Dear Neighbors,
This past weekend included two incidents of tragic gun violence each resulting in significant numbers of lives lost. My warmest wishes for healing go out to the families of those senselessly killed. Action to address gun violence is long overdue and it’s time for elected leaders at all levels to enact lifesaving solutions. This past session, the Minnesota House approved measures to expand criminal background checks and to allow “red flag” laws, but the Senate regrettably stood with the NRA and blocked them. Everyone deserves to be safe while shopping, worshipping, seeing a movie, attending a concert, or anywhere else at home, work, or their community. I remain committed to taking the necessary steps to end this cycle of violence.
Here’s an update from the State Capitol.
PCA Wages
In case you missed it, the Mankato Free Press recently highlighted my continued efforts to ensure personal care attendants receive the wages they deserve for the work they perform in our communities. Everyone, including people with disabilities and other vulnerable Minnesotans, deserves to live a fulfilling life with dignity. Home care workers provide a vital service, but low wages mean high turnover and difficulty recruiting folks for these positions.
This remains my top priority and I remain committed to developing a long term solution to this problem.
New Laws
On August 1, several new laws took effect. The most notable is the new “hands-free” legislation, prohibiting any handheld use of a cellphone while driving. Distracted driving is a cause of one out of every five crashes. The state Office of Traffic Safety has some comprehensive information about the new law here. Some drivers have been pulled over and claimed they were unaware of the new law. Let’s all commit to putting our phones down and exercising attentive driving behaviors on Minnesota roads, and in doing so, keep our roads safe, not to mention avoiding costly tickets.
Also taking effect August 1 is a modified version of the left lane “move over” law, requiring motorists to move to the right when not passing. It’s a pet peeve of many people, including me, to get stuck behind a slow driver in the left lane. The new law isn’t an invitation to speed or to otherwise drive aggressively, but will hopefully encourage drivers to move to the right and keep traffic moving.
Minnesota Public Radio summarized many of the new laws here.
Please continue to contact me with your input or if I can be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Jack Considine
State Representative
Rep. Jack Considine
433 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
www.house.mn/19B
Chair, House Corrections Division
Phone: 651-296-3248
E-mail: rep.jack.considine@house.mn
Legislative Assistant: Adam Kopel, 651-296-4165