Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: February 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The 2020 Legislative Session is underway, and we are hitting the ground running! This week, my colleagues and I in the Minnesota House reaffirmed our commitment to our littlest Minnesotans by introducing the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act, of which I’m incredibly proud to be the author. I stood with legislators and advocates (some of them only a few months old) to make our case for investing in children from birth to age three.

Great Start

Research shows that the biggest payoff comes in the earliest weeks and months of a child’s life. The Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act invests $500 million in early learning and child care that would positively impact thousands Minnesota children and families across the state. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: February 14, 2020”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: January 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Happy January! I hope the first weeks of 2020 have been good to you and your family. The 2020 legislative session begins in less than a month, on February 11, and I’ve been working to connect with people in the community to talk about what we hope to accomplish, together, at the State Capitol.

In the short term, I hope we can reach a consensus on emergency access to insulin for people who can’t afford to fill their prescription. It’s unacceptable that some diabetics are forced to ration their insulin due to its skyrocketing costs while Big Pharma continues to rake in massive profits. Rationing can have tragic consequences. All Minnesotans deserve access to prescription drugs they can afford. This includes insulin, which for people with diabetes, is as vital to life as air or water.

Another session priority will be a capital investment bill to renovate and repair buildings and other assets including colleges and universities, roads and bridges, parks and trails, wastewater treatment plants, and more. This week, Governor Walz announced his recommended proposals, and I’m hopeful lawmakers can work together to make robust investments in our shared infrastructure. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: January 16, 2020”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn Update: December 23, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well and that you’re enjoying this special time of year. From my family to yours, I want to offer my sincere wishes for a wonderful holiday season full of joy and fellowship, along with a great New Year just around the corner.

Happy Holidays

Civics 101 Town Hall

Earlier this month, Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Laurie Pryor and I hosted a Civics 101 Town Hall Meeting, and I want to thank everyone who attended and contributed to a fascinating discussion about all facets of our election. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon joined us for this event, and we’re thankful for his willingness to share his expertise on this topic with us. There are some significant events coming up in 2020 including the first-ever state presidential primary and the 2020 Census. The census will be followed by redrawing of congressional and legislative district maps based on the new population figures. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn Update: December 23, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthun-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: Civics 101 Town Hall Tonight

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had an enjoyable, relaxing Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones, and that you were able to successfully dig-out from the massive amount of snow we received. This holiday gives us the opportunity to reflect upon what we’re grateful for in our lives. In addition to wonderful family and friends, I’m deeply grateful to live in and represent a community that care about people as much as this one. Thank you for the opportunity to serve Eden Prairie at the State Capitol.

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to attend the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly “Women in Business” breakfast, which featured leaders of the retailer Evereve and Sun Country Airlines. Several of my legislative colleagues joined me for good discussions about issues like sexual harassment, sustainability, paid family leave, the childcare crisis and more.

chamber breakfast Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthun-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: Civics 101 Town Hall Tonight”

Cannabis legalization: Eden Prairie area residents sound off

Concerns, wishes, ideas expressed at 90-minute meeting

Julie Engle and Dean Luke don’t have much in common.

Engle is a 37-year-old mother of three young boys and lives in Minnetonka.

Luke is 80 and is a snowbird who lives in Eden Prairie during the warm months before heading south when the snow flies.

Both found themselves at the Eden Prairie Community Center with a microphone in hand at a Nov. 18 information meeting focused on cannabis legalization.

View the complete November 26 article by Raymond T. Revard on The Sun-Sailor website here.

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: November 13, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to share a reminder about the “Be Heard on Cannabis” Community Conversation taking place Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Eden Prairie Community Center. This is an issue on the minds of many Minnesotans, and as we discuss potentially legalizing cannabis for recreational use by adults, we need to move forward thoughtfully and responsibly. Having all perspectives at the table is critical, so I hope you can join us to listen, learn and share your thoughts.

Be Heard on Cannabis Community Conversation

When: Monday, November 18, 6:30 PM
Where: Eden Prairie Community Center, Cambria Room
Who: Hosted by Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Jeff Hayden, Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, Rep. Laurie Pryor, Rep. Brad Tabke, Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, with Special Guests Doug Friednash, Former Colorado Legislator and Former Chief of Staff to Gov. John Hickenlooper, and Stanley Garnett, Former District Attorney for Boulder County

If you can’t make it, feel free to share your feedback with me directly. I value your input on this and other issues.

Sincerely,

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
State Representative

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: October 25, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope fall is treating you well, and hopefully we will get the opportunity to fully enjoy the third of our four seasons. Each Saturday, the Eden Prairie Outdoor Center(13765 Staring Lake Pkwy.) hosts “Nature Rocks!,” a free open house with hiking, interactions with live animals, craft projects and more. Check the city’s website for more information.

Coffee with Carlie

coffee with carlie

Everyone in the community is invited to join me for Coffee with Carlie next Tuesday morning October 29. We will meet at 10 a.m. at Smith Coffee & Cafe. Please bring your input and ideas about the issues that matter to you. As always, it’s an informal chat with no speeches or program, and you can stay for as long or as little as you’d like. I’m looking forward to a good discussion among neighbors!


Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: October 25, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: September 13, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you enjoyed your summer. As we transition to fall, our community still has plenty of opportunities to get outside. This past weekend, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation hosted Prairie Brewfest, where grants were awarded to several community nonprofits. I was glad to chat with many of the nearly 700 people who attended, including our State Senator Steve Cwodzinski and his lovely wife Patti.

Back to School Town Hall Meeting

I hope families in our community are all having a smooth transition back to school. Our community deeply values having excellent schools available to all of our learners at all levels. This legislative session, we made solid investments in our classrooms. Looking ahead, we know there is more to do, and Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Laurie Pryor and I want to hear your input about how we can deliver a world-class education to all students.

Next Tuesday, we’re hosting a Back to School Town Hall Meeting at Eden Prairie High School from 7 – 8:30 p.m. While the meeting will focus on education, we hope to hear your thoughts on others issues important to you, too. Everyone is welcome, and I hope you can join us!

Early Childhood Advisory Council

Along with the new school year is the first meeting of the Eden Prairie Early Childhood Advisory Council. The meeting will take place next Thursday, September 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center (8040 Mitchell Road). The council serves as the parent/teacher organization for early childhood in our community, giving parents an opportunity to be informed and to inform decisions that affect Eden Prairie’s Early Childhood Programs. Topics discussed have included technology, program offerings, curriculum, community outreach, and fundraising. Monthly meetings also include a guest speaker. As a “Little Eagles” parent myself, I know how helpful it is to network with other parents and connect with educators. For more information, contact info@EPAdvisoryCouncil.com. If you’re a parent of a young learner, I hope you’ll get involved!

Eden Prairie Fire Safety: Be a Hero!

The Eden Prairie Fire Department is encouraging kids to “be a hero” by committing to being safe in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods and in doing so, can earn a “cape.” Actions include creating a family fire safety plan, wearing a bike helmet or life jacket, or testing smoke alarms.

For committing to do these, kids will earn a “cape” drawstring backpack available for pick up at the city’s Public Safety Open House on Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Fire Station 1 (14800 Scenic Heights Rd.). Visit www.edenprairie.org/BeOurHero to find out more.

Please continue to contact me with your input and ideas. I value hearing from you, so don’t hesitate to call or email me. It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
State Representative

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: July 30, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

As the calendar is about to turn from July to August, I hope you are enjoying your summer. We have wonderful parks, trails and open spaces and with summer flying by, my family and I have been taking advantage of them as much as we can! My family has enjoyed seeing many of you out and about across the city this summer so far.

Here’s an update from the Capitol: Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: July 30, 2019”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 31, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Early Saturday morning, my first session and the 2019 legislative session concluded. With a divided government, I’m glad that Governor Walz and legislative leaders reached a bipartisan compromise on a budget framework. We wrapped up our work on a new two-year state budget during a one-day special session required to complete work on these various bills, with assistance from our non-partisan fiscal and research staff and the Revisor’s Office. The House Chairs of conference committees worked to have open public hearings on each of the bills to allow Minnesotans to review and weigh in throughout the last weeks of the session. Separated by a 12 hour difference, the glow of the State Capitol looked different Friday night from Saturday morning.

See below for some final bill highlights! Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 31, 2019”