Montgomery Parade July 25
Jul 24, 2010 News
We had a great time in Montgomery, Minnesota, marching with supporters in the 76th Annual Kolacky Day Grande Day Parade.
A big thanks to my children and all my supporters who lined up with me for the march. We enjoyed our fill of the delicious Kolackies afterwards.
New Laws Effective Aug. 1
Jul 24, 2010 News
Directory scams banned
Out-of-state companies that pretend to be homegrown Minnesota businesses will be guilty of deceptive business practices under a new law. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), a new law makes it illegal for companies to misrepresent their location in phone directories, print ads and on the Internet. The law is intended to address a kind of scam in which out-of-state companies take out ads pretending to be Minnesota-based companies. The companies overcharge customers who place orders, transfer the orders to actual Minnesota companies and then keep the difference as profit. This practice is targeted to the floral and locksmith industries. A business misrepresents its geographic location if: they represent themselves to be at a location where there is not at least one owner or employee regularly performing services, and they set up a local phone number that routinely routes calls to out-of-state call centers.
Kelsey Smith Act
The death of a Kansas teenager three years ago is the impetus behind a new law that will let law enforcement agencies track down missing persons by using their cell phone data. Sponsored by Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), the law is named after Kelsey Smith, who was abducted and murdered in Kansas in 2007. Her body was found after her parents compelled her cell phone company to track down her phone’s location. Federal law allows — but does not require — that the companies provide that information. The Kelsey Smith Act will require cell phone service providers to disclose their customers’ call location in emergency situations. Using cell site towers, a service provider can triangulate the location of a cell phone or other wireless device to within close proximity. The law will require cell companies to reveal call location data in cases where an individual is missing and at risk of “death or serious physical harm.” The new statute will mandate that the companies provide the data, under certain conditions. The law enforcement agency seeking the data must submit a written request, and service providers must establish protocols that allow them to respond to such requests.
Battery recycling fee increased
Sponsored by Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview) and Sen. Ken Kelash (DFL-Mpls), a new law modifies a 20-year-old statute requiring consumers who purchase new, lead acid batteries to either recycle their old batteries or pay a $5 fee. The fee, which serves as an incentive for people to recycle their old batteries, is ultimately paid by the retailer to the battery manufacturer; however, since manufacturers often charge $10 or more to retailers, the retailers have essentially been getting shorted by $5. The fee that retailers charge to consumers at the point-of-sale will increase to at least $10, so that retailers recover the full cost of the fee they’re charged by the manufacturers. As is the case with current law, consumers who bring in a battery for recycling within 30 days of purchasing a new battery will be able to have their fee refunded.
Keeping laws up with new tobacco
From strips that melt in your mouth to orbs that look like Tic Tacs, users can get a nicotine bump anytime, anywhere and undetected. Supporters of new regulations fear these products could lure in a whole new generation of tobacco users. Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls) sponsor the Tobacco Modernization and Compliance Act of 2010 to close the loophole on products that supporters say target younger generations. The law expands the definition of tobacco products to include these new products and would regulate them as cigarettes and cigars. It will also apply to electronic cigarettes and candy- or fruit-flavored “little cigars” that are similar in size to cigarettes, but because of their design are not as regulated. It will be a petty misdemeanor for those under the age of 18 to possess, purchase or attempt to purchase a product containing or delivering nicotine or lobelia intended for human consumption, or any part of such a product, that is not tobacco.
Ensuring consumer choice
Renters will be guaranteed the right to purchase cable or telephone services from a provider of their own choosing under a new law. Sponsored by Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) and Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato), the law prevents landlords from forbidding or discriminating against tenants for choosing one telecommunications provider over another. While mostly effective April 16, 2010, a provision effective Aug. 1, 2010, will make it easier for telephone companies to offer “triple-play” services — voice, video and Internet — by letting local governments grant cable franchises to companies that already provide phone services within a given area.
Endorsements Received
Jul 11, 2010 News
I’m pleased to report that I have recently received endorsements from the following Political Action Committees:
Clean Water Action
Minnesota Farmers Union
Minnesota Nurses Association
Planned Parenthood
Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
United Transportation Union
The Sierra Club
Energy and pollution
Jul 5, 2010 News
The BP oil spill in the gulf has created considerable angst about dependence on fossil fuels and along with that more interest in renewable energy and conservation. Although, some criticize linking electric energy production with transportation fuel with new battery technology more and more people are interested in electricity as a source transportation energy. Whether public transportation or electric cars it appears we should continue to look into it. One recent policy passed in Minnesota was PACE legislation.
Property Assessed Clean Energy PACE Bonds: Innovative Funding to Accelerate the Retrofitting of America’s Buildings for Energy Independence. A PACE bond is a bond where the proceeds are lent to commercial and residential property owners to finance energy retrofits (efficiency measures and small renewable energy systems) and who then repay their loans over 20 years via an annual assessment on their property tax bill. PACE bonds can be issued by municipal financing districts or finance companies and the proceeds can be typically used to retrofit both commercial and residential properties.
The PACE bond market has the potential to dramatically accelerate the energy retrofitting of America’s building stock due to the below advantages.
PACE Impact: Property tax lien oriented financing that dramatically improves the economics of energy retrofits (efficiency measures and micro renewable energy). Read more here.
I was exploring the “New Rules” site and found some more info on PACE.
Can you can also find a lessons learned pdf outlining which implementation practices have worked well in other states.
You can check out more about PACE at the New Rules site
ENERGY GRANTS
Jul 5, 2010 News
The Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security (OES) requests proposals from Minnesota school districts and local governments for the Local Government Renewable Energy Grant Program funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 and authorized by Laws of Minnesota 2009, Chapter 138, Article 3, Section 5. Grants will be awarded competitively to eligible school districts and local governments.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) is through August 4, 2010. If you have questions or need more information about this RFP, please contact Natalie Buys at energy.contracts@state.mn.us
