Neighbors, The groundbreaking of the Minnesota Military Museum was held recently. The legislature provided funding in the Veterans and Military Affairs budget and the Capital Investment bill for construction of the 40,000 square foot facility near Camp Ripley in Little Falls. The museum will honor all branches of service, and include galleries, classrooms, and collections. As a veteran, and chair of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, I am very proud of the bipartisan commitment of legislators to honor Minnesotans who served and sacrificed.  Indigenous People’s DayAfter recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day via proclamation in recent years, Minnesota will observe the day as a state-recognized holiday and schools choosing to remain open will devote at least one hour to informing students about its significance. This session, I joined my legislative colleagues earlier this year to enact the change following years of advocacy by the Minnesota House Native American Legislative Caucus and members of the eleven tribal nations in Minnesota.  State Flag and Seal Redesign Submissions In 2022, the House passed bipartisan legislation to establish the State Emblems Redesign Commission to develop, design, and recommend to the legislature a new official state flag and seal to represent our great state as it is in the 21st century. You are invited to submit your own creative design. Five submissions will be selected for final consideration. The Commission will certify its adopted designs in a report to the legislature and governor no later than January 1, 2024. More information including eligibility, can be found here. The deadline for submissions is October 30. Leaf Color ReportThe temperatures are still warm, but the leaves are turning! You can now check the weekly Minnesota DNR updates on the Fall Color Finder, where you can read the latest report, sign up for updates, view photos, and learn about events. Make the most of your autumn travels, whether you are exploring Greater Minnesota or spending the day in one of our beautiful regional parks!  Storm Damage AssistanceIf you have experienced property damage due to recent storms or heavy rain, you can turn to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which has a Disaster Response Guide to help walk you through next steps. Stay Connected with the LegislatureDuring the legislative interim, you can still stay in touch with State Capitol activities by going to the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services website. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can find my information on my House website. Also, make sure to ‘like’ my Facebook page. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Jerry Newton State Representative |