Author: Sandy Pappas

Sandy Pappas 3 min read

How Federal Funding Impacts Minnesotans

Until this January, I’d wager many Minnesotans didn’t spend much time thinking about the way our federal government moves money around. That’s what’s great about a government that works the way it’s meant to: only the people who are paid to think about it, have to think about it. But as we’ve seen since January 20, when the system starts to break down — or rather, is being actively destroyed — it becomes everyone’s problem. Problems like: Will I be able to feed my family this week if our WIC benefits are cancelled? Will I still be able to see my doctor if Medicaid funding is slashed? Will I have to quit my job to take care of my kids if Head Start shuts down? 

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Sandy Pappas 3 min read

Working Toward Fewer Gun Deaths in Minnesota

This month marks three years since the tragic shooting on West Seventh Street that killed one person and injured 14 others. Since then, the U.S. has continued to experience more gun violence than nearly every other country in the world. Guns continue to be a top cause of death for children and teens, and from schools to bars and movie theaters, gun violence overshadows nearly every venue of public life. 

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Sandy Pappas 2 min read

Playgrounds are for everyone

Play is a central part of childhood, and a trip to the neighborhood playground is often the highlight of a child’s day. A game of “the ground is lava” can turn a slide into a volcano, a stranger into a friend. Playing together helps children learn how to collaborate, problem-solve and stretch their imaginations. In fact, the United Nations names play as one of the rights of every child, and organizations from the American Academy of Pediatrics to the Centers for Disease Control recommend active play for children every day, citing countless socio-emotional and health benefits.

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