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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Abigail Whelan (R)

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Legislative Update (Oct. 27, 2015)

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

It was great fun to see the Adventure's Plus Program in action last week during their "Light's on Afterschool" celebration

 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather as temperatures continue to drop. Here is an update on some recent items of note.

Cold Weather Rule

October 15th marks the beginning of what's known as Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, which can help families struggling to make energy payments keep their heat on during the winter between October 15, 2015 and April 15, 2016.

Under state law, utilities are required to issue a notice of disconnection and provide payment plan options to stop a disconnection if a family falls behind on payments. Utilities can also connect families with additional resources including local energy assistance programs and low or no-cost tips for improving energy conservation.

Under the Cold Weather Rule, customers can still have their heat disconnected if a payment plan agreement cannot be reached once the required process, including any appeals, has taken place.

Other resources including Energy Assistance, the Gas Affordability Program, and the Low Income Electric Rate Discount Program are available. Constituents are encouraged to contact their natural gas or electric company for more information on additional discounts.

Full details can be found on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website at: www.mn.gov/puc/consumers/shut-off-protection.jsp.

Sprinkler Mandate Overturned

A recent ruling from the Minnesota Court of Appeals struck down a mandate requiring indoor sprinkler systems in homes that are at least 4,500 square feet.

In their decision, the court ruled that the rule was arbitrary and not supported by substantial evidence in the record. The rule was put into place after supporters were unable to pass the requirement into law.

This decision is great news for supporters of smaller government, and for all who are looking to buy or build a home in the coming years—instead of being required to install a costly home sprinkler system, homeowners will once again be able to make their own home design decisions.

It is also a great step forward for those of us who believe that agency rulemaking needs to be reined in and left to legislators who are accountable to the people through elections.

University of Minnesota Controversy

As a former University of Minnesota student and member of the House Higher Education Committee, I was deeply disappointed to learn that the University of Minnesota purchased and used fetal tissue from aborted babies for research, going back at least a decade.

Over the past few months, since news of the Planned Parenthood videos broke, the issue of buying and selling baby parts has been debated at many levels. Legislators and staff have asked if the University was engaged in such practices and were told by officials that they were not.

Now that information has come out that repudiates their initial claims, it is time for the University to answer for their actions. Representative Marion O'Neill summarizes the issue well in her letter to the President and Board of Regents.

Upcoming Community Events and Staying in Touch

Anoka’s Halloween parade will be taking place this coming Saturday, October 31st, at 1:00 pm on Main Street in Anoka, and the "Big Parade of Little People" will take place the Friday before Halloween - great fun to see all the kiddos dressed up!

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s update. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments regarding anything related to state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1729 or via email at rep.abigail.whelan@house.mn.

 

Sincerely,

Abigail