LMC Legislator of Distinction

Last week I was honored to be recognized by the League of Minnesota Cities as a 2023 League of Minnesota Cities Legislator of Distinction. The Leagues Board of Directors voted unanimously to select me along with 34 other legislators for the work I've done this year to positively impact Minnesota Cities.

Specifically, I was chosen because of my work on securing bipartisan agreement for a bill on public safety duty disability policies related to PTSD. This has been a major concern of many Minnesota cities, and I'm glad that we could get this bill across the finish line to help both our cities and our local law enforcement across the state. I worked with Representative Kaohly Vang Her, this biennium's Pension Commission chair, on this important bill. The photo above shows Rep. Her and I speaking with retired police officers from around the state about the bill at Eli's Cafe in northeast Minneapolis.

The bill represents years of compromise between public safety groups and the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and requires employees to receive treatment for a mental injury before seeking duty disability through PERA. It also keeps injured employees on the payroll during treatment, provides state financial support for employers to continue pay and benefits for injured employees while they are off duty for treatment. The bill also requires training that prepares peace officers and firefighters for the stressful and traumatic events that are common to their jobs and teaches officers methods to process and cope with stress and trauma.

I'm proud to be recognized for my work on behalf of our local cities.

Making History in the Legislature

Nearly ten years ago, my brother, Representative Brian Daniels and I made history as the first brother-sister duo to serve in the legislature together. I am proud to serve in the legislature with two family members now, alongside my husband, Senator Jason Rarick, and my brother.

You can watch our recent interview with Mary Lahammer about our recent wedding and other legislative issues here.

Legal Cannabis and Gun Rights

As marijuana becomes legal in Minnesota this month, I want to remind everyone that if you use marijuana, you have become a federally prohibited person from purchasing or possessing guns or ammunition. Those who voted for this bill knew this would be the case, and they voted for it anyway. If you care about your guns or gun owning friends, please share this before it's too late and they lose their 2nd amendment right.