Dear neighbors,

I hope you and your loved ones were able to stay safe and cool during last week’s heat wave! Here’s the latest news from the Legislature:  

Update from the Capitol 

After several months of hard work, legislators are back at the Capitol for a special session and nearly finished crafting a budget. Over the next two weeks, we hope to finalize the remaining details and pass each budget bill in both the DFL-led House and the Republican-led Senate. We’re committed to completing our work by the end of the month and ensuring all Minnesotans – especially those who sacrificed and suffered the most during the pandemic – have the resources they need to thrive.  

While there’s more work to be done, House DFLers and Senate Republicans have found compromises in several areas. For example, we recently agreed on how to allocate the funds generated by Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment. After several weeks of intense debate and negotiations, this is a promising sign. Making progress in a divided legislature is difficult, but I remain confident that legislators from both parties can collaborate for the good of our state.  

Investing in People and Communities across Minnesota 

The final Legacy bill, which the House and Senate will hear soon, will benefit people and communities across the state. It invests $382.5 million in protecting and enhancing Minnesota’s outdoor heritage, clean water, arts and cultural heritage, and parks and trails, using funds generated by the Legacy Amendment. These critical funds will make our state a better place to live for current and future generations of Minnesotans.  

Three of my bills were included in the final legislation. One of them invests in swimming lessons for at-risk children, with the goal of teaching more kids to be safe around water. This is critical because drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under 14. Another bill of mine provides funding for Minnesota Public Radio, which they can use to create artistic, musical, historical, and cultural programs and document our state’s rich history. The third bill supports the Minnesota Historical Society. It includes funding to help MHS create and maintain programs; conduct historical and archaeological research; digitize their resources; and support nonprofits, educational organizations, local governments, and tribes.  

Make Your Voice Heard  

Apply for Boards, Councils, and Commissions  

The Secretary of State’s Office recently released a list of current openings on state boards, councils, and commissions. I encourage you to check out the list and consider applying for any roles that correspond with your interests or skills. It’s a great way to get involved and serve our state and community!  

Make a Difference  

Donate Blood  

We’re currently experiencing a nationwide blood shortage due to COVID-19. The amount of people donating blood declined significantly over the past year, and many blood drives were cancelled. If you’re eligible to donate blood, I urge you to consider it. Each donor helps ensure a stable supply of blood is available for those undergoing surgeries, transfusions, and other treatments.  

If you’re able and willing to be a donor, there are several places you can go in the metro area, including five American Red Cross locations and six Memorial Blood Centers. You can also use the Red Cross’s Blood Donor app to find blood drives nearby.  

If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to email me at rep.ami.wazlawik@house.mn or give me a call at (651) 296-3018. I look forward to hearing from you! 

Sincerely,  

Ami Wazlawik  
State Representative