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

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Capitol UpdateApril 11, 2013

Highlights:
I serve on the following committees: Health, Human Services, and Housing, Education, E-12 Finance, State & Local Government April 19th is the third Committee Deadline, which means that all bills that affect state finances must be passed out of Finance committees Im also working with Reps. Lenczewski and Slocum on legislation that will benefit Bloomington and Richfield

April 11, 2013

SD50 Bloomington, Richfield

Always Time for Local Issues

During this session, I have been working hard to see that our communities benefit from the work our government does. I am excited to work with such diverse and engaged communities as Bloomington and Richfield. Last week, I was able to attend a ceremony at ThermoKing, a business located in Bloomington, that was recently awarded a Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership Grant. This grant, sponsored by the Department of Employment and Economic Development, is enhanced by significant contributions from ThermoKing and Minneapolis Community and Technical College. It will provide for additional training for ThermoKing employees and will lead to innovation and job creation, and the joint investments will have a positive impact on our local economy. On Sunday, April 7th, I met with parents, children, business leaders, and other DFL legislators at Washburn Elementary School in Bloomington to advocate for early learning scholarships. I often hear from families in Richfield and Bloomington about how important it is to ensure that our children get a strong start. Ive also been working with Rep. Lenczewski to move a bill forward that would provide a stimulus for redevelopment in the South Loop area of Bloomington. Planned development includes 1,100 residential units, a 300 room hotel, 2,500,000 square feet of office space and new retail opportunities centered around a redeveloped transit station near the Mall of America. This bill would also issue bonds for

Senator Wiklund confers with Bloomington City Councilmember Tim Busse refurbishment of the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge. Additionally, Im a co-author of a bill to issue bonds for a Highway 77 underpass on 77th St. in Richfield, which has been a longtime community request.

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

All of these efforts will have real, concrete benefits that will improve the lives of our neighbors in Bloomington and Richfield, and Im excited to be working on these issues in the Senate.

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

First Bill Passes off of the Senate floor

On Thursday, April 4th, my first bill was passed by the Senate. The bill, Senate File 166, makes certain modifications to regulations governing educational programs and staffing requirements for advanced emergency medical technicians. This bill was heard in the Health, Human Services, and Housing policy committee in February and passed unanimously. It is not a controversial bill, and all Senators who were present voted in favor of it on the floor. 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 April 11, 2013

Around the District

[The Sally Ordway Irvine Award] recognizes a significant impact on education or mentoring in the arts and knowledge about the arts throughout the community.
The Future Problem Solvers team from Centennial Elementary School in Richfield placed first at the state Future Problem Solvers Competition on April 6th Congratulations to the Jefferson High School Varsity Chearleading Squad which recently won the National High School Cheerleading Championship! The Richfield Community Wellness Expo is Saturday, April 13th, from 9am to noon at Richfield High School (7001 Harriety Ave S) Recently, I met with constituents representing massage therapists, social workers, utility investors, private college students, and Aging Services of Minnesota Richfield City Hall (6700 Portland Ave S) is now a drop-off site for Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit that provides free communications services for active duty military personnel and their families Hillcrest Community School in Bloomington was awarded a Sally Ordway Irvine Award in Education for its unique integration of arts into core curricula such as reading, math, socials studies and science. Congrats! Minnesota History: On April 2nd, 1849, Alexander Ramsey is appointed the first Governor of the Minnesota Territory. Ramsey would later serve as the 2nd Governor of Minnesota, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of War

Budget Negotiations Continue

The budget continues to be the most prominent topic of discussion at the Capitol. I serve on the E-12 Finance committee, and there is no shortage of opinions about how our education system should be funded, and what we should be paying for. In committee meetings this week, I will be advocating for additional funding to support school-, center-, and home-based early childhood programs. Children who are ready for Kindergarten have a better chance of meeting our goals for elementary school years in a variety of areas. Ive also heard from a number of constituents expressing opinions about the budgets for Health and Human Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, State Departments, Public Safety, and of course, how to generate the revenue to pay for it all. Balancing the budget is going to require setting priorities and making tough decisions. If we do it well, we can set our state up for a brighter future that will encourage growth and prosperity for all of us. Im committed to doing the work that it will take to make that a reality.

Looking Ahead...
In the coming weeks, Ill be continuing work with other legislators on the budget, with a particular focus on E-12 Education. April 19th is the third Committee Deadline, which means that all finance bills (including budget bills) must be out of their respective committees, and well begin taking them up on the floor very soon. Ill also be meeting with fourth graders from Valley View Elementary School as they tour the Capitol, and continuing discussions about how I can best serve Bloomington and Richfield. Im excited to continue working for you, and I hope youll stop by the Capitol and say Hi!. Otherwise, Ill see you around town!

Sen. Wiklund speaks with Sen. Roger Reinert (DFL-Duluth) on the Senate floor. Sen. Chris Eaton (DFL-Brooklyn Center) looks on.