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Friday, December 13, 2024
HomeEditorialFrom the desk of Representative Natalie Zeleznikar

From the desk of Representative Natalie Zeleznikar

Dear Neighbors,

It is a true honor to serve as your State Representative, and I want to begin by ex­pressing my heartfelt thanks for the oppor­tunity to represent our community. Our district is made up of approximately 44,000 people, and I am com­mitted to serving all of you to the best of my ability, regardless of how you voted.

When I first took office, I was imme­diately approached by constituents who were struggling to obtain tabs for their salvaged vehicles. Many had been trying for months without success. The state re­quires an inspection to ensure that no stolen parts are involved, but after the Duluth-area inspection site closed due to COVID, many people were forced to drive for hours just to get their vehicles in­spected.

I spent considerable time working with the Minnesota Depart­ment of Transporta­tion and personally followed up with ev­ery constituent who reached out. I pro­posed a solution: the state should partner with local auto shops in the district to pro­vide the necessary in­spection services. The state agreed, and they now offer a stipend to local businesses to facilitate inspections while a new facility is sought. This is just one example of how a State Representative can help solve issues that matter to all peo­ple, regardless of po­litical affiliation. This spirit of collaboration is what I will continue to bring to my work as I enter my second term.

As we look to the 2025-2026 legisla­tive session, there will be some key changes. Last ses­sion, with one-party control, the Majority Party had complete control over commit­tees and floor votes. This often meant that important decisions were made with little input from the minori­ty party. For exam­ple, the committees I served on—Children and Families, Health and Human Services, and Workforce—each had three more Dem­ocratic members than Republicans, which led to an imbalance in committee proceed­ings. As a result, bills were moved through the process largely on a partisan basis.

This upcoming ses­sion will be very dif­ferent. For the second time in history, we are facing divided govern­ment, with 67 Repub­licans and 67 Dem­ocrats in the House. This means equal rep­resentation for both parties in all commit­tees and a shared lead­ership structure. For the first time in years, both parties will have an equal say in which bills are heard and how legislation pro­gresses. This shift will require collaboration and consensus, and it will undoubtedly lead to a more balanced and productive ses­sion.

One issue that will continue to shape our work is the state’s budget. The last bien­nium saw the Majori­ty Party move forward with an expensive project to build a new legislative office building and reno­vate the State House Building. This $750 million expenditure, which many felt was excessive given the budget challenges fac­ing our schools, fami­lies, and workers, was made under one-party control. As a result, we now find ourselves without proper office space for the next two years. During this pe­riod, my office will be located in the Centen­nial Building, and vis­itors will need to be escorted to my cubicle on the floor. While this will make meeting lo­gistics more challeng­ing, I remain commit­ted to being accessible to all of you. Over the last two years, I have averaged 6-10 vis­its per day, and I will continue to make my­self available through multiple visits and by holding meetings in the Capitol and sur­rounding areas.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns or ques­tions. You can con­tact me at rep.natalie.zeleznikar@house.mn.gov or reach out to Karen, my Leg­islative Assistant, to schedule a meeting at 651-297-5603. You can access my page at www.house.mn.gov and then go to top and select House below menu. Then scroll to bottom and select Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar. You may elect to click on a link to subscribe to emails for updates. In addition, if you de­sire to text or call me on my cell phone, I can be reached at 218- 409-6822.

Thank you for your trust and support as we work together to im­prove our community. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

In Service,

Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

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