We’re wrapping up a busy third week of the legislative session. Here’s a quick update on a few items of note.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
At the start of this week, Minnesotans had the opportunity to honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his work in the fight for equity. The message that Dr. King taught is a challenging one. It’s not enough to resist injustice — but how a person resists matters.
Dr. King had so many memorable quotes, but this one kept coming to mind this week: “Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can only be done by projecting the ethic of love to the center of our lives.”
A key tenet to achieving social progress for King was to never give in to hate – it is ultimately unproductive. Love is transformative, and that is why it leads to progress. I hope you had a thoughtful Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, January 26
I’m joining Sen. John Hoffman and Rep. Zack Stephenson for a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, January 26th from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at the Brooklyn Park Library (Mississippi River Room, 8500 W. Broadway Ave., Brooklyn Park, MN 55443).
Please join us for an early session report and listening session. We hope to see you there!
Paid Family Leave
On Tuesday morning, I joined a broad coalition in support of Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation. All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to be successful, but too many have to choose between work and taking care of a new baby, a loved one, or themselves.
The time to act is now. House DFLers are committed to delivering solutions for our hard-working families, like paid family leave, to provide greater economic security.
Apply for appointments to state councils, committees, boards, and commissions
There are hundreds of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. I encourage you to look through the openings, apply for positions that fit your skills or interests, and serve your community and state! You can find all of the vacancies at the Secretary of State’s website.
Winter Walk to School Day is February 6
In Minnesota, we certainly learn to embrace and enjoy winter. To help, Minnesota Safe Routes to School is holding their third annual Winter Walk to School Day on February 6. It’s a celebration of walking, biking and playing in the coldest and snowiest days of winter.
Register here by Jan. 31, 2019, and Safe Routes to Schools will support your efforts with materials and incentives to get your school moving. Winter Walk to School Day celebrations can start small or include the entire school – just do something! You can check out all the Winter Walk to School day resources on the recently updated MN Resource Center.
Minnesota Safe Routes to School is an effort to improve walking and bicycling conditions for youth and to encourage more active lifestyles. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is working with partners across the state to help schools and communities develop Safe Routes to School plans and programs.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input. I appreciate hearing from you! You can reach me at 651-296-4280 or rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn. You can also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page.Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman