|
Dear neighbors,
It’s the third week of the legislative session, and the schedule is certainly heating up. Tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday will see significant action on legislation. Please continue to keep in touch.
A Busy Wednesday and Thursday
Tomorrow from 12:45pm to 2:15pm, the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act - our $500 million proposal to invest in early childhood - will receive a hearing in the House Health & Human Services Finance Committee. Please join us if you can - we’ll be in Room 200 of the State Office Building, just west of the Capitol - or watch online (see below).
Later that evening, the full House will take up the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act (which was discussed in my last e-update), as well as a measure to protect voter privacy (see below).
Then on Thursday, starting at 3:30pm, the full House will debate my bill to require criminal background checks on gun sales, as well as its companion to establish extreme risk protection orders. A rally in the rotunda, hosted by Protect Minnesota, will precede the debate. Again, please join us if you can.
Voter Privacy in the Presidential Primary
In the presidential primary election on March 3, voters will choose a ballot that corresponds to their choice of political party. The candidate voters choose will remain secret, of course, but the choice of party will be shared with the state’s major political parties. I’ve heard from many constituents with concerns about this. I’m the coauthor of a bill that would protect voter privacy by restricting data sharing. Party preference data would only be shared with a national party representative for the purpose of verifying voter participation, and party preference data would be categorized as private data. The bill would also create an opt-out mechanism for voters. Again, the bill will be taken up by the full House tomorrow evening.
Live Video from the House
Most, if not all, of the events referenced above will be available for live viewing at the House website. Visit the House multimedia webpage to check it out. Videos are uploaded to YouTube after events conclude. You can watch them here.
Can-Do Climate Actions
Last week, my colleagues and I in the House Climate Action Caucus announced a $191 million package of proposals to address the climate crisis. The plan was inspired by the series of community conversations that we held during the interim, and it allows Minnesotans to participate directly in solutions that combat climate change. Public schools, nursing homes, homeowners, and local governments all stand to benefit. A fact sheet with more details is available here, and you can read a WCCO article about the plan here.
Your Legislators Appearance
Last weekend I appeared on the television program Your Legislators. You can watch the conversation I had with the host and my colleagues here.
Visits from Health Professionals
Last week, I met with visiting constituents representing several health professions, including physical therapists, physicians assistants, and optometrists. I was honored to receive a Leadership Award from the Minnesota Optometrist Association.
Thank you for the honor of serving our community,
Dave Pinto
State Representative, District 64B
439 State Office Building
(651) 296-4199
www.house.leg.state.mn.us/64b
Subscribe to my email updates: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/64b
Follow my office on Facebook: facebook.com/repdavepinto
|