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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL)

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Update: Probation terms, youth vaping, and open enrollment

Friday, November 15, 2019

Rep. Kunesh-Podein

Greetings neighbors,

Since 1995, this month has been set aside to recognize our nation’s indigenous people, culture, accomplishments, and contributions.

I have always carried my Lakota ancestry with pride and in spite of historical intentional efforts to erase and eradicate the first people of this continent, American Indian families, communities, and cultures not only survived but are thriving!

You can learn more about Native American Heritage Month at this PBS site. Take a minute to watch the Standing Bear episode; his wife, Zazette Primeau, sits on my family tree!

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Here's a quick update from the Capitol:

Probation Terms

Last week, Minnesota advanced a five-year cap on probation terms. Many Minnesotans are still receiving decades-long probation terms, and this decision will reduce sentencing disparities based on race and geography. For far too long in our state, both the number of individuals sentenced to probation and the length of the terms have exceeded what’s needed to promote deterrence or reduce recidivism.

Individuals who are on probation are ineligible for expungements, barred from many professions, prevented from living in certain residences and even prevented from voting. You can read me and my People of Color and Indigenous Caucus colleagues' statement here

Youth Vaping

It's estimated that 5 million young people in the United States regularly vape e-cigarettes. We should all be concerned about the long-term health consequences vaping will cause, and stopping tobacco companies from targeting to youth with flavors like bubblegum and peach, smoking devices disguised as flash drives, even a hoodie with draw-strings that can be used for vaping. You can read about our new House DFL plan to combat youth vaping in a Star Tribune Story here.

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Open Enrollment

Don't forget! Healthcare plan open enrollment ends on Dec. 23. It's your chance to change health care plans or enroll in a new plan that's best for you and your family. The MNsure marketplace is the only place where you can qualify for financial help in the form of monthly tax credits. Go to MNsure.org to compare plans and get covered! 

 

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Work for the Census! 

The Census Bureau needs to hire as many as 7,500 people in Minnesota at $14-20 an hour to help reach hard-to-count populations to help get an accurate count! 

There's a lot at stake in the 2020 census for Minnesota, which is one of several states on the cusp of losing a congressional seat depending on the count. Minnesota also gets $15 billion for services from the federal government each year that's directly tied to the census. Learn more here!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Mary KP