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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL)

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Legislative Update & Town Hall Reminder - February 16, 2018

Friday, February 16, 2018

Dear Neighbors,

Monday is President’s Day, celebrated as a federal holiday the third Monday of every February. It was celebrated first in 1885, to commemorate George Washington’s birthday, and as a holiday it has evolved over the last 133 years. I was reminded of some interesting facts reading about the history of the holiday here.

Town Hall - February 17th

Before the legislative session begins, I’m hosting my first town hall meeting tomorrow with Senator Jim Carlson. This town hall will take place Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 10:00am to noon, at Diamondhead Education Center in the Savage Conference Room (200 West Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337). This is an informal conversation about the upcoming legislative session and policy priorities for you and your family. Please join us!

WHAT: Joint Town Hall w/ Sen. Carlson

WHEN: Saturday, February 17th from 10AM-Noon

WHERE: Diamondhead Education Center in the Savage Conference Room; 200 West Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337

 

Burnsville - STATE OF THE CITY

On Wednesday, I attended the 2018 State Of The City Address at the Ames Center. It began with a video that highlighted the 2017 events of the community.

Afterwards, Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz outlined the plans for the next 20 years. More housing, replacing infrastructure, transportation improvements, and adapting city buildings to meet the needs of the community were some of the items she mentioned. She talked about maintaining some of the current business areas as well as working on areas that need changes, particularly some of the retail areas. Mayor Kautz was especially enthused about the development potential of land along the river. She painted a bright future for Burnsville and its residents.

District 196 Legislative Forum

Last week, legislators had the opportunity to meet with District #196 Superintendent Jane K. Berenz and staff members, along with many other people from the school district.

Our visit started with a tour of the new elementary school, East Lake, in Lakeville. It is an impressive facility, spacious and colorful. The feeling I got was that it will be an excellent learning environment.

Afterwards, we sat down to a roundtable discussion. District #196 is one of the largest school districts in the state. It has a number of outstanding programs and students with outstanding performance.

On the list of priorities for the District leaders was stable funding, indexing the general education formula to inflation, increasing equalization aid to equalize the local tax burden, and allowing local control to renew existing operation tax levies.

Our school districts are still trying to get back to the same funding levels they had in 2002, and recover from years of inadequate investments. Funding our public schools is constitutionally mandated, and more importantly it’s our responsibility to our children and future generations. In addition, we need a well-educated workforce to have a successful economy.

Legislative Session Starts on Tuesday

As we begin the 2018 Legislative Session on Tuesday, February 20, I encourage you to reach out to me with your thoughts on the issues we face together as a state. It is an honor to represent you, and I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns at 651-296-3533 or Rep.Sandra.Masin@house.mn.

Sincerely,

Sandy Masin

State Representative

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