Greetings Eastsiders,
The State Legislature has decided to recess until the snowstorm has passed in order to keep members and staff safe. In light of this, your weekly update is coming a few days early so I can pass along critical information as the snow begins to fly. I am sure there is one big question on everyone’s mind today – will this storm beat the snowfall record set by the 1991 Halloween blizzard?
In all seriousness, the Twin Cities area is expecting up to 30 inches of snow by the end of the week. Below, you will find important information to help us navigate the next few days as the storm disrupts our everyday life.
SNOWSTORM PREPAREDNESS
Yesterday, Mayor Carter announced that the City of Saint Paul is taking extraordinary measures to declare back-to-back Snow Emergencies early due to the forecast three-day winter storm.
City leaders?strongly encourage all residents to be prepared for difficult travel conditions and plan accordingly: ?
- Check in with neighbors, friends, and family members to make sure they are aware and taking precautions for the snowstorm this week, including shoveling sidewalks and moving vehicles according to the snow emergency parking rules.
- Limit non-essential travel whenever possible.
- Work with neighbors and family members to find off-street parking options, such as using available driveway spaces or temporarily moving your vehicle to a downtown parking ramp.
- Know when and where to move your cars off the street when the city declares a Snow Emergency. You can use the Snow Emergency parking map at www.stpaul.gov/snowemergencyparkingmap.
- Make sure you have essential supplies, including food and medicines, if you are not able to leave your home.
- Work from home if that is an option for you and your family.
- During a blizzard, it becomes increasingly difficult for emergency vehicles to travel, so the importance of being cautious is heightened. The Red Cross has a great guide on how to stay safe during the storm.
Other Winter Storm Changes
- The City of Saint Paul is opening eight ramps for free parking during this winter storm. Beginning Wednesday at 5 p.m., residents may enter and park their vehicles until Saturday morning at no cost at these city-owned ramps:
- Smith Ramp (145 Smith Street)
- Kellogg Underground Ramp (129 Kellogg Boulevard)
- Lawson Ramp (10 West 6th Street)
- Lowertown Ramp (316 Jackson Street)
- 7A Ramp (13 West Exchange Street)
- Robert Street Ramp (95 East 7th Street)
- Block 19 Ramp (145 East 7th Street)
- World Trade Center Ramp (477 Cedar Street)
- Recycling or garbage collection days are suspended Thursday and Friday; do not put any carts in the street. You can check to see if there are any other collection delays at www.stpaul.gov/garbage or www.stpaul.gov/recycle.
- All Saint Paul Public Schools will hold an e-learning day Wednesday and Thursday, and have a snow day on Friday, due to the weather. For more information, visit www.SPPS.org.
Power & Energy Preparation from Xcel
Xcel Energy announced that it is gearing up additional crews who will work to get the lights back on if customers lose power during the storm. They also provided tips Minnesotans can use to stay safe, report outages, and stay informed when severe weather strikes.
If you experience a power outage, take the following steps to report it as soon as possible:
- Through the My Xcel Energy mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and through Google Play.
- Online at xcelenergy.com/out
- By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds. Once the cause of the problem is identified, the system or an Xcel Energy representative will provide customers with an estimated restoration time when available.
If outages occur, it’s important for us to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Stay informed by using the My Xcel Energy mobile app or visiting the Xcel Energy website. The website hosts an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration when available. You can also stay informed by checking their Facebook page.
BANNING CONVERSION THERAPY
Monday night, the Minnesota House passed HF 16, which bans conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults. Conversion ‘therapy’ is a dangerous and discredited practice that has traumatized many LGBTQ+ Americans. It’s not therapy at all – it's conversion abuse.
I’m thankful that we were finally able to do our part to put a stop to this harmful practice. Some of my colleagues across the aisle even joined us in supporting this bill. I thank them for joining us to do the right thing for Minnesotans.
ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF MISSING AND MURDERED BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS
Another bill we passed this week was HF 55, legislation to establish an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls.
When Black women and girls go missing, their cases stay open and unsolved four times longer than similar cases of white women and girls. This disparity is unacceptable, and action to remedy this disparity is long overdue. Establishing this office and investing resources into better prioritization of these cases is a step in the right direction. Once the bill is law, Minnesota will be the first state to have an office dedicated to addressing the disproportionate rates of missing and murdered women and girls.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT
I am also proud to report that we passed HF 30, a bill that would address the ever-present issue of catalytic converter theft. This crime has been increasing all across the state, and I proudly supported this legislation.
This bill adds additional requirements that scrap metal dealers must follow when purchasing catalytic converters, including a requirement that any catalytic converter is marked with an identifying number that connects it to the vehicle from which it was taken. The bill also requires registration with the Department of Public Safety before purchasing scrap metal. It also establishes criminal penalties for the unauthorized possession or purchase of a catalytic converter.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Please continue reaching out at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn.gov or simply reply to this email to get in touch!
I appreciate your attention to these legislative updates. Have a good week.
In Solidarity,
Jay Xiong
State Representative