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Legislative Update
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
From improved community safety to proactive road safety planning, our communities continue to lead the way in making Minnesota a safer, more livable place. Whether it’s protecting families, supporting law enforcement, or planning for smarter infrastructure, I’m proud to represent a district where public safety is more than just a policy, it's a shared value.
Safety Ranking Reflects Community Strength
I’m excited to share that, according to SafeWise’s 2025 Safest Cities report, South Lake Minnetonka—which encompasses Shorewood, Excelsior, Tonka Bay, and Greenwood—earned the 4th safest community designation in all of Minnesota. Minnetrista, also in our district, placed among the top 10 statewide; a well‑deserved recognition of our collective efforts.
This recognition is more than just a statistic. It reflects the strong community values that define our area. Neighbors looking out for one another, families raising their children in a place where people still wave from their front porches, and local leaders and law enforcement working together to keep our streets safe. These are not just safe places to live, they’re places where people choose to stay, raise a family, and invest in the future.
I’m especially grateful to our local police departments and sheriff’s deputies who serve with integrity and professionalism. I regularly meet with law enforcement officers across our district to listen, learn, and help make sure they have the tools and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Their work is vital, and the trust they’ve built within our communities plays a major role in our continued safety and success.
Community-Driven Solutions for a Safer Hwy 7
One of the most traveled roads in our district, Highway 7, has been the focus of a comprehensive safety study led by MnDOT. This 32-mile corridor impacts so many communities including Shorewood, Excelsior, Greenwood, Tonka Bay, Minnestrista, St. Boni and Mound.
The goal of the study was to evaluate safety conditions along the corridor, particularly at high-crash intersections, and to recommend improvements based on crash data, field reviews, and public feedback. An independent team of traffic safety experts led the effort, carefully analyzing where crashes occur and why. The study produced a range of short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations to make the corridor safer. You can read the full report here: Highway 7 Study.
Short-term suggestions include better signage, lane markings, tree and vegetation removal to improve visibility, and additional studies of high-risk intersections. Medium-term improvements focus on safer pedestrian crossings, signal upgrades, and battery backups for traffic lights. Long-term ideas include raised medians, redesigned intersections, and strategies to reduce vehicle speeds, particularly in suburban areas transitioning between rural and urban traffic patterns.
Importantly, these recommendations reflect not just engineering analysis, but also community voices. Public feedback submitted through an interactive map and survey helped shape the study, highlighting real-world concerns from residents who live along and drive this road every day. As your representative, I’ve been following this effort closely and will continue working with local leaders, neighbors, and MnDOT to ensure the most critical safety improvements move forward.
Supporting Our Local Communities
We all know how important it is to work together to address the shared priorities of our communities. This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Greenwood Mayor Tom Fletcher to discuss several key issues, including investments in EMS services, preserving local control, improving transportation options, and supporting the safety and unique needs of the small communities surrounding the lake.
Thank you, Tom, for your service to our community, and thanks to everyone working to make this one of the best areas in Minnesota.
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Question of the Week
In Minnesota, the outdoors isn't just part of our landscape—it’s part of who we are. Our lakes, rivers, and countless fishing spots bring families together, create lifelong memories, and help pass on a deep respect for nature from one generation to the next. Each year, over 1.4 million Minnesotans purchase fishing licenses, showing just how important this tradition is to our way of life. That’s why the state works to keep fishing accessible to everyone. Currently, children under 16 and seniors over 90 can fish for free, helping both the youngest and wisest among us enjoy time on the water. Last week, we asked whether you would support raising the age for required fishing licenses to 21—a move that would make it easier for college students and recent high school grads to stay connected to this Minnesota tradition. We received nearly 200 responses, and we’re grateful for your thoughtful feedback and strong engagement.
Results
Last week’s results were closer than some of our previous poll questions. About 44% of you said you would support extending free fishing privileges from age 16 up to age 21. Meanwhile, 40% said you would not support such a change. The remaining 6% either felt the issue wasn’t a priority or suggested an alternative—such as raising the age to 18 instead. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. Your input is valuable, and I’ll keep your feedback in mind as we begin preparing for the 2026 session.
This Week's Question
Recently, there have been studies conducted on the use of AI cameras to detect the use of seatbelts and distracted driving, such as using your cell phone. Minneapolis is also set to roll out the use of speed cameras within the city by 2026.
Do you support the use of AI and camera enforcement of traffic violations?
You can answer the question of the week here.
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Closing Thoughts
The strength and safety of our communities doesn't happen by chance; it's the result of people working together. I’m proud to partner with our mayors, police departments, city councils, and residents to listen, respond, and take meaningful action on the issues that matter most. Whether it's ensuring our roads are safer or supporting the officers who protect us, I’ll keep working alongside local leaders and the people of this district to build on our success and keep our community safe, strong, and thriving. Please continue to reach out and share your priorities as your voice has an impact in my public service.
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Representative Andrew Myers
House District 45A
Co-Chair of the Suburban Solutions Caucus
“Your voice has an impact.”
Serving Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius and Tonka Bay
Please Contact Me
Please continue to reach out with thoughts, ideas, and priorities by emailing me directly at rep.andrew.myers@house.mn.gov or calling me at my office at (651) 296-9188 or via my cell at (612) 615-8444. Your voice has an impact and allows me to better address the priorities of you and your neighbors. Thank you and have a great week.
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/RepAndrewMyers
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2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.9188 |
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