Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.  Friends and neighbors, Things at the Capitol are still moving along as we pass bipartisan budget bills off the House floor. Over the past few weeks, we’ve passed budget bills from the Environment, Commerce, Transportation, Human Services, State Government, Elections, and Public Safety Committees, among others.  Due to only the second tied House in state history, our budgetary negotiations are a grand experiment. While I don’t agree with each provision in these bills, each is a product of bipartisanship for all Minnesotans. The ability to get to a place of compromise was hard-fought and was only made possible because DFLers stood together to ensure that the work we do in this chamber this year and the next reflects the will of the voters who delivered a tied House. The Impact of Tariffs With the final ships not subject to Trump’s tariffs arriving this week, economists are bracing for impacts nationwide. NPR reported that the amount of ships leaving China has dropped drastically due to added cost – which will mean fewer goods on shelves in the coming weeks. Last week, an antique car show visited the State Capitol. I took a moment to catalogue what car brands present will be subject to debilitating tariffs under Trump’s reckless trade policy. Spoiler alert – it was most of them. You can watch my visit here. From cars to groceries, these effects will be felt soon and I will continue to work toward state investments to help mitigate the impact on people here in Minnesota. House Resolutions Last week, we read a House resolution recognizing Autism Acceptance Month and the varied contributions made by Minnesotans living with autism. At a time when the Trump Administration is using harmful rhetoric to dehumanize those in the Autism community, its more important now than ever to stand together and protect our neighbors. You can watch the reading of the resolution here. Then on Monday, we recognized Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day on the House floor, remembering community members we have lost while marking the progress we've made as a state to keep people safe.  Carlie’s Reading Corner The weather has been perfect for reading under a tree or on your patio with a cold beverage. On my drives to and from the Capitol, I’ve been listening to We Solve Murders by Richard Osman and I’m reading The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake. Next up is The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward. Stop by the local Eden Prairie library to find your next read! Happy Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day to everyone celebrating this weekend. No matter if you’re a seasoned mom, a new mom, trying to become one, or the mother of a rainbow child, I hope you take a moment this weekend to relax and appreciate the power, joy, happiness, challenges, and heartache that comes with motherhood.  Keep in TouchUnfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account.?? To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out email at rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-7449. You can contact my new Legislative Assistant, Caleb, at 651-297-7025 or via email at caleb.rohrer@house.mn.gov. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol.?? All my best,?? ? Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn? |