Dear Neighbors,
We’re entering the final full week of the 2022 legislative session. Work continues to reach a bipartisan compromise on a supplemental state budget, delivering resources from our surplus to help Minnesotans with rising costs and other challenges they’re facing. Here’s an update from the Capitol.
Public Safety/Judiciary Conference Committee
I’m honored to have been appointed to the joint House/Senate conference committee charged with reaching a bipartisan compromise on the Public Safety and Judiciary parts of the budget. With rising crime on the minds of Minnesotans, we’re working to deliver a proven, thoughtful, and innovative package of public safety solutions while also ensuring Minnesotans have access to justice through the courts.
The first piece the conference committee agreed upon was my bill authorizing law enforcement to use new GPS technology to track stolen vehicles. This initiative, developed alongside law enforcement, will give officers another tool to safely recover stolen vehicles and reduce the need for dangerous high-speed chases. KSTP covered the issue earlier this year.
Here are my remarks from the meeting.
Sexual Assault Survivor Privacy
Sexual assault advocates are vital to ensuring survivors can receive justice. However, there have been instances when courts have allowed communications between survivors and advocates to be reviewed as part of criminal proceedings. If allowed to be the norm, this would have a chilling impact on survivors’ willingness to report crimes. The state Supreme Court recently held oral arguments regarding the matter.
I recently spoke with the Star Tribune who covered the issue in this story. Survivors deserve to have their communications remain private and confidential, and any expectation short of this means those who've experienced trauma will be less likely to come forward. I'm committed to ensuring state law leaves no ambiguity that would put survivors' privacy at risk.
Frontline Worker Pay
As a reminder, if you were a frontline worker during the first year of the pandemic, you may be eligible for the Frontline Worker Bonuses we recently passed into law. Visit frontlinepay.mn.gov to subscribe to important updates. A vendor has been selected to build an application system, and once it’s online – likely in June – workers will have 45 days to apply. A full FAQ document, including eligibility information, is available here.
Storm Damage
Severe weather did a number on homes and property around the metro area this week. If you experienced damage – or ever have it in the future – the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Disaster Information Center has helpful information, including guidance on steps to take when filing an insurance claim
The department offers these tips for filing insurance claims to your property:
- Contact your insurance company immediately.
- Wait for the company’s adjuster before you or anyone starts working to remove or repair or replace property.
- Inventory your damage.
- Take notes of who you talk with and what they say from your insurance company, adjusters or repair services. Note dates, names and contact information.
- Avoid scammers or high-pressure sales tactics if you are contacted by someone you don’t know, such as salespeople going door-to-door in areas hit by storms.
A comprehensive Disaster Response Guide is also available in PDF form. If you have questions, complaints, or problems with your insurance company, contact the Consumer Services Center by phone at 651-539-1600, by email at consumer.protection@state.mn.us, or submit a complaint online.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to contact me directly with your viewpoints or if I can be of assistance. My email is rep.kelly.moller@house.mn and my phone number is 651-296-0141. You can learn about bills that have been introduced here and keep track of the bills I’ve authored here.
If you have neighbors, friends, or family who you think would find these updates valuable, please share this with them; they can subscribe here. I also encourage you to “like” or “follow” me on Facebook.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Moller
State Representative