Dear Neighbors,
I’m grateful for the constituents who continue to come to the State Capitol to advocate for issues they are passionate about. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with Aline and Marcia, two school psychologists in our community.
I was honored to have Eden Prairie School Superintendent Dr. Josh Swanson testify in favor of HF 514, my bill to increase investments in school safety. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 13, 2019”
This week, several bills I authored received public hearings in House Committees. On Monday, the Education Policy Committee heard HF 1005 that attempts to improve the communication between parents and those in the schools who provide special education services. Tuesday, the Higher Education Committee heard HF 550, which would create a new student loan counseling strategy. Today, the Early Childhood Committee held a hearing on HF 1238 to make some changes to our child care assistance programs, including delivering services to families experiencing homelessness.
Here’s more news from the Capitol:
Education Field Hearing in Windom
My colleagues and I recognize that not everyone is able to make to the Capitol to share thoughts on various issues, so many of our committees are holding field hearings throughout the state this session. Last week, the House Education Finance Division traveled to Windom in southwestern Minnesota. We were able to tour their combined middle and high school and got to check out some of their unique programming opportunities for students, including hydroponic towers where they grow lettuce for the cafeteria, and their combined welding, metals, and small engine shop. These give students hands-on experience which can open their eyes to potential career opportunities. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: February 28, 2019”
Dear Neighbors,
This past Monday was a historic day in the Minnesota House of Representatives. We commemorated the first ever “Sovereignty Day” where we heard remarks from 11 tribal leaders in Minnesota and discussed how to improve government-to-government relations and how to work together to create better opportunities for Native people in Minnesota.
Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: February 21, 2019”
Dear Neighbors,
The weather continues to be cold here in the state of Minnesota, and I hope you and your family have been able to stay both safe and warm. No family deserves to be stuck in the cold, and if you or someone you know is having difficulty with heating bills, Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program may be able to help. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has more information available here.
Last week I joined Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn for a Community Housing Forum in Eden Prairie to discuss the importance of housing for a strong community.
Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: February 11, 2019”
Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’ve been able to stay warm this week with the bitter cold weather. With nearly every school district in the state was closed, families were on the lookout for creative child care solutions. Here at the State Capitol, it meant we had an above-average count of children spending time with us, as legislators and staff alike had extra company with them.
With plenty to get done between now and adjournment in May, House leadership chose to move ahead with important work, and committees were quite productive. Despite the weather, several visitors came to the Capitol this week including Minnetonka Fire Chief John Vance. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor Update: February 1, 2019”
Dear Neighbors,
The first two weeks of the legislative session are behind us. It’s great getting to visit with members of the community and advocates on a wide variety of issues. This week, these meetings included one in the State Capitol rotunda with some Eden Prairie students, and one with Lyle Goff, Board Chair of the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation, working to deliver the gift of sight to Minnesotans.
Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: January 18, 2019”
Before legislators return to St. Paul for the start of the new session on Jan. 8, Eden Prairie’s representatives sought the advice of their community in what they said was the best-attended town hall of their careers.
State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, D-Eden Prairie and state representative Laurie Pryor, D-Minnetonka, and Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, D-Eden Prairie, spoke to about 150 people at Eden Prairie High School Saturday, Jan. 5 — the largest group that Pryor or Cwodzinski, on their second terms, had ever seen at a town hall.
“You’re making my heart sing, putting this thing called ‘we the people’ into action,” Cwodzinski told the crowd.
View the complete January 7 article by Eden Teller on The Eden Prairie News website here.
Dear Deb,
The 2019 Minnesota Legislative Session gets underway at noon today. I’m so honored and fortunate to be serving a second term
and I look forward to the work ahead. Here’s the view from my new office, room 571 of the State Office Building.
If you ever make your way to Saint Paul, I’d love for you to swing by and visit.
Town Hall Meeting
Thanks to all who attended the Town Hall Meeting on Saturday with Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep.-elect Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and myself. We had close to 200 engaged community members attend. The focus of the town hall was legislative priorities for the upcoming session. We discussed a diverse set of issues submitted by audience members with their comments. At the end of the discussion, those attending voted on their top three issues for the next legislature. The top vote-getters were health care, reducing gun violence, and climate change. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: January 8, 2019”
Dear Neighbors,
I hope you will join Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep.-elect Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, and me for a Town Hall Meeting to preview the upcoming legislative session. We will gather Saturday, January 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Eden Prairie High School in the East Commons. This meeting is non-partisan, and everyone is welcome to attend.
WHAT: Legislative Town Hall Meeting
WHO: Rep. Laurie Pryor, Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, and Rep.-elect Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
WHEN: Saturday, January 5 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Eden Prairie High School (17185 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55346) in the East Commons
Energy Efficiency
I recently had the opportunity to visit with The Weidt Group, an energy consulting firm in Minnetonka. They specialize in helping businesses optimize their return on investment for energy efficiency. I appreciated the chance to talk with them about energy policy in Minnesota and possible legislation in this session. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 21, 2018”
Dear Neighbors,
I’m very grateful for the trust you gave me earlier this month with the opportunity to serve at the State Capitol for another term. Serving as your state representative is a wonderful honor, and I look forward to the work we can accomplish together during the next two years. Here are some updates from Saint Paul.
Minnesota House Committees
Heading into the 2019 session, with the DFL caucus taking over the majority in the Minnesota House, there will be a new roster of committees and chairs. This list of committees, divisions, and subcommittees and their chairs was announced last week. I’m encouraged by the inclusion of many of these, which means attention will be paid to issue areas which have had some long-term efforts, particularly early childhood education, clean water, and adequate housing that individuals and families can afford.
I would expect the full list of committee members will be announced in the next couple of weeks. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: November 29, 2018”
