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Health & Fitness

BLOG: 'Hot Topics' Survey and Update

Rep. Atkins new survey and update covers several hot topics.

Below are a few updates.  I would also appreciate input on an all-new survey at www.JoeAtkins.com.  Survey topics include whether Minnesota should have recall elections like Wisconsin, school funding, possible punishment for a local teacher, and other hot topics.  

BEST HIGH SCHOOLS.  Four Dakota County high schools, including Simley and South St. Paul, made the Washington Post's list of the nation's best high schools.  I have posted Minnesota's top 20 schools at www.JoeAtkins.com.  

CHARTER SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.  The leading national charter school organization is meeting in Minneapolis this month to mark the 20th anniversary of the nation's first charter school.  That school, City Academy in St. Paul, remains in business.  Charter schools operate independently and were launched in an effort to foster innovative ways of educating students.  

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BIPARTISANSHIP WORKS.  I just learned that I have passed more bipartisan laws over the past five years than any other state representative, according to data compiled by nonpartisan House staff.  While I believe that most of the folks I represent are looking for that approach, I also have found that it is just plain practical.  With divided leadership in the legislature and governor's office over most of the past decade, I learned years ago that the legislation I carry is a lot more likely to succeed if it is has bipartisan support.   

EXAMPLES OF BIPARTISAN LAWS.  Here are some examples of what can be achieved when legislators work together.  With the help of colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I have been able to pass advances in fire safety laws, "Kelsey's Law" to help police find missing children, retirement fund safeguards, consumer protections, the "Atkins Amendment" to make Minnesota's meth law the toughest in the country, the state grant program update to help students and their families pay for college, a small employer health insurance flexibility law to make health insurance more affordable and accessible, and a law to aid high schools in offering more rigorous AP and IB courses.  I credit legislators on both sides of the aisle as well as Govs. Pawlenty and Dayton making these successes possible.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

STUDENT TEACHER CHARGED.  A 26-year-old student teacher at Simley was charged recently with sending an inappropriate picture of herself and sexual messages to a 17-year-old student.  Does the punishment - up to five years in prison - fit the crime?  Is is too short?  Too long?  Weigh in by posting a comment below, or by taking my survey anonymously at www.JoeAtkins.com.   

NEW SURVEY.  In addition to the issue raised above, there are several more new survey questions at www.JoeAtkins.com, including other hot topics in the news recently.  

For questions or concerns about these or any other legislative issues, I can be reached at the Capitol at (651) 296-4192 or by email at Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn.  

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