Tag: SD48

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Update: February 16, 2018

Week of February 12th – 16th

This past Wednesday, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School suffered a colossal tragedy; 17 adults and children were killed by gunfire from a former student. This disaster is part of a long line of preventable mass shootings, and has painfully revived the dialogue surrounding gun violence prevention.

We’ve had this conversation too many times for evil of this magnitude to resurface so frequently. America is averaging one school shooting perweek. It’s time for action.  Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Update: February 16, 2018”

Legislative Q&A: District 48 Sen. Steve Cwodzinski

The following article by Patty Dexter was posted on the Eden Prairie News website February 15, 2018:

The 2018 legislative session convenes on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The newspaper contacted Sen. Steve Cwodzinski for a Q&A previewing the session.

Right now, the thing I am hearing most about from my constituents is the federal tax bill, and the increased taxes that they will pay because of it. The cap of $10,000 for deductions of state and local taxes will massively impact residents of Senate District 48. I am hopeful that both DFLers and Republicans can come together to find a way to reclassify some state taxes and restore these deductions. Other hugely critical issues are affordable health care, Southwest Light Rail, environmental protection, and opioid abuse prevention. Continue reading “Legislative Q&A: District 48 Sen. Steve Cwodzinski”

Eden Prairie High School hosts major party caucuses

The following article by Sean Miner was posted on the Sun-Current website February 7, 2018:

Republicans from an Eden Prairie precinct caucusing Feb. 6 at Eden Prairie High School. Credit: Sean Miner

Both major parties held their District 48A precinct caucuses at Eden Prairie High School Feb. 6. There, the parties elected local delegates, individuals were able to express views for their preferred direction for the party and each party took a straw poll for the upcoming 2018 governor’s race.

Precinct-by-precinct results have not yet been fully released, but the parties have noted winners in the straw pool. Republican Jeff Johnson and DFL member Tim Walz won in their respective parties.

Eden Prairie-specific data from the DFL was not yet available, but the Third Congressional District, of which Eden Prairie is a part, tallied 4,256 gubernatorial straw poll votes. Walz, with 1,301, was the district winner, followed most closely by Rebecca Otto with 1,150 and Erin Murphy with 1,024. Continue reading “Eden Prairie High School hosts major party caucuses”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Laurie Pryor to introduce sexual exploitation bill

The following article by Patty Dexter was posted on the Eden Prairie News website January 30, 2018:

Minnesota State Capitol

Two local state legislators have been working together on bipartisan legislation to enhance current child sexual about curriculum in public schools to include sexual exploitation prevention.

The bill is authored by District 48A Rep. Laurie Pryor, DFL – Minnetonka, and District 48 Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, DFL – Eden Prairie and will be introduced when the next legislative session convenes on Feb. 20.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, Rep. Laurie Pryor to introduce sexual exploitation bill”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 26, 2018

Less than One Mont Until Session!

Reflections on my first year, priorities for the second

A little over a year ago, I was officially sworn in as a state senator. Over the past twelve-and-a-half months, I have gained an appreciation for government that I could never have had as a civics teacher. Everyone who works here, be them legislative assistants or departmental staff, is incredibly committed to making the world a better place. In the classroom, I used to tell students the old adage, “laws are like sausages, you never want to see them getting made.” Looking back, I cannot believe that I spent 33 years saying that about some of the most dedicated and hard-working people I have ever met.

Every single person who works in this building, including those I disagree with, share a passion and enthusiasm for the work that they do. The legislative assistants are competent and friendly, the researchers put in long hours to provide information on even the smallest of bills, and the media department finds a way to make me look like George Clooney when I’m speaking on the senate floor. Then you have the nonpartisan staff, who physically write the bills that can be hundreds of pages long. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 26, 2018”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: December 21, 2018

Ending Violence in Our Communities

Community members in Eden Prairie got together earlier this month to discuss the intersections of both racial violence and gun violence. Many of the speakers were young people with powerful stories to share, and seeing their courage did my heart good. Also in attendance with me were Eden Prairie Mayor-elect Ron Case, Representative-elect Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, and Representative Laurie Pryor.

Minnesota Ballet School’s Nutcracker Performance

Last weekend I was given the opportunity to present the opening introduction for the Minnesota Ballet School’s Nutcracker performance. I could not be more proud of everyone involved, including a constituent of mine, Cher Mitchell, who helped organize the event.

My wife Patti and I had a wonderful time talking with the students after the show and congratulating them. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: December 21, 2018”

Minnesota legislators meet with Israeli counterparts at Knesset

The following article by GIl Hoffman was posted on the Jerusalem Post website November 29, 2017:

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) organized the delegation of Minnesota State Legislators and other Minnesota leaders to Israel for the second year in a row.

A group of six Minnesota state legislators discussed their progress on fighting BDS in their state at the Knesset Wednesday with Communications Minister Ayoub Kara, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Michael Oren, and MKs in the Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu), Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union) and Yehuda Glick (Likud),

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) organized the bipartisan and bicameral delegation of Minnesota State Legislators and other Minnesota leaders to Israel for the second year in a row. Continue reading “Minnesota legislators meet with Israeli counterparts at Knesset”

Many people showed up

Since taking our oaths of office last January, we have both been continually inspired by our constituents’ level of civic engagement. We had more than 110 people attend the forum at Minnetonka High School on Saturday, Nov. 11, and would like to thank all of you who showed up and made your voices heard.

We hope you found the morning to be as edifying and delightful as we did. Continue reading “Many people showed up”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Attends Rotary Veterans’ Luncheon

On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) attended the Eden Prairie Rotary’s Veterans’ Luncheon. He is with Willie Husaby (right side of Sen. Cwodzinski) and John Mallo (left side of Sen. Cwodzinski).

Sen. Cwodzinski serves on the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee in the Minnesota Senate.

Have a group of young people interested in government?

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) is a former high school government teacher who is willing to speak to young people about how government works.  He can also arrange tours of the State Capitol.

If you’re interested, please contact his Legislative Assistant, Greg Weiner, at greg.weiner@senate.mn.