Dear Neighbors,
The 2020 legislative session convened on Tuesday and I am excited to get back to the Capitol and continue working for the people of Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.
Following adjournment of the floor session on Tuesday, the full House of Representatives remembered Rep. Diane Loeffler, who passed away in November. You can watch the tributes to our colleague and friend here. She will be greatly missed. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: February 14, 2020”
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,
The holiday season is here, and I hope this time of year will be full of joy and fellowship for you and your family. If you plan on traveling to celebrate the holidays, I hope your travels will be safe and hassle-free. As many of our families prepare to share gifts with one another, there are many in our communities for whom this time of year is a struggle. There are organizations doing terrific work to assist those experiencing difficult times that are worthy of our financial help. I hope that you’ll consider making a charitable contribution to a cause or two important to you. Not only are you helping others, but it helps create a feeling of holiday cheer. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 18, 2019”
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”
Concerns, wishes, ideas expressed at 90-minute meetingJulie 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.
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 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.
What: 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
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.
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,
Getting to the State Capitol can be a challenge for many Minnesotans living outside the metro area. But no matter where they live, all Minnesotans deserve a government that is accessible, accountable, and responsive. To that end, the Minnesota House resumed the tradition of holding mini-sessions in Greater Minnesota with one last week that included stops in Austin, Rochester, and Winona. Over the years, the House has held 14 mini-sessions and this year marked the 30th anniversary since it was last held in Winona. The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has information available on each of the prior mini-sessions.
Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: October 7, 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”
