303 State Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 www.senate.

mn/ senatorwiklund

Capitol UpdateMarch 13, 2014

Highlights:
I serve on the following committees: Health, Human Services, and Housing, Education, E-12 Finance, State & Local Government The first committee deadline is March 21st Im also working with Reps. Lenczewski and Slocum on legislation that will benefit Bloomington and Richfield

March 13, 2014

SD50 Bloomington, Richfield

Legislative Session off to Fast Start

The 2014 legislative session is two and a half weeks old, and already things are proceeding at a hectic pace. This week alone, Ive been in 11 meetings for four committees, presented five bills to different committees, and met with five different constituent groups, in addition to a full slate of meetings about bills that Im authoring and issues that are coming before the committees I serve on. In particular, the State and Local Government and Health, Human Services, and Housing (HHSH) committees have very full schedules. The Governor has declared his desire for 2014 to be a so-called Unsession, with an emphasis on streamlining how state government operates, and eliminating unnecessary regulations. I have been involved in that effort and Im carrying bills that deal with the MN Department of Health, the Housing Finance Agency, and the Metropolitan Council. Many of these provisions remove outdated language and references to programs that no longer exist. This should lead to cleaner laws and make government work better.

How to contact me at the Capitol: Phone: 651-297-8061 E-mail: sen.melissa.wiklund @senate.mn

With such a short session (two months, compared to a four and a half month session last year), the time that committees have to work is much more compressed. The first committee deadline (the date by which all policy bills must be through all policy committees in either the House or the Senate) is March 21st less than a month after the session began.

In HHSH, weve heard a number of bills to establish licensure requirements for various occupations. These proposals are important to ensure that healthrelated workers are qualified, safe, and meet the same standards for qualifications.

Rep. Linda Slocum (50A): 651-296-7158 rep.linda.slocum @house.mn Rep. Ann Lenczewski (50B): 651-296-4218 rep.ann.lenczewski @house.mn

Womens Economic Security Act

Im excited to be the author of a bill that is part of the Womens Economic Security Act, S.F. 2006. This bill would prohibit employment discrimination based on family caregiver status. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of family caregivers in Minnesota are employed full or part-time. This bill will provide protection for family caregivers, so they can continue to assist their loved ones without fear of being treated unfairly because of that status. By expanding discrimination protections, we can support caregivers in their essential role and help them maintain employment. Stay in touch! My contact information, and the information for the House members from our district is on the left, please feel free to contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns you might have. I work for you, and the more I hear from you, the better I can do so!

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Capitol Update March 13, 2014

The Old Cedar Avenue Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013

Around the District

The Bloomington City Council awarded the contract for design of the renovated Old Cedar Avenue Bridge to SRF Consulting. Design work is expected to begin immediately. Best of luck to the Kennedy and Richfield Girls basketball teams as they proceed in their respective section tournaments! Congratulations to Steve Unowsky who will become the new Superintendent of the Richfield School District in June. Congratulations to Jefferson science teacher Beth Kiene, one of the 33 semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. College Possible, a twice-weekly afterschool program that helps low-income students prepare for the ACT and apply for college and scholarships, will have an informational session on March 17th, from 2:303:30 in the library annex at Kennedy High School.

Richfield High School will be hosting a career/job fair on April 29th, from 3:306:30 in the cafeteria. The Mall of America Phase II Expansion will break ground on March 18th. This expansion will include a new hotel and office tower, as well as additional retail space, and a new food court. Minnesota History: On March 19th, 1880, the first bridge connecting Fort Snelling and Mendota is completed.

Anti-Bullying Bill heard in Education Committee

On Tuesday March 11th, the Education committee heard H.F. 826, the Safe and Supportive Schools Act. I have heard from many of our neighbors in Bloomington and Richfield about this proposal, both in support and opposed to it. A 2011 U.S. Dept. of Education review found that Minnesotas current statute dealing with school bullying was among the weakest in the nation. This bill, which was based on the work of a task force, will provide additional resources to school districts to implement their own antibullying policies, including a model policy. I believe this bill strikes an appropriate balance between state guidance and local control, as well as between increased protection for vulnerable students and ensuring students rights are not violated. The bill was amended in committee, and Im happy that we were able to find a compromise that will make it better for our children and our schools. I did vote in favor of the bill in committee, and intend to do so when it comes to the full Senate. If you have any questions about the Safe and Supportive Schools Act, please feel free to contact our office.

Looking Ahead...
In the coming weeks, Ill be meeting with the Bloomington City Council along with other Bloomington legislators, to discuss the session. Beyond that, much of my time will be spent hearing bills in committee. All policy bills have to be through all policy committees in both the Senate and the House by Friday, March 28th. If a bill is not passed out of committees by then, it will have to be re-introduced next year, and begin the whole process all over again. If you can, I hope youll stop by the Capitol and say Hi!. Otherwise, Ill see you around town!

Sen. Wiklund addresses the Mental Health Day on the Hill Rally in the Capitol Rotunda