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The Altendorf family recently welcomed their second grandchild, Vivian, who was born last month. Both mother and child are reported to be doing well.

Minnesota State Representative Pam Altendorf has addressed several issues in her latest legislative update. She noted that the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have determined that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) are violating Title IX regulations by permitting boys to participate in girls' sports and use girls' facilities. According to Altendorf, this could result in Minnesota losing millions of dollars in federal education funding if state agencies do not comply with Title IX requirements.

Altendorf stated, "To date, 280 school board members in 113 districts across Minnesota are calling for MDE and MSHSL to do the right thing for students and public school funding and comply with Title IX. I am proud to see a number of school board members in our legislative district among those who have signed this letter."

In another development, the U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon over his refusal to provide access to the state's voter registration list. The DOJ sent two letters requesting access to determine if Minnesota is adhering to federal law requiring regular maintenance of voter rolls, including removing deceased individuals or those ineligible to vote.

Altendorf also commented on recent voting changes being proposed by Secretary Simon, some involving vouching for unregistered voters and felon voting rights. She participated in an elections meeting on October 10 where she expressed concerns about these changes and signed a letter outlining those concerns. Residents have until October 30 at 4:30 pm to submit comments regarding these proposals, after which there will be a five-day rebuttal period.

Addressing local developments, Altendorf discussed the City of Cannon Falls’ annexation of more than 240 acres in Randolph Township for a planned data center project by Tract, as well as another proposed data center near Pine Island. She noted mixed reactions from constituents regarding these projects and emphasized the need for more community input before decisions are finalized.

She met with Cannon Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher and concerned citizens about the project’s impact on electricity rates—citing a Bloomberg article stating electricity costs have risen significantly near data centers over five years—property values, water usage estimated at 50 million gallons annually, potential tax benefits, job creation during construction versus long-term employment prospects, and environmental considerations related to energy demands under new state laws mandating carbon-free energy by 2040.

Altendorf said that city officials must act according to residents’ interests: "City Administrators and city engineers are hired to be working towards the will and best interest of the people in the area. Locally elected officials – elected by you - need to hear directly from their constituents to assure they are voting in a way that reflects the community’s best interests."

She encouraged residents near proposed data center sites to ask questions early in the process: "The best advice I can give is to not assume anything, but to ask questions and occupy a seat at the table before all decisions have been made."

In closing her update, Altendorf wrote: "They said it couldn’t be done, but there is now peace in the Middle East thanks to the leadership of President Trump."