October, 2019
Come join us as an intern!
Applications are now open for the Minnesota Senate Internship Program. If you or someone you know has finished high school and is looking to explore a career in government, this is a great place to start! My office will only be allowed to have two interns next session, but I know everyone always has a great experience no matter who they end up working for. You can apply online by clicking HERE.
Our 40th gubernatorial portrait
Governor Mark Dayton’s official portrait was unveiled last week, and I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the ceremony. The painting is incredible, and depicts one of Governor Dayton’s proudest achievments: restoring the state capitol. I also got to meet the artist, Paul Oxborough, and the photo above made it into the Star Tribune!
Visits to Brittany’s Place and Hope House
A few weeks ago, I took the opportunity to visit Brittany’s Place, a safe shelter for victims of sex trafficking and exploitation. More recently, I visited Hope House in Chanhassen, which acts as a safe place for teens in crisis. I was in awe of the work that their staff does, and I could not stop thinking about how lucky we are to have such kind and compassionate members of our community.
Meeting Will Steger
I had the opportunity to meet famed explorer Will Steger at an event recently. It was great to share Wanderlust stories with someone I have respected and admired for so many years.
Meeting a role model teacher and author
Former colleague Marty Teigen and I recently got to meet James Loewen, who is also a former teacher and author of the book Lies My Teacher Told Me. The book is an incredible read, delving into historical accuracy and what we are teaching our kids.
Supporting the scouts
Constituent and boy scout Mason Reeves dropped by over the weekend to make sure I was getting my daily serving of popcorn. We also had a fun discussion about civics and the three branches of government.
Standing up to the opioid crisis
A few weeks ago my daughter Erica and I attended the annual Steve Rumler Hope Network‘s annual Unmask Opioid Addiction Gala. Special thanks to Lexi Reed Holtum and everyone else who is fighting to treat and prevent opioid addiction.
Get ready for REAL ID
We are now less than a year away from the deadline for needing to have a REAL ID in order to board a plane within the US. Make sure you plan accordingly! More info can be found HERE.
An Autumn of promoting civic virtue.
This fall, I have attended a meeting of the Eden Prairie Young Men’s Service League, taught civics to first graders, dropped by a few classes of high school seniors to see what is on their minds, sat on a panel on youth leadership at the YMCA, led a tour for 25 adults to Washington DC, and am teaching a Community Ed class on the Constitution.
The Young Men’s Service League was an amazing group. Each of these students got involved because they wanted to make the world a better place.
Not long after my civics lesson with the first graders at Prairie View Elementary, I received handwritten thank-you notes from each of the students. When prompted to write what they learned, a large number chose to write “freedom is not free.” Our future generations are in good hands.
Whenever I visit high school classrooms, I like to learn from them about the issues most affecting young people. Youth vaping came up in every class I visited. We need to address this next session.
Lots of other elected officials joined me at the Southwest Metro YMCA Youth in Government kickoff, including SD 48’s own Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and Rep. Laurie Pryor. Special thanks goes to Helen Nguyen from Eden Prairie High School who helped organize the event.
Each of our days in DC was absolutely packed with sights to see and places to go. One of the highlights was stopping by the office of Congressman Dean Phillips on a Friday morning for Donuts with Dean.
Each of the community education classes I taught was filled to the brim with Minnesotans interested in learning more about their government. Seeing such a crowded room of engaged minds gives me great hope for humanity.
Talking politics on the radio with a former student
In the past couple months, I have appeared a few times on the AM 950 radio station as a guest on Brett Johnson’s politics show. Brett is a former student, and talking about government with him is always a pleasure.