Our Plan to Address Climate Change

Dear Neighbors,

The most recent week of the 2020 legislative session proved to be just as exciting as the first. I started off last week by joining my fellow members of the Climate Action Caucus as we announced our proposals to address climate change in Minnesota. The Climate Action Caucus held informational hearings over the past few months to learn more about the ways climate solutions can be incorporated into various policy areas, and from these hearings – and the tireless work of advocates – we came up with several pieces of legislation that invest in energy efficient buildings, electric bus fleets, and the diversion of public waste.

You can stay connected to our work in the Climate Action Caucus by subscribing to updates here, and you can read more about our proposals here.

Be Heard on Cannabis

Thank you to everyone that came out to our “Be Heard on Cannabis” event in Eden Prairie during the legislative recess. The legalization of adult-use cannabis is getting its first serious look in the Minnesota House this year, and your input was extremely helpful. I know not everyone was able to join us for that event, which is why I created an online survey for our community to share their thoughts and ideas on this issue. If you have a moment, please take this brief survey here.

Eden Prairie Library – Reopening Tomorrow!

Following a 14-month renovation, the Hennepin County Eden Prairie Library will be reopening! The library will be open to the public on Tuesday, February 25, starting at 9am. New features for the library include:

• Expansive, open center area accommodating a range of uses
• Quiet seating areas and a variety of conference and meeting rooms
• Collaborative spaces for interactive learning
• Teen area and an after-school space

This is a fantastic resource for our community, and you can learn more about this building project here.

Connecting at the Capitol

One of my favorite parts of the legislative session is meeting with members of our community and advocates from across the state as they come to the legislature to fight for what they believe in. The first few weeks of the legislative session are full of these meetings as individuals and organizations try to promote their causes early on.

Last week, I was happy to meet with former fire chief George Esbensen and firefighter Branden Kohl as they came to support the Hometown Heroes bill, which I’m proud to co-author. There is an alarmingly high incidence of cancer, heart disease, and emotional trauma facing our state’s firefighters, and this bipartisan bill would provide “Critical Care” grants and an Employee Assistance Program to make sure medical bills are covered and counseling is provided.

Other great meetings this week include visits from MN State Students, criminal justice advocates, and Hennepin Technical College professors, and I even found out that our committee page for the Education Finance Division is a graduate of Eden Prairie High School!

I know in-person meetings aren’t realistic for everyone, but always feel free to touch base on legislative issues that matter to you. You can contact me at (651) 296-7449 or rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
State Representative