Neighbors,

Halloween coming around the corner means that the weather is getting colder, and that Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is taking effect again. The CWR helps protect Minnesotans who struggle to afford their heating bill from having it shut off between October 15 and April 15, and you can find more information about it here. 

Here's a quick update from the Capitol. 

A Plan for Robo Calls 

Robo-calls are disruptive and cause people to not want to pick up the phone when it rings. And in fact, Minnesotans on average have received 58 robo-calls so far this year. This week, my colleagues introduced a plan to crack down on the calls to protect Minnesotans from the predatory scams, and I look forward to supporting the bill during the 2020 legislative session. You can read more about the plan from MPR here or watch the WCCO clip here. 

Minnesota Values Project

The Minnesota Values Project is an ongoing partnership between Minnesotans and the legislature. We’re working together to create a shared vision for the future of our state, and your input is an important part of this process! You can let us know what’s important to you, your community, and Minnesota by taking a quick survey here.

Join a Statewide Conversation about Historic Fort Snelling

Historic Fort Snelling, a 23-acre site located along the Mississippi River, has had many names over the years. The Minnesota Historical Society is asking Minnesotans to weigh in on what it should be called. You can share your opinions by taking a survey or attending one of the upcoming public meetings. More information about the survey and public meetings is available here.

I sent a letter, signed by 32 legislators and House leadership, in support of changing the name to include the place name at Historic Fort Snelling - Bdote. It is important that as a state, we acknowledge and embrace the historic significance at the site we call Fort Snelling, located on sacred lands of those who lived there long before settlers arrived and before this land was renamed Minnesota by its colonizers. By including “Bdote” in the name of the site, the state’s historical society rightfully recognizes the significance of the multiple histories at that place that is inclusive of more Minnesotans.

Indigenous Peoples' Day 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day was just this past Monday, October 14th. It was a beautiful morning for a parade and I was honored to lead it as the Grand Marshall in the Indigenous Day Parade. In 1977 at the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination against Indigenous Populations in the Americas proposed that Indigenous Peoples’ Day replace Columbus Day.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes that Native people are the first inhabitants of the Americas, including the lands that later became the United States of America. And it urges Americans to rethink history.

Share Your Input on our Natural Resources

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) is also seeking input from Minnesotans. This bipartisan commission is working on a strategic plan for our environment and natural resources. Once it’s completed, the plan will guide efforts to preserve our state’s air, water, land, wildlife, and other natural resources for the next six years. You can share your feedback by completing an anonymous survey, which is available here.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Sincerely,

Mary KP