Dear Neighbors,
Last week news emerged of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s plans to eliminate 150 claims processing jobs in Minnesota with 40 of them being on the Iron Range. I’m frustrated and saddened to learn of these job losses, and this decision is a huge blow to families in our region.
This news should be alarming to all of us. As we continue to see signs of a slowing economy, this highlights the need to diversify and invest in what will keep our region strong. This includes excellent schools, expansion of infrastructure like high-speed broadband, targeted assistance for economic development opportunities, and other steps forward to ensure all people on the Iron Range can experience an excellent way of life for generations to come.
House Floor
Last night, the House of Representatives approved three high-profile bills. This first, HF 50, would ban phone calls behind the wheel except for those in “hands-free” mode. One in four crashes in Minnesota comes as a result of distracted driving, and this bill will save lives.
The House also passed HF 400 aimed at addressing our state’s opioid crisis. Too many lives have been lost due to addiction and overdoses, with a high concentration tragically in northern Minnesota and in our tribal communities. This bill would create an Opioid Stewardship Advisory Council to implement education, prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies. Funding for these would come from fees paid by drug manufacturers and distributors totaling up to $20 million per year. It’s not right that taxpayers are the only ones on the hook for solving this problem, and this bill ensures pharmaceutical companies will be part of the solution.
Earlier this winter Minnesota experienced a harsh “polar vortex” resulting in several days in which school was cancelled, and many districts don’t have many days left in the calendar to make them up. HF 1982 ensures school districts don’t miss out on any state funding and makes sure hourly school employees receive compensation from these days.
CPR Training for 911 Dispatchers
The first moments following cardiac arrest are critical, and the delivery of CPR can triple a victim’s chance of survival. Last week, the House Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on HF 1520, my bill to require 911 dispatchers to be trained in giving CPR instructions over the phone, or to transfer a call to another person trained in this. In rural Minnesota, where response times for first responders are long due to the distance they have to travel, this can make the difference between life and death. Where the first moments following cardiac arrest are critical, CPR delivery can triple a victim’s chance of survival.
The committee heard the story of Ashley Goette of West St. Paul and her husband Andrew. Ashley was 39 weeks pregnant when one night she attempted to get Andrew to stop snoring, only to discover he was having difficulty breathing. She knew something was wrong and immediately called 911. The dispatcher identified that Andrew was undergoing cardiac arrest and started to give CPR instructions. At 39 weeks of pregnancy, Ashley had difficulty repositioning Andrew, but the dispatcher calmly helped coach her on how to deliver chest compressions.
Initially, Ashley had thought these instructions were just a comfort measure from the dispatcher, but when paramedics arrived she quickly learned that her actions, along with the instructions from the dispatcher, may have indeed saved Andrew’s life. Doctors discovered that Andrew – an otherwise healthy 29 year old – suffered from a rare heart condition. The next day, Andrew was on his way to a full recovery. What’s more, Ashley entered labor in a hospital bed next to his!
CPR can turn bystanders into lifesavers. The Goette’s story had a happy ending, and I’m hopeful this bill can help save lives in the future.
Working for Our Communities
The House recently unanimously approved HF 608, my bill to update the law governing the St. Louis County Civil Service Commission, which hadn’t been updated since 1941. This work was done on a consensus basis, with both labor and management agreeing to each provision. St. Louis County is the largest county by area east of the Mississippi River, and employs 1,850 workers represented by 11 different bargaining units. This is a result of an over 10-year effort between labor and management and it highlights what’s possible when both sides have a mutual understanding and commitment to solve problems. It will better enable St. Louis County to recruit and retain talented, dedicated employees
Last week, House committees held several public hearings on legislation I’ve authored to strengthen Iron Range communities. One of these is HF 1479 to deliver $1.2 million to the city of Floodwood for improvements to their wastewater treatment system. In 2018, the city experienced a catastrophic failure of its 50-year-old pond system. This has resulted in untreated wastewater entering the St. Louis River. Funding from this bill would go toward predesign, design, engineering, and construction and expansion of the stabilization ponds. Such a small community like this simply isn’t able to raise the resources for this project on their own. I was honored to have Mayor Dave DeNoyer and City Administrator Jessica Rich join me to present the bill to the House Capital Investment Division.
Local Government Aid is a critical resource for cities to deliver quality services residents count on, like public safety, without property tax hikes. Unfortunately, since budget cuts in the early 2000s, the level of LGA our cities receive hasn’t kept pace with what’s needed. Last week I presented two bills to the Property and Local Tax division to address this. The first, HF 1599, would increase the level of LGA funding for Floodwood. Another, HF 1458, fixes the state LGA formula to enable the city of Hibbing to be treated fairly, as a true medium-sized city. LGA isn’t a want, but is a need for many communities like ours and I’ll keep working to deliver this funding.
Supporting Disability Services
Last Tuesday was Disability Services Day at the Capitol, and people with disabilities, their family members, and those who provide care came to the Capitol advocating for strong support from the Legislature. All Minnesotans deserve to live with dignity, and we have a responsibility to ensure people with disabilities and other vulnerable Minnesotans can live strong, fulfilling lives. Unfortunately, due to low reimbursement rates and therefore low wages they’re able to offer, service providers are struggling to attract and retain dedicated staff. We simply can’t expect the people trusted to care for our most vulnerable to survive on poverty wages.
I got to hear the story of one constituent who used to work as a personal care attendant, but unfortunately suffered a traumatic brain injury. Now, he counts on the services just like those he used to provide. I am committed to keeping the promises we’ve made to these individuals, and improving the services and resources they rely on.
Please continue to contact me with your ideas, input, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Julie Sandstede
State Representative
Rep. Julie Sandstede
411 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
www.house.mn/06a
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Phone: 651-296-0172
E-mail: rep.julie.sandstede@house.mn
Legislative Assistant: Josh Kilgard, 651-296-3918