Neighbors and Friends,
I hope you are enjoying the summer. I like being outside on these lovely days, but they go by much too fast!
A few new laws are going into effect next week and I wanted to share this and other information with you.
Reminder: Hands Free Cell Phone law takes effect next week
The “hands-free cellphone use while driving” bill takes effect next week. In my last update, I included a tip sheet outlining the new law, but I thought it would be helpful to include more about it in this update, because it affects so many Minnesotans. Here is more information on the new law.
New laws take effect August 1
Many other laws take effect on August 1, 2019, among those are: EpiPen administration, racially restrictive covenants on property titles, predatory offender penalties and license plate fee increases.
This information can be accessed at https://www.house.mn/hinfo/leginfo/0819nlrelease.pdf.
Summaries of all laws passed by the 2019 Legislature are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services at http://www.house.mn/newlaws/#/search/2019.
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Property Tax Refund and Renters Credit
I’d like to remind everyone to apply for a property tax refund or renters credit before the
August 15 filing deadline. Many Minnesotans qualify for these refunds, but forget to file. Take a few minutes to review the eligibility requirements and apply online here before it’s too late!
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Coping with Farm and Rural Stress
You may have been born in the metro area, but many of you were raised in rural Minnesota. Numerous farming families are facing a financial or other stress-related crisis. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has published a brochure to give farmers resources to help them cope. After all, we are One Minnesota and we want to help each other succeed and live our best life. I was a conferee on the final agreement of the Agriculture and Housing bill and heard first hand some of the struggles being experienced in our rural communities. If you are originally from a rural area or have family who live in Greater Minnesota, please pass along this helpful information.
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If you need to reach me during the interim, feel free to call my legislative assistant Blake Wilcox at 651-296-8803.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Alice