Category: SD48

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: April 12, 2019

Week of April 8th – 11th

Education budget moves out of committee

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The Senate education budget was heard in committee this week. Due to numerous concerns, I voted against the bill. In my brief remarks, I touched on five key points in which this bill has room for improvement. You can view them by clicking HERE.

Activism at the Capitol

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A large group stopped by on Wednesday for Water Action Day. There is a lot of legislation on this subject this year, including updates to water treatment plants and responsible sidewalk salt application. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: April 12, 2019”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: April 9, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Here’s a reminder about the Town Hall Meeting Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and I are hosting next Wednesday. The Town Hall will take place at Eden Prairie High School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free, nonpartisan, and everyone in the community is invited. We deeply value your input and engagement, and hope to see you there.

WHAT: Legislative Town Hall Meeting
WHO: Rep. Laurie Pryor, Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
WHERE: Eden Prairie High School (East Commons), 17185 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie
WHEN: Wednesday, April 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This morning the House approved the compromise version of HF 50, the bill requiring drivers to use cellphones in hands-free mode while behind the wheel. I am grateful for all the advocates who kept working to get this law passed and I was proud to be a yes vote. This bill will save lives. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: April 9, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: April 5, 2019

Week of April 1st – 5th

Working together as One Minnesota

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Governor Walz gave his State of the State address on Wednesday, and I could not be more impressed by what I heard. We have the opportunity to do so much good this year and serve as a model to the rest of the country, letting every other state know that divided government can still work. I am a strong believer in One Minnesota, and I am incredibly optimistic about the things we can achieve together. You can view more of my thoughts in the week’s video by clicking HERE.

Constituents and friends visit the capitol

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A large group of constituents visited the capitol this week to discuss their opposition to data disaggregation in our education system. As I mentioned in last week’s video, this is a discussion older than our country, and both sides have excellent points to make. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: April 5, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Over the last week, there were many visitors from Eden Prairie coming to advocate for a wide range of issues: from education and early childhood investments to chiropractic care, labor issues and the hospitality industry. I also had a visit from George Esbensen, our former Eden Prairie fire chief, and Ram Gada, representing the India Association of Minnesota. Not to mention, it was National Puppy Day!

Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2019”

Rep.. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 13, 2019

 

Dear Neighbors,

Serving our community in Saint Paul is a great honor, and every day, I find inspiration from community members. Many of them travel to the State Capitol to share their hopes, dreams, and challenges. Their stories help in my efforts to work together to build a Minnesota that works better for all of us. I would be glad to have you visit, as well.

In particular, I continue to be impressed with our student leaders in Eden Prairie and across the state. Claire Willett, a junior at Eden Prairie High School, recently spent a week at the Capitol as part of the House High School Page Program. Additionally, two of our Eden Prairie Early Childhood educators recently testified in the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit with community members who are educators, physicians’ assistants, dentists, pediatricians, transit workers, and those who work in the housing industry.

Continue reading “Rep.. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 13, 2019”

Situation in the Minnesota Senate

Minnesota is the only state legislature in the country. Like the GOP controlled U.S. Senate, our Minnesota Senate Speaker is blocking bills from being heard.

Here are the issues that are being stonewalled (Sen. Gazelka is beginning to talk about allowing the gun safety bills to be heard):

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 27, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I continue to be thankful for members of the community coming to the Capitol to advocate for the issues important to them. I’ve recently had the opportunity to visit with members of ISAIAH, advocating for child care investments.

Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 27, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 22, 2019

Week of March 18th – 22nd

Doing right by Minnesota firefighters

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On Tuesday, Representative Cheryl Youakim and I held a press conference alongside Minnesota firefighters to announce the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, which would help these outstanding public servants get the healthcare they deserve. Minnesota’s firefighters are ready at any moment to answer any call, putting their lives on the line daily to serve our communities. They deserve our respect and gratitude, but they also deserve the support they need to deal with the dangers they face not just physically, but for their own mental health.” A story on this published by KARE 11 can be found by clicking HERE. My full speech can be found by clicking HERE.

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This effort was spearheaded by former Eden Prairie Fire Chief and current leader of the Minnesota Fire Initiative George Esbensen. I was proud to stand alongside him as we advance this legislation. You can listen to an interview he did with Minnesota Public Radio by clicking HERE.

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Later on, I got the chance to sit down and discuss the bill further with Shannon Loehrke on Capitol Report. You can watch my interview by clicking HERE.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 22, 2019”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 19, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

As we’ve just passed the halfway point of the legislative session, I’m continuing to take action to improve the lives of Minnesotans and build a state that works better for all of us. Part of this is my commitment to promoting safe and healthy communities and last night, we passed a pair of bills to do just that.

Ending the Opioid Crisis

Too many lives have been lost in communities across our state due to the opioid crisis. Just yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Health issued new figures showing deaths caused by opioid overdoses increased for the seventh consecutive year. Addiction has meant staggering amounts of heartbreaking tragedies for families, and these Minnesotans who have lost loved ones have been calling for solutions.

Last night, many of these Minnesotans joined us in the House Chamber as we passed HF 400 which will create an Opioid Stewardship Advisory Council, charged with recommending comprehensive strategies for prevention, education, treatment, and recovery. These will be funded by an Opioid Stewardship Fund, resources for which will come from fees assessed on drug makers and distributors. I’m proud to be a co-author of this bill which will deliver a message to families and communities that there is hope after addiction and that as we work together to end this crisis, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 19, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD49) Update: March 15, 2019

Week of March 11th – 15th

Bills pick up steam as first deadline passes

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Today is the first of our legislative deadlines to make sure we get our work done on time. All bills must be heard in either the house or senate to advance further in the process. We’ve seen many bills ranging from education policy to gun violence prevention get heard this year, and I’m looking forward to further discussions.

Talking policy on Your Legislators

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I had the opportunity this week to be featured on Pioneer Public Television’s episode of Your Legislators. We had insightful discussions regarding Pre-K education, health insurance, and infrastructure. You can watch our conversation by clicking HERE.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD49) Update: March 15, 2019”