Tag: Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 20, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

These continue to be challenging and uncertain times, but I’ve been deeply moved by the ways our community and state have banded together during this pandemic. We’re working hard in the Minnesota Legislature to ensure our state stays strong during and after COVID-19, even if the way we work has been altered.

MN House Proposals

At home, we’ve been trying to get outside daily for some fresh air and exercise on one of Eden Prairie’s many recreational trails, and I’ve had the chance to say hello to a number of neighbors at a six-foot distance. I hope you have the opportunity to do so as well.

Trail

The latest from Governor Walz includes new executive orders granting Emergency Authority to the Department of Human Services (DHS), regulations preventing price gouging, and opening MNsure for enrollment. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 20, 2020”

SD48 Joint Update from Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) and Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B)

March 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We wanted to write to you today, together, to emphasize the unity that is needed in our community and across the state as we continue to navigate these uncertain and challenging times. Updates are occurring quickly, but here is where things currently stand.

Health Care Response

Early this morning, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation to provide $200 million in investments for a health care response fund and Minnesota’s public health response contingency account, the latest in our efforts to ensure Minnesota has the resources it needs to remain strong both during and after the COVID-19 epidemic.

$150 million of these funds will go to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to make sure Minnesota’s health care providers can respond to this virus with more treatment beds, testing sites, and the increase and protection of staff. The remaining $50 million goes towards a contingency account that can be used for costs needed on an emergency basis to prepare and respond to this or similar pandemics. Continue reading “SD48 Joint Update from Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) and Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B)”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As we receive more information about COVID-19, I remain grateful that our state has a strong and prepared public health system. To reinforce this, my colleagues and I in the Minnesota Legislature unanimously passed $20.8 million in funding to ensure that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has the resources they need to slow and stop the spread of this virus. We’re in a time of uncertainty right now, but it’s important that these challenges are met with a robust response. I echo the comments of our public health officials and ask our community to do what they can to stay hygienic, stay home if sick, and stay informed.

Today, Governor Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency, highlighting the need to implement community mitigation strategies. This would include avoiding large gatherings, travel, and practicing personal protective measures. This does not mean healthy individuals should bar themselves from leaving their homes, just that practical measures should be taken to avoid contracting and spreading the virus. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 13, 2020”

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’ve spent a good chunk of the past few weeks passing our first bills of the 2020 session off the House floor. All of them are impactful to the lives of Minnesotans, and were prioritized because they are time-sensitive or had been extensively vetted last session. Although we passed some of these bills, or similar proposals, in 2019, lack of action in the Minnesota Senate forced us to again prioritize these proposals that matter to Minnesotans.

The Alec Smith Affordable Insulin Act

Our first bill to pass off the House floor this year would create a statewide insulin assistance program to help Minnesotans when they struggle to afford the insulin they desperately need. Minnesotans with diabetes would be able to apply and receive an emergency fill of insulin at a community pharmacy. In addition, they would be connected with options for long-term affordable insulin coverage. Alec’s bill would also cap co-pays for insulin at $30 per month for patients on state-regulated health insurance plans. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 6, 2020”

Citizens drive home top legislative priorities at Eden Prairie town hall

Sometimes, politics can seem like an abstract concept, far from the realities of everyday life. But at a Feb. 29 town hall with Eden Prairie’s trio of state representatives, voters’ questions to their legislators touched on urgent topics, from insulin affordability and COVID-19 to how Minnesota will be represented in Congress after the 2020 Census.

Around 50 people gathered to discuss their concerns with state Reps. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, D-Eden Prairie, and Laurie Pryor, D-Minnetonka, and state Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, D-Eden Prairie, in the East Commons of Eden Prairie High School.

The event drew people like Clarence Richard, of Minnetonka, a town hall regular who arrived dressed head-to-toe in U.S. flags; as well as newcomers, like Adam Butcher, of Eden Prairie, a first-timer who brought his four children to the event in the hopes of learning more about local legislation. He and his small crew posed for a picture with Cwodzinski after chatting as the event wound to a close. Continue reading.

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: February 25, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The most recent week of the 2020 legislative session proved to be just as exciting as the first. I started off last week by joining my fellow members of the Climate Action Caucus as we announced our proposals to address climate change in Minnesota. The Climate Action Caucus held informational hearings over the past few months to learn more about the ways climate solutions can be incorporated into various policy areas, and from these hearings – and the tireless work of advocates – we came up with several pieces of legislation that invest in energy efficient buildings, electric bus fleets, and the diversion of public waste.

Climate Presser

You can stay connected to our work in the Climate Action Caucus by subscribing to updates here, and you can read more about our proposals here.

Be Heard on Cannabis

Thank you to everyone that came out to our “Be Heard on Cannabis” event in Eden Prairie during the legislative recess. The legalization of adult-use cannabis is getting its first serious look in the Minnesota House this year, and your input was extremely helpful. I know not everyone was able to join us for that event, which is why I created an online survey for our community to share their thoughts and ideas on this issue. If you have a moment, please take this brief survey here. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: February 25, 2020”

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”

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