Dear Neighbors,
We are now beyond the halfway point of the legislative session. Committees are wrapping up their work as we prepare to craft an equitable state budget that works for everyone.
Here’s an update from the Capitol:
Significant Bipartisan Measures Approved in House
This week, the House passed two significant bills related to public safety and health. HF 50, the ‘hands-free’ cell phone bill, was approved on a broad bipartisan vote. All Minnesotans deserve to be safe on the roads and with distracted driving fatalities on the rise, this was long overdue. We also had the opportunity to hold Big Pharma accountable for their contribution to opioid crisis sweeping across the nation. HF 400 funds addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services through a new Opioid Stewardship Fund, which would come from fees paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors.
The Works Museum
My bill to deliver grant funding to The Works Museum received a public hearing on Thursday in the Education Finance Division. This local gem has introduced thousands of students to science, technology, and engineering concepts in a fun interactive environment. It was great to be joined by Jill Measells, Executive Director of The Works, who provided excellent expert testimony on how this facility contributes to our community and workforce development.
Standing in Solidarity against Hate
We gathered over the weekend in solidarity at Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington to mourn those who lost their lives to another act of senseless gun violence in Christchurch, New Zealand. Here in Minnesota and throughout the world people are saying enough.
Keep in Touch
Please stay in touch with your ideas, suggestions and questions. Your input helps shape our work for Bloomington in St. Paul.
Sincerely,
Andrew Carlson
State Representative