Neighbors,
 
I look forward to Valentine’s Day, not just for flowers and candy hearts, but because it’s the day when hundreds of people march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women each year. While I’d hoped my bill to create a Task Force to collect data and prevent these violent crimes would have passed by this day, I was honored to march with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and many of our neighbors to raise awareness and support for missing and murdered indigenous women (and I am optimistic that my bill will pass). All that said, I do hope you had a wonderful holiday with loved ones.

Next Week
I hope you’ll join me for a Town Hall with Representative Connie Bernardy and Senator Carolyn Laine next Saturday, February 23 at the New Brighton Community Center. We’ll host one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I want to hear about your priorities and ideas, and hear your thoughts on the 2019 legislative session so far. Your feedback is important so I hope to see you there.

Presidents’ Day
On Presidents’ Day next week legislators are having a historic meeting with leaders from all eleven Tribal Nations in Minnesota. We’ll have a special session to host an open discussion with the Tribal Leaders – a meeting like this has never happened before and I’m excited to welcome these leaders into the House chamber.
 
Education
The percentage of teachers of color in Minnesota has remained stagnant at four percent, which does not come close to reflecting the 34 percent of students of color in the state. This week at a press conference I discussed legislation to increase teachers of color and indigenous teachers. Making sure educators reflect the diversity of the students they teach can help close opportunity gaps and ensure that all students have access to a great education. The comprehensive legislation expands existing pathways to teaching, strengthens efforts to retain effective teachers, and provides incentives to attract more students of color into the teaching profession with scholarships and student teaching grants to complete their preparation programs. You can read more about it from MPR here.

This week I got to meet Emma Wajda, the State President-Elect of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). Emma shadowed me for a day at the Legislature, though I felt like I was the one learning from her! Emma has organized a local food drive, created a PSA about safe driving, and worked on anti-bullying efforts.

I hope you have a great weekend! If you have questions, comments or ideas you can reach me at rep.mary.kuneshpodein@house.mn and at 651-296-4331.
 
Sincerely,
MaryKP