Dear neighbors,
Happy Friday! Here is a quick update with some news and photos from the past several weeks. Have a great weekend!
Agriculture Tours
As a member of the Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division, I recently had the opportunity to travel with my colleagues around the state to meet with and learn from Minnesotans who work in this vital industry. Listening to people of diverse backgrounds and zip codes outside of the Capitol in their own communities is a priority for me.
At a tour of the Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA) farm, we talked about the history of the farm, farming practices, unique challenges facing this community, and how they're working to overcome them. On a tour of Becker farm in Dundas, we learned about cover crops, reduced tillage, and practices for keeping soil healthy and strong. In Waseca, we visited the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) to learn more about industrial hemp and its potential impact on agricultural products. At a tour of Bode farm in Courtland, we learned more about hog farming and what’s being done to prevent outbreaks of illnesses such as African Swine Fever.
No matter our zip code or what we look like, you can find Minnesotans making important contributions to our agricultural industries. Thank you, Minnesota farmers, for all you do to make our communities stronger!
Upcoming Referendum for Mounds View School District
All Minnesota children deserve a world-class education. Investing in our kids is an investment in our future.
On Tuesday, November 5, residents of the Mounds View School District, a portion of which is located in the legislative district I represent, will decide by referendum whether to establish a new operating levy that would more than double the amount of funding per student through the next decade.
According to Board Chair Jonathan Weinhagen, it’s the first time since 2006 that the district is giving residents the choice to invest new resources in our kids (a bond referendum approved by 73 percent of voters in 2017 is being spent on expanding and improving school facilities, not per-pupil funding). This year’s proposed levy would specifically enable the district to address mental health concerns, improve school security, expand career pathways programs, and reinforce the general fund.
You can learn more about the referendum here.
Tours of Our Communities
This fall, I’ve criss-crossed our district on multiple bus tours to learn from and listen to Minnesotans about the issues they care about most. Most recently, I have had the opportunity to tour the city of Hugo, affordable housing projects, and the White Bear Lake Conservation District. If you or your organization would like me to visit with you, please feel free to contact me by email at rep.ami.wazlawik@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3018.
Reminder: Town Hall on TCE
For several months, I’ve been working hard to protect our community and other Minnesotans from TCE and other dangerous chemicals. If you’d like to learn more about the work that I’ve done with residents and other elected officials, please join me for a town hall on Saturday, October 26. This town hall, hosted by Conservation Minnesota, will focus on TCE-related issues and proposed solutions, including my bill to ban TCE use statewide.
When: Saturday, October 26 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
As always, please don’t hesitate to share any questions or feedback or let me know if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Ami Wazlawik
State Representative