Week of May 6th – 10th
Floor activities and conference committees
Public conference committees on the budget have been meeting every day this week, and we have also been taking up more bills on the floor. With one week left, I am optimistic that we can get everything done on time and with a good result for all Minnesotans.
Wednesday’s floor session this week was started by Pastor Paul Nelson of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, who gave the opening prayer. We got some coffee beforehand and had a great time catching up.
Cedar Ridge Elementary visits The Capitol
3rd graders from Cedar Ridge Elementary came to the capitol this week, and Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and I made sure they got to meet their legislators at the end of their tour.
It was amazing to see that a few of the students are already following bills that affect them and asking questions, at such a young age.
A former student of mine, Katie Schiesl, was with the group. We had a wonderful reunion.
Another opportunity to cast your ballot
If you are an Eden Prairie resident, don’t forget to vote your opinion in the school referendum on Tuesday. Patti and I took advantage of early voting earlier today.
Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week
This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week, and I hope everyone found the time to contact an educator that made a difference in their life. In this week’s video I talked about how a professor affected my life and how a simple phone call or letter can brighten someone else’s day. If you missed this week’s video you can check it out by clicking HERE.
Visiting the U of M for History Day
Last Saturday was the state History Day competition, and I went down to the U of M to check it out.
The documentaries and exhibits created by the students were incredibly moving. This would not have been possible without the dedicated work of our state’s young people, and the educators who supported them. Thank you also to the Minnesota Historical Society and University of Minnesota for organizing this event.
Meeting this week’s House high school pages
As you know by now, one of my favorite parts of each week is meeting the House high school pages. This week featured numerous questions about the two-party system, and I was incredibly impressed by the students’ curiosity.
Remembering one of my heroes
On Monday, I missed floor session for the first time ever, as I attended my mother-in-law’s funeral. Floriann Golat was perhaps the most amazing person I know. It just so happens that this week was also Nurse Appreciation Week, and as a career nurse, Floriann literally saved my life when I was younger, before I ever even knew her daughter Patti. She genuinely cared about people and was an incredibly resourceful human being. She treated everyone she met with respect and was an exceptional listener. I will miss her dearly.