Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Independence Day! This week is a perfect opportunity to celebrate this amazing country we live in, and the freedoms it provides. Have fun, celebrate the day, and be safe!
I hope you are able to attend one of the numerous community celebrations and fireworks displays taking place in our area this week!
New Laws Take Effect July 1st
A number of bills that were passed during this year’s legislative session became law on July 1st.
These include a sweeping, multifaceted approach to the opioid crisis, funding for more prison officers at state correctional facilities, and a number of initiatives aimed at improving the state’s water quality and natural resources.
Click here for a rundown on more information on these new laws.
Enbridge Line 3 Update
Earlier this month, the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued a split decision regarding the adequacy of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Line 3 Replacement Project. State statute gives the Minnesota Department of Commerce 60 days to correct any issues identified by the court.
Last week, I signed onto a letter urging the Walz administration and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to address the issues that were identified by the court so that the project can continue without any unnecessary delays.
The Line 3 replacement project has been put off for far too long. The Administration must act to ensure this process is completed in a timely manner so this critical project can proceed. Replacing this aging infrastructure is the right thing to do for the economy, for the environment, and for Minnesota.
Teacher Loan Repayment Program
If you or someone you know is a teacher, please be sure to look into the Minnesota Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment Program.
The Minnesota Teacher Shortage Student Loan Repayment Program was established to provide student loan repayment assistance to teachers providing classroom instruction in a teacher shortage area in Minnesota. The purpose of the program is to encourage teachers to teach in Minnesota in designated shortage areas.
Follow the link to learn more about if you apply for the program: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=2191.
In-District Meetings
It’s been great to be able to spend more time at home now that the busyness of the legislative session is over. I look forward to meeting with a number of local school boards, city councils, and county boards in the coming weeks and months.
Recently, I attended a city council meeting in Cohasset and gave councilors an update on the 2019 legislative session.
Here I am pictured with Senator Justin Eichorn giving the Cohasset City Council a recap of the 2019 legislative session.
Please Contact Me
One final note, unless something newsworthy comes up, I will likely be sending out email updates about once a month now that the 2019 legislative session is over.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I value your input and enjoy hearing from you.
Have a fun and safe 4th of July,
