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Protecting Minnesota waters and advocating for our community

Monday, November 25, 2019















Rep. Claflin



















Dear neighbors, 



I hope that you’re staying warm as winter approaches! Unfortunately, for many Minnesotans colder weather means struggling to afford heating bills. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule helps protect people facing these challenges from having their heat shut off. It went into effect last month. Please make sure that your family, friends, and neighbors know about this program and remember to watch out for one another this winter.



While the Legislature doesn’t reconvene until February, there’s plenty of work going on inside and outside the Capitol. I’m using this time to connect with people in our community and work on new proposals.





Protecting Minnesota Waters



Protecting Minnesota waters - from our lakes and rivers to drinking water in our houses - is one of my top priorities. A few weeks ago, I attended the third annual gathering of the Mississippi River Legislative Caucus, a network of lawmakers from every state that borders the Mississippi River. We discussed recent flooding, addressing nutrient loss, and building coalitions to improve river health and local economies. It was a great opportunity to work together and share bold new solutions that will protect our communities and our ecosystem as a whole.



I’ve also been actively working with legislators from the Great Lakes states and provinces. I was honored to be selected as a fellow with the Birkholz Institute for Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Policy to work on nutrient pollution, a serious problem that occurs when fertilizers run off into bodies of water and stimulate excessive algae growth. We’re studying the impact it has on residents, businesses, and industries. Our goal is to produce legislation that all states bordering the Great Lakes can enact together.





In Our Community



Improving Local Roads and Infrastructure



During the interim, the House Capital Investment Committee has traveled throughout the state to learn more about local infrastructure needs. I enjoyed showing other legislators around Washington and Dakota County!



During our visit to South St. Paul, city officials described the plan to rebuild part of Concord Street and the need for state funding to improve aging utilities along that corridor. The reconstruction is an opportunity to install a sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer improvements. I'm supporting these improvements because they will not only help our district with economic development but also have a direct impact improving water quality in the Mississippi River.










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In Washington County, legislators toured the county waste recovery facility and met with elected officials and staff from the City of Newport. I want to take a second to recognize work Washington County is doing to improve organic material recycling and the City of Newport’s work to update city infrastructure to reduce storm water inflow into sanitary sewer lines. Both of these projects will have a long-term impact on our community’s health and wellbeing. 



Investing in these projects would benefit our community and the entire state. I will be an advocate for them when the Legislature reconvenes!





Community Conversation on Mental Health



South St. Paul recently hosted a community conversation about mental health. We were able to hear from a panel of experts, including advocates, law enforcement, school counselors, parents, and practitioners. Noah McCourt, a disability and mental health advocate, was the guest speaker and gave a helpful summary of the work he does to help people have a voice in decision making.



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Volunteering at Grey Cloud Dunes



Did you know that there’s a protected remnant sand prairie in our neighborhood where you can enjoy a hike and birdwatching? Earlier this month I joined about 20 volunteers from the community to harvest wildflower seeds at Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area. These seeds will be used to restore additional prairie in the park. We collected seeds from 12 key species and gathered three grocery bags full of these tiny seeds. I brought my family along, and William had a great time helping!



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Stay Connected



Our work here at the Legislature is a collaborative process, and I appreciate your input. Please don’t hesitate to share your questions and feedback, and feel free to forward this email to others who might be interested in signing up for these updates. You can reach me at rep.anne.claflin@house.mn or 651-296-4342. I look forward to hearing from you!



Sincerely,



Anne Claflin

State Representative






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