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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL)

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Legislative Update - October 25, 2019 Universal background checks, robo calls, legislator schedules, apple orchards

Friday, October 25, 2019

Neighbors and Friends,

The leaves are continuing to fall and the change of seasons is the perfect time to visit some of our nearby apple orchards. Many types of homegrown apples can be found at local grocery stores and the Minnesota Grown Directory can be found online or in print at many stores and is a great resource for locating apple orchards and farmers markets.  

Here is an update from the Capitol:

Minnesotans support universal background checks

A recent poll in the Star Tribune shows strong support for universal background checks on all gun sales and a ban on semiautomatic military-style rifles. To read more about the poll, click here.

Robo calls

Last week, my House colleague, Rep. Zack Stephenson, announced plans to roll out legislation to crack down on invasive and predatory ‘robo-calls’.

Under the legislation, robo-calls would be illegal, and would include criminal enhancements to felony level whenever identity theft or a swindle is a result of a robo-call.  The bill also gives legal tools to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Attorney General, and consumers themselves to take action when they receive these would-be illegal calls.

Rep. Stephenson’s legislation requires all telecommunications companies to implement the latest and strongest anti-robo-call technology at no additional cost to the consumer and ensure technology is strengthened and working to benefit every single Minnesotan.

The legislation will be introduced when the 2020 legislative session begins on February 11.

You can read more about the plan from MPR here or watch the WCCO clip here

Legislator’s Schedules

I often get asked about an “average” week for a state legislator. All members represent unique districts and no week is alike, but this is just an example of my recent schedule:

Earlier this week I toured the Pig's Eye Waste Wood plant to hear about the huge challenge of managing waste from the Emerald Ash devastation.  They grind wood waste and use it for fuel.

Later in the day I received an update on the Como Zoo Seal Harbor construction.

Yesterday I went on a Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH) tour to get a better understanding of the housing challenge. Then attended the Climate Caucus to talk about the transportation impact on climate.  

Next week I will meet with University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel to discuss several issues relating to the St. Paul campus, including trying to save Breck Woods which has been used by professors as a science classroom and is now for sale. I will also meet with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) members and their families to discuss obstacles they face. In addition, I have my quarterly meeting with the Roseville school district to discuss district challenges and successes and to get an update on construction projects. Finally, I will meet with U of M social work students to discuss their work, particularly around housing.

As you can see, we split our time between many events in and near our districts.

__________________

If you would like to reach me during the interim you can contact rep.alice.hausman@house.mn.

Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.

Sincerely,   

Alice