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Dear friends and neighbors,
This holiday season is certainly unlike any other, to cap off a year unlike any other. Throughout this season, and as we move into a new (and hopefully better) year, I want to wish you moments of peace amid adversities, heartfelt connections with family and friends even if it can’t be in person, the warmth of memories from holidays past, and wonderful glimpses of the joy that is still all around us in spite of the pandemic.
 This will be my last update as your state Representative. Thank you for the honor of representing you these past four years. I am very proud of the work I’ve done over the past four years; authoring and passing legislation that invests in our schools, our families, and our communities:
Education:
- Community solutions for healthy child development grant programs
- Direct funding for teacher preparation
- Increased funding in the Teachers of Color Act for American Indian and teachers of color for mentorship and retention, and establish a fund of $1.5 million to assist during student teaching
- Secured an addition of $99k above base funding for Collaborative Urban Educator Grants
- Permanently secured American Indian Tribal Contract school aid
Health and Human Services:
- Secured an increase of $100 per month — for the first time in 30 years — general assistance cash grants Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
- Directed the Commissioner of Human Services to develop a medical assistance TEFRA stakeholder group to review content, medical assistance TEFRA
Public Safety:
- Eliminated the exclusion of fifth degree criminal sexual conduct for non consensual, intentional touching of another person’s clothed buttocks
- Amended requirement for Minnesota’s Prairie Island Tribal Police to exercise concurrent state law enforcement jurisdictional authority
Arts and Heritage:
- Allocated $3.6 million to the Indian Affairs Council for increases in language preservation, language immersion, and working groups via the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund in Legacy Funding
From passing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to establishing a 100% renewable economy to fully funding our public schools, there is so much more work to be done and I am excited to continue building toward more successes with allies and partners in Senate District 41 and beyond.
The next update will come from me as your state Senator representing the communities of Fridley and a bit of Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, New Brighton and St Anthony Village. I’m excited to have received my committee assignments; K-12 Education, Redistricting, and Mining and Forestry. Starting January 5th, I begin my next big adventure and I’m happy to take you all along with me. Be sure to sign up for updates from my Senate office, you’ll find me in office #2323 in the Minnesota Senate Building!
Mental Health Resources
The holidays can seem especially draining this year with all that is going on. It is extra difficult because we all miss our usual means of support, the comfort of gathering with friends and family, and worship services that are part of our holiday traditions. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a tremendous amount of stress, fear, and anxiety for many people – young and old. It’s important that Minnesotans have access to the mental health care resources they need to stay well during this challenging time. Minnesota recognizes this; click here for state resources supporting mental well-being during COVID-19, available on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Happy New Year!
In closing, I wish you all a new year full of happiness, new goals, new achievements, and a lot of new inspirations in your life --- a year full of happiness!
All the best,
Mary
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