March 19, 2021
Condemning Anti-Asian Violence
I am deeply saddened by the tragedy that took place in Georgia this past Tuesday, as 8 people were killed in targeted attacks of anti-Asian violence. The surge in anti-Asian violence since this pandemic started is disheartening and unacceptable. We mourn for those whose lives were wrongfully taken, but we should also call for action in preventing such a tragedy taking place again.
My colleague, Senator Foung Hawj, shared his thoughts on the incident on the Senate floor this past Wednesday. You can watch his powerful speech by clicking HERE.
Taking Action Against Landfill Pollution
On Thursday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced findings that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) leaks had been found in 98 out of 101 closed landfills across the state. One of these landfills in in SD 48, just east of Flying Cloud Drive.
PFAS are “forever chemicals” that have been shown to cause adverse health effects such as changes in development, liver and thyroid function, immune response, increased kidney damage, and certain cancers. You can watch MPCA’s press conference on this by clicking HERE.
In response, some of my colleagues and I have called on the legislature to immediately grant MPCA unrestricted access to our state’s Close Landfill Investment Fund. You can view our full statement by clicking HERE.
Teaching Our Students About Government
This past Monday, I presented a bill in the Education Finance and Policy Committee that would require all Minnesota high school students to take a course in American Government during their junior or senior year. Civic education has become increasingly imperative for our students, as our government has become increasingly complex
If you have been following my time in the Senate, you may know that I have been working on this since I first took office. It looks like this is the year we are finally going to get this done. . You can watch me present the bill by clicking HERE.
Preserving Clean Air and Clean Water
The more we learn about our environment, the more it is clear that we still have work to do to preserve access to clean air and clean water. Thank you to everyone for keeping up the pressure on environmental protection. You can view more of my thoughts on this in my weekly video by clicking HERE.
Another Successful Facebook Town Hall!
This past Tuesday, my House colleagues and I hosted another SD 48 virtual town hall meeting. Thank you to those who asked us questions and tuned in. We discussed a wide range of subjects, and you can watch the recording by clicking HERE. Hopefully our next town hall will be safely in-person.
It was also another good week for virtual constituent visits. Some of the groups I met with were:
- Developers and realtors
- Advocates trying to save our state’s wolves
- Girl scouts
- Gun violence prevention advocates
I also saw a lot of constituents writing emails this week. Some of the big subjects were:
- Clean energy and environmental protection
- Paid quarantine leave for essential workers
- Reproductive rights
- COVID relief for performing arts
This was a big week for political efficacy in SD 48, and I continue to be in awe of just how many of you continue to make your voices heard despite the limitations brought on by this pandemic. Please continue to call, write, and schedule meetings. I always look forward to hearing your questions, comments, and concerns.