APRIL 14, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

This week we kicked off the return of Neighborhood Office Hours at Rondo Community Library. Thank you to the community leaders who joined us! These Neighborhood Office Hours are for residents who need assistance with a federal agency. My staff will be available to help answer questions, find information and resources, or address challenges relating to the federal government. Find upcoming dates here.

Rapid Transit is Golden

It was great to join city, county, state, and federal partners this week to celebrate the incredible investment from the Federal Transit Administration that will help fund the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit project in the East Metro. 

In FY 2010, I helped secure federal funds for this project. Its success is a prime example of collaboration on local, state, federal levels of government coming together to meet our communities' needs. Investing in local transit is investing in America, and is making our communities stronger.

Preparing for Floods

This week I’ve been checking in with Fourth District communities preparing for flooding, including Stillwater, where I met with city staff, police, firefighters, and public works along with the U.S. Army Corps and U.S. Geological Survey. Thank you to all those helping with flood preparations, including hundreds of volunteers who have helped lay sandbags in Stillwater and surrounding areas.

If you are in an affected area, make sure you are prepared. Find resources and action steps to take before, during, and after a flood. 

Connecting Communities to Federal Resources

Great news—this week the University of Minnesota was announced as one of 17 federal resource centers that will help connect environmental justice advocates to the resources needed to build healthy and strong communities. 

I commend the Biden administration for responding to calls to assist historically-excluded communities in accessing federal environmental grants. During my time as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, I proudly championed increases in EPA funding to make these centers possible! These hubs will help improve access to federal resources for tribal nations, low-income communities, communities of color, and others who have borne the burdens of legacy pollution, climate change impacts, and historic disinvestment. Read more here.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with your policy opinion or if you need help with a federal agency. Thank you for being an informed and engaged constituent.

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress