Legislative Update - October 18, 2019

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Dear Neighbors,

Just a quick update today to let you know about some resources that’ll be made available for our schools, as well as some upcoming events in our community!

Investing in Safe Schools

As part of Minnesota’s new education budget passed earlier this year, over $30 million in school safety funds will be available October 30 as part of the 2020 Safe Schools Supplemental Aid. That includes $344,097 for the St. Cloud Public School District!

Supporting our students is one of my highest priorities in the Legislature, and these funds will help to better address the safety needs of the schools in our community. Not only are we investing in facility security enhancements and peace officer liaisons, but also mental health and counseling services. These funds are part of the Integrated Department of Education Aids System (IDEAS) payment that school districts will receive at the end of this month.

Community Listening Session on Hate Crimes

Every Minnesotan deserves to thrive in a community in which they feel safe and secure, but unfortunately Minnesota has seen a rise in hate crimes and racial discrimination. In order to help find a policy solution to build a more open and inclusive Minnesota, Attorney General Keith Ellison will be joining me next week when we hold our community listening session on hate crimes.

We’ll also be joined by Christian Picciolini, a former American white-supremacist who now leads the Free Radicals Project. I hope many in our community can feel empowered to join us next week in sharing their stories, concerns, and solutions.

I want to thank everyone that’s been coming to the events that I’ve been holding as part of my series of Town Halls this fall. We’ve been having great discussions, and while we don’t always have total agreement on how to approach the issues facing our community, I’ve come out of every single one of these events with an unshakable belief that we all want a St. Cloud that’s not only better for us, but for our neighbors.

I’m looking forward to taking these stories and conversations back with me to the Legislature and using them to build a stronger Minnesota for everyone. If you have any questions on the topics in this update, or the legislative process, please feel free to reach out to me. You can reach me at (651) 296-6612, or email me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn.

Go Vikes!

Rep. Dan Wolgamott