Disability Services DayOn Tuesday, I was honored to speak at the Disability Services Day Rally in the Capitol rotunda. I’ve long been an advocate for disability services and accessibility, both personally and professionally. As your State Representative, I’m committed to continuing these efforts to create a more inclusive Minnesota. This session, I’m carrying a number of bills to advance and expand these services, including a bill to partner with Lifeworks Services to implement a statewide disability inclusion pilot project, focusing on disability justice issues training. Another bill I’m carrying focuses on consumer directed community support (CDCS), allowing Minnesotans eligible for traditional home and community-based waver services to manage their own services and supports. These participants receive a budget from the county and use the budget to select services they need. These services range from special diets to home modifications. This bill seeks to make the program more transparent, as the policies, funding formulas, and eligible services vary from county to county, making it difficult to maintain services if a participant has to move. I’m looking forward to advancing these efforts this year and beyond.  Investing in Local InfrastructureWhile much of the legislation I’m carrying this session will benefit the entire state, we have some exciting local projects in the works, too! Next week, I’ll present legislation to invest $5 million in Mendota’s water project in the House Capital Investment committee. I look forward to working with community partners to advance this important project as the 2023 bonding bill is crafted. Love for our LibrariesI couldn’t love libraries more! I attended the Minnesota Library Association’s READ poster event. Fun fact - the book I was sworn in on was “Moo!” by David LaRochelle! It illustrates the power of a single word, “moo,” yet crafts a full story. It's an excellent example of how our words have power, not just in meaning, but in how we use them. Moo! Is written and illustrated by talented Minnesotans. As a strong advocate for students, this book means a lot to me for many reasons — I even married the son of a dairy farmer! Thanks to the Minnesota Library Association for putting on such a great event!  Environmental Funding SurveyDid you know that a portion of Minnesota’s lottery proceeds go towards protecting our environment and natural resources through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund? Since 1991, the ENRTF has provided approximately $700 million to over 1,700 projects around the state.  The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources is now gathering input about the future of Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund spending and taking feedback about what environmental issues are most important to you. Make your voice heard about how to improve Minnesota's environment & natural resources. Take the survey here. |