Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jon Applebaum (DFL)

Back to profile

Legislative Update 2-13-15

Friday, February 13, 2015

Dear Neighbor,

We’re now more than a month into the legislative session and we’re starting to hear major initiatives in committees.  I wanted to share some information with you on what I’ve been doing and events in the district.

In the News

Yesterday I introduced H.F. 820, creating a grant program for high-achieving students to attend college in Minnesota at a substantially reduced cost.  You can read more about it here or watch an interview I did with KARE 11.

Monday Coffee

This week marked the first of my weekly coffee meetings with constituents.  I was pleased to see so many people show up to discuss issues ranging from education to the budget.  Please come and share your thoughts with me on Monday mornings, between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. at People’s Organic (12934 Minnetonka Blvd) in Minnetonka.

Letter to Governor

This week I sent a letter to Governor Dayton outlining why he should establish a cabinet-level position for energy policy and administration.  As it stands, energy policy and administration is division within the Department of Commerce.  You can read the letter here.

Tree Sale

The City of Minnetonka is doing its annual tree sale to celebrate spring and Arbor Day.  As part of an effort to reforest the city, they offer trees at and large shrubs below cost to city residents.  You have until February 27, 2015 to order a tree.  To order, or find out more about the tree sale, visit the Minnetonka Tree Sale Website.

And Plymouth residents, your tree sale will start on March 9, 2015.  After March 9, residents can order trees and shrubs online at www.plymouthmn.gov/treesale or at the City Sampler.  Trees will be available for pickup on May 15 and 16.

Bills Authored

I’ve authored my second bill, HF 741, which provides $4 million over the next two years for Second Harvest Heartland’s Farm to Food Shelf program.  This bipartisan effort, started last year, buys excess produce that would otherwise rot in Minnesota’s farm fields, and sends it to food shelves.  The widely successful program provides fresh, quality food to our most needy neighbors and ensures our farm communities remain strong.  I’ve also co-authored several more bills, which can you can find here.

As always, if you can’t make the Monday Coffees, please feel free to contact me with any thoughts or concerns at (651) 296-9934 or rep.jon.applebaum@house.mn.

Sincerely,

Jon Applebaum