Dear Neighbors,
I hope the new year is off to a good start for you and your families. This is the first week of the legislative session and we started off with a poignant swearing in ceremony for our new Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, and State Auditor Julie Blaha. It was resplendent with a high school orchestra, an elementary choir, a beautifully sung national anthem and two sessions of Drumming by Iron Boy Native American drummers.
Tuesday was the swearing in day for us Representatives and I can't wait to build a One Minnesota with all 134 of us!
I am really excited to share that I have been assigned the role of Vice Chair of the Education Policy Committee and a seat on the Education Finance Division. I believe that all of our children deserve a world-class education, no matter where they live in our state. I'm looking forward to working with House members to make sure our schools are fully funded, our youngest have exceptional early learning opportunities, and that college education and job training is more affordable.
I will also be a member of the Ethics Committee and the Health and Human Services Finance Division. I know that by working together we can strengthen our communities across the state by improving educational opportunities, investing in a bright future for our families, and increasing economic prosperity.
I sincerely believe that Minnesotans care deeply about our state and we want to see one another succeed. We want affordable health care, both for our own families and for our communities. We want world-class schools for our children, and all the children in our community. We want jobs that provide good wages and benefits to support all of our families. We want everyone to be safe at home, in school, at work, and in our public spaces. I am ready to work hard to help move Minnesota in the right direction.
There is much unfinished legislation from the past two years that I will be championing once again. Two bills, a task force to address the historical trauma of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and an amendment to our constitution stating gender equity for all, have been dropped and are ready for committee hearings. Be sure to visit my official legislative page for my contact information, to keep up-to-date on bills I have authored, and other important items. Click here.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am excited to serve as your representative for the next two years.
All the best,
Mary KP
