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CKW HEADER




Friends and neighbors,   

I’m excited to announce that I’ve reintroduced the Great Start Affordability Act [ [link removed] ] again this year, a bill I first introduced last year with Sen. Hauschild last term. The Great Start Affordability Act is a package that would increase the affordability of high-quality early care and learning for families with children from birth to kindergarten, aiming to meet the federal recommendation that no family pay more than 7% of their annual income for early care and learning. Both Co-Chair West and I recognize that as leaders of the Children and Families committee, we have the opportunity to make a huge impact on the lives of thousands of Minnesota families, and we intend to do so. 

CKW

Advocacy for Children Day at the MN State Capitol

The bill would make monthly subsidized per-child payment directly to providers, reducing the amount families have to pay up-front. I’m incredibly proud of our nation-leading Child Tax Credit, and the Great Start Affordability program goes a step further by providing direct support for childcare year-round. Payment amounts would be based on the family’s income, topping out at 150% of the state median income, which is about $175,000. About 85% of Minnesota’s families with children under the age of five would be eligible in some way on a sliding scale.   

Every family deserves access to quality childcare they can afford. The Great Start Affordability program will bring us one step closer to making Minnesota the best place to raise a family. Currently, care for one infant is around $17,000 per year across the state. That’s more than a year of college tuition at the University of Minnesota. We shouldn’t be asking young parents, who are often at the beginning of their careers, at their lowest earnings potential, to shoulder this cost alone. 

I also introduced a bill [ [link removed] ] to provide grants for ParentChild+ programming, which uses evidence-based and research-validated early childhood literacy and school readiness programs for children ages 16 months to four years. We know that the best way to invest in our future is to invest in our kids, and this does just that.  

ALL IN FOR KIDS

Advocacy for Children Day at the MN State Capitol, courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

I am authoring the Building Families Act to require IVF insurance coverage, which has bi-partisan co-authors. I also introduced legislation [ [link removed] ] to help re-development of the Eden Prairie Center and a bonding request to fund a regional public safety storage garage located at the Eden Prairie Police Department.  






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Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion School Visit

As a parent, engaging with our schools is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Last week, I visited Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion school as third graders entered their government unit in social studies! I talked about my role in the Minnesota House and answered lots of great questions. If your child’s teacher is interested in scheduling a visit, please have them reach out to my office.  

SCHOOL VISIT
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LWV Legislative Forum

LWV Forum

Thanks to the Minnetonka - Eden Prairie - Hopkins League of Women Voters for organizing a legislative forum. It was wonderful to be joined by Representative Patty Acomb and Representative Cheryl Youakim and many of our constituents in the southwest metro area! Being in community and hearing questions and concerns from neighbors in a respectful and civil environment was an energizing way to begin the weekend. 



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Join us for a Town Hall!

Join Rep. Alex Falconer, Rep. Lucy Rehm, Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, and me for a legislative town hall this Saturday, March 8th. We’ll be at the Hennepin County Library Eden Prairie branch from noon-1pm. This is a non-partisan event and all are welcome. We will also be streaming live on Facebook [ [link removed] ]. You do not need a Facebook account to watch the live.  

*RSVP* [ [link removed] ]

Town Hall




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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, Caleb, at 651-297-7025 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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