No Kings! On Saturday, March 28th, more than 100,000 Minnesotans gathered at the Capitol, with tens of thousands more gathering in their communities around the state. As an added bonus, it was an absolute delight to have Bruce Springsteen rally us together with ‘Streets of Minneapolis.’ It’s moments like these – community coming together with joy and resolve – that remind us that there is hope for a better future in which we come together to support one another and collectively thrive.  Exploring Community Projects with the Anoka Conservation District I recently connected with folks from the Anoka Conservation District and learned more about their work in our community. They shared their interactive ecological and water project dashboard, which allows anyone in the community to explore the hundreds of projects that have been installed with support from ACD's programs and staff. You can explore both water projects and ecological projects. Exploring the tool has been fascinating, and I encourage you to take a look! They also told me about their annual tree, shrub, and seed sale at the end of April. This is a great chance to add some greenery to your home. You can place orders here now!  From the Community to Committee When I say that I want to hear from you about the issues that matter to you, I mean it! Sometimes, those ideas end up being introduced as legislation. A great example of this has come to fruition this session as I introduce a bill to address a housing issue many college students in Minnesota face. I presented my bill in a hearing in the Housing Committee just before break. This issue I am seeking to address was brought to my attention by a former student who experienced it firsthand and wanted to do something about it. Specifically, landlords on college campuses statewide frequently charge a full month’s rent for only a week or so of tenancy in months where students are moving in or out around the beginning or end of the school year. In a previous legislative session, we enacted legislation prohibiting this at the end of the lease term. Landlords promptly shifted their practice to overcharge at the beginning of the lease term. Due to a lack of flexibility and sophistication as first-time renters, students lack the bargaining power to assert their rights and end up overpaying. My hearing went well, with a Republican colleague describing how this happened to him due to his unique lease length around the legislative term. I am optimistic that a future legislature will be able to enact this common-sense closing of a loophole. If you, your college student, or someone you know has experienced this, please feel free to reach out to my office. Community at the Capitol Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to come meet with me at the capitol over the past few weeks! Among visitors were advocates for reproductive freedom, the SEIU, Education Minnesota, and AFSCME. If you’d like to meet with me, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.  Eye of the Storm If there’s one thing that never fails to make me feel better after a long, hard day, it’s dogs. That has been especially true watching our newest addition to the Feist family, Ozzie, bring a burst of youthful puppy energy to our home. I’m sure she enjoyed a bit more time for walks and snuggles while the legislature was in recess. If you’ve been considering adding a new member to your family, the Animal Humane Society is a great place to find a four-legged friend looking for their fur-ever home!  |