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Dear Neighbors,
I hope this letter finds you enjoying these cooler days and the best season in Minnesota. Recently, I had the opportunity to join Governor Walz and other Minnesota officials on a trade mission to Japan. I was specifically part of an agriculture delegation promoting economic opportunities for Minnesota farmers. As the first Japanese American elected to the state legislature, it was an honor to represent Minnesota in the land of my ancestors, and to promote economic and cultural exchange. You can read more about the delegation trip here.
You?re Invited to a Town Hall
You're invited to a town hall! Please join Rep. Greenman, Sen. Mohamed, and me for a discussion on Monday, October 2 from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Brackett Rec Center. We hope to see you there!
Drivers Licenses for all Takes Effect
On October 1, the new law we passed to provide driver?s licenses for all takes effect. This bill rights a 20-year wrong that deprived undocumented Minnesotans of the ability to earn a driver?s license. Without driver?s licenses, it?s difficult for tens of thousands of Minnesotans to reliably get to their jobs, school, and medical appointments. This bill restores a privilege taken away two decades ago and ensures our undocumented neighbors are able to participate in society with the dignity they deserve. We all deserve to be safe when driving to work, dropping our kids off at school, picking up groceries, or going to the doctor.
If you are one of the estimated 81,000 people in Minnesota who will become eligible for a driver?s license when Driver?s Licenses for All (DL4All) goes into effect on October 1, be sure to have all of the required documents ready. You must have an appointment to apply - appointments are now available for the beginning of October. Additional resources for translations into other languages are available with the virtual assistant. The driver's license manual is available in multiple languages on the Department of Public Safety?s (DPS) Forms/Documents/Manuals page.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available!
Minnesotans can once again order free rapid at-home COVID-19 tests. Every home in our state can order eight tests once a month while supplies last. Even if you have ordered before, you can order again. Order tests here. The website is available in English, Hmoob/Hmong, Soomaali/Somali, Espa?ol/Spanish, and more!
Protecting Students and Teachers
This year we made historic investments in K-12 education, including universal free school meals, smaller class sizes, and the ethnic studies bill I was proud to champion. It?s equally important that students are safe and healthy in our schools, and that we have provided protections in place for our students and educators. When conversations about school safety come up as they have in the last month, I think it is specifically essential to uplift youth voices. I was recently appointed as legislative liaison to the Minnesota Youth Council, a legislatively-created group of young people tasked with providing guidance to the state legislature and the Governor on issues impacting young people. The Council has released a statement on recent conversations on school safety, and I would like to share some of their comments which can be found here:?
https://mnyouth.net/about/news/myc-statement-on-school-staff-use-of-restraint-methods/
I?m looking forward to serving in this new role and am committed to ensuring that youth are centered in any conversations about the future of our schools.?
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at [email protected] or 651-297-7087. You can also follow my Facebook page.?
In community,
Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura
Minnesota House of Representatives?
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