Happy shoveling!





Rep. Virnig Legislative Update header




Neighbors,???

Well, we knew it would come eventually! As we brace for what?s shaping up to be a snowy weekend, this week has been especially busy at the Capitol as we continue working on solutions to make our state work better for everyone and help Minnesotans have the economic security they deserve. I?m incredibly excited to share what I?ve been working on.??






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Disability Services Day

On Tuesday, I was honored to speak at the Disability Services Day Rally in the Capitol rotunda. I?ve long been an advocate for disability services and accessibility, both personally and professionally. As your State Representative, I?m committed to continuing these efforts to create a more inclusive Minnesota. This session, I?m carrying a number of bills to advance and expand these services, including a bill [ [link removed] ] to partner with Lifeworks Services to implement a statewide disability inclusion pilot project, focusing on disability justice issues training.??

Another bill [ [link removed] ] I?m carrying focuses on consumer directed community support (CDCS), allowing Minnesotans eligible for traditional home and community-based waver services to manage their own services and supports. These participants receive a budget from the county and use the budget to select services they need. These services range from special diets to home modifications. This bill seeks to make the program more transparent, as the policies, funding formulas, and eligible services vary from county to county, making it difficult to maintain services if a participant has to move.?

I?m looking forward to advancing these efforts this year and beyond.?

DSD
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Investing in Local Infrastructure

While much of the legislation I?m carrying this session will benefit the entire state, we have some exciting local projects in the works, too! Next week, I?ll present legislation to invest $5 million in Mendota?s water project in the House Capital Investment committee. I look forward to working with community partners to advance this important project as the 2023 bonding bill is crafted.?

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Love for our Libraries

I?couldn?t?love libraries more!?I attended the Minnesota Library Association?s READ poster event. Fun fact - the book I was sworn in on was??Moo!??by David LaRochelle!?It illustrates the power of a single word, ?moo,? yet crafts a full story.?It's an?excellent example of how our words have power, not just in meaning, but in how we use them.??

Moo! Is written and illustrated by talented Minnesotans. As a strong advocate for students, this book means a lot to me for many reasons?? I even married the son of a dairy farmer!?Thanks?to the?Minnesota Library?Association?for putting on?such?a great event!?

READ
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Environmental Funding Survey

Did you know that a portion of Minnesota?s lottery proceeds go towards protecting our environment and natural resources through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund [ [link removed] ]? Since 1991, the ENRTF has provided approximately $700 million to over 1,700 projects around the state.?

ENRTF

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources is now gathering input about the future of Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund spending and taking feedback about what environmental issues are most important to you. Make your voice heard about how to improve Minnesota's environment & natural resources. Take the survey here. [ [link removed] ]?

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Stay Connected

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 651-296-4192. You can contact my new Legislative Assistant, Sam, at 651-296-3305 or via email at [email protected].?

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

All my best,?

Bianca Virnig?State Representative?






State Representative Bianca Virnig

403 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-4192
Email: [email protected] "(replies to this newsletter are not monitored)"
Website: www.house.mn.gov/52B [ [link removed] ]







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