SHOREWOOD — At the outset of an event centered on the opioid crisis, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, DFL, asked attendees to raise their hands if they had been personally impacted by the epidemic.
Rows of hands went up across the audience.
“We’re here tonight, not because it’s getting better, but because it is truly getting worse,” he said. “We are here tonight to do something about it.”
View the complete April 30 article by Lara Bockenstedt on The Lakeshore Weekly News website here.
Eden Prairie’s branch of Royal Credit Union is much like any other financial institution: Visitors can make withdrawals, open lines of credit and learn about smart spending strategies. However, at this branch, every transaction earns the visitor a coupon for a cookie at Eden Prairie High School’s campus store, which is just downstairs.
Six high school seniors staff EPHS’s credit union, located in a quiet common room called the Perch. They each applied to the paid position through the school’s internship program and staff the office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the school year.
“This was something that kind of scared me,” said Courtney Unterriener, one of the credit union’s tellers. She wasn’t familiar with the financial world when she first applied, but decided to step outside her comfort zone like she’ll have to when she leaves for college in the fall, she explained.
View the complete April 30 article by Eden Teller on The Eden Prairie News website here.
Works of art by nearly 100 high school students from around the west metro adorned the walls of Minnetonka Center for the Arts April 17-24.
The pieces were submitted for consideration in this year’s Congressional Art Competition for Minnesota’s Third District, which culminated in an April 24 awards ceremony at the arts center hosted by U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips.
Each spring, nationwide high school art competitions sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives invite young artists to submit their best work.
View the complete April 30 article by Jason Jenkins on The Sun-Sailor website here.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Dean Phillips (MN-03) testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to advocate for the infrastructure priorities of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District.
View full testimony here.
Thank you, Chairman DeFazio, Ranking Member Graves, and members of the Committee for the invitation to speak with you all today.
I have the great honor of representing Minnesota’s Third Congressional District, which includes the western Twin Cities metro area and is home to the Mall of America, Paisley Park and historic Lake Minnetonka.
Our community is a microcosm of our state and region. We are suburban, exurban and rural. We are wonderfully diverse, highly educated and home to some of the most successful businesses in America, from Cargill to CH Robinson to United Health Group. Districts like ours have the tools and talent to solve the problems of the world, but we need the infrastructure to do so.
In order for the United States to build a competitive 21st century economy, Congress needs to pass a 21st century infrastructure plan. This must be a top priority of the 116th Congress. And it would make a huge difference for our community in Minnesota.
Since taking office in January, my staff and I have visited with officials from nearly all of the 36 cities and towns we represent. And whether it’s a city of 371 or 84,000, the conversation quickly turns to infrastructure – from roads, bridges and transit to broadband, wastewater and energy.
Coming from a state that sends far more of our hard-earned tax dollars to Washington than we get back in federal funding, we are in dire need of investment in infrastructure. It’s time for the federal government invest in Minnesota’s future – and in doing so, America’s future.
That begins with two key Capital Invest Grant projects in my district—the Green Line extension and the Blue Line extension– that are critical for expanding transit options for the greater Twin Cities metro area. These projects will connect people to jobs, reduce traffic congestion and spark economic development – which is why they have overwhelming support from the businesses and communities of our region.
For that reason, I ask the committee to support full funding for the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant Program (CIG) at the FAST Act authorized level of $2.3 billion. Full funding for this program is key to advancing projects in the CIG pipeline which includes the two projects I just mentioned.
Also, among the top concerns of my constituents is the condition and safety of Minnesota’s roads and bridges. There are numerous highways in need of funding to repair crumbling roads, add necessary lanes, and update safety measures.
Perhaps the most urgent of those projects awaiting funding is the Highway 12 corridor, commonly known as the corridor of death, as it is one of the most dangerous highways in our state. Just last month, I was deeply saddened when a young 21-year old man lost his life on Highway 12 when he lost control of his car and crossed the center median.
Unfortunately, stories like this are far too common, unacceptable, and preventable. Congress needs to stop being paralyzed by partisan politics and work to fund an infrastructure bill.
The need for this legislation encompasses more than our roads, bridges, and ground transportation.
We also need to expand reliable broadband to every community in America.
We need investments in water infrastructure to ensure clean drinking water and safe and reliable wastewater systems for every community in America.
We need enhanced rail safety, to ensure our first responders can race to an incident without being stuck on the wrong side of a train, and that our communities are safe.
We need airport infrastructure. The reasonable choice is to do so through raising the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), which doesn’t impact the federal budget and allows airports to address their needs. The status quo is just not working for our airports.
And we need investments in our electrical grid, energy storage and transmission, to ensure that the clean power of the future can reach the communities and consumers who need it.
In this year’s State of the Union address, President Trump said that he knew the need for an infrastructure package and was eager to work with the Congress. Congress must hold him to this.
It’s time to come together and take concrete action. We need to modernize our infrastructure, find alternative funding streams to pay for these improvements, and pass legislation to send to the President’s desk.
I am hosting a community conversation in my district about infrastructure on May 30th. I would like to extend an invitation to the Chairman, Ranking Member and members of the committee to join us.
Thank you.
WASHINGTON, DC – In celebration of Earth Week, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced today that he is co-sponsoring H.R. 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, the only bipartisan bill in Congress aimed at combating climate change and incentivizing a green economy. Phillips reiterated his continued focus on finding impactful legislative solutions for combating climate change in a statement today:
“We didn’t leave the Stone Age because we ran out of rocks. We found a better way of doing things,” said Phillips. “Climate change is an urgent problem and we need to reach a solution as quickly as possible. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act empowers a new generation of innovators to do just that. Everyone has a stake in preserving our planet and finding ways to make a green economy possible.” Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Carbon Dividend Bill”
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) issued the following statement on the release of the Mueller Report:
“As the Mueller Report confirms, Russia interfered with our 2016 election ‘in a sweeping and systemic fashion.’ The President must acknowledge this truth and work with Congress to ensure such meddling never happens again.
I am also troubled by the pattern of lies, deceit, and efforts to undermine the investigation exposed by the report. We should demand and expect a higher standard of behavior and ethics from our elected officials, particularly the President of The United States.
Congress must be presented the unredacted report, and hear testimony directly from Special Counsel Mueller. Only then can we in Congress fulfill our constitutional duty to provide oversight and ensure accountability.”
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, who represents Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District, will host a free community conversation focused on the opioid crisis on Monday, April 22, at Shorewood Community & Event Center, 5735 Country Club Road. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the event starts at 6:30 p.m.
Phillips, along with state Sen. Chris Eaton (D-Brooklyn Center) and a panel of health care providers, community advocates and government officials, will discuss how Minnesotans are innovating and organizing towards a solution for the epidemic.
View the complete April 16 by Sabina Badola article on The Sun-Sailor website here.
