Dear Neighbors,

It’s been one year since my family joined me at the Capitol on January 8, 2019 as I took the oath of office for my second term in the Minnesota House. I remain deeply grateful for the engagement from community members about the issues that matter to all of us. I’m proud that even in a divided government, we worked together to deliver on values like a world-class education, a strong economy, and safe and healthy communities.

The start of the new term also meant taking on a new responsibility as Vice Chair of the House Higher Education Division. All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to get a college degree or technical training without experiencing insurmountable debt. Our budget took strong steps to stabilize tuition, and affordable college is critical to our competitiveness as a state. I successfully chief-authored legislation to increase investments in Workforce Development Scholarships, which provide incentives to students entering high-demand fields like information technology, health care services, manufacturing, and early childhood education. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: January 9, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

I want to thank everyone who attended our recent Be Heard on Cannabis Community Conversation in Eden Prairie. It was a productive discussion featuring officials from the state of Colorado who had lessons to share about that state’s approach to cannabis, and community members offered some reasons why this discussion is deeply personal to them. The Sun Sailor has an excellent recap of the event here.

Recently, I was honored by the Minnesota School Boards Association as a Legislator of Distinction for 2019. I’m grateful for this recognition and I look forward to continued partnership with our local education leaders to ensure we meet the needs of all of our students.

Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 3, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I’m pleased to invite you and our community to a new town hall featuring Secretary of State Steve Simon on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Eden Prairie High School. We’re calling this event “Civics 101.”

Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: November 15, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you are enjoying fall and everything that comes with it, including leaves changing colors and preparation for trick-or-treaters in less than one week. Tomorrow is National Drug Takeback Day. If you have any unused or expired prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet, it’s a good opportunity to safely dispose of them. Sites will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., including the Eden Prairie Senior Center and other sites around the metro area.

Here’s an update from the State Capitol.

Climate Action Caucus

In Minnesota, we’re blessed with abundant natural resources including lakes, rivers, forests and more. Tragically, these resources are in jeopardy. We’re facing an urgency to take action before the effects of the climate crisis become irreversible. Minnesotans are motivated and pushing for our state to be a leader in the fight against climate change. We’ve especially seen this from Minnesota’s young people who descended upon the Capitol for the Youth Climate Strike. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: October 25, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all enjoyed your summer. We can be grateful for our rich outdoor heritage and the many events which allow us to gather as a community. One such event was the inaugural Northern Lights Lacrosse Festival, a youth tournament to support teen mental health. The players, organizers, and volunteers of this event dedicated their efforts to turning a tragedy into something positive for the community. Channel 5 aired a story prior to the event. I was honored to have been invited to serve as an honorary starter for one of the games.

In the next week, I’ll be available to discuss issues important to the community at two upcoming events. First, on Sunday, September 15, I’ll be joining my colleague Rep. Kelly Morrison of Deephaven for a Neighborhood Gathering from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at 19625 Chimo West Street, right on Lake Minnetonka. It will be an informal conversation about legislative topics, and snacks and beverages will be provided. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to bradshinkle@gmail.com. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: September 10, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I’m heartbroken by the tragic losses of life in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas this past weekend. These are two more events in a string of too many occurrences of gun violence that’s wrapping our communities across the country in anxiety and fear. It shouldn’t have to be this way.

While it’s important to honor the victims, it’s also important for us as policymakers to step up and act to end the epidemic of senseless gun violence. During the recent legislative session, the Minnesota House passed two strong measures which would reduce the access to guns for those who shouldn’t have them. The first would expand criminal background checks on gun sales. This is a common-sense measure supported by upwards of 90 percent of Minnesotans of all political and ideological backgrounds. The second would provide for “red-flag” laws to allow – if a court rules – to temporarily restrict someone’s access to firearms if they may pose a danger to themselves or others. This provides an effective tool to potentially prevent gun-related suicides or the shootings we’ve seen in Dayton, El Paso, and elsewhere. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: August 7, 2019”