Otremba wins Wellstone Advocacy Award

Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, received the 2005 Paul Wellstone Advocacy Award for her participation in Mental Health Caucus at the Legislature.

The Minnesota Psychiatric Society presents the award annually to those who advocate on behalf of the mentally ill. Otremba was a charter member of the caucus.

"With our current budget situation we need to make sure we're spending every dollar as wisely as we can and earlier mental health assessment and treatment can help do that," she said.