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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Cindy Pugh (R)

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Legislative Update (Sept. 3, 2015)

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Dear Neighbors,

I cannot believe it's September already! I'm hopeful you've all enjoyed one of the most beautiful Minnesota summers in recent memory by taking in the State Fair or relishing increased free time with loved ones. With the Labor Day weekend upon us, I wish you and your families a happy end of summer!

Out and About

Like many of you, I’ve been extremely busy the past several months. In the days following the end of session, I joined countless Minnesotans in honoring our fallen by attending Memorial Day Services at Veterans Park in Chanhassen. I also spent part of Memorial Day at the Gillespie Center in Mound where I had the great privilege of presenting the keynote address. Reflecting back, Memorial Day is an emotional time to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.

Other events in which I participated included a bus outing which traveled from site to site hosted by the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District, as well as a boat excursion on Lake Minnetonka put on by the University of Minnesota. Both of these trips highlighted the importance of water quality and emphasized the ongoing threat of aquatic invasive species, as well as strategies being utilized to mitigate the threat. We are so blessed to have many beautiful lakes in our district, including the “crown jewel” of them all, Lake Minnetonka. We must be diligent in doing our part to maintain these valuable resources.

I was also honored to be part of the opening of the Vietnam War exhibit at the Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley. If you have never been there, I highly recommend making the trip. You'll be so impressed and grateful for the sacrifices made by our service members. The display is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of the war, as well as to honor those who served. It was an awe-inspiring experience and one I am proud to have attended.

Lastly – although I could go on and on as there's been so much going on in our district this summer – Excelsior celebrated the Grand Opening of its spectacular new Kowalski's Market. What an opening it was! I sampled my way through the entire store and enjoyed shopping as I did so. Their selection is simply amazing! What a tremendous asset Kowalski's will be to the entire south Lake Minnetonka area.

Around Town

The summer months have also provided a great opportunity to be out and about, meeting and visiting with people from throughout the district. I really enjoyed the Chanhassen 4th of July celebration, especially the parade and serving craft beer and spirits to constituents in support of the Rotary. The fantastic fireworks display was a great way to cap off the night! The annual Spirit of the Lakes Celebration in Mound has also become one of my favorite summer events. I thoroughly enjoy the terrific parade, tasty food, and fun times on the lake!

In The News

As many of you may have seen, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has made waves due to a series of videos that involve the selling of aborted baby organs. These videos continue to be released and are alarming to say the least. Like many of my fellow legislators, I have co-signed a letter asking Governor Dayton and any appropriate state agency to investigate Minnesota’s Planned Parenthood – which receives taxpayer funding – clinics to ensure that all laws are being followed.

I hope that none of these alleged crimes are taking place in our state. To insure this, it is my hope that Governor Dayton will listen to the people and the legislators who want to make sure Minnesota’s Planned Parenthood clinics are not taking part in these disturbing, illegal, practices.

Thank You

Well, we're about to turn the page to fall but before we do, I'd like to thank you all for the opportunity you've granted me to serve you and your families in St. Paul. It is an honor and a privilege to do so and I sincerely appreciate the responsibility you've given me. I thank you also for the tremendous amount of feedback you've shared with me throughout the interim and look forward to hearing from you at any time if there is a matter I may be able to help resolve. I may be reached by phoning my office at 651.296.4315 or by email at Rep.Cindy.Pugh@House.MN.

I look forward to connecting with you all again next week but, until then, let's enjoy our last precious days of summer!

Sincerely,

Cindy