Category: Local Issues

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48): November 30, 2018

December, 2018

Back at Eden Prairie High School

I got another chance to visit Eden Prairie High School again this past month, and had another absolutely spectacular time talking to our next generation about civic virtue and political efficacy.

A former student of mine, Jessica Jacobson, was also in the classroom working in special education.

More civics with students

This past week I was also given the truly unique opportunity to talk with building and construction trades students about government and citizenship. No matter what profession you are in, it is always important to recognize your civic duty.

Touring the Capitol with Constituents and Former Students

This past month also included an enjoyable tour around the State Capitol with a constituent of mine, Tracy Johnson, and her family. One of her sons, Clayton, was a student of mine and brought along two of his friends who were also in my class. All three of these former students are now at the U of M law school. It was quite the reunion.

Celebrating National Adoption Day

Saturday, November 17 was National Adoption Day, and I went down to the Hennepin County courthouse to observe the proceedings. I got to see two colleagues finalize their adoption, and watch as the child was given their stuffed animal at the end of the proceedings.

Talking Southwest LRT with engineers

As you may have heard, we have officially broken ground on the Southwest Light Rail project as of 3pm today. Earlier in the week, I met with a group of engineers at SRF Consulting to discuss the logistics.

Lunch with a former Supreme Court justice

On Monday, Senator Matt Klein and I visited with former State Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson, an Eden Prairie institution. Despite hitting the court’s mandatory retirement age, Paul still continues to be an exemplary public servant.

Jacquelyn Cwodzinski visits the Capitol

This Thanksgiving break, my mom got the chance to come visit me at my new job. I would not be where I am without all of her hard work to support me.

 

Lieutenant Governor-Elect Peggy Flanagan’s One Minnesota CD3 Stop This Afternoon

Lieutenant Governor-Elect Peggy Flanagan will be in Eden Prairie FRIDAY as part of the One Minnesota listening tour. Please join the One Minnesota team at their stop in CD3!

WHEN:  4:00 PM today (Friday, November 30)

WHERE:  Smith Coffee and Cafe, 8107 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

For more information or to find additional stops on the One Minnesota Listening Tour, visit mn.gov/tim-walz

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek decides against a recount

The race for Hennepin County sheriff pitted challenger Dave Hutchinson, left, against incumbent Rich Stanek. Credit: Star Tribune file

Dave Hutchinson, who will take office Jan. 8, said he would announce his transition team Wednesday morning.

The Hennepin County sheriff’s race is finally over.

Sheriff Rich Stanek on Tuesday declined to ask for a manual recount, a move that would have cost him $95,000. He had seven days to request a recount after the county canvassing board certified David Hutchinson the winner.

He also considered proceeding with an election contest, which would have consisted of a lawsuit challenging election results, said his campaign chairman Steve Wise. At issue were the 60,000 votes cast in Minneapolis by people registering the same day as the election, he said.

Hennepin County advances Southwest LRT project with funding approvals

Credit: David Joles, Star Tribune

At special meetings this afternoon, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority approved up to $435 million for early construction activities and other expenditures for the Southwest Light Rail Transit project (SWLRT).

These actions enable the Metropolitan Council to award the construction contract to begin work on the $2.03 billion transit line, which they are expected to do later today.

The county board also approved a commitment, as requested by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), for up to an additional $200.3 million for Southwest LRT, or 10 percent of the total project budget, in the event of funding shortfalls or cost increases, with a parallel commitment for the Bottineau Light Rail Transit project. Continue reading “Hennepin County advances Southwest LRT project with funding approvals”

Karin Housley and the National Debt

A Casual Disregard for Doing the Work for Minnesotans

It’s clear that there is a pattern here. On issue after issue, Karin Housley has demonstrated a casual disregard for doing the work that Minnesotans expect of their U.S. Senator. Today, let’s look at Housley’s inability to explain how she would reduce the national debt.

In a recent interview, Housley declared that the “the national debt was one of the reasons that I ran” and proceeded to say that “we need to look at the programs that aren’t working” to reduce the debt. But when asked in that same interview to name a specific program she thought was not working, Housley was unable to name a single example and could only say: “I think really looking at programs that aren’t working and really where can we shorten things up there.”

Again, that is an answer a person gives when they have not done the work to understand the issue to solve problems. The result? Housley is once again left to be led by powerful special interests and party leaders who do not have Minnesota’s best interest at heart.  Continue reading “Karin Housley and the National Debt”

Come Join Us at Our Offices and Help Elect Democrats

The election season is gearing up and our DFL offices here in CD3 are coming online.

Want to help a candidate?  Check out your nearest office’s address, and drop in. There’s a lot to do, but many hands make light work.  Hope to see you soon!

CD3 DFL Campaign Offices

  • Bloomington — 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, 55425
    • Cody Jacket, cjacket@dfl.org, 612-987-9336
    • Jess Bigirindayvi, jbigirindayvi@dfl.org, 952-564-1137
    • Find events here.
  • Brooklyn Park — 2937 Brookdale Dr, 55444
    • Hours:  Monday 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
    • Erickson Saye, esaye@dfl.org, 763-377-3579
    • Sarah Lichter, slichter@dfl.org, 952-769-9297
    • Decontee Sawyer, dsawyer@dfl.org, 763-232-6606
    • Find events here.
  • Coon Rapids — 2923 Coon Rapids Blvd, 55433
    • Hours:  Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 PM
    • Jessica Dickinson, jessica@dflhouse.org, 616-808-8176
    • Terry Boevers, tboevers@dfl.org
    • Find events here.
  • Eden Prairie — 10165 Hennepin Town Road, Suite 109, 55347
    • Hours:  Monday 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
    • Laura Helgen, lhelgen@dfl.org, 952-353-0937
    • David Roland, droland@dfl.org, 612-718-5611
    • Hasan Warsame, hwarsame@dfl.org, 952.465.8565
    • Find events here.
  • Excelsior — Dean Phillips’ (CD3 Candidate) Conversation Cottage,478 2nd St, 55331
    • Hours:  Monday through Sunday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (many nights until 8:00 PM, call to double check if you’d like to stop in after 6:00 PM)
    • James Haggar, jhaggar@dfl.org, 612-384-1417
    • Clara Severson, clara@phillipsforcongress.org, 608-482-1498
    • Thomas McDermott, tmcdermott@dfl.org, 831-295.9414
    • Lindsey Port, lport@dfl.org, 605-929.0004
  • Plymouth — 187 Cheshire Ln N, Suite 700, 55441
    • Hours:  9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Sunday
    • Mia Berman, mberman@dfl.org, 612-360-1963
    • Ashna Patel, apatel@dfl.org, 763-228-3033
    • David Roland, droland@dfl.org, 612-718-5611
    • Find events here.

Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Capitol Update: REAL ID Update

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018: REAL ID UPDATE

In less than two months, Minnesotans can choose to apply for a REAL ID-compliant card and will have two years to acquire one. This means Minnesotans will be able to use their standard licenses and ID cards for federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights, until October 1, 2020. Considering there is not an urgent need to acquire a REAL ID at this time, state officials suggest that residents wait to apply unless they need to change their name or address, or renew their current license. This will help ease the transition to the new card and reduce wait times. Listed below is further information on REAL ID and what it may mean for you going forward.

Minnesota has a few identification options from which residents may choose. Determining which type of license or ID card works best depends on what a person needs to use the card for.

Minnesota Standard Driver’s License or ID Card Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Capitol Update: REAL ID Update”

Trump calls on Justice Department to investigate anonymous NYT writer

The following post was posted on the Axios.com website September 7, 2018:

Donald Trump Credit: Mandel Ngan, AFP, Getty Images

President Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he thinks Attorney General Jeff Sessions should investigate who the anonymous writer of the New York Times op-ed is, claiming it is a national security concern, according to the AP.

The big picture: Trump has already tried to claim that not revealing the identity of the op-ed writer poses a national security concern, although he has yet to specify how. He has also said he considers the act treasonous.

View the post here.