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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we all enjoy a long weekend with picnics and extra time with family and friends this Memorial Day, let us not forget to honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives defending our freedom while serving in the U.S. Military. We are eternally grateful for their sacrifice, as well as that of their families, who lost fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. Our military personnel work hard and are willing to lay down their lives so we can enjoy the greatest freedom and prosperity the world has ever known. On Memorial Day, I hope you will take some time with your family to honor those who gave the “last full measure of devotion” for us and pray for the loved ones they left behind.
The Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion is hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony Monday morning at 10am at the Henry J. Boerboom Veterans Memorial Park. More information can be found here.
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Executive Summary
- Budget Working Groups
- Getting Out in the Community!
- Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission Update
- Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
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Budget Working Groups
Since the regular legislative session has ended, conference committees are officially disbanded but are now meeting as “working groups,” which can’t take votes and don’t have to meet in public. Only the HHS working group met publicly this week and they simply received an overview of the federal money the state is receiving for health and human services programs. The rest of the state budget negotiations may be taking place, but neither the Minority nor the public has any idea if they are meeting or what offers are being discussed.
This process lacks transparency and accountability. The Speaker has failed to include the minority throughout negotiations and we continue to be left in the dark. Most troubling is the power the Legislature gave to the Governor in the end-of-regular-session “budget deal.” The Governor should not be allowed to sign off on bills before they are even passed by the Legislature, nor should the Legislature give him $500 million to spend on projects as he chooses. It is very disheartening that we will have to vote on a budget in June on which legislators and the public will have little input and no proposals were voted on in the “working groups.” The public and our democratic institutions deserve better.
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Getting Out in the Community!
The best part about not being in session is having more time to visit with people across the district. This week I attended the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce drive-thru pizza fundraiser to support our amazing First Responders. It was fun to see everyone in person again and I was able to meet Zeus, the K-9 dog in Rogers, who I have seen from afar many times giving demonstrations of his considerable skills at the Night to Unite party in August. Zeus is incredibly smart and understands commands in three languages – English, Czech and American Sign Language.
I also joined Graco’s retiring CEO, Pat McHale, and new CEO, Mark Sheehan, Rep. Dean Phillips, Mayor Dennis Fisher, and City Administrator Tina Goodroad the groundbreaking for Graco's new plant in Dayton. Graco will bring about 200 more great manufacturing jobs to our district!
My final stop of the week was a tour of Wells Concrete's newly remodeled facility in Maple Grove. I loved seeing their expansion and innovative solutions to design challenges. We had a great discussion about issues that impact their business. I also was able to meet a granddaughter of the founder who works at the company. It is a wonderful family business started in Wells, MN.
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Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission Update
I am very pleased to serve on the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission, which works to promote the health of the river, public safety, recreation, travel, and trade. It is also charged with working with the federal government and with other 9 states in the interstate Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission. The Commission meets quarterly and we had our second meeting this week.
As you may recall, we recently received a federal designation as an “All-American Road” and the new website to promote tourism along the River was just launched. Check out the link and plan a fun road trip along the Great River Road this summer!
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Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
I want to hear from you! Over the next couple weeks I will be hosting town hall meetings in Dayton, Rogers, and Maple Grove. Your feedback is very important to me, so I hope you are able to join us on one of the dates below.
MAPLE GROVE:
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 from 7 - 8 pm
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Maple Grove Government Center Lower Level
ROGERS:
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from 7 - 8pm
Great Hall
Rogers Event Center
DAYTON:
Monday, June 7, 2021 from 7 - 8pm
Dayton Activity Center
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Photos
Thanking First Responders (and the Canine Unit!) at the First Responders event sponsred by the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce.
Breaking ground on the new Graco plant in Dayton.
With the founder's granddaughter of Well Concrete - a great family business!
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Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance.
During the “interim” between legislative sessions, the best way to reach me is by email: rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. You can also leave a voicemail on my office number, 651-296-7806, which is checked several times each week.
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
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225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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