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State Representative Kathy Lohmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4244
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
HOUSE BRIEFS
E-Mail Update: Emergency Notification, Redistricting, and Capitol Conversations
Dear Neighbors,
On Monday the House passed my emergency legislation that would authorize community notification prior to a sex offender’s provisional discharge from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) to a halfway house.
Community notification of sex offenders’ residences has been in effect since 1997. However, current law contains a loophole and does not apply for civilly committed sex offenders who are provisionally discharged from the MSOP to halfway houses.
My colleagues and I were recently made aware of the loophole during a hearing regarding the Dayton administration’s decision to discharge Clarence Opheim, who has been civilly committed in the MSOP for the last two decades. Opheim is responsible for almost 100 sexual assaults against 29 young boys, and just one year ago he was described as ‘at high risk to commit future serious sexual offense.’ He is expected to enter a halfway house in the Twin Cities within the next week.
I believe that communities should be informed when a convicted sex offender moves into their neighborhood. Instead of rumor and uncertainty, community notification will provide factual public safety information regarding the discharge and supervision of sex offenders from the MSOP.
Governor Mark Dayton has indicated that he will support this legislation, and I look forward to his support.
Redistricting
On Tuesday, a court panel released redistricting maps that define new congressional and state legislative district lines. Redistricting occurs every 10 years following the tabulation of federal census results. The districts are adjusted to follow population shifts and growth over the past decade so that each district contains about 40,000 residents.
There were significant changes made to District 56A. The area I represent will be renamed District 39B, and it will lose all of Woodbury but add Grant, St. Mary’s Point, and more of Stillwater.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Woodbury, and make no mistake, I will continue to represent your interests throughout the year. I am still your state representative, and I am thankful for your continued support.
To view the new District 39B map, please click here. (You can view it in comparison to the current district here.) You can also access statewide maps by following this link.
Capitol Conversations
I invite you to participate in “Capitol Conversations” beginning Friday, February 24, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please call Melissa Hackenmueller at 651-296-9471 to set up a 15-minute appointment in the district at Gorman's Restaurant in Lake Elmo.
This is your opportunity to share any concerns or ask questions regarding State Government on a one-to-one basis. As always, I welcome your e-mails and calls any time.
“Capitol Conversations” will take place every other Friday: March 9, March 23, April 6, and April 20.
Have a great weekend,
Kathy
News Items
- Community Update: Lily Lake Safety Concerns - (Posted: 2012-08-22 00:00:00)
- GOV. SIGNS REP. LOHMER'S HUMAN SERVICES EXPANSION BILL FOR CHILDREAN WHO ARE DEAF, DEAFBLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING - (Posted: 2012-07-02 00:00:00)
- E-Mail Update: Happy Fourth of July! - (Posted: 2012-06-26 00:00:00)
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