Dear Neighbors,
We’re a little over halfway through the legislative session this year, and it’s pretty common now for work days to go late into the evening as we prepare for looming deadlines at the Capitol. There’s been several House floor votes and issues that are impacting our community that I’d like to update you on.
Special Election Bill
This week saw the second and hopefully last special election in our area of the state for some time. The limited window for these special elections has proven to be a challenge for many of our citizens, which is why I’ve introduced legislation and worked with Secretary of State Steve Simon to ensure that voices can be heard without undue burden. The bill has bipartisan, bicameral support, and is currently being worked on within the Election Omnibus bill. The legislation would extend the special elections cycle by two week, specifically when the election is to take place during the legislative session.
Holding Big Pharma Accountable in the Opioid Crisis
In 2017, more than 400 Minnesotans died as a result of opioid overdoses. More than 2,000 visits to emergency rooms for opioid-involved overdoses occurred the same year. The rate of opioid-related overdose deaths has steadily increased each year since 2010.
In response to heartbreaking personal stories I am hearing from Minnesotans and public safety leaders throughout our state, I voted in favor of legislation to hold pharmaceutical corporations accountable for their role in creating this crisis.
You can watch my remarks on their important priority below. |
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| Rep. Sundin's floor speech on opioid legislation. |
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Chronic Wasting Disease Research
This week the University of Minnesota announced that it has launched the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Response, Research and Policy Program to respond to the growing concern and spread of this disease. My colleagues and I who represent the northeastern part of the state in the Minnesota House recently called for action on this issue, and I applaud the U of M for taking this as seriously as we do. There’s a lot about this disease we don’t know, including how many deer it’s infect in our communities, how to treat it, and whether or not it has the future ability to spread to humans. This program from the U of M will strive to answer these questions and more. You can read more about the CWD program here.
Keep In Touch!
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments on the legislative process. You can reach me at rep.mike.sundin@house.mn, or at (651) 296-4308. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mike Sundin
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