Dear neighbors,  

The Capitol is buzzing with energy and purpose as committee and Floor Sessions convene! I want to take a moment to thank my community for your support during the first few tumultuous weeks while we denied quorum to protect our free and fair elections here in Minnesota. It's truly a privilege to represent the great city of Rochester during these important times. Our community's values and needs remain at the forefront of my mind as we tackle the challenges of a split legislature ahead, and I’m excited to reach across the aisle and work with all of my colleagues. 

I'm honored to be serving on the Agriculture Finance and Policy, Commerce Finance and Policy, and Taxes committees for the next two years. This year, we are tasked with passing a state budget that is balanced and people-forward, so I’m especially excited to be on Taxes to fight for a more equitable system for Minnesotans. I’ve already introduced a bill to implement a “CEO tax” for companies whose CEO makes more than 50x their median worker wage, sliding based on the amount of the disparity. I also introduced legislation for capital investment for the Olmsted Recycling Facility. I joined the rest of the Rochester delegation in January to tour the facility, which is seeking investment to build and equip a bigger and better Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Building an MRF in Rochester would be a great benefit to neighboring municipalities and counties, helping the entire region manage and recycle parts of waste rather than continuing to send trash to the Twin Cities for disposal or incineration. As we look to 2040 energy goals, an MRF facility would allow better use of discarded materials and help keep recyclables out of landfills. 

One of my top priorities this session is defending the significant progress we achieved over the past two years, especially reproductive freedom, Paid Family Leave, and expanding human rights for marginalized communities. While we made remarkable strides forward, some of our colleagues across the aisle have signaled intentions to roll back these hard-won gains. Rest assured, I remain committed to protecting our accomplishments while continuing to push for policies that benefit all Minnesotans. 

For many of us, the news coming out of Washington has been overwhelming lately. In between calling my congressmembers and working to protect our progress here in Minnesota, I’ve made a point to spend time connecting with community. No matter who we are or where we come from, it’s vital that we know and care for our fellow neighbors - we must find common ground with each other and love our community like family. We are lucky to have a fantastic library here in Rochester that puts on exciting events for people of all ages. I’ll be featuring free community events from the library and other local partners here this session so you can join in on fun happenings. Registration is required for some events, so be sure to check them out early.