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Late last week, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2016, which would protect children in public housing and federally assisted housing from lead exposure.

Rep. Walz convened housing experts from around the state to discuss how we can work together to tackle the challenges we face at a local, state and federal level. One of the most significant challenges southern Minnesota’s growing economy faces is a lack of workforce housing for individuals and families to make home, making it difficult for businesses, schools, hospitals and others to attract workers.

Beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, March 14, Portland Avenue from Third Street to Fifth Street in downtown Minneapolis will close to traffic. The closing, which should last until early summer, will allow construction of the Downtown Commons. Drivers should follow posted detours and find alternate routes into and out of the downtown area

Starting March 21, the City of Minneapolis is offering more than 1,200 five- to eight-foot trees for only $25 each. Fifteen varieties are available this year and include large species, flowering trees and several kinds of fruit trees. Any Minneapolis property owner – whether resident, business or nonprofit – can order a tree to plant on private Minneapolis property this spring. Comparable trees cost about $125 at a nursery

Think big about the future of Minneapolis with neighbors, community members, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, members of Minneapolis’ design community, developers and City officials. Free to all participants, registration has opened for the fourth annual Community Connections Conference.

Governor Mark Dayton announced the following appointments to the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice, the Housing Finance Agency, the State Rehabilitation Council, and the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Governor Mark Dayton will host the first-ever Governor’s Water Summit at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, to focus public attention on the serious challenges facing Minnesota’s water supplies – in both rural and urban areas of the state – and continue statewide dialogue around steps that must be taken to address those challenges

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) toured the School Sisters of Notre Dame solar farm located atop Good Counsel Hill and discussed how important investing in renewable energy is to meeting America’s energy demands, creating jobs and addressing the threats posed by climate change.

The public is invited to attend the first meeting of the Little Rock Creek Sustainable Groundwater Use Planning Project Advisory Team, Wednesday, March 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rice City Hall.

“While the Court’s temporary stay is disappointing, it does nothing to diminish our resolve in Minnesota to keep moving forward on clean energy initiatives, including the development of our state’s Clean Power Plan. President Obama’s strong leadership, the nation-leading initiatives of some of our state’s utilities, and my administration's commitment will assure our state’s continued progress.

The City of Minneapolis is beginning to plan the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis in 2020. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the scope of the project and the early planning work will be discussed at a public meeting.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced a $7.6 million investment to support the Marsh Lake Restoration Project. In December, the lawmakers sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urging strong funding to ensure the construction phase of the project begins in 2016. By upgrading the Marsh Lake dam, the project will restore connectivity with nearby lakes and streams. These modifications will improve the water quality of the surrounding area.

Earlier today, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), and 12 other House Democrats sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service asking the agency to clarify the tax form used by non-profit hospitals in order to encourage investments in safe, stable housing in their communities

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced today that Walgreens will be installing safe medication disposal kiosks in their stores to help families get rid of unused prescription drugs. Klobuchar passed legislation in 2010 to provide consumers with safe and responsible ways to dispose of unused prescription medications. With four out of five heroin users starting out misusing prescriptions drugs, proper disposal is an important tool to cut down on drug abuse.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will host an open house and listening session about a Waukesha, Wisconsin, proposal to divert water from Lake Michigan. The proposed diversion would be done to address declining groundwater levels and water quality concerns.