Interim Update

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

I hope you’re enjoying these last weeks of summer and finding time to make the most of our beautiful communities here in our district. Since the special session wrapped up in June, I’ve stayed busy connecting with residents, attending local events, and listening to the issues that matter most to families and businesses across our area. 

While legislative session may be over, the work of representing our district never stops. Whether it’s at the fairgrounds, a groundbreaking ceremony, or a local business event, these community connections help shape the work I bring to the Capitol. 

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the chance to attend many great events across the district, but here are a few highlights I wanted to share with you: 

Washington County Fair 

One of my favorite traditions every summer is spending time at the Washington County Fair. I had the chance to serve in the Sheriff’s Reserve booth, talk with fairgoers about legislative issues, and support local entrepreneurs, including a young man running his very first food truck business. The fair is a great reminder of how strong and vibrant our local communities are, and it was a privilege to be there all week. 

Investing in Environmental Education at Belwin 

One of the highlights of the summer was attending the grand opening of the Peter J. King Family Foundation Wetland Center at the Belwin Nature Center. Thanks to a generous contribution from the King Foundation, this new facility will serve as a hands-on outdoor classroom for students across our region, especially elementary students from St. Paul and 3rd through 6th graders from the Stillwater School District. 

As someone who grew up on a farm and spent a lot of time outdoors, I know firsthand the value of experiencing nature up close. Not every child has the opportunity to catch frogs, spot turtles, or walk through the woods. Places like Belwin help bridge that gap, and when kids are given the chance to explore and learn about nature, they’re more likely to appreciate and care for it as they grow. 

I had the chance to speak with some of the passionate educators and volunteers making this vision a reality, and I encourage anyone who’s able to visit, volunteer, or donate to help support this incredible community resource. We live in a beautiful area and sharing that appreciation is one of the best ways to pass it on to the next generation. 

Lakeview Hospital Groundbreaking 

It was an honor to join community leaders for the official groundbreaking of the new Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater. This project has been years in the making, even dating back to my time on the County Board, and will bring next-level care to the east metro. Seeing this partnership between Lakeview and HealthPartners move forward is a big win for our region’s healthcare future. 

Small Business Day in Cottage Grove 

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. I started the day with the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce to talk about how recent legislation affects local employers and ended it by celebrating a ribbon-cutting for Highmark Fiber’s new expansion. From single-family homes to businesses, better broadband means better opportunity. 

Promoting the High School Page Program 

I’m also working to help spread the word about the Minnesota House’s High School Page Program, a great opportunity for students to see how their government works up close. If you know a high school junior who’s interested in public service, I encourage you to check it out and share it with your local school or community. 

Applications are now open for the 2026 program as well as the undergraduate internship program. These opportunities provide students with hands-on experience in the state government and legislative process. My office will be sending all high school students in our district an information pack in the coming weeks to help ensure everyone who is interested gets a chance to apply.  

For more information on the page program visit the High School Page Program site, or the Undergraduate internship site. 

As you can see, it’s been a full and meaningful summer, and these highlights only scratch the surface. From city council meetings to town halls, school visits to community celebrations, I’ve been working hard to stay engaged and accessible throughout the district. 

I’ll continue to be out in the community in the weeks ahead and look forward to meeting many more of you along the way. I’ll be out at city council and township meetings throughout the rest of the year. It’s truly an honor to serve, and I’m always here to listen, learn, and bring your voices to St. Paul. 

If you have questions, comments, or priorities you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office or send me an email. I’m here to help however I can. 

Warm regards,