Dear neighbors,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and that you’ve been able to safely spend time with family and friends during this holiday season.
Protecting Minnesotans from Forever Chemicals
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently released a draft plan to monitor PFAS. Under this plan, the agency would conduct regular testing at sites across the state, including solid waste, wastewater, and stormwater facilities; landfills with hazardous waste; facilities with air emissions permits; and sites that are part of the Brownfield and Superfund programs. The data would be used to support the creation of policies to prevent PFAS contamination and to monitor and clean up polluted sites.
The MPCA is currently accepting input from Minnesotans on this plan. You can read the draft and submit a comment here. The comment period closes on Monday, December 20.
I attended a summit dedicated to this issue recently. We discussed the status of PFAS-related initiatives in Minnesota, progress that’s been made in other states, and what the federal government is doing to address concerns about PFAS. We also learned about product labeling issues and how the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MNTAP) can help businesses transition to safer alternatives. Our group has one final meeting next week where we’ll talk about how to address PFAS once it’s in our water and waste streams.
Connecting with Minnesotans
Senator Roger Chamberlain and I recently met with third graders from White Bear Lake Distance Academy. We had a great time talking to the students and sharing what we do as legislators!
I also recently met with advocates and some of my House colleagues to discuss efforts to increase the amount of accessible housing for Minnesotans with disabilities. There often isn’t enough housing available for people with disabilities, and the current housing shortage has had a disproportionate impact on this community. My colleagues and I will look at ways to alleviate this shortage and ensure all Minnesotans have access to safe and affordable housing next session.
Upcoming Events
The White Bear Lake City Council is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. A number of issues will be discussed, including:
- Issuing general obligation bonds that would support infrastructure projects in the city
- Adopting a capital improvement plan for 2022 through 2026
- A proposal to establish a fee schedule for services, penalties, permits, and licenses
- An amendment to the Sign Code that allows billboards
You can find more information about the hearing and how to watch it and/or provide comments here.
Please reach out if you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share. You can contact me by email at rep.ami.wazlawik@house.mn or call (651) 296-3018.
Sincerely,
Ami Wazlawik
State Representative