|
Neighbors,
I hope your summer is going well, and you can enjoy the ample celebrations in and around our area. The Andover Family Fun Fest is this weekend. You can find more information here on all the festival events. There are also several community highlights in Coon Rapids this summer. Click here to find an event for you and your family.
Last month the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs recently commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Hundreds of Vietnam-era veterans attended events at the Mall of America to view exhibits and displays, attend the resource fair, and see the American Veterans Traveling Tribute wall. By all accounts it was a healing time for Vietnam veterans to connect, reflect, and gather information. Governor Walz addressed the group, expressing appreciation for their service. Thank you to all who served!
The final of three new Minnesota veterans’ homes opened last week in Bemidji. Gov. Walz and Sen. Klobuchar were among the dignitaries to attend the dedication. The Bemidji opening follows a recent dedication of a home in Preston and an earlier home in Montevideo. These facilities are a valuable resource for our aging veterans around the state. I am proud to have been part of the decades-long effort to advocate for and fund these important homes, which will allow the state to serve almost 200 more veterans needing skilled nursing care.
If you want your lawn to be more pollinator-friendly, Minnesota residents can now apply for spring 2025 Lawns to Legumes funding. The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching, and gardening resources.
Anyone can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitats in their yards. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you must reapply to be considered for spring 2025 funding.
Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website. For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit BWSR’s website.
And a reminder if you or another veteran is struggling with mental health issues, the Veterans Crisis Line can help in times of need. Veterans can use this option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1—by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
It is an honor to represent you at the Capitol and I am always grateful you read my e-updates during and after the legislative session. During an election period, however, legislators cannot use state resources for unsolicited communications because it might create an unfair advantage for incumbents. Subsequently, this is my last update until after the election.
I am still available to help with the state-level problems, so please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call or email me any time. You can find my information on my House website. Also, make sure to ‘like’ my Facebook page Thank you for joining me in our work together to improve the state and our community.
Sincerely,
Jerry Newton
State Representative
|
