Dear Neighbors,
Session has settled into a fairly straightforward routine as we continue to push legislation through the committee process ahead of the bill deadlines beginning in late March and early April. Here is some of what I’ve been shepherding through the process in the last couple of weeks:
- My bill to regulate and create awareness of skin whitening creams passed out of the Preventative Health committee. A piece I co-wrote on this issue appeared in the Sahan Journal last year.
- HF 3554 passed out of Education Policy, this bill funds alternative teacher preparation programs to help us train more teachers.
- Two bonding proposals I am pushing for were heard, one to fund the expansion of the Norway House, and another to fund the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute.
Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month! I am proud to continue to honor the legacy of so many trailblazers who led the way before me, and I will continue to fight to make the future a better place for all women! Here are some of the bills we are working on to improve the lives of women across the state:
Naloxone Locator
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, drug overdoses have continued to be a major concern. In 2020, a record 678 Minnesotans tragically died as a result of an opioid overdose. Naloxone (a.k.a. Narcan) is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose.
To help save lives, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has launched a new Naloxone Finder at knowthedangers.org. The map will display pharmacies, naloxone access points, and syringe service programs with naloxone typically available in a designated area. The tool also provides contact information, an address, and other guidance so a person can confirm with the site whether it currently has naloxone available.
An opioid overdose requires immediate medical attention. Please call 911 immediately if you or someone you know exhibits any of the symptoms. Steve’s Law, which the Legislature enacted in 2014, is a Good Samaritan law providing immunity protections to people who call 911 and/or administer naloxone in response to a suspected or known drug overdose.
Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
There has been a lot of debate at the Capitol around how best to refill the UI Trust Fund. The House DFL’s UI Trust Fund proposal would prevent a 16% tax increase on Minnesota employers, strengthen the Unemployment Insurance program for everyone, and expand eligibility to hourly school workers like bus drivers and cafeteria staff. The main difference between our proposal and the Senate Republican proposal is that ours prioritizes workers, while theirs prioritizes large corporations. For instance under the Senate proposal Walmart would get a $7,890,500 tax cut. These are funds that should go to Minnesotans, not an immensely profitable global corporation.
Keep in touch
If you have friends, neighbors, or co-workers who might be interested in subscribing to this newsletter, they can do so here, and follow me on Facebook here. I’m grateful for the honor of serving you and our community. Please, now more than ever, feel free to reach out to my office.
Rep. Hodan Hassan,
531 State Office Building
(651) 296-0294
www.house.leg.state.mn.us/62A