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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R)

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Legislative Update

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Hello from St. Paul,

 

On Monday, Minnesota Health officials notified the City of Lake Elmo that recent testing found excess levels of perfluorochemical (PFC) in its water, meaning the City needed to take action to lower the PFC levels.

 

This resulted in the closing of a well and water tower, and it’s possible they may never be used again.

 

In order to ensure that levels remained the same, Lake Elmo is increasing water pressure in two other wells.

 

However, this news is not cause for alarm as city officials are stressing that the water remains clean.

 

You’ll recall several weeks ago that 3M has settled its lawsuit brought forward against it by the State of Minnesota. The company agreed to an $850 million settlement regarding water contaminated with PFC’s in the East Metro.

 

Because of this, I am co-authoring legislation this session that creates a water quality and sustainability account for this money. And the news in Lake Elmo highlights the need why it is imperative that we fight to ensure this money stays in our impacted communities, because we will never be able to predict when water issues will present themselves, and we must have funding available when they do.

 

The City also notes that a separate issue is taking place in Lake Elmo where some residents have been seeing brown water. To address this problem, the City flushed the system Wednesday morning in hopes of rectifying this situation. If you continue to see problems, you’re asked to call Public Works officials at 651-747-3940.

 

Also, mark your calendars: a water quality open house led by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be held in Lake Elmo on April 12 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at Oak-Land Middle School. I strongly encourage you to attend to learn more and ask questions.

 

PUTTING STUDENT SAFETY FIRST

On Thursday, Minnesota House Republicans highlighted a comprehensive plan designed to prioritize student safety.

 

The multifaceted approach includes more resources to meet the needs of students and schools statewide. This includes everything from hiring more school resource officers, student counselors and mental health professionals to making critical building security upgrades.

 

The following solutions are currently advancing through the public committee process and will be included in the larger proposal:

 

  • School resources officers, student support personnel, and other school security programs funded through increased Safe Schools revenue, including a minimum level of funding for small schools.
  • School building security upgrades, and expanded use of Long-Term Facility Maintenance revenue for security projects, including emergency communications systems.
  • School-linked mental health programing to ensure better outcomes for all kids.
  • Physical security audit grants to provide state assistance to review facility security and crisis management policies.
  • Suicide prevention training for teachers to help educators learn how to engage and assist students experiencing mental distress.
  • School-based threat assessment teams established to assess, intervene, and report threats facing students, teachers, and staff.

 

I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the student safety plan as it makes its way to the House floor.

 

I wish you all a very happy and healthy Easter holiday.

 

Kathy

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