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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As the second week of the legislative session wraps up today, things are in full swing at the Capitol. The pace has quickened and this week was busy with a full committee hearing schedule, daily floor sessions and a steady flow of visitors.
The City of Grand Rapids is looking to ask residents if they want a sales tax increase in order to partially fund construction costs for IRA Civic Center improvements. In order to put this question to voters, local governments must gain legislative approval, so I am authoring legislation to give the City the authority to let voters decide.
This bill is moving through the legislative process and I presented it to the committee on property and local taxes on Monday. I was joined by Grand Rapids City Administrator Tom Pagel and City Councilor Rick Blake, whose testimony underscored the importance of the IRA Civic Center to our community.
I also introduced a bill this week to create a social movability pilot program through a grant to the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. The program would provide daily (including evening and weekend) transportation services for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities living in Grand Rapids and the surrounding area. By making these services available, this program would improve the lives of those it serves by promoting independent daily living and decreasing social isolation. This program is a worthwhile investment to enhance the lives of our neighbors and I am proud to be a voice for it in the Legislature.
Several folks from home traveled to St. Paul this week to talk to me about policy issues important to them and their work. Here is a sampling:
Kenneth Washington and Clinton Fairbanks from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
Boyd Hanson, Greg Larson, and David Vadnais from Super One Foods during MN Grocers Day.
 Ron Oleheiser and colleagues from Homes for All with Senator Eichorn and me.
Kelly Chandler from Itasca County Public Health.
Jamie Kleinendorst, Itasca Community College faculty
Parental rights advocates.
I value your input and want to hear what you have to say about the bills and issues coming before me. Please know you can contact me any time to share your thoughts or ask questions. And if you’re ever going to be at the Capitol, please feel free to reach out to set up a time to chat.
Have a great weekend,
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