Dear Neighbors,

I hope fall is treating you well and you’re adjusting to the colder weather. As the temperature drops and we approach winter, some families in our community may struggle with heating bills. Nobody deserves to be stuck in the cold and help is available to make sure this doesn’t happen. On October 15, Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule took effect, which protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months. Certain low-income consumers aren’t required to pay more than 10 percent of their household income toward current and past heating bills, while others are eligible to arrange a Cold Weather Rule payment plan. More information is available from the Public Utilities Commission here.

Be Heard on Cannabis

It’s time for Minnesotans to have an honest conversation about legalizing cannabis. At this year’s Minnesota State Fair, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler launched “Be Heard on Cannabis,” a statewide effort giving people the opportunity to share their thoughts on this important issue. There are a variety of reasons why this issue is worth exploring and if Minnesota moves ahead with a legalization framework, we need to do it in a thoughtful, responsible way. A community conversation on cannabis will take place Wednesday, November 20 at 6 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus College. Please join us to share your input on this topic.

What: Be Heard on Cannabis - Greater Mankato Community Conversation
Where: Gustavus Adolphus College (Heritage Banquet Room), 800 W College Ave, Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082
When: Wednesday, November 20 at 6 – 8 p.m.
Who: Hosted by Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Jeff Hayden, Rep. Jack Considine, Rep. Jeff Brand, and Senator Nick Frentz

Saluting Our Veterans

This coming Monday, November 11, we observe Veterans Day in recognition of all brave service members who have worn our nation’s uniform. No matter the branch in which they served or where they were stationed, our veterans deserve deep appreciation for their brave sacrifices. It’s not just enough to simply thank veterans with our words one day a year, though. Throughout the year, we have a responsibility to ensure they have opportunities to succeed and thrive in our communities. Veterans often face challenges when they return home in a variety of areas including employment, housing, and health care. As a state legislator, I’m committed to working in a bipartisan manner to remove these barriers toward success.

This past legislative session, lawmakers delivered full funding for both the state Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs to support those currently wearing the uniform, as well as those who have served previously, along with funding for Veterans Service Organizations, Honor Guards, the Gold Star Program, and the Minnesota GI Bill. We also invested in the expansion of the C.O.R.E (Counseling and Case Management, Outreach, Referral and Education) program to address veteran homelessness. Our state budget funded other priorities like the Helmets to Hardhats program, which helps veterans enter building and construction apprenticeship programs which lead to rewarding, good-paying careers, and Veterans’ Voices, a program through the Minnesota Humanities Center which helps amplify and preserve experiences, stories, and narratives.

All of our veterans deserve our continued support, respect, and gratitude. As we reflect upon the sacrifices our military service members have made – and will continue to make – let’s all commit to ensuring that when their missions are finished, they will return home to supportive and caring communities. This Monday, please join me in saluting all who have served our country; it’s the least we can do for those who have made enormous sacrifices for freedoms we enjoy each and every day.

Happy Deer Opener

Each fall, about a half-million Minnesotans take advantage of our firearms deer hunting season. About one-third of them will be successful, and if you participate this weekend, I hope you will be among them. The Minnesota DNR’s deer hunting webpage is a comprehensive resource for information on this year’s hunt. No matter how experienced you are, it’s always a good idea to brush up on the best safety practices, and learn about conservation efforts. The danger of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease in particular is something to be aware of, and if you’re hunting in a CWD management zone I encourage you to learn about the steps you can take to stop the spread of CWD.

Deer hunting is a major component for our state’s outdoor heritage, and if you take part, I hope you will enjoy it with family and friends.

Disability Parking Permits

This past legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill allowing physical therapists to certify applications for disability parking permits. Previously, only physicians, licensed physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses and chiropractors were allowed to do this.

I’ve interacted with several physical therapists recently who weren’t aware of this recent change to state law. Physical therapists work more closely with their patients, and certainly more frequently, than physicians, and have a better understanding of their capabilities to determine the need for a disability permit. Further, it allows patients to get the permit quicker and without making an otherwise unnecessary appointment with a physician, which can be costly.

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