Dear Neighbors,
Legislators have returned to St. Paul for the 2020 legislative session. It’s a new year, and we’ve already hit the ground running! I am honored to represent our Edina neighborhoods and elevate our community’s values at the Capitol for another session.
Great to visit with Edina resident Arnie Bigbee, who was here for AARP Day at the Capitol.
Last year the divided state legislature passed a balanced two-year budget for Minnesota. This year, the focus will shift toward a public infrastructure improvement projects, or ‘bonding’ bill, as well as policy focused bills. Any supplemental budgeting will be determined after the February budget forecast, which is scheduled to be released at the end of the month.
Here’s an update from St. Paul:
Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act Introduced
The 2020 legislative session kicked off with a bold proposal to invest in early care and learning targeted at our youngest Minnesotans from birth to age three. We are facing two crises in our state: education opportunity gaps and inaccessible and unaffordable childcare. Research shows that the biggest payoff comes in the earliest weeks and months of life- it’s a smart investment that children, parents, and childcare providers all stand to benefit from. Read more in this story from the Associated Press.
Vaping Awareness and Prevention
A pair of my bipartisan public health bills focusing on vaping awareness and prevention in schools advanced out of the House Education Policy Committee yesterday. HF 3166 would require schools to develop and provide evidence-based curriculum to students related to vaping and electronic cigarettes. The second bill, HF 3164 would create a pilot program to fund the curricula. Both bills have bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Our kids are being targeted by Big Tobacco and it’s time to enact these public health initiatives in schools to help inform students of the risks associated with vaping.
Hometown Heroes Act
I was honored to join my colleagues yesterday and stand alongside survivors and advocates to announce legislation that would deliver additional support for Minnesota firefighters who face higher rates of cancer, cardiac issues and trauma. These brave individuals deserve the support they need to continue the important work they do to keep us all safe. My sons were thrilled to have the opportunity to meet the hometown heroes who are always there for us.
Intern for a Day Program
Our Edina ‘Intern for a Day’ program has kicked off! I look forward to having nearly 60 student leaders join us at the Capitol this session.
You can find my full contact information online at www.house.mn/49a and connect with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepHeatherEdelson/. If you have a friend, neighbor, or coworker who is interested in receiving updates about the Legislature, feel free to share the subscription link here.
Please continue to reach out with any input, questions, or ideas.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative