Dear Neighbors,
I hope you have been able to stay warm with the cold temperatures we’ve been experiencing recently. The forecast indicates subzero high temperatures next week, including overnight lows as cold as 25 degrees below zero! Please be safe and take precautions if you are traveling.
In this week’s update, I wanted to fill you in on the March for Life at the Capitol as well as provide some info about the WDE landfill clean-up project.
March for Life
On Tuesday, the annual March for Life was held at the Capitol. I was proud to join the thousands of pro-life Minnesotans in showing our support for pro-life legislation and peacefully protesting our nation’s abortion laws. Seeing all the supporters who took time out of their days and braved the cold, January weather to stand in solidarity on this important issue is truly inspiring. The energy of this event reminds us that every human life has value and deserves to be protected.
This display of unwavering value for human life stands in stark contrast to what happened in New York on Tuesday, as the New York state legislature passed an appalling abortion bill that was then signed by the state’s Democratic governor. This murderous new law would allow a woman to have an abortion at any time, including days before the baby is to be born. I was disgusted when I heard about this new law and will continue to do everything I can to defend life and stand up for the rights of the unborn in Minnesota.
WDE Landfill
My biggest priority this legislative session is securing funding to clean up the WDE landfill in Andover for good. This site continues to pose a serious threat to the quality of Anoka County’s water and air, as the looming danger of leaking hazardous contaminants remains. In fact, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency named the WDE landfill its top priority among the 110 closed landfills that require permanent clean up. With these risks to the health and safety of families, it is absolutely imperative we provide funding to get this project started before it’s too late.
In order for this site to be cleaned up in 2019, a bill providing the remaining $4.3 million that is required must be signed into law by the end of February. I have introduced two separate bills to fund the project and have requested hearings. Unfortunately, Democrats voted against including this funding in a different bill that was heard in the Environment Finance committee yesterday. I was disappointed with yesterday’s vote but this is certainly not over yet. We will continue working to try to get this funding included in bills that will be heard in committees next week. Again, this project is vitally important to our community’s safety and I will be sure to keep you informed as I continue my efforts to secure full funding for the project in the coming weeks.
Local Events
If you’re looking for something to do tomorrow, the Anoka-Hennepin Community Ed. Department is hosting a free Community Wellness Day at Coon Rapids Middle School. The event runs from 9am-1pm and features 40+ wellness exhibitions, sampler fitness classes, wellness seminars, early childhood activities, and more. Complete information can be found by clicking here.
In addition, the Andover girls and boys hockey teams are in action tomorrow afternoon. The girls play at home against Totino-Grace at 2pm while the boys play at White Bear Lake at 4pm. Best of luck to our student-athletes!
Please Contact Me
As always, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office if you need anything or have any questions or thoughts on any issue. If you would like to get in touch, please email me at rep.peggy.scott@house.mn or call 651-296-4231.
Have a great weekend,
Peggy