Hello everyone,
A new legislative session will begin on January 31st, and it will be a virtual beginning again this year. Politics works best face-to-face, and the conversations many of us have had through the summer and fall have been helpful and positive.
Thanks to everyone who called or wrote, attended a community event, or stopped by for one of the “Coffee and Conversation” sessions. Woodbury Days, the Woodbury Expo, and the wonderful picnic at the East Metro Islamic Center were among the best days of the summer. A real pleasure for me.
I’m writing in October, just days before local elections. I hope you had a chance to cast a ballot for School Board members and made your decision on the referenda requested by the Stillwater and South Washington County districts. I have genuine confidence in the work done by the teachers, staff, and superintendents in both districts.
The latest surge in COVID-related illness has caused additional strain on families, businesses, public service, and health care. In some cases, it’s just patience that can help. Our neighbors’ difficulty and pain deserve our attention, empathy, and sacrifice.
I’m sponsoring legislation in the new session to strengthen the Clean Water Act, put a Firearm Safety and Education Act in place, expand school-based health clinics, establish incentives for geothermal technology in commercial and residential development, and strengthen career and technical education in the MN State System. Along with Sen. Susan Kent and Rep. Tou Xiong, I’ll sponsor a $15 million capital investment bill to expand Woodbury’s City Park area.
Our House leadership is trying to find a compromise with the Senate to distribute $250 million, authorized during the last session, to front-line workers who provided service during the last 20 months. But the Senate is ignoring any compromise. The same is true about efforts to get aid to farmers hurt by the summer drought.
We have plenty to do. I’m looking forward to representing you and our city in the next session. I hope you’ll let me know what’s on your mind and how we can continue to work together.
Best wishes,
Steve Sandell