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Dear neighbors,
Yesterday, Governor Walz announced that the current stay at home order will expire on May 18. It will be replaced by a “stay safe” order that allows family and friends to gather in groups of 10 or less with social distancing. While restaurants, bars, and similar venues will remain closed, retail stores and main street businesses that create a safety plan will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity.
The new order includes protections for Minnesotans who are concerned about the safety of their work environment. It allows workers to raise concerns without fear of discrimination or retaliation and protects those who refuse to work under unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Guidance for businesses and employees is available here.
Ratifying State Employee Contracts
State employees keep Minnesota running and provide essential services for residents. Many of them are currently working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. These hardworking Minnesotans deserve fair compensation. On Monday, the Minnesota House approved a bill to ratify state employee contracts. These contracts were negotiated in good faith and have been in place for months. You can read more about the contracts here.
Banning TCE
Last year, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) found that a company in the White Bear Lake area had exposed Minnesotans to unsafe levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) for more than 15 years. Now we’re close to banning this toxic chemical, which increases risks for cancer and other serious health issues. Yesterday, the Minnesota House passed a bill to prohibit the use of TCE with bipartisan support. Governor Walz is expected to sign it into law, making Minnesota the first state in the nation to ban TCE. More information is available here.
We’re now in the final stretch of the legislative session, which is constitutionally required to adjourn by midnight on Sunday. My colleagues and I are working hard to ensure Minnesota has the resources needed to respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic challenges. If you’d like to stay informed, please check out the resources from House Public Information Services. Session Daily, which provides nonpartisan recaps of legislative action, is a great source of information. You can also follow me on Facebook for more frequent updates.
Please take care of yourself and your family.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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