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

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Legislative Update - January 3, 2020 NAACP housing forum, MLK celebration, sale of tobacco products

Friday, January 3, 2020

Alice Hausman State Representative Email Banner

 

Neighbors and Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope you were able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends and are ready to start 2020 with a renewed sense of purpose. I spent some quality time with loved ones and took special delight in my grandchildren as I watch them grow and thrive.

We have a few weeks ahead as we ramp up to the first day of the 2020 legislative session on February 11.

NAACP housing forum

Shortly before the end of the year, I participated in a NAACP-sponsored forum on housing. We discussed potential legislative action to address housing needs throughout the state and listened to the concerns of the African-American community. It was an informative and substantive event. It’s clear that we have work to do to this session and in ongoing years. 

2020 MLK Day Celebration 

On January 20, 2020, you are invited to the 34th Annual State of Minnesota Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, hosted by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.

The theme for this year’s celebration is For Our Children. Stay tuned on Facebook for exciting announcements of an incredible keynote and powerful performers. 

The event is free and open to the public and will take place at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts at 345 Washington St. from 10 a.m. to noon. Doors open at 9:15 and the program begins at 10 a.m.

Federal government prohibits sale of tobacco products to anyone below age 21

At the end of 2019, the federal government enacted bipartisan legislation prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing tobacco products, including vaping devices. Nineteen states already raised the minimum age to buy tobacco products to 21, and more than 500 cities and towns also have done the same (including many here in Minnesota). 

In 2019, I voted for legislation that raised Minnesota’s statewide minimum purchase age to 21. In the wake of last fall’s nation-wide vaping crisis, my colleagues and I announced a new comprehensive plan to prevent Big Tobacco from targeting our kids and addicting a new generation to its deadly products. Our plan bans the sale of all flavored products, increases youth education and prevention efforts, and eliminates online sales entirely. Watch a video replay of our press conference announcing the new plan here

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are working alongside us to hold Big Tobacco accountable. On December 4, they announced a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL. 

JUUL developed products with higher, more potent, and more addictive doses of nicotine than conventional cigarettes and other e-cigarettes — then failed to disclose that to its customers and represented that its products are a safe alternative to cigarettes. Their sleek-looking products and child-friendly flavors like peach and bubblegum were designed to appeal to youth. 

This rapid growth has wiped out the last 10 years’ worth of progress that Minnesota made in fighting youth tobacco use. 2017 was the first year in nearly two decades that saw an increase in tobacco use among high school students.

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The Minnesota House has implemented a new email system, and some “bugs” have been discovered. I appreciate your patience as our IT team works to resolve any problems.

During the legislative interim, you can contact me at rep.alice.hausman@house.mn.

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

Sincerely,

Alice