Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Playoff season is here! Join me in cheering on our multiple high school sports teams this weekend as our athletes compete in tournaments! The Crimson Dancers compete in the state tournament, the Maple Grove girls hockey team plays tonight to go to state, and many of our other teams are starting their playoff runs. Good luck to all of them!
Here are the highlights from our capitol this week:
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MN State Council on Disabilities Annual Legislative Forum
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Boston Scientific Executive Briefing
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KinderCare Visit in Maple Grove – Early Childhood Education
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ISD 279 Foundation’s “Night Out” – Tonight!
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Maple Grove Arts Center Presenting Pulitzer Prize Winner Steve Sack
MN State Council on Disabilities Annual Legislative Forum
I presented my American Disability Act bill this week at the Annual Legislative Forum for the MN State Council on Disabilities. We discussed the legislation I am drafting that will address the abusive lawsuit issue, while still ensuring the goals of increasing accessibility for the disabled. It was a colorful discussion and I look forward to continuing to work with all the interested parties in completing this legislation. If this law impacts you or someone you know, please contact me.
Boston Scientific Executive Briefing
This week I received an executive briefing from Boston Scientific and toured their Maple Grove facility, including their research and development and production area. This location has more employees than any other location they have – including their corporate headquarters in Boston! We are blessed to have a world-leading innovator of medical solutions that improve the health of people worldwide here in our district. In this upcoming session, I look forward to continuing to work toward legislation that reduces the burden of government so all of our businesses can grow and prosper in our great state.
KinderCare Visit – Early Childhood Education
I recently toured a KinderCare facility in our district to see firsthand the benefit early childhood education has on our kids. In the 2015 session, I supported the expansion of scholarships for families in need for early education programs. Ensuring our young learners are prepared for school is important when teaching the next generation of citizens.
ISD 279 Foundation “Night Out” – Tonight!
Tonight is the “Night Out” celebration for the Foundation! There still is time to get tickets for this amazing event where all the proceeds go toward enhancing the district’s dedication to learning for all.
Maple Grove Arts Center Presenting Steve Sack
The award-winning editorial cartoonist Steve Sack’s work is featured at our very own Maple Grove Arts Center located in downtown Maple Grove. The show runs now through March 15. Stop in to see the Pulitzer Prize winner’s work while you are out on our main street.
I look forward to seeing you out in our community this weekend! We are just weeks away from the legislative session starting (March 8). Please contact me with any concerns and bill ideas you have. It is my honor to represent our great community; thank you! I can be reached at Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, by phone at (651) 296-5502, or US mail at 13570 Grove Drive, #370, Maple Grove, MN, 55311.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis