Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you and your family have been able to enjoy the first few weeks of summer as warm temperatures and sunshine have sort of arrived. With this crazy weather, let’s thank our public safety workers who have had a busy June and did an outstanding job responding to the June 4th storm.
Looking into July, please be sure to take part in this year’s 53rd annual Pan-O-Prog Festival which begins with a fireworks display on July 4th! (my birthday!)
Every year, Panorama-of-Progress week reminds us all what a privilege it is to live in a community as vibrant and tight-knit as Lakeville. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers that make it a great week. Please enjoy, celebrate, and partake responsibly! I plan on being at a number of Pan-O-Prog events and I hope to see many of you out and about during the festival.
In the News: Driver License Exam Scheduling Hassles
I spoke to KSTP last week about the long driver's license testing wait times so many Minnesotans are experiencing this summer.
Parents have been driving children to all corners of the state, from Ivanhoe to International Falls, just to get a driver's license exam appointment.
Simply put, it shouldn't be this frustrating or aggravating to simply schedule a driver's license exam. This is a basic function of the Department of Vehicle Services and you and all Minnesotans deserve better services and accountability. We intend to follow up on changes.
Watch KSTP’s story here.
Veterans Honored
Please note the celebration of VFW’s 100 year anniversary in Lakeville. Our local VFW has a number of new displays and exhibits to honor our Veterans, including the largest replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The replica will be set up at Hasse Arena from July 8th- 14th and is open 24 hours a day. Thank you to VFW Post 210 and Auxiliary and American Legion Post 44.
For more information on Pan-O-Prog events, please click here.
New Laws Take Effect July 1st
A number of bills that were passed during this year’s legislative session are set to become law on July 1st. Click here for a rundown on some of these new laws.
As an aside, I’ve heard from a handful of constituents recently regarding very controversial proposed sex education curriculum that had been included in an earlier version of House Democrats’ education omnibus bill. This language was controversial because the curriculum was written by Planned Parenthood and was very graphic and objectionable to parents as not age appropriate.
I’m pleased to share with you that this language was not included in the final bill and will not become law.
Addressing the Teacher Shortage
If you or someone you know is a teacher, please be sure to look into the Minnesota Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment Program.
The Minnesota Teacher Shortage Student Loan Repayment Program was established to provide student loan repayment assistance to teachers providing classroom instruction in a teacher shortage area in Minnesota. The purpose of the program is to encourage teachers to teach in Minnesota in designated shortage areas.
Follow the link to learn more about if you apply for the program: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=2191.
Workforce Development
As a member of the Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee, I spend a great deal of time in St. Paul working on legislation to improve Minnesota’s business climate and to ensure that Minnesotans have access to good-paying jobs.
Here in Dakota County, our Workforce Development Board does a great job connecting employers with prospective employees through a variety of events in the area. These include job fairs as well as classes that provide job seekers with resume writing skills and other important skills desired when looking for jobs.
You can see a list of upcoming events here or you can contact their offices by clicking here.
Locally, I was on hand to celebrate a groundbreaking for the expansion of QA1 Motorsports in Lakeville. QA1 utilized the Minnesota Investment Fund and Job Creation Funds to stay in Lakeville and will be adding 40 new jobs! Congratulations.
Staying Connected
Please continue to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns regarding state government.
I can be reached by phone at 651-296-6926 or via email at rep.jon.koznick@house.mn. I am always eager to learn about the issues that matter most to you and your family.
Follow my Twitter or official Facebook for more frequent snapshots.
Jon Koznick
Assistant Minority Leader
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A