Hello from St. Paul,
Recently, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that males who consider themselves a different gender have the right to compete on female teams. This ruling regarding transgender athletes in sports has drawn strong reactions.
The decision is seen by some as having significant implications for girls' sports. Further debate and action on this issue are expected, and some political pundits already believe the Preserving Girls Sports Act – which states that only students of the female sex may participate in an elementary or secondary school athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls – could be prioritized next session.
MORE FRAUD
Since the end of session, we’ve heard numerous reports of fraud being uncovered in the State of Minnesota. This week, we learned that Minnesota’s Department of Human Services kept sending state money to a Minnesota nonprofit even after its board chair was charged with fraud. Click here to learn more.
OUT AND ABOUT
The legislative “off-season” gives me the opportunity to visit with people across our district, and I have been taking advantage of this since we finished our legislative business in June.
For example, I met with a representative from the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA) to better understand the issues and concerns affecting the Latino community within the district. The discussion focused on ways the state can support the Latino community, covering topics such as economic opportunity, access to state services, and educational needs.
The Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee made a stop at Minnesota West last week.
The tour of the facility included a presentation on the college's request for funding to update its nursing facility and requests for water and sewer bonding from the cities of Butterfield and Trimont.
I also visited the Career Force Center in Worthington to learn more about the services and programs they provide to the public and schools.
A District Court meeting on truancy was held in Fairmont, which I attended with Senator Weber and district court officials. The discussion focused on truancy issues affecting area schools and included judges, school faculty, and state-related entities.
Data centers are becoming a topic of interest across our state. I recently met with representatives from Nobles Cooperative Energy and Geronimo to discuss a proposed data center in Nobles County. The conversation highlighted the potential economic benefits and job creation for the community. Interested parties are encouraged to contact them directly with questions.
I also spoke to the local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) group in Worthington. As a state representative, it’s always good to hear from people about their experiences and their access to mental health services, and learn how the legislature can help.
Finally, I am looking forward to volunteering at the annual Veterans Day breakfast hosted by Hy-Vee in Worthington. It is an honor to be a part of this community event that offers a free breakfast to local veterans as a token of appreciation for their service.
As always, if you’d like me to attend an event or meeting, or just visit about legislative topics, please let me know. I can be reached by phone at 800-735-2463 or by email at rep.marj.fogelman@house.mn.gov.
Happy Halloween!
Marj