Dear Neighbors,
I hope the Holiday Season has treated you well. I’ve enjoyed spending time with family and friends these past few weeks and look forward to seeing what 2018 has to offer.
News Laws on January 1st
While most laws go into effect in July and August after the legislative session, a few new laws went into effect on January 1st. Of the new laws that went into effect, one is especially important for those who are losing their hearing. Hearing loss associated with aging can lead to depression, dementia, hospitalizations and falls. A new law will allow home care providers to be trained on recognizing hearing loss and how to improve the lives of those with hearing loss. Minnesota will also now have new license plates honoring fallen officers. You can read about the handful of new laws here.
Tips on Saving Energy
A family can spend an awful lot of money on energy this time of year, particularly with recent subzero temperatures. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has put together “10 tips to save energy during the holidays.” While the Holidays are over, these tips can be useful anytime.
For more energy saving tips, you can sign up for Commerce’s twice monthly Home Energy Tips here or see their complete Home Energy Guide here.
Reminder: Heating Assistance and Cold Weather Rules
For those Minnesotans under certain income levels, help may be available for payment of energy bills, utility disconnections or fuel deliveries, and advocacy with power companies and human service providers. For more information please visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website here.
The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is now also in effect, which protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months. More information is available from the Public Utilities Commission here.
Governor Dayton’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing
On December 21st, Governor Dayton announced a new task force to address affordable housing in Minnesota. Under Governor Dayton’s leadership, public and private investment totaling more than $5 billion has helped nearly 325,000 low and moderate-income households. Sadly, more than 554,000 Minnesota households still struggle to afford quality housing, a 58 percent increase since 2000.
A lot more remains to be done. The Governor’s Task Force on Housing will recommend policies and practices to help alleviate Minnesota’s housing challenge. You can read more about that here.
Looking toward the New Year
As we enter the New Year and reflect on 2017, I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to represent our community at the Capitol. As we enter the next legislative session in February, I’ll continue to uphold the values of our community. Together, we can build a Minnesota that works better for all of us.
Wishing you a Happy New Year,
Melissa Hortman