy costs. Thank you Center for Energy & Environment & Excel Energy for the tour and your support of this project!
• The Associated General Contractors of MN for arranged a great tour of North Loop Green mixed-use transit-oriented development (including perhaps the highest sky bridge in MN). Too bad it wasn't while the Twins were playing!
• I got to present on building decarbonization at the AIA conference with Becky Alexander and Maureen of LHB Architecture. Buildings are 40% of our GHG emissions in MN. Also - architects ask great questions (and not just on buildings - also electric grid, transportation, and renewables).
• I was thrilled to be honored by the MN Fire Chiefs Association and the MN Fire Association Coalition for a bill I carried last session that increased critical funding for statewide fire safety resources and training. That is some axe! And it was great to receive it at Fire Station 1 in St. Louis Park. Immediately to the left of me is St. Louis Park Chief Steve Koering, who just was recognized as the 2023 Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) Fire Officer of the Year! Congrats and well deserved Chief Koering!
• I went on a fascinating tour of Children’s Minnesota. We visited the only pediatric iMRI (intraoperative MRI) facility in the country (which means they can "slide" in an MRI machine during surgery - typically brain surgery). We also got to meet "The Dude" who is a kid's entertainment favorite on the Children's in-house entertainment network.

Stay in Touch

If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at rep.larry.kraft@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-7026. For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Larry Kraft

State Representative