Dear Neighbors,
We’re halfway through the legislative session, and long days with multiple bill hearings are becoming the norm. We’ve passed several bills off the House floor recently, and we also have a Town Hall in our community that I’d like to update you on.
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
The House made the first step in amending the Minnesota Constitution with the ERA the other week. The ERA would establish equality under the Constitution, regardless of gender, and it has a long history with Minnesota and our country. Because it would be an amendment to our state’s Constitution, should it pass the Senate, Minnesota voters would make the decision to amend the Constitution on the 2020 ballot. I was proud to cast my vote for this bill, and you can watch my comments on the House floor below. |
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| Rep. Freiberg's floor speech on the ERA. |
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Addressing the Opioid Crisis
Minnesotans have been asking lawmakers to take action on the opioid crisis for too long. Over 400 Minnesotans died from overdoses in 2017, and over 2,000 were rushed to the emergency room that same year. This week, the Minnesota House passed legislation that would hold Big Pharma accountable for their role in this crisis. It’s a crisis that’s touched all corners of our state, and I’m honored to have co-authored and voted for this bill.
You can read more about the bill and floor debate here.
Daylight Savings
It happens every year, we change our clocks, we lose an hour of sleep, and for what? I introduced legislation that would recognize advanced standard time (daylight saving time) as the official standard of time for the state, year-round. This is bipartisan, bicameral legislation that is currently moving through committees, and the issue itself has gained national attention. If signed by Governor Walz, congressional approval would be needed to enact the change.
You can read more about this bill here.
Town Hall
We’ve got another Town Hall coming up! Similar to our previous ones this session, I’ll be joined by Sen. Ann Rest and Rep. Lyndon Carlson at the Crystal Community Center this Saturday.
What: District 45 Town Hall
Who: Rep. Freiberg, Sen. Rest, Rep. Carlson
When: Saturday, March 23, 9-10:30am
Where: Crystal Community Center
4800 Douglas Dr N
Minneapolis, MN 55429
If you’re unable to make it to our Town Hall, I still want to hear your questions and comments on the legislative process. Feel free to contact me at rep.mike.freiberg@house.mn or (651) 296-4176.
Sincerely,
Mike Freiberg |
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