Friends
Fall weather is finally here and I wanted to give a quick update on my efforts to return unclaimed property to those that live in our district. According to the Department of Commerce, there have been 48 successful claims totaling $41,750 as of last week for residents of District 52B. This has been a great response and I will continue in my efforts to reunite unclaimed property with its rightful owners. As a reminder, you can click here to check and see if any of the almost $700 million in unclaimed property is yours.
Credit Reporting Bill
Following the news of the Equifax hack in September, I announced that I will be authoring a bill to stop credit reporters from charging to freeze credit in instances of a credit breach and it will also ban the ability of reporting agencies to limit rights of victims to sue.
Data breaches like we have seen recently with Equifax put the identity and financial health of millions of Minnesotans at risk. Credit freezes are one of the best tools consumers have to prevent financial harm by identity theft in the wake of a data breach. When compromised personal financial information can be used against victims at any time, waiving the freeze fee for a short period is not enough. I hope to help limit the fall out for Minnesota consumers by allowing them to place a temporary security freeze free of charge with credit reporting agencies.
I’ve heard from many constituents in the short time since the Equifax breach who are concerned about protecting themselves in case of identity theft. Regardless of whether the offending credit reporting agency later changed its ill-advised policy, consumers in Minnesota should not be forced to choose between credit protection services and giving up their legal rights if their credit is compromised through no fault of their own.
I plan to introduce this bill on the first day of the 2018 session and will welcome any thoughts of comments you may have on this issue that has effected millions of Minnesotans. You can see a clip from WCCO News on my the Equifax breach and my bill to protect Minnesota consumers here.
High School Page Program
The Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program is now accepting applications. Over the last 40 years the program has provided high school juniors with hands-on access to our state government in action. I encourage any high school junior who may be interested in learning more about the legislative process to apply for the page program by December 1st. Click here to apply!
In Case You Missed It: Tour around 52B!
Recently, we put together a video that highlights some of the great and beautiful parts of District 52B, which encompasses Inver Grove Heights, Sunfish Lake, parts of Mendota Heights and Eagan. I think it turned out very well and am proud to represent such a fantastic place to live. Check out the video here!
On this day in History
Less than a year after the Berlin Wall came down, East & West Germany unified in what became known as "Unity Day" on this day in 1990. Separated since the end of World War II, Germany was a symbol of the Cold War and its reunification symbolized the imminent end of the Cold War. Read more here.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas with me. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling me at 651-296-4192, or share your thoughts by emailing me at rep.regina.barr@house.mn.
Have a great fall!
Regina