Dear Neighbors,
The 2018 legislative session starts today at the State Capitol. It’s no secret the political atmosphere in St. Paul, like the one in Washington, D.C., has featured some acrimony. For my part, I think we should look at the coming session through a lens of what’s possible and the steps we can take, together, to improve our state. There are several areas in which I believe we can make significant progress this session making a real impact on people’s lives.
One of these is the opioid epidemic, which continues to cause unthinkable tragedies, with a high concentration of them occurring in Duluth. Last week, Governor Dayton and a bipartisan group of legislators announced a comprehensive plan addressing this issue. The approach is multifaceted, with strategies involving local communities (including tribal governments), health care professionals, and law enforcement. Increased investments in prevention, treatment, and recovery are all included. Legislation like this will save lives, and there is a bipartisan desire to take bold action this year.
Last year, media reports highlighted a disturbing trend in which seniors were becoming victims of abuse, neglect, theft, sexual assault, and other unthinkable acts in our state’s care facilities. Worse, state investigators allowed complaints about them to pile up and go without investigation. In response, Governor Dayton directed AARP Minnesota to convene an Elder Abuse Consumer Workgroup to craft recommendations, which they recently released. As a member of the House Subcommittee on Aging and Long-Term Care, I hope we can work together to enact solutions improving care for our seniors, and ensure those who have committed wrongdoings in care facilities can be held accountable.
Last week, our nation was again rattled to its core as in Florida, 14 students, a teacher, a coach, and an athletic director all lost their lives in a senseless tragedy caused by gun violence. Common sense measures, like universal background checks, are long overdue. I’ve co-authored a bill requiring these, as well as one enabling family members to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing firearms if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others.
Many Americans remain frustrated at the lack of any meaningful discussion, let alone action, to prevent tragedies like the one in Florida. This is unacceptable, and as a legislator, I share in this frustration. It’s time for more ordinary citizens to engage in this issue and make sure their voices are heard to build collective power, letting elected officials know that it’s time to listen to them, and to stop allowing the gun lobby to wield so much influence in the Capitol buildings across the nation.
We have a great deal of work in front of us during this session. By gathering all of our ideas toward a shared vision for our community and state, we can make Minnesota work better for all of us. Please remain in touch with me throughout the session, offering your thoughts on how you want to see this session shaped. While none of us will agree 100 percent of the time on every issue, it’s important for me to hear from the community as we determine how to best move forward. Feel free to call or email me anytime, or, if you’re visiting Saint Paul, come by the State Capitol to say hello. It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Liz Olson
State Representative