Tag: Senate District 48

State Sen. Cwodzinski thinks Minnesota’s divided Legislature can get the job done

State Sen/ Cwodzinski keeps a photo of the Senate’s chambers in his office to remind himself of his responsibility to future generations. Credit: Eden Teller, Eden Prairie News

Legislating and teaching have a key similarity to State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski: It took three years of each for him to settle into the role.

“It’s like drinking out of a firehose,” Cwodzinski said of his first year in office. Now, as he enters his third year in office, he introduced the first bill of the session on the State Senate floor that would require a financial literacy class for all high schoolers in Minnesota.

Cwodzinski answered the following questions from Eden Prairie News on Feb. 1 (some responses have been edited for length and clarity):

View the complete February 7 article by Eden Teller on The Eden Prairie News website here.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 8, 2019

Week of February 4 through 8

Educating our kids about their finances

I was excited this week to present my bill on personal finance education. Financial literacy is a critical skill to have. Young people need to have an understanding of student debt, home ownership, and savings. The bill would require that all high school students take a course in personal finance, and I am hopeful that this will see widespread support.

I would like to thank Yonah Davis, Sally Adams, and Jason Kley for their testimonies in front of the E-12 finance and policy committee this week. They have given extremely helpful input in the creation of this bill. Educators, students, and the business community all support this legislation.

Tuesday was CPA day on the hill, and I got to meet with some constituents in this field. We ended up talking about the personal finance education bill, and I could not be happier to learn of their support as well.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 8, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 1, 2019

Polar vortex slows down legislation

In light of the recent weather conditions, it has been a fairly slow week at the State Capitol. I hope you all stayed safe during the freezing temperatures.

Because of the cold, one of my bill hearings has been delayed until next week. This coming Monday, February 4th, I will be presenting a bill to require that all Minnesota high school students take a course on personal financial literacy. I am hoping for this to earn bipartisan support in the Senate Education Committee, which will be meeting at 3pm that Monday.

Catching up with a former student

One of the highlights of my week included catching up with Pete Knaeble, a former student who is now a firefighter with the city of Edina. He has also recently been appointed as the administrator of Minnesota’s emergency response unit, Task Force 1. We talked about public service, and the role of 911. As he put it: you call them when you have a problem you cannot solve. I could not be more proud of the work he is doing.  Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 1, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 25, 2019

My first podcast appearance, a conversation with Eden Prairie City Manager Rick Getschow

I was invited to speak with Eden Prairie City Manager Rick Getschow on his podcast. We had a fulfilling discussion regarding the highlights of my teaching career and what led to my career as a state senator as well as the responsibilities I hold as one. It ended up being a intuitive and compelling discussion. Thank you to Rick for having me. Lots of introspective questions which led to some interesting self-reflection. You can listen to it by clicking HERE.

Preventing Opioid Addiction

Last Saturday I attended a breakfast hosted by the Chris Wivholm Foundation for opioid abuse prevention. Thank you to one of my constituents, Elina Curran, for organizing this event.

Cwod’s Book Nook

I’m always interested in what people are reading and I love talking about books.

I have been encouraging my colleagues to check out When Republicans Were Progressive, by Minnesota’s own Former Senator Dave Durenberger and Star Tribune columnist Lori Sturdevant. It’s about working across party lines for the betterment of our country, and is an inspiring read.

What books are you reading for pleasure?

 

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 25, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 18, 2019

Week of January 14th – 18th

Legislative Preview on AM 950

I had the opportunity to speak with Brett Johnson from AM 950 on his radio show. It was a gratifying and insightful discussion about the responsibilities I have as a state senator and what to expect form the upcoming legislative session. I was also able to answer questions from those who called in. Thanks to Brett for having me. You can listen to our conversation by clicking HERE.

Catching up with former students

While at Eden Prairie High School, I got to see my former student Aubrey Sebastian, who is now attending the University of Minnesota and working as an undergraduate researcher. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 18, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 11, 2019

Week of January 7th – 11th

Kicking off 2019 with constituent engagement

Last weekend, Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, Representative Laurie Pryor, and myself got together with our shared constituents to host a town hall meeting. It was a great way to start the year.

Our discussion included nearly two dozen topics, which are listed below. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 11, 2019”

Health care, gun control top residents’ concerns at Eden Prairie town hall

Sen. Steve Cwodzkinski with Reps. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and Laurie Pryor at Eden Prairie High School for the first town hall of the new legislative session. Credit: Eden Teller, Eden Prairie News

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.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 21, 2018

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”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48): November 30, 2018

December, 2018

Back at Eden Prairie High School

I got another chance to visit Eden Prairie High School again this past month, and had another absolutely spectacular time talking to our next generation about civic virtue and political efficacy.

A former student of mine, Jessica Jacobson, was also in the classroom working in special education.

More civics with students

This past week I was also given the truly unique opportunity to talk with building and construction trades students about government and citizenship. No matter what profession you are in, it is always important to recognize your civic duty.

Touring the Capitol with Constituents and Former Students

This past month also included an enjoyable tour around the State Capitol with a constituent of mine, Tracy Johnson, and her family. One of her sons, Clayton, was a student of mine and brought along two of his friends who were also in my class. All three of these former students are now at the U of M law school. It was quite the reunion.

Celebrating National Adoption Day

Saturday, November 17 was National Adoption Day, and I went down to the Hennepin County courthouse to observe the proceedings. I got to see two colleagues finalize their adoption, and watch as the child was given their stuffed animal at the end of the proceedings.

Talking Southwest LRT with engineers

As you may have heard, we have officially broken ground on the Southwest Light Rail project as of 3pm today. Earlier in the week, I met with a group of engineers at SRF Consulting to discuss the logistics.

Lunch with a former Supreme Court justice

On Monday, Senator Matt Klein and I visited with former State Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson, an Eden Prairie institution. Despite hitting the court’s mandatory retirement age, Paul still continues to be an exemplary public servant.

Jacquelyn Cwodzinski visits the Capitol

This Thanksgiving break, my mom got the chance to come visit me at my new job. I would not be where I am without all of her hard work to support me.

 

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Update: November 1, 2018

Don’t forget to vote this Tuesday!     

The November 6 election is just days away. Make sure you get out and vote to make sure YOUR government hears YOUR voice, regardless of political party. Hundreds of millions of people in this world have no say in what their government does. Do not take your rights for granted. Cherish the fact that your government guarantees you a right to vote, and exercise that right with pride.

You can find out where to vote by clicking HERE.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Update: November 1, 2018”