Dear neighbors,
Please join me for a town hall on Tuesday, April 16. I’ll share updates on the work that I’m doing at the Capitol and hear questions and feedback from community members. We’ll meet in the Bruening Room at Century College East Campus from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. I hope to see you there!
Here’s an update on some of the bills that I’m carrying:
TCE Ban
Legislation that would ban the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support on Monday. Research has shown that exposure to the toxic chemical can increase risks for cancer and other serious health issues. I’m proud to be a co-supporter of the bill to require manufacturers to replace TCE with a safer alternative (HF 2276). You can watch a video of my remarks prior to the vote here.
Prohibiting Wolf Hunting
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed removing gray wolves from their list of endangered species. If that happens, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can declare an open season on wolves. After Minnesota’s most recent open season in 2013, there was a 25 percent increase in predation that led to a 25 percent decrease in the wolf population. Hunting disrupts wolf packs and their social order, making wolves more likely to prey on other animals and then be killed by a farmer or rancher.
I’ve introduced legislation that would prohibit establishing an open season for wolves (HF 1327). My bill would protect Minnesota’s vulnerable wolf population while preserving the rights of farmers and ranchers. You can learn more about this bill by watching its first public hearing here or reading a Session Daily story here.
Sandra Skinaway, Chairwoman for the Sandy Lake Band of Mississippi Chippewa, spoke about the crucial role that wolves play in our ecosystem and the importance of the gray wolf to the Anishinaabe Ojibwa people of Minnesota.
Digital Fair Repair
When something is wrong with your car, you don’t have to take it to the dealer. You can choose where to go for repairs. You don’t have the same choice when it comes to electronics. Electronic manufacturers often won’t share the tools or processes to fix their products with independent repair businesses, so consumers are forced to send their items back to the company that made them.
My digital fair repair bill (HF 1138) would change that. In addition to reducing costs and e-waste, it would help small repair businesses keep their doors open. A video of the second public hearing for the proposal is available here, and an article from the Star Tribune is available here.
Curbing Oversalting
Road salt is the largest source of chloride pollution in metropolitan areas. Once salt gets into our lakes, rivers, and groundwater, there’s not much we can do. There’s no method for removing chloride, so we have to take action to stop it from contaminating water in the first place. I’ve introduced legislation that will train companies to use road salt more effectively (HF 1502). In some communities, this program has successfully reduced salt use by as much as 70 percent. MPR’s article on this issue is available here.
Please continue to share your input and opinions.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer
State Representative