Dear Neighbors, I hope this email newsletter finds you well! Progress is moving along swiftly and efficiently. Next week the legislature is slated to recess for Easter and Passover break. As a first term legislator, it’s been a whirlwind of activity and I’m learning a lot, meeting with our local residents and cities to hear about the need for investment in our students, infrastructure, and more.  Thank you Inver Grove Heights teachers, for all you do for our students!  Grateful to partner with the Alzheimer's Association and speak at their rally this month! I'm carrying legislation that would improve equitable access to Alzheimer's resources and educational support for all Minnesotans. Photo credit: MN Alzheimer's Association  Loved collaborating with this collective group of education groups representing the whole state from cradle to beyond high school graduation. I'm so grateful for these strong leaders and all their work to help ensure every Minnesotan has the opportunity to thrive.  Our mayors and county commissioners are important partners in this work for our communities in Dakota County.  Honored to have Commissioner Atkins testify with me in support of my legislation to improve pedestrian safety, honor local veterans and make mental health treatment more available to those in need in Dakota County. Committees are wrapping up their work as we compile our budget bills to balance the two year state budget. As the vice chair of the House Education Finance Committee, I’ve been especially focused on the education portion of the budget process.  This week, we unveiled our bill to deliver historic new investments in education while ensuring Minnesota students can have the sustainable funding they deserve over the long term by tying future formula increases to inflation. A few highlights include increasing per-pupil funding, fully filling the English language learning budget shortfalls our schools are facing, reducing the special education budget shortfalls, and working toward closing the achievement gap with funding for literacy improvements in schools and for hiring and retaining more indigenous teachers and educators of color. I’m pleased to share a few of the bills I’ve carried are included in the final package of education funding legislation. These include: - School safety grants to hire school resource officers, funding drug abuse and gang prevention programs, school security measures, crime prevention, student and staff safety measures, cyber security, counseling, social work, and chemical dependency services
- Increased funding for student opportunities supporting secondary and postsecondary career, technical, and trades, health occupations, family and consumer science occupations (FCCLA), and Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (FFA) organizations
- Investments to Sanneh Foundation programming for all-day, in-school, and after school academic support for low-performing and chronically absent students
Gun Violence PreventionI met with Gabby Giffords yesterday in St. Paul to thank her for her steadfast work in championing gun violence prevention efforts across the country. As we continue to grapple with another tragedy of more innocent lives lost, this time in Nashville, we cannot continue to keep living like this. Minnesotans have been loud and clear that they want the Legislature to take action to address senseless gun violence. I support commonsense gun violence prevention measures like criminal background checks on all firearm purchases and enacting red flag laws for those who have proven to be a danger to others or themselves. We can and must do better to help keep people safe.  Veterans Day on the HillVeterans from throughout the state traveled to the Capitol on Thursday for Veterans Day on the Hill. At a Capitol Rotunda rally, Governor Walz addressed retired, prior service, military families, and supporters of our men and women who have served in the Armed Forces who were in attendance. I was able say hello and thank them for their brave service.   Upcoming Town Hall MeetingThis Sunday, April 2, I’ll be hosting a town hall meeting at 2:30 p.m. with Rep. María Isa Pèrez-Vega and Rep. Rick Hansen in West Saint Paul at the Dakota Lodge (1200 Stassen Ln, West Saint Paul). We’ll give a brief update from the Capitol and then go straight to questions. Your input is valuable and I hope you’ll be able to attend to share what’s on your mind.  Keep in TouchEven if you can’t make the town hall meeting this weekend, please always feel free to stay in touch with feedback and suggestions. I appreciate hearing from you! If you know of anyone in our community who might be interested in receiving these Capitol newsletters, they can subscribe here. Following me on my Facebook page is also another great way to stay connected to our action in St. Paul. Thank you for the honor of representing our Inver Grove Heights, West Saint Paul, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, and Lilydale neighbors at the legislature. Have a great weekend! Forward, Mary Frances Clardy
State Representative |