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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL)

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Legislative Update - Pedestrian & Bike Safety Survey and Minnesota v. Juul

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Rep. Halverson

Dear neighbors, 

First of all, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you happy holidays! I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the season with family and friends.

Halverson 12.17 (1)

As we enter the season of giving, I encourage you to consider making a contribution to an organization that helps those who are experiencing tough times if you’re able. Financial support, non-monetary donations, and time can make a big difference to the many organizations that deserve our help, and it’s a great way to spread joy during this time of year.


Keeping Pedestrians and Bicyclists Safe

Last week I held another forum dedicated to pedestrian and bicycle safety. At this meeting, we discussed solutions to the issues with Diffley Road and safety and accessibility issues throughout Eagan and Dakota County. Diffley Road will continue to be a priority, but we need to have a larger conversation about walkability and bikeability in our community. If you’d like to be a part of that conversation, please take a few minutes to complete my pedestrian and bike safety survey and feel free to share it with other community members.


Minnesota Sues Juul

In Minnesota, we will not stand by as Big Tobacco targets our kids. Juul, the nation’s largest e-cigarette manufacturer, has used predatory marketing, kid-friendly flavors, and misinformation to get children and young adults hooked on their products. Deceptive ads that portrayed vaping as a safer and cleaner alternative to smoking cigarettes helped fuel a surge in e-cigarette use among young Minnesotans. In October, my House DFL colleagues and I introduced a new, comprehensive plan to curb the epidemic that Juul and other tobacco companies created. Our plan raises the tobacco sales age to 21, counters deceptive marketing, bans the sale of flavored products, and eliminates online sales that companies exploit to sell products to underage Minnesotans.

I’m pleased that Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison are taking steps to hold Juul accountable. They recently announced that the State of Minnesota is suing Juul for using deceptive marketing, targeting young people, and creating a public health crisis. If the lawsuit is successful, the company could be ordered to stop marketing to children and to fund educational campaigns and programs that help young people stop vaping. You can read more about the lawsuit here.


Eagan News: New Year’s Eve Family Event

Join your neighbors to welcome the new year at the City of Eagan’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be several activities for children, including music, movies, a photobooth, and a beach ball drop. You can find more information and register at www.discovereagan.com.

When: Tuesday, December 31 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121

From my family to yours, best wishes for a holiday and New Year filled with peace, love, and joy.

Sincerely,

Laurie Halverson
State Representative