Week of March 18th – 22nd
Doing right by Minnesota firefighters
On Tuesday, Representative Cheryl Youakim and I held a press conference alongside Minnesota firefighters to announce the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, which would help these outstanding public servants get the healthcare they deserve. Minnesota’s firefighters are ready at any moment to answer any call, putting their lives on the line daily to serve our communities. They deserve our respect and gratitude, but they also deserve the support they need to deal with the dangers they face not just physically, but for their own mental health.” A story on this published by KARE 11 can be found by clicking HERE. My full speech can be found by clicking HERE.
This effort was spearheaded by former Eden Prairie Fire Chief and current leader of the Minnesota Fire Initiative George Esbensen. I was proud to stand alongside him as we advance this legislation. You can listen to an interview he did with Minnesota Public Radio by clicking HERE.
Later on, I got the chance to sit down and discuss the bill further with Shannon Loehrke on Capitol Report. You can watch my interview by clicking HERE.
Talking education with a constituent
A constituent and good friend of mine, Shanti Shah, came to visit the capitol this week. We had a great conversation about data disaggregation in schools .
A legislative breakfast with United Health Group
United Health and Optum had a legislative breakfast Wednesday. Philip Kaufman, pictured to my left, gave an excellent speech. I also had a great time catching up with Congressman Dean Phillips, Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, and Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case.
Celebrating Purim at the Senate
Wednesday was Purim, and my fellow Jewish senators and I served our colleagues Hamantaschen to honor the occasion.
Students tour the capitol, including a former one
Three school groups toured the capitol earlier today. The first came from Oak Point Intermediate Elementary in Eden Prairie.
With the group was Melissa Waldenburg, a former student of mine whose son also took took my class decades later. Melissa remains one of the most exemplary individuals I have ever taught. It was her who inspired me to start taking my yearly class trips out to Washington DC.
This photo was organized by her. She’s the one holding the Z. You can check out this weeks video on this story by clicking HERE.
Immediately after the Oak Point visit, two groups from Eden Prairie High School toured the capitol as well.
I got to show the students the inside of the Senate Chamber, and answer their burning questions about making up snow days and school star ratings.