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Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 11, 2019















Rep. Claflin



















Dear neighbors, 



I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones peace and joy this holiday season. It’s a wonderful time to show gratitude and celebrate with those we care about. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve and for all you do to make our community such a great place to live!



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The holidays are also a wonderful time to serve others! I recently helped pack 300 boxes of food for South Washington County families.





Combating Climate Change



Climate change is one of the top issues that I hear about from fellow community members, particularly young people. Minnesotans are organizing in their communities and urging legislators to take action. To show our support, my colleagues and I formed a new Climate Action Caucus. This dedicated group of legislators, which I’m proud to be a part of, is working with Minnesotans on a bold, comprehensive plan to address the climate crisis.



As a caucus, we’re hosting a series of community conversations that bring legislators, experts, and residents together to share ideas and discuss potential solutions. We’ve held public meetings dedicated to the intersection of climate and transportation, housing, and public health. Our next conversation will focus on environmental issues. If you’d like more information about upcoming events and the Climate Action Caucus, please visit our new website



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Governor Walz has recently established some initiatives that will complement the work we’re doing in the Minnesota House. In September, he announced that Minnesota will be the first Midwestern state to adopt clean car standards. When these standards are implemented, manufacturers will sell more vehicles that emit lower levels of greenhouse gases and other pollutants (LEVs) and vehicles with ultra-low or no tailpipe emissions (ZEVs). Minnesotans who are interested in driving cleaner cars will have more choices and see savings at the pump, and everyone will benefit from improved air quality and a significant decrease in our state’s greenhouse gas emissions. More information about clean car standards is available at mn.gov/cleancars.



Last week, Governor Walz announced the creation of a Climate Change Subcabinet and Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change. These groups will build on existing climate initiatives, help state agencies collaborate, and guide the Walz-Flanagan Administration in creating bold and collaborative action to combat the climate crisis.





Lawns to Legumes Applications



Applications for Lawns to Legumes are now open! This program, which was established thanks to legislation we passed this year, helps Minnesotans create pollinator-friendly habitats in their lawns. Many resources are available, including workshops, coaching, and planting guides. You can learn more here.



Lawns to Legumes also offers cost-share funding. Residents who create pollinator habitats in their yard can apply to be reimbursed for up to $350 in costs. If you’re interested in applying, more information is available here. Applications must be submitted by Friday, February 28.



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Addressing PFAS Contamination



The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Department of Health (MDH) recently announced that they’re expanding the search for sites contaminated by PFAS, industrial chemicals that can increase health risks. Since 2002, their investigation has identified several contaminated locations, including the 3M facility in Cottage Grove and several waste disposal sites in Washington County. The expanded search will include sites in Dakota County.



If you live in an area where PFAS contamination has been found, the MPCA can help make sure your water is safe. You can learn more about private well testing and other resources here.



PFAS are a concern for many people in our community, and addressing them will continue to be one of my top priorities. Next session, I intend to introduce a bill that would ban PFAs from food packaging. We need to do more to help communities where PFAS have been found and to prevent further contamination in other communities.





November Economic Forecast



Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released the November economic forecast last Thursday. The forecast showed a predicted balance of $1.3 billion for 2020-2021. This indicates that Minnesota is in a strong financial position but may face challenges in the future. When inflation is taken into consideration, the forecast suggests our state could see budget deficits that undermine our ability to provide world-class schools, safe roads, and high-quality health care for Minnesotans. In order to build a better Minnesota, we need to make smart, responsible investments in these core values.



You can read MPR’s coverage of the forecast here. More specifics are available at MMB’s website.





Looking Ahead



While I’m proud of what we accomplished this year, there’s more work to do in many areas. Please don’t hesitate to share any issues that are important to you and your family. I always appreciate input from fellow community members!



On behalf of myself and my family, best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday season and a happy new year.



Sincerely,



Anne Claflin

State Representative






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