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Here’s an update from St. Paul:
Veterans Day
Last week, we observed Veterans Day. It’s not just enough to simply thank veterans with our words one day a year, though. Throughout the year, we have a responsibility to ensure they have opportunities to succeed and thrive in our communities.
This past legislative session, we delivered full funding for both the state Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs to support those currently wearing the uniform as well as those who have served previously. In addition, we funded Veterans Service Organizations, Honor Guards, the Gold Star Program, and the Minnesota GI Bill. We also invested in the expansion of the Counseling and Case Management, Outreach, Referral and Education program (C.O.R.E) to address veteran homelessness. We also funded other priorities. The Helmets to Hardhats program, helps veterans enter building and construction apprenticeship programs that lead to rewarding, good-paying careers. Veterans’ Voices, a program through the Minnesota Humanities Center, helps amplify and preserve experiences, stories, and narratives of our veterans.
All of our veterans deserve our continued support, respect, and gratitude. If you are currently serving, or have served, thank you for all you do. Thanks too to your families.
Youth Vaping
We recently announced a comprehensive plan to combat youth vaping. In 2017, the number of young Minnesotans using tobacco rose for the first time in 17 years due to a surge in e-cigarette use. Since then, the crisis has only gotten worse. Vaping-related injuries are being reported in Minnesota and across the nation, yet many young people remain unaware of the health risks associated with e-cigarettes. Here are some details of the plan:
Public Works Tour
The House Capital Investment Committee concluded its statewide tour last week, visiting several sites across the state with proposed public infrastructure improvements. Throughout the statewide regional tour, committee members learned about local communities’ infrastructure needs firsthand. Visits included colleges and universities, public safety facilities, wastewater treatment and flood mitigation systems, and other needs.
On Tuesday last week, as the Minnesota House of Representative Higher Education Finance and Policy Chair, I joined the committee on the tour of the University of Minnesota. The Institute of Child Development on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus was our first stop. It is considered the premier department for the study of child and adolescent development in the United States. The tour focused on the need to make dire improvements to the building, which was built in the early 1900s. Students and faculty showed us crumbling ceiling tiles, lack of electrical outlets, and other dated features of the building that are no longer serving researchers.
The next portion of the tour included a visit to the Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Lab. This facility isn’t optimized for modern lab teaching, which involves students working collaboratively in teams, using learning methods in an environment that meets safety and energy standards.
I also had the opportunity to meet with U of M students and faculty. The future is bright for these young scholars!
Keep in Touch
Please keep in touch. I love hearing from you. You can send an email to me at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn or call me at 651-296-5510 to share your ideas and comment on state-related matters. I welcome your feedback and questions anytime.
It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy
State Representative
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