Today marks the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade





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Friends and neighbors,   

Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the Minnesota House voting to pass the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, codifying the right to make independent decisions regarding reproductive health care into state law. It was a great honor to carry this legislation, and I’m incredibly proud that it was the #1 priority under the DFL Trifecta.  

*WATCH MY REMARKS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR* [ [link removed] ]


Today, however, marks the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Though we have our rights through state law in Minnesota, today my heart aches for all of the people across the country whose right to reproductive health care was stripped away two years ago. I’m hopeful that reproductive freedom will one day be restored across the country, but to achieve this we must strive to strengthen and expand access at every step.  

To everyone who is fighting for their rights in restricted states, I stand in solidarity with you. 






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Thank you for another great Town Hall!

I want to extend my sincerest thanks to everyone who came out to our legislative town hall last night. It was a packed house, and in my opinion, the best one yet! 

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It’s so important that I hear from constituents on what matters most, and last night was a beautiful show of public engagement from folks who care deeply for our community. Rep. Laurie Pryor, Sen. Steve Cwodzinski and I are grateful for your participation.  

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If you missed it, you can watch the whole meeting on my Facebook page. [ [link removed] ] If there are any topics or questions we did not get to that you’d like information about, feel free to reach out at [email protected]. We will be following up on questions submitted individually as well. I know that everyone’s schedules are tight with work and school commitments, extracurricular activities, etc. If you would like to meet with me 1:1 or in a small group, please let me know.  



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Great Start Childcare Affordability Program

This session, Sen. Grant Hauschild and I are introducing a proposal to make childcare more affordable for middle-income families across the state. Last session, we did a lot to support and expand programs for low-income families through programs like the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), early learning scholarships, and Head Start programs. Those benefits reach households with an annualized income of around $60,000, but we know families who don’t currently qualify for those subsidies are still struggling to pay for childcare.  

The US Department of Human Services considers “affordable” childcare as being no more than 7% of a family’s income. But right now in Minnesota, too many families are paying as much as 50% or more, leaving them with little or no money to pay rent, put food on the table, pay for their medical care, or put money into savings. 

The proposal Senator Hauschild and I are introducing would make a monthly per child payment directly to providers, reducing the amount that families have to pay out of pocket. Payments are based on the family’s income and the goal is get as many families as possible closer to that 7% mark. All but the highest earners, approximately 85% of Minnesota families with children under the age of five, would be eligible in some way on a sliding scale.   

The Economic Policy Institute [ [link removed] ] estimates that putting a cap on the costs of early care and learning like this could help send *over 32,000 Minnesotans back into the workforce and create $3.7 billion of new economic activity.* We've seen time and time again that the best way to boost Minnesota is to invest in our kids, and that's exactly what we’re going to do. We can and will make Minnesota the best state to raise a family.  

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Will you take my Legislative Survey?

Another helpful tool for setting my priorities heading into session is through my legislative survey. If you haven’t had a chance to take the survey, you can do so below. We will be accepting responses until April 1! 

*TAKE MY LEGISLATIVE SURVEY* [ [link removed] ]


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Keep in Touch

Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account.   

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out email at [email protected] or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my new Legislative Assistant, Ella, at 651-296-3918 or via email at [email protected].  

It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol.   

All my best,   

  

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn  








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