Dear Neighbors:
Each week I have the opportunity to work to ensure everyone in our community and state can feel safe, heard and live in joy. I do this by passing legislation that benefits Duluth, speaking against what will harm us, and making room for your voice to be heard in this process.
Steam plant bill gets a hearing: I was recently joined by Duluth Mayor Emily Larson to discuss my bill for our Duluth steam plant project. I appreciated having her in St. Paul to join me in educating other legislators about the issues important to Duluth.
Safe Harbors Human Trafficking Bills
Each week in committee I have the opportunity to hear many pieces of legislation moving at the Capitol. Thanks to the great work of PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault), the League of Women Voters- Duluth and others involved in ending human trafficking I was proud to be a co-author of HF 713 and HF 714 that were heard in Health and Human Services Reform committee last Tuesday. These two bills continue to support the work being done on ending sex trafficking by funding the Safe Harbors for Youth and working to ensure all who are trafficked, regardless of age, can safely access resources. We heard powerful testimony that moved us all. I hope we can continue to see these bills move forward.
Preemption Bill Moving
Last week a bill moving through the legislature that would “preempt”, or prohibit, local communities from passing laws or ordinances to raise wages or provide more benefits than required at the state level was heard in committee. Minnesotans aren’t asking for lower wages and blocked access to paid sick time. We know it is big corporations and special interests lobbying for this change, and we need to hear from real people who are working without earned sick time. Hardworking Minnesotans deserve better, and I will continue pushing for laws that help ensure we have an economy that works for everyone.
For my part, I believe our priority should be helping working families get ahead. We should be setting a floor—not a ceiling—so that every community can decide for themselves how best to attract workers and reflect the values of their residents. If you’re interested in learning more about what an earned sick and safe time policy would mean for Duluth, I encourage you to attend the first informational meeting being held for the public on Friday, February 17 from 12-2:00pm at Duluth City Hall.
Firefighters Visit
I love when individuals from Duluth make the trip to St. Paul to talk with legislators! I was happy to welcome several Duluth Firefighters to my office last week. I appreciate all the work they’re doing to keep our community safe and I’ll keep fighting for the funding we get to support them through Local Government Aid (LGA) here in St. Paul.
Town Hall –February 18th
Senator Simonson, Representative Schultz and I will be hosting a town hall on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Duluth Children’s Museum – Celebration Room (115 S 29th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806). We’ll be hosting staff from Minnesota Management and Budget to help break down the budgeting process and learn more about what is in Governor Dayton’s budget. I hope you can join us!
Your Voice Matters
You can always contact me if you have questions or concerns at 651-296-4246 or by email at rep.liz.olson@house.mn .
Sincerely,
Liz Olson
State Representative