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March 24, 2025
Legislative Update
Friends and Neighbors,
It’s an honor to serve the hardworking people of our community at the State Capitol. This week I’ve been hard at work introducing bills that will directly support the well-being and safety of our Winona-Area Community. These bills will help increase access to mental healthcare in our area and improve public safety infrastructure.
Improving Mental Health Services
Strong communities need strong mental health support. HF 1358 helps meet the growing needs of residents in Winona County and surrounding areas by authorizing a supplementary services rate for up to 53 beds at a local housing provider that offers permanent supportive housing for adults living with mental health and substance use disorders.
This facility is one of the only options of its kind in the region and serves multiple counties. As the demand continues to grow, so does the need for more beds and better funding to provide quality care. HF 1358 ensures that providers can continue offering these vital services with the dignity and stability residents deserve. This bill has bipartisan authors and broad support—because no matter your political affiliation, we all understand the value of compassionate, local mental health care.
Investing in Regional Public Safety
Just like having support services is important for the success and well-being of our community, having a strong public safety infrastructure helps keep our neighborhoods safe. HF 1951 appropriates $36.5 million for the construction of a regional public safety facility in the City of Winona. This project would bring together fire and ambulance services under one roof, creating a more efficient, coordinated response to emergencies.
This isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about improving training, recruitment, retention, and response times. In a time when communities across Minnesota are struggling to fill fire and EMS positions, this facility is a smart investment in our future. It shows we support our first responders and take public safety seriously.
The project is especially critical for rural communities in our region. Smaller departments often face limited resources and staffing shortages, making it harder to respond quickly in times of crisis. By centralizing services and improving coordination, this facility will help ensure that every part of our district—urban and rural alike—can count on timely, professional emergency response. Finding and keeping qualified EMTs and firefighters is no easy task, but this investment strengthens our ability to do just that—for today and the years ahead.
Moving Forward, Together
Whether it’s access to mental health care or timely emergency response, our community thrives when we invest in people and public services. I’m proud to support both of these bills and will keep working to get them across the finish line.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts—I’m here to represent you.
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