Here’s an update from the State Capitol.
Ending sexual harassment
All Minnesotans deserve to work in respectful environments without experiencing harassment or other unwanted advances. Unfortunately, courts have maintained an unreasonable threshold in delivering justice. I’m honored to be the chief author of HF 10, part of our Minnesota Values Plan, which would update this standard to remove the “severe or pervasive” threshold and better ensure accountability when this harassment occurs. |
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I presented the bill before the House Judiciary Committee last week and the panel approved it with unanimous support. This is an important step forward to end this behavior in workplaces.
Protecting our planet
Harmful effects of climate change continue to take hold, and reports show how time is running out for us to act. Last week, I was excited to see engaged young adults come to the Capitol (including a Shoreview student) as legislation, of which I’m a co-author, was announced to move Minnesota to a 100 percent renewable energy standard by 2050. This may seem ambitious, but we’ve already achieved our goal of 25 percent renewables by 2025 a full seven years early. There’s no reason to stop our momentum and young Minnesotans know just how high the stakes are for future generations. We have great natural resources including lakes, rivers, forests, and prairies, not to mention air and drinking water which is necessary for life. We owe it to Minnesotans who will come after us to protect all of this.
Moreover, moving toward clean, renewable sources is a great way to create quality job opportunities. One example is solar, an industry in which the number of jobs has doubled since 2015.
Protecting seniors and vulnerable Minnesotans
Heart-wrenching stories have recently emerged about abuse, assault, theft, neglect, and other terrible behaviors within Minnesota eldercare facilities. The Minnesota Department of Health receives about 400 complaints per week. When a loved one and their family make the difficult decision to enter an assisted living facility or nursing home, they entrust that facility to deliver high-quality care and deserve the ability to live with respect and dignity.
That’s why I’m proud to co-author legislation protecting older, vulnerable adults and strengthen their civil rights. The bill will require licensing of assisted living facilities, allows, with consent, for a family to have a camera installed, and helps hold bad actors accountable when mistreatment occurs, or when there’s retaliation following an accusation. The House Long-Term Care Division is exploring this topic and I’m confident we will see this advance very soon.
Please continue to contact me with your feedback and ideas. Don’t forget about our next “Chat with Kelly” on Sunday, February 24th at 1:30 p.m. at Shore 96 in Shoreview. I greatly value your perspective and I appreciate hearing from you. Call or email me any time and feel free to follow me on Facebook as well.
Sincerely,
Kelly Moller
State Representative |
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