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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Tony Albright (R)

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Hands Free Law & Mess at DHS

Monday, July 22, 2019

Friends, 


I hope you and your family are having a great summer. I've seen many of you out and about — never hesitate to say hi! This update has some important new information on new laws going into effect on August 1st, along with a brief wrap up of the dysfunction at the Department of Human Services. 


Chaos at DHS Demands Answers

The abrupt, unexplained departures of the top four officials at the Department of Human Services (DHS) in the past week—and then two of them “rescinding” their resignations— is deeply concerning and reveals a significant level of disorder at our largest state agency.

Prior to all of this, Carolyn Ham, the Inspector General for DHS, was put on paid administrative leave following revelations of inaction related to child care fraud. She has been on leave for four months, collecting $42,000 to date, and the investigation did not even begin until last week. This is unacceptable. 

Getting to the bottom of the issues at DHS will require transparency from the Walz Administration. We need to know what went wrong so we can figure out how to make this important government agency eliminate fraud and abuse of taxpayers’ dollars and work as efficiently and effectively as possible.

I joined a number of my colleagues in sending a letter asking the House Majority to hold hearings to get to the bottom of the mess at DHS. 

 

Hands-Free Law

The Hands-Free Law goes into effect on August 1st. The new law allows a driver to use their cell phone to make calls, text, listen to music or podcasts and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone. 

At no time may a driver hold the phone in their hand unless it’s to obtain emergency assistance, if there is an immediate threat to life and safety, or when in an authorized emergency vehicle while performing official duties.

More information about the new law is available here.

Among the other laws going into effect are EpiPen administration, racially restrictive covenants on property titles, predatory offender penalties, and license plate fee increases. A full list of laws going into effect is available here

 

Please Contact Me

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas! Even though the legislature is not in session, please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance. You can call me at 651-296-5185 or contact me via email at rep.tony.albright@house.mn.

Have a great Summer!

Tony

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