Dear neighbors,

The 2020 legislative session is off to a great start! Keep reading for more information about an ambitious plan that I introduced this week.

Protecting Minnesotans from Toxic Chemicals

Yesterday I introduced a new plan to prevent a public health disaster like Water Gremlin from happening again. With input from many community members and my House DFL colleagues, I’ve assembled a package of legislation that protects workers, communities, and the environment. Our plan addresses many of the concerns that Minnesotans shared with me and other legislators whose communities were impacted by the problems at Water Gremlin, including gaps in processes, lack of public engagement, and worker safety. Here are some of the highlights:

• A statewide ban on trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Greater public access to information about environmental hazards
• Opportunities for community members to provide input on nonexpiring permits and pending settlement agreements
• More frequent and rigorous testing and expanded reporting requirements for facilities with potential air pollutants
• Clearer authority and better tools that will help state agencies enforce existing laws and permits
• Stronger protections for workers

If you’d like to read more about the plan, a handout with details is available here. You can watch the press conference where we introduced the plan here and read a WCCO article about it here. Please stay tuned for updates!

Make Your Voice Heard

If you like to stay informed about what’s happening at the Capitol, House Public Information Services is a great, nonpartisan source for coverage of public hearings, information about bills, daily schedules, and more. You can sign up to receive regular updates here or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Please continue sharing questions and feedback as the legislative session continues! You can reach me at rep.ami.wazlawik@house.mn or 651-296-3018.

Sincerely,

Ami Wazlawik
State Representative