Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the brisk weather as we gear up for the holiday season. With anticipated snow soon, I want to remind folks about Eden Prairie’s policies around snow emergencies. It’s also worth noting that Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule is now in place, ensuring we all stay warm this winter. If you or someone you know is having trouble paying an electricity or gas bill, you can find helpful information on the Public Utility Commission’s website. 

Booster & Vaccine Eligibility

COVID-19 cases are rising at an alarming rate across the state with the positivity rate now over 10%, the highest in the nation and the highest we’ve seen since last fall. Hospitals are reaching their capacity and we are seeing increased breakthrough cases.

The waning effectiveness of the vaccine poses a significant threat in our efforts to combat the virus, protect our elders and immunocompromised loved ones, and our hospital capacity. Understaffed health care professionals are asking for our help. Booster vaccine eligibility has been expanded to anyone who wants one. You can find a location to get your booster here. I got mine last week.

It’s also not too late to begin your initial vaccine series. Minnesota’s vaccine locator can help you find an appointment or walk-in opportunity. The waning effectiveness of the vaccine poses a significant threat in our efforts to combat the virus, protect our elders and immunocompromised loved ones, and our hospital capacity.

Investing in Infrastructure

Last week, Eden Prairie hosted the House Capital Investment Committee as the final stop on their statewide tour of infrastructure and community resource projects. I enjoyed learning about the proposed projects in our region, and I was proud to show off Hennepin Technical College and highlight the needs of their campus.

In addition to the Capital Investment Bill we’ll work to pass next session, there’s also a large influx of funds coming to Minnesota thanks to the federal infrastructure bill President Biden recently signed into law. The exact breakdown is forthcoming, but generally we know that Minnesota will benefit with:

• $4.5 billion for highways
• $302 million for bridges
• $100 million for broadband internet
• $68 million for electric vehicle charging stations
• $818 million for public transportation
• $680 million for clean water

MinnPost has a great, comprehensive story on how these figures will keep moving our communities forward and includes bipartisan praise on how we’ll get to work together to make investments in our state’s infrastructure. You can find the article here.

MN House Releases Legislative & Congressional Redistricting Maps

The House Redistricting Committee has released the proposed legislative and congressional redistricting maps. You can check the new maps out here.

The final maps we end up with could look very different, but this is an important first step in ensuring our district lines are fairly drawn. To have your voice heard in this process, my House colleagues serving on the committee are holding public hearings on Dec. 1st and 2nd to collect public testimony about the proposed maps. You can sign up to testify or submit written testimony by emailing Nancy Conley at Nancy.conley@house.mn.

Minnesota Technology Association’s Legislator of the Year

I was honored to recently receive the Legislator of the Year Award from the Minnesota Technology Association for my work with the MN Tech Internship program. Minnesota has an exceptionally bright future, thanks in part to our thriving STEM and start-up community.

You can learn more about the Minnesota Technology Association and what they do for our state here. 

MVP Survey

The Minnesota Values Project is an initiative my colleagues and I have been working on to know about what’s going well for you and your family, your aspirations, apprehensions, and challenges, as well as what we as lawmakers can do at the State Capitol to improve opportunities across our state. It’s important for Eden Prairie voices to be included. Please take a few minutes to take the 2021 Minnesota Values Project Survey. The survey is only four questions and will be helpful in guiding our work next legislative session and beyond.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you and yours have a safe, healthy, and stomach-filling Thanksgiving. This year hasn’t been without challenges, but I know I’m thankful for my family, my health, and the opportunity to represent our community in the Minnesota House.

Regardless, as we continue our work, I hope you’ll reach out to me with any questions or comments you have on how we can improve Eden Prairie and Minnesota. Please reach out anytime at rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn or 651-296-7449. As we continue remote operations in the House, email is the quickest way to get in touch.I look forward to hearing from you, and happy Thanksgiving!

Be well, 

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn

State Representative