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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Ami Wazlawik (DFL)

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Legislative Update - July 19, 2019

Friday, July 19, 2019

Dear neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying the wonderful things that our community and state have to offer! I recently returned from a four day trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to travel through this beautiful part of Minnesota!

Water Gremlin Update

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced last week that Water Gremlin will be fined $500 a day until the company completes testing of pollution control equipment. As part of their agreement with the MPCA, Water Gremlin agreed to install this equipment and have it tested within 30 days; it’s now been 81. The company applied for and received two extensions, but the MPCA rejected their third request for more time.

Residents of White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, and Gem Lake were exposed to TCE without their knowledge for years. They deserve to know that the air they’re breathing is clean. Water Gremlin must be held accountable for the consequences of their actions and for failing to honor the terms of their agreement with the MPCA.

Hands-Free Law

The new hands-free law takes effect next month. Starting August 1, Minnesotans must refrain from holding cell phones while driving. Drivers can still make calls, text, listen to music, and get directions if they use voice commands or single-touch activation. A guide with more information and helpful tips for going hands-free is available here.

Hands-free laws remind drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their attention on the road. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, distracted driving is a factor in one in five accidents on Minnesota roads, causing an average of 53 deaths and 216 serious injuries each year. In other states, crashes and fatalities have decreased after hands-free laws were implemented.

Red Blue Build

In one of my previous updates, I mentioned joining colleagues from both sides of the aisle to help build a home for a Minnesota family with Habitat for Humanity. This week TPT invited me to talk about my experience at the first annual Red Blue Build. If you’d like to learn more, tune in to TPT 2 tonight at 7pm or read about it here. The episode of Almanac will be uploaded here after it airs.

Stay in Touch

I always appreciate hearing from fellow community members. Please don’t hesitate to share your questions or concerns. You can email me at rep.ami.wazlawik@house.mn, call me at 651-296-3018, or stop by the DFL booth at Marketfest next Thursday.

Sincerely,

Ami Wazlawik
State Representative