Dear Neighbors,
Last year’s legislative session ended with a compromise between the DFL-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate, which resulted in a balanced budget that protected Minnesotans’ health care and invested in our schools. With the 2020 legislative session right around the corner, I’m looking forward to building on our bipartisan success and continuing to deliver on our shared values for Champlin and Coon Rapids. The Legislature will return to St. Paul on February 11. I hope you’ll take a moment to take a brief survey to share your input with me ahead of the 2020 session.
You’re Invited
Join me at Champlin City Hall for a discussion about how climate change is impacting Minnesota and what our state government can do about it. I’ll be joined by scientists and policy experts from Fresh Energy, Clean Energy Economy, and Sierra Club. The event is free and open to everyone.
Here are the details:
- Thursday, January 30 at 6:30 pm at Champlin City Hall, 11955 Champlin Drive, Champlin, MN 55316
Town Hall Meetings
Speaker of the Minnesota House Melissa Hortman, Senator Hoffman and I are hosting two town hall meetings in February. Here are the details:
- Saturday, February 15 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Anoka County Library, 11440 Crooked Lake Boulevard Northwest, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- Sunday, February 16 at 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 West Broadway Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
These will be great opportunities to share your thoughts and ideas about how we can keep moving the northwest metro, our community, and Minnesota forward together.
Here’s an update on a few new initiatives taking place in 2020:
2020 Census: Be Counted! The new decade means the 2020 Census is here. The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency, and provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support in communities across the country. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. Click here to download a fact sheet with more information, or here to watch a short video.
REAL-ID Deadline Approaching
I’ve received several questions related to the upcoming deadline to obtain a Real ID on October 1. This federal program was enacted by Congress in 2005 and requires enhanced security features for driver’s licenses or ID cards to board a commercial aircraft or enter certain federal facilities. The Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Airports Commission, and the airlines are all working to educate Minnesotans about the need to obtain this ID. Passports can be used as an alternative for domestic, commercial flights.
Minnesota’s Office of Driver and Vehicle Services has more information here. Don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or would like assistance.
Have a great rest of the week.
Sincerely,
Zack Stephenson
State Representative