Dear neighbors, It’s been a busy week at the Minnesota House of Representatives. Here’s a brief update on what I’ve been working on: Protecting Our Health and Environment from Toxic ChemicalsPFAS, “forever chemicals” that can affect Minnesotans’ health and harm our environment, are in some of the products we use every day. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation to eliminate nonessential uses of PFAS that can create risks for human exposure. I presented three of my bills to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee last Thursday. HF 2906, HF 2907, and HF 2952 would ban the use of these toxic chemicals in cosmetics, cookware, and ski wax. All three bills advanced with bipartisan support! Connecting with Community MembersTalking with people about issues that are important to them is one of my favorite parts of serving in the legislature. I met with several community members this week, including nurses from St. Paul Children’s Hospital. We discussed the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act (HF 3242), legislation that limits the number of patients a nurse can be responsible for and establishes committees to set staffing levels for units at Minnesota hospitals. This bill would provide support for dedicated workers and help keep folks on the job.  Yesterday was National Kidney Day on the Hill. I met with a constituent to hear about challenges that living donors and people in need of a transplant face. For example, people who need a kidney spend an average of three to five years on the waiting list. We discussed legislation that would make it easier for Minnesotans to receive kidney transplants, including a bill that ensures donors have access to insurance and time off work. I also met with students from White Bear Lake’s Alternative Learning Center. I enjoyed hearing about their experiences in school and look forward to supporting legislation that provides funding for programs to help students like them develop important life skills. I met with leaders from local fire departments last week. We talked about what legislators can do to better support firefighters, and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to advance legislation to do just that. The input and stories that people share with me will shape the legislation that I champion. If you have feedback or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email at rep.ami.wazlawik@house.mn or call (651) 296-3018. Sincerely, Ami Wazlawik
State Representative |