Friends,
After a classic March snow storm on Monday and into Tuesday, the weather is slowly starting to feel more Spring-like. We may even see 50 sometime this coming week! Don't forget to "spring-forward" your clocks an hour this Saturday before bed.
DWI Bill
Minnesota DWI laws currently use the term "hazardous substance" as one of the definitions of what can be considered driving while impaired. Unfortunately, this has lead to situations where law enforcement was unable to charge drivers with a DWI who clearly were under the influence of a substance, in many cases "huffing" aerosol. Our efforts about this loophole in Minnesota law received coverage this week on KSTP news.
My bill, House File 2766, will instead use the term "intoxicating substance" that is defined as a drug or chemical that when introduced into the human body impairs the central nervous system or impairs the human audio, visual, or mental processes.
H.F. 2766 is supported by the Minnesota DWI Task Force, Minnesotans for Safe Driving, the Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association, South Lake Minnetonka Police Department, among many other groups supporting this important legislation.
Senator Greg Clausen is carrying the bill in the Senate.
School Safety Proposals
This week, the House Education Finance Committee heard a new bill, which I am a co-author on, that would allow school districts to fund and prioritize safety and security upgrades for Minnesota schools. The legislation expands the use of long-term facilities maintenance revenue, making more dollars and resources available for districts to make safety improvements including emergency communications, building enhancements, and security upgrades. Long-term facilities maintenance revenue includes state dollars.
This is a multiprong approach to address school safety. On top of advancing this legislation to give schools more resources to make safety and security improvements, we are also hearing many bills to address the mental health crisis our communities are facing. The safety of our students is most important and we owe it to our children to find real, meaningful solutions to keep them safe.
Constituents Visit the Capitol
Rep. Wills with a few families from Rosemount along with Sen. Greg Clausen.
Rep. Wills with Boy Scout Troop 295 from Rosemount along with Sen. Greg Clausen.
Talia and constituent Noah for came to share their stories and support for legislative proposals addressing
paraprofessional training and school discipline reform, respectively.
Rep. Wills with constituent Brad, along with Brady and Mark, who came to share their efforts to water
and fertilize responsibly on Minnesota golf courses.
Rep. Wills with Todd and constituent Mark who stopped by to discuss legislative proposals to address elder abuse in Minnesota.
Rep. Wills with Bethany Janssen from New Ulm High School, her shadow for the day on Wednesday.
Rep. Wills with constituent Dr. Aaron Graumann here to discuss the Minnesota American Academy of Pediatrics legislative priorities.
Rep. Wills with constituents Faith and Gail who stopped by to chat about Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association legislative priorities.
Rep. Wills with advocates, including constituent Olivia, here to share their support for how the Legacy Amendment funds should be spent.
Rep. Wills with Cindy, Melissa, and constituent Ladea who stopped by to chat about health care and disability legislative priorities.
Rep. Wills with advocates to end homelessness in Minnesota.
Rep. Wills met with representatives from the Dakota County Library
System - Ken, Margaret, and Jen - about their legislative priorities.
Keep in Touch
As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with your comments, questions, and concerns. Email me anytime at rep.anna.wills@house.mn or call 651-296-4306. Stay up to date with what I am up to at the legislature and around our community by following my updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repannawills.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Anna Wills
State Representative, District 57B