Dear Neighbors,
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) held the first of several public information sessions that officially open the process of adopting the California Car Mandate.
This reckless policy, which the Walz administration is seeking to implement via administrative rule rather than working through the legislature, will raise the cost of all new vehicles for Minnesota families by $1,000 or more, reduce consumer choice, and will make Minnesota the only state in the Midwest that places these burdensome mandates on auto dealers.
Raising car prices in Minnesota by government mandate will hurt border communities as consumers will head to North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin to purchase vehicles. Ironically, raising the price of all new vehicles in Minnesota will result in many more Minnesotans hanging onto older, and less fuel-efficient vehicles, reversing any minimal progress such a policy may have on the environment.
Turning this policy over to an unelected board of bureaucrats in California is wrong for Minnesota. California has the dirtiest air in the nation. Why would we want to follow their lead on matters related to “clean air”?
Vaccine Update
The State of Minnesota has launched a new online dashboard that gives the public the opportunity to track COVID-19 vaccine allocation, distribution, and administration in Minnesota. The goal is to keep you informed on COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
The new website is produced by Minnesota IT Services and the Minnesota Department of Health. The dashboard includes information on the number of doses allocated to the state by the federal government; shipped to Minnesota providers; and ultimately administered to Minnesotans.
You can access the dashboard at https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/data/
On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced a new community COVID-19 vaccine program that partners with local public health and school districts at nine locations across the state. The pilot sites will initially serve adults aged 65 and older, Pre-K through Grade 12 teachers and school staff, and staff working at licensed and certified childcare programs.
According to the announcement, a "small number of doses" will be available at each site for eligible Minnesotans, and appointments can be made by phone or online only for Minnesotans 65+.
Visit this website for more information: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/
Staying in Touch
Please continue to reach out to me to share your questions, thoughts, or concerns. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4293 or via email at rep.john.poston@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
John
8.5.7