Dear Neighbors,
We’re going to hear Governor Dayton’s last State of the State address today. You can watch it on TPT’s Minnesota Channel at 7:00 p.m. or listen on MPR. Here’s an update on what’s been going on so far this week:
Veterans Day
First, a big thank you to everyone who visited the Capitol Monday for Veterans Day on the Hill. This year’s focus was on helping surviving spouses keep their homes, stopping predatory lending against veterans’ benefits, and increasing access to the outdoors for vets with disabilities. It was great to see so many veterans and advocates at our State Capitol and I welcomed the opportunity to connect with veterans from our local VFW.
Hands Free Cell Phone Legislation
Distracted driving caused by cell phone use is a serious public safety issue in Minnesota. Currently, one in four crashes in our state are now caused by distracted driving.
This week the Public Safety Committee heard HF 1180. HF 1180 would prohibit the use of a cell phone to initiate, compose, read, or send a message or to initiate, talk or listen to a phone call unless it’s done so with a one-touch hands-free device. We heard very moving testimony from families who have lost loved ones due to drivers using their cell phones.
You can read more about this in a Star Tribune story about the distracted driving epidemic. I also encourage you to watch this documentary about using cell phones while driving.
Report Potholes
It’s that time of year when the freeze thaw cycle comes to a close and we see the worst conditions on local roads. That’s right, it’s “pothole season” in Minnesota. To help get potholes dealt with quicker, you can report them to your local community or to Ramsey County depending on the type of road.
Report a pothole to Ramsey County.
Report a pothole to Roseville.
Report a pothole to Little Canada.
Report a pothole to Vadnais Heights.
Many constituents visit me in St Paul every week. One of the groups who visited this week were residents and workers from local disability services organizations and group homes. If you are a constituent who would like to visit me at the Capitol or in our district, please contact my legislative assistant at 651-296-8827 to schedule a meeting.
As always, it is an honor to represent our community at the State Capitol. If there is ever a way I can be of assistance or if you have questions or concerns, please contact me at rep.jamie.becker-finn@house.mn or at 651-296-7153.
Sincerely,
Jamie