|
|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The State Fair is just two weeks away! Summer is just flying by — before you know it school, chilly nights, and weekends filled with football will be back. Looks like we'll have another beautiful summer weekend so make sure you get out and enjoy it!
|
|
Local News
- The Goodhue County Fair kicked off Tuesday and will run through Saturday. I'll be at the fair this afternoon and hope to see you there!
- Congrats to Gage Senty, a 2020 Red Wing graduate who will be attending Northern Michigan, for his weightlifting victory at the National Junior Championships in Detroit. Good luck at school and in future competitions!
- Congratulations to Darrel and Gwen Klein who were named the 2021 Farm Family of the Year for Wabasha County by the University of Minnesota. Congrats again!
- Congratulations to Robert and Susan Lamprecht who were honored as Wabasha County Outstanding Seniors at the 2021 Wabasha County Fair. They were honored for their great volunteerism with the County Fair, 4-H, community, church, and church school. They will advance to the Minnesota State Fair Outstanding Senior Citizen Program. Congrats!
|
|
Small Housing Providers Being Harmed
My staff* and I have been working with Tammy Mikkelson, highlighted in this KSTP story, for months to help her navigate this difficult and confusing program, RentHelpMN.
We've heard from so many small housing providers just like her who are frustrated and haven't received any payments. This is another failed program that has been completely mismanaged and needs to have the proper legislative oversight.
Another big issue moving forward with this program is that the renters must be living in the unit they are requesting assistance for. With the long lag times in applying, getting approval, and finally receiving payment, this process is only going to get more complicated. This rental assistance program needs to get fixed now or more people like Tammy are going to be harmed. If small housing providers, like Tammy, decide not to rent in the future, we will increase our housing shortage and further exacerbate the housing crisis across the state.
*I'd like to thank two key members of our staff, Dorene Kainz, my Legislative Assistant, and Mark Laliberte, our Constituent Services Manager, for their tireless work to help my constituents navigate this challenging situation. You two are the best!
|
Housing Leadership Award
Earlier this month, I was proud to receive a 2021 Housing Leadership Award. Throughout my terms I have built relationships with both local and state housing leaders and worked to advanced policies that promote affordable and workforce housing. Locally I have partnered with city leaders and the HRA on housing and redevelopment issues.
In our region, the lack of affordable housing supply impacts our ability to recruit workers and get families to live in our communities and additionally have children attending our schools. Affordable new housing is a key component to our economic growth.
|
|
Social Studies Standards
The second draft of the Department of Education’s social studies academic standards has been released.
Our education system works best when families and parents are involved in the decision-making process. With this in mind, I strongly encourage you to review the education standards being proposed by the Department of Education, provide your input in an online survey and contact your local school officials.
A link to the full second draft is available here. A FAQ in this issue is available here.
And to participate in the standards survey click here. The survey closes at 4 p.m. Aug. 16.
|
|
STAYING IN TOUCH
As always, if you have questions or concerns regarding any issue, please contact me. You can reach me at rep.barb.haley@house.mn or 651-296-8635.
Sincerely,
|
|
 |
|
/RepBarbHaley
|
|
239 State Office Bldg.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-8635
rep.barb.haley@house.mn |
|
|
|
