Hello Friends,
Last week, I was honored to stand with Parkinson’s patients and advocates as we announced a pair of bills to prevent Parkinson’s disease and invest in state-level PD research.
Partnering with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson's Foundation, Minnesota & Dakotas, we held a press conference to rally support for our bipartisan legislation, which you can watch here. Thank you to all the patients and advocates who shared your stories and called for change.
My bill would ban the sale and use of paraquat, a seldom-used but dangerous chemical contained in some herbicides. Those who spray paraquat are 2x more likely to develop Parkinson’s, and the pesticides can drift 500 feet. Many of the patients who spoke either lived on or around farms and later developed PD.
The company that manufactures paraquat is based in England, where paraquat is banned. That company, Syngenta, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese government, where paraquat is also banned! In fact, over 70 countries ban the use of paraquat, and it’s time for Minnesota to join them.
There’s no rational reason why we should allow this chemical to continue to put Minnesotans’ health and safety at risk. The bill is bipartisan in the Senate, and I’m working to ensure we have bipartisan support to move it out of the House as well.
Another bill would establish a dedicated Parkinson’s Research Trust Fund, partnering with our universities and medical community to support innovative Parkinson’s research, and provide caregiver assistance.
As the federal government continues to cut public health funding across the country, it’s up to states like Minnesota to continue the work to prevent and cure diseases like Parkinson’s. I’m hopeful these bills will pass into law this session, and I will keep you updated on our progress.
Reply to this email or call me at 651-297-5003 with any questions, comments, or ideas you have for Shakopee and Minnesota.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov
Tenzin Tsangyang, Legislative Assistant | Tenzin.Tsangyang@house.mn.gov