Tag: Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn

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

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!

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

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”

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”

Dear Neighbors,

We’re now in the last weekend of the legislative session, with a deadline to adjourn by midnight Monday. I will be at the State Capitol all weekend working as talks continue between Governor Walz and legislative leaders on an overall agreement on the state budget. Once this is done, House/Senate conference committees can put together details for each area of the state budget. We have a responsibility to work together to strengthen the lives of Minnesotans, and I’m committed to delivering a budget that does this.

Last week, neighbors in Eden Prairie approved a school referendum for the Designing Pathways program. I’m thankful our community values education so highly. Sen. Cwodzinski and I continue to keep a close eye on the E-12 Education Conference Committee and we’re advocating for a budget that includes strong investments for schools across the state so all students have an excellent education. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 18, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

There is just over one week remaining in the 2019 legislative session. House/Senate conference committees are currently meeting to resolve differences between each chamber’s version of the state budget. House and Senate leaders, along with Governor Walz, are working to reach an overall agreement. I’m hopeful we can reach a compromise, conclude our session on time, and deliver results which will improve the lives of Minnesotans.

E-12 Education

For my part, I’ve been closely following the Conference Committee charged with coming to a conclusion on the E-12 Education budget. All students deserve the opportunity to attend world-class schools no matter where they live, what their background may be, or what they may look like. Our House DFL Education budget includes much-needed investments in all students across the state, increases funding for special education, and includes funding for more school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses. It also includes many components of my bill, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children” Act with stronger investments in early childhood education. Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: May 10, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature returned to the State Capitol this week following our weeklong recess to observe Easter and Passover. It was a good chance to spend time in the community hearing from neighbors, and I want to thank everyone who attended our Town Hall Meeting last week. I know I can speak for Rep. Pryor and Sen. Cwodzinski in saying we all deeply appreciate the involvement and engagement from neighbors like you. Hearing your priorities makes us all more effective in our roles in Saint Paul.

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

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a whirlwind of activity at the State Capitol as the finance bills comprising our Minnesota Values Budget are assembled. This week the Legislature is in recess for the observance of the Easter/Passover holidays. When we return next week, there will be about a month remaining to complete our work. There’s a lot of work still to do and I’m committed to delivering results that make our state work better for everyone.

Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-WItthuhn (HD48A) Update: April 15, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

Over the last week, there were many visitors from Eden Prairie coming to advocate for a wide range of issues: from education and early childhood investments to chiropractic care, labor issues and the hospitality industry. I also had a visit from George Esbensen, our former Eden Prairie fire chief, and Ram Gada, representing the India Association of Minnesota. Not to mention, it was National Puppy Day!

Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2019”

 

Dear Neighbors,

Serving our community in Saint Paul is a great honor, and every day, I find inspiration from community members. Many of them travel to the State Capitol to share their hopes, dreams, and challenges. Their stories help in my efforts to work together to build a Minnesota that works better for all of us. I would be glad to have you visit, as well.

In particular, I continue to be impressed with our student leaders in Eden Prairie and across the state. Claire Willett, a junior at Eden Prairie High School, recently spent a week at the Capitol as part of the House High School Page Program. Additionally, two of our Eden Prairie Early Childhood educators recently testified in the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit with community members who are educators, physicians’ assistants, dentists, pediatricians, transit workers, and those who work in the housing industry.

Continue reading “Rep.. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 13, 2019”