Category: SD48

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: November 29, 2018


Dear Neighbors,

I’m very grateful for the trust you gave me earlier this month with the opportunity to serve at the State Capitol for another term. Serving as your state representative is a wonderful honor, and I look forward to the work we can accomplish together during the next two years. Here are some updates from Saint Paul.

Minnesota House Committees

Heading into the 2019 session, with the DFL caucus taking over the majority in the Minnesota House, there will be a new roster of committees and chairs. This list of committees, divisions, and subcommittees and their chairs was announced last week. I’m encouraged by the inclusion of many of these, which means attention will be paid to issue areas which have had some long-term efforts, particularly early childhood education, clean water, and adequate housing that individuals and families can afford.

I would expect the full list of committee members will be announced in the next couple of weeks. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: November 29, 2018”

Strong suburban showing puts DFL in control of House

The DFL will control the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 2019-20 biennium.

Winning a number of key races in the Twin Cities suburbs, the DFL picked up 18 seats in Tuesday’s elections and will hold a 75-59 advantage when the House convenes Jan. 8, 2019.

Much of the change occurred in the Twin Cities suburbs, especially near and just off the Interstate 494-694 corridor, where DFL candidates beat incumbent Republicans in places like Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Plymouth, Rosemount, Stillwater and Woodbury.

Three races were within 250 votes: Rep.-elect Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-Eden Prairie) beat Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) by 241 votes with 20,577 votes cast; Rep.-elect Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven) beat Rep. Cindy Pugh (R-Chanhassen) by 216 votes with 23,372 cast; and Rep.-elect Shelly Christensen (DFL-Stillwater) beat Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R-Stillwater) by 137 votes in a race where 22,630 votes were cast.

View the complete November 7 article by Mike Cook on the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services’ website here.

Dean Phillips, Ron Case, PG Narayanan, Kathy Nelson and Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn care about each of us.

Dean’s campaign slogan “Everyone’s Invited” is ever-present with his accessibility, kindness and listening to what every person has to say all around the metro. His clear, consistent messages are followed up with his actions.

Ron’s 22-year history on the Eden Prairie City Council shows that he takes action on our behalf. Rather than beginning with line items, he asks first: What do people want and need and what are people willing to pay for? His connections across Eden Prairie and Minneapolis, as well as his numerous endorsements by our City Council members and Debbie Goettel, show that he represents the vision for continuing the thriving success of Eden Prairie and Minneapolis. As a resident of Eden Prairie cumulatively for 18 years, Ron’s work for each of us in our community is one of the main reasons I love living here.

Kathy’s record on the City Council has been in alignment with the vision and support for our community, and having known PG in the business world for more than 20 years, I know he will be a strong asset to our City Council.

As a first-time candidate, Carlie is a proven problem solver whose inclusive vision is for a strong community. Continue reading “Dean Phillips, Ron Case, PG Narayanan, Kathy Nelson and Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn care about each of us.”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Update: November 1, 2018

Don’t forget to vote this Tuesday!     

The November 6 election is just days away. Make sure you get out and vote to make sure YOUR government hears YOUR voice, regardless of political party. Hundreds of millions of people in this world have no say in what their government does. Do not take your rights for granted. Cherish the fact that your government guarantees you a right to vote, and exercise that right with pride.

You can find out where to vote by clicking HERE.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Update: November 1, 2018”

Election Endorsement District 48A: Laurie Pryor

One good term deserves another for DFL Rep. Laurie Pryor of Minnetonka. Elected to public office for the first time in 2016, Pryor, 61, has been a conscientious and at times independent voice for her west-suburban district. She has worked hard to maintain personal contact with her constituents, building on years of school, community and political volunteer activism.

Those relationships have informed her thinking on issues, she said. For example, she’s not as keen as some in her party to back a gas tax increase for transportation, and would want any new money earmarked for specific projects. “People don’t trust where the money is going,” she said. She’s cautious about abrupt or sweeping changes in health care and sensitive to their implications for hospitals. Her husband, Jon, is CEO of Hennepin County Medical Center.

Pryor’s opponent is Republican Ellen Cousins, 56, a marketing and sales professional who is making her first bid for elective office, though she served a stint on the appointive Minnetonka Economic Development Authority board. Her website bio indicates that she favors lower taxes and limited government. Citing a busy schedule, Cousins declined our invitation for an interview.

View the complete October 30 endorsement on the Star Tribune website here.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: September 17, 2018

September, 2018

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Ringing in the New School Year

This is one of the most special times of the year: school getting back underway. Some students will just be starting for the first time, many will begin a year of meeting new faces and and making new friends, and some will be soaking up their last year of high school as they get ready to take on the world.

If you are a parent, educator, support professional, or any other staff person that makes it possible for our children to learn, thank you for the work that you do.

Most importantly however, if you are a student reading this, know that this is a time of your life that’s full of possibilities. A simple chance meeting or a spark of inspiration can change the rest of your life for the better, in ways that you cannot imagine.

You can view more of my thoughts in a video by clicking HERE.

Reuniting at the State Capitol

Marilee Rozowski, longtime friend of mine, visited the capitol last week. It had been years since we had seen each other, and reuniting at the capitol was the perfect mix of old and new: reminiscing and catching up on each others’ lives, touring the historic state capitol and sharing the our hopes for the future of the state.

I also got to reunite with a former student, Steve Yi after 30 years of being apart. He brought along another former student, as well as his kids. We had a wonderful time touring the capitol, and I can already tell that those kids will be exhibiting the same sense of civic virtue as their father.

Touring the new Optum Experience Center

Several of my fellow legislators and I recently went on a tour of the New Optum Experience Center in Eden Prairie. It was a thoroughly educational experience, learning about new innovations in healthcare technology.

Another Wonderful Year of The State Fair

I was thrilled to spend multiple days of this year’s State Fair in the education building at the Senate Information booth. Listening to what is on peoples’ minds is one of my favorite parts of the job, and there are few better opportunities for this than being at the fair. To make one of my days even better, I ran into a former student of mine. Joe Lenczewski is a legislative assistant in the House, and was also there to represent his respective chamber at the fair.

I also got the chance to talk with Capitol Report, and answer some of their questions. That video can be found by clicking HERE. My segments are shown at 3:42, 8:11, 11:46, and 15:53.

Celebrating America’s Newest Citizens

Last week I had the remarkable opportunity to welcome over 900 newly naturalized citizens into our great country at St Paul’s Rivercentre. A news story on this event, along with a short excerpt of my speech, can be viewed by clicking HERE.

After the ceremony I met Rasa Bagdonaite, a woman who immigrated from Lithuania just like my grandmother did 100 years ago to seek a better life. Seeing so much enthusiasm for the chance to participate in our democracy was yet another reminder that we cannot ever take what we have for granted.

My grandson Elliott is already taking that lesson to heart, and is absolutely astounded by how Minnesota’s constitution so eloquently enumerates the responsibilities of state government.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: August 3, 2018

August, 2018

Education Committee Meets to Discuss Special Education

In mid-July, the Senate Education Policy Committee held its first meeting since session ended to discuss how we can improve our state’s special education programs. We heard a recap from the legislative auditor on a report they did back in 2013, and on the progress they have observed in the time since then. It was an incredibly informative meeting, and I am grateful to have so many experts who are willing to help us serve our state as best we can. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: August 3, 2018”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: July 13, 2018

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family have been able to enjoy summer so far. Whether it be our lakes, parks, trails, or any number of other opportunities, it’s a great time to take advantage of our abundance of outdoor recreation activities.

For my part, I continue to participate in events around the community. This past Sunday, I attended an event with other elected officials hosted by members of the Chinese Minnesotan community. The Political Engagement Seminar was a terrific opportunity to discuss how Minnesotans can get involved in their government and affect positive change in a variety of issues, like improved education offerings. I look forward to dialogues like this in the future. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: July 13, 2018”