Category: SD49

Eden Prairie talks climate change, from the Community Center to Washington, D.C.

On the idyllic summer evening of July 30, nearly 70 people gathered indoors at the Eden Prairie Community Center to talk about how to save such days for future generations.

It was a community conversation on climate change, hosted by State. Rep. Laurie Pryor, DFL-Minnetonka, and both residents and elected officials turned out in force. Among them was Rod Fisher, a member of the local Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) chapter that had recently sent 20 members to Washington, D.C., to discuss bipartisan legislation to mitigate climate change; and Lia Harel, a recent Eden Prairie High School graduate and member of the climate activism group Minnesota Can’t Wait.

The mood was focused, and every speaker − including Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case and City Council member PG Narayanan, State. Rep Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, DFL-Eden Prairie, and State. Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, DFL-Eden Prairie − expressed the urgency they felt as activists and United Nations reports alike call for immediate and far-reaching changes to prevent dramatic environmental shifts.

View the complete August 6 article by Eden Teller on the SW News Media website here.

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 31, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

A big thank you to all the families who joined us for Kids Day at the Capitol! The kids learned the process of how a bill becomes a law, played Speaker of the House, and we debated some good policy and bill ideas for next session.

Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 31, 2019”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 25, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

This is a friendly reminder to join us tomorrow in St. Paul for ‘Kids Day at the Capitol’. You can meet us on the front steps of the Capitol at 9:30 a.m. No RSVPs are needed!

This educational opportunity will give Edina families a “behind the scenes” tour of what it’s like working at the Capitol and to see up close how a bill becomes a law. It’s a nonpartisan event and everyone is welcome. After a short tour, a longer tour will be provided by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Please contact me with any questions, comments, or ideas. I value your input!

It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.

Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative

Rep. Steve Slkins (HD49B) Update: July 12, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a great Fourth of July holiday! There were many familiar faces in the crowd for the annual Edina 4th of July Parade! After six weeks of catch-up yard work, including a major “Buckthorn-busting” project, interspersed with hours of research on legislative topics for next year’s session, I was finally able to carve out some time for my first long bike ride around Hyland-Bush Lakes Park last weekend!

The patio flower and herb garden is thriving with all the rain, and now sun. The tomato plants (Better Bush, Roma and Sweet 100) are huge and starting to set tomatoes. Five kinds of basil, two kinds (each) of thyme and oregano and lots of rosemary plus sage and dill.

I’ve also been staying active in the community and working on a number of legislative issues, one of them being affordable housing. Stable housing is interconnected with nearly all areas of life – it is crucial for a person’s ability to hold a job, seek an education, preserve their health and maintain relationships. Maintaining housing affordability is also critical to the economic competitiveness of our region. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Slkins (HD49B) Update: July 12, 2019”

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 21, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Happy first day of summer! I hope you’ve been able to enjoy our sunny days.

Although session concluded last month, I’ve been compiling your ideas and input to start my legislative projects for the interim. Since the session ended, I’ve been working with colleagues in both the legislature and state agencies to research and develop future reform legislation on topics such as data privacy, the use of electronic medical records, information technology management and the “Fiscal Note” process used to estimate the cost of proposed legislation. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 21, 2019”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 20, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope your summer is off to a great start! Now that school is out, I’m hosting two family-friendly events in St. Paul called ‘Kids Day at the Capitol’.

Mark your calendars and please join us on Wednesday, July 10th at 9:30 a.m. or Friday, July 26th at 9:30 a.m. for an educational opportunity that will give Edina families a “behind the scenes” tour of what it’s like working at the Capitol and to see up close how a bill becomes a law.

This is a free, nonpartisan event and everyone is welcome. After a short tour, a longer tour will be provided by the Minnesota Historical Society.

You can find more details and sign up here! Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 20, 2019”

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: June 7, 2019

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Dear Constituents and Friends,

Minnesota proved that divided government is not easy but can work. This legislative session was a compromise between a new DFL Governor, a DFL House and a GOP Senate. Despite a short special session to complete our work, we were able to make critical investments in our state. We passed a state budget of $48.3 billion over the next two years, no tax increase and a cut in the income tax rate. My biggest concern is that we tapped into our state reserves to the tune of $500 million, leaving only $491 million on the bottom line, to prop up spending in the next biennium. This shift could jeopardize Minnesota’s long-term fiscal health and the state’s AAA bond rating.

A significant compromise this session in health care was the repeal of the sunset of the 2% provider tax, set at a new, ongoing level of 1.8%. The additional revenue from the tax opened up opportunities in the budget to make investments in many programs that will improve the lives of Minnesotans, including help for low-income families, improving access to health care for people with disabilities, and investments that build out the state’s mental health system. We provided a 2% increase each year in the basic per pupil funding formula for schools and included $90 million for special education. We also froze tuition increases for the University of Minnesota and MinnState at 3% for the next two years. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: June 7, 2019”

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 6, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope finds you well and enjoying the beautiful weather.

The Legislature adjourned on May 25th with a budget compromise to protect health care for 1.2 million Minnesotans, many of whom are the most vulnerable in our state, deliver targeted tax cuts to families and businesses, and makes historic investments in our state’s students.
As one of the only divided legislatures in the country, Minnesota proved the art of compromise is not lost. Here’s an overview of our key accomplishments from the 2019 session and goals for 2020:

Taxes

We cut taxes for middle class families, which is the first income tax cut in almost 2 decades. Federal conformity was achieved and as a result, we doubled the standard deduction. Over 90% of Minnesotans will not have to itemize on their returns. We’re also easing the financial hardship on seniors by cutting taxes on Social Security. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 6, 2019”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 31, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We wrapped up the session on Saturday morning after reaching agreement with the Senate on a 2-year state budget. Minnesotans rightfully expect the legislature to compromise and get the work done, and I’m glad we were able to deliver on this. Governor Walz signed into law the state budget bills today.

You can find a comprehensive review of which measures passed and those that did not here.

In my last update, I shared some brief highlights of the budget agreement reached between the House, Senate and Governor. I’d like to take this opportunity to provide some detail on key components of the state budget. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 31, 2019”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 21, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

This week, we demonstrated that a divided government can find compromise and common ground to build a state that works better for all Minnesotans.

The compromise preserves health care for over 1 million Minnesotans, makes significant investments in our students and schools, and delivers targeted tax cuts for Minnesota families. You can read more about the budget agreement from our nonpartisan House Public Information office here.

The Governor has indicated he will call us back to a special session soon to allow time for nonpartisan staff and legislators to process the finalized budget agreement.

I’m continuing to advocate for Tobacco 21’s inclusion into the final budget. Thirteen States have raised the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21, the most recent being Texas. This is a bipartisan public health policy both Democrats and Republicans can get behind. We need to protect our youth from the harm of tobacco and nicotine for future generations to come. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 21, 2019”