Dear Neighbors,
The 2018 session of the Minnesota Legislature began this week on Tuesday, and there are many issues that will need to be addressed before we adjourn in May. Here are updates on just a few of those issues
Thank You for Joining Our Town Hall
I want to thank everyone in the community who attended the town hall meeting I held last Saturday with Representative Freiberg and Senator Rest. We had excellent conversations on a number of important issues, and good attendance at the Crystal Community Center. You can read more about our discussions by reading the Sun Post story here.
Legislative Session Begins with State Employee Contracts
One important item that the legislature needs to act on immediately is the approval of the state employee contracts that were negotiated in good faith on behalf of the over 30,000 workers employed by the state of Minnesota. Legislators shouldn’t be approving our own budget if we can’t provide a modest hard-earned increase for these hard working state employees. You might recall back in October when these contracts were rejected by the Legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations, which has oversight of the contract approval process.
Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
The problem of opioid drug abuse continues to cause deaths and tragedy in families throughout Minnesota. Last week, Governor Dayton and a bipartisan group of legislators announced a comprehensive plan addressing this issue. The approach is multifaceted, with strategies involving local communities, health care professionals, and law enforcement. Increased investments in prevention, treatment, and recovery are all areas where we should take bold bipartisan action this year.
Eliminating Senior Care Abuse
You may have seen media reports on seniors becoming the victims of abuse, neglect, theft, sexual assault, and other unthinkable acts in our state’s care facilities. The lack of action by state investigators to address these incidents is inexcusable, and we need to take action this session to make sure it never happens again. In response to state investigators not acting swiftly to address the issue, Governor Dayton directed AARP Minnesota to convene an Elder Abuse Consumer Workgroup to craft recommendations, which they recently released.
Minnesota Olympians
This Winter Olympics we sent 20 Minnesotans to South Korea to compete. That’s more than any of the surrounding states and third highest in the country. Last week Governor Dayton proclaimed Winter Olympians Day to show our support for those Minnesotans representing the USA. I think we have all enjoyed watching the skiers, curlers and other Olympians from Minnesota as they compete and win!
The Star Tribune also put together a bio of all the Minnesota Olympians this year. As we cheer on Team USA, don’t forget the hard work so many of your neighbors put in to make this a reality.
Carbon Monoxide
The Department of Commerce has some helpful tips for keeping your home safe from this colorless and odorless gas. Those tips include things like making sure your CO detectors are tested and you replace batteries yearly, making sure snow and ice aren’t blocking exterior exhaust vents, and that you use space heaters safely, as well as other great tips.
Keep in Touch!
It is an honor to represent you at the Capitol, and I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns at Rep.Lyndon.Carlson@house.mn or 651-296-4255.
Sincerely,
Lyndon Carlson
State Representative