Congresswoman McCollum Urges Governor Pawlenty to Accept Federal Funds to Ease Minnesota's State Fiscal Crisis
President Obama signed the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act (H.R. 1586) into law hours after it was passed by the U.S. House last week. Congresswoman McCollum voted in favor of this critical jobs legislation that commits $26.1 billion in emergency assistance to states in order to save as many as 300,000 jobs nationwide. The legislation will prevent some 161,000 teachers from losing their jobs, including 2,800 teachers in Minnesota and over 440 teachers in the 4th Congressional District. The new law also provides $16.1 billion in health assistance for struggling states, which will create or save 158,000 jobs in law enforcement and the private sector.

Unfortunately Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty appears to be playing a political game by threatening to reject the federal dollars and send thousands of Minnesotans to the unemployment line. Congresswoman McCollum strongly urges Governor Pawlenty to approve this federal assistance, especially given that Minnesota's state budget is in crisis.

"The state's fiscal crisis is really hurting our communities, school districts, and families. For Governor Pawlenty to propose rejecting federal dollars that will save jobs, keep our public school teachers working in the classroom for our children, and provide essential safety-net services to the most vulnerable individuals is irresponsible and makes no sense," Congresswoman McCollum said. "Every dollar coming to Minnesota will help save jobs and strengthen the economy, which was exactly the intent of Congress."

Oakdale City Officials and Congresswoman McCollum Emphasize Energy Efficiency Improvements to City Facility

Next week, Congresswoman McCollum will join Oakdale City Officials in an energy efficiency groundbreaking event, which will feature improvements to the Oakdale Public Works Building. Officials will tour the facility and discuss proposed modifications. These improvements include the installation of a new geothermal heat pump system, which would use water from an existing nearby water filtration facility to heat and cool the Public Works facility. The City of Oakdale will also replace existing high-pressure sodium parking lot lamps located at the City Hall and Public Works facilities with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. These improvements will cut energy costs and save local taxpayers money for years to come.

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Congresswoman McCollum Hosts Arts Town Hall Meeting with Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Join Congresswoman McCollum and NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman on Wednesday, August 25 at the SteppingStone Theater for a community policy forum. Chairman Landesman is visiting St. Paul as part of the NEA's "Arts Works" tour, highlighting the important role of the arts in strengthening community and contributing to economic revitalization and development.

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August 26th Marks the 90th Anniversary of U.S. Women Gaining the Right to Vote
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was finally ratified, and women were given the right to vote. Since that time, women have not only been going to the polls, but they became more and more politically active. Women everywhere have gotten passionately involved in foreign affairs, childcare, civil rights, pay equity, domestic violence, workplace, and many other critical issues.

Congresswoman McCollum applauds those suffragettes who helped women gain the right to vote. Their historic achievement will continue to affect millions of young women for generations to come.