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Dear neighbors,
If you take part, I hope you’ll have a safe and successful deer opener on Saturday. The Minnesota DNR has some good information here about safety, conservation efforts, and licensing. The danger of spreading chronic wasting disease (CWD) in particular is something to be aware of. Information about what you can do to stop it is available here.
Addressing Chronic Wasting Disease
Last week I attended a bipartisan public hearing dedicated to chronic wasting disease. Experts from the DNR, the MPCA, the Board of Animal Health, and the University of Minnesota provided updates on their efforts to contain this neurological disease which is fatal to deer. Members of the public were also invited to share their thoughts and ideas.
While progress is being made, there are still concerns to be addressed. For example, the hauler that was contracted to dispose of carcasses that were dropped off at new Adopt-a-Dumpster sites backed out early last week, leaving hunters without a safe disposal option. I’m committed to working with others to address these issues.
Be Heard on Cannabis Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who came to the Be Heard on Cannabis town hall in Bemidji last week. More than 50 people joined Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and I to share their thoughts on this issue and discuss what a framework for legalization would look like.
Jillian Gandsey from the Bemidji Pioneer took this great photo during the town hall. You can read the Bemidji Pioneer’s article about the event here.
I come at this issue from a veterans’ perspective. Many fellow veterans have told me that they’d rather use cannabis than opioids to treat their PTSD and chronic pain. Since Veterans Affairs currently can’t prescribe or provide cannabis, these folks have to get a prescription from a private doctor and pay for it out of pocket. That can cost hundreds of dollars a month. Legalizing cannabis for responsible adult use would expand access and affordability for Minnesotans who rely on it for treatment.
Whatever your thoughts are, it’s clear that attitudes towards cannabis are changing. Before legislators move ahead, we want to gather input from Minnesotans on all sides of the issue. If you’d like to share your feedback, you can take Speaker Hortman’s cannabis survey here.
Protecting the Mississippi River
Earlier this week I joined experts and local officials in Walker for the biennial meeting of the Mississippi Headwaters Board, an organization dedicated to protecting the first 400 miles of the Mississippi. We discussed habitat protection, education, a new signage program, recreational opportunities, a stormwater study that is delivering for Baxter and Bemidji, and plans for the future. I’m looking forward to continuing my work in this area.
Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, we recognize all the 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. However, it’s not enough to thank them once a year. We have a responsibility to ensure that the men and women who have served our country have opportunities to succeed and thrive in our communities throughout the year.
This year, the Legislature delivered full funding for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs. Veterans Service Organizations, Honor Guards, the Gold Star Program, and the Minnesota GI Bill received funding as well. We also expanded a program that addresses veteran homelessness, provided support for the Helmets to Hardhats program that connects veterans with building and construction apprenticeships, and funded Veterans’ Voices, an initiative that preserves veterans’ stories and experiences.
As we reflect on the sacrifices that our service members have made – and continue to make – let’s all commit to ensuring that when their missions are finished, they can return home to supportive and caring communities. This Monday, please join me in saluting all who have served our country, and let’s remember our POW/MIAs and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Please reach out if you have feedback or if I can ever be of assistance. You can email me at rep.john.persell@house.mn or call me at 651-296-5516.
Sincerely,
John Persell
State Representative
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