THUMBS UP

Clean Slate Act offers a second chance

For many, the new year represents a new beginning or clean slate to start fresh. This is especially true in Minnesota for individuals with low level criminal records. On Jan. 1 the state’s Clean Slate Act went into effect. This new policy automates the sealing of certain arrest and conviction records. The Clean Slate law was passed by legislators in 2023 and impacts individuals with lower-level, non-violent crimes on their record and have not committed other crimes for a certain number of years. It is estimated that as many as 500,000 Minnesota could benefit from the Clean Slate Act. Criminal records often serve as a barrier for employment. The automated expungement process could help many find work and benefit the states workforce.

THUMBS UP

Minnesota taking action on PFAS

As of Jan. 1, Minnesota’s ban on products with intentional added PFAS went into effect. PFAS are a group of long-lasting chemicals (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl) that have been linked to health hazards including cancer development. PFAS chemicals are used in a wide range of products. Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified PFAS in water and soil tests around the nation. These chemicals have even been found in animal and human blood. Minnesota is one of 25 U.S. States with PFAS bans, but the state has one of the most strict bans. The new law, called Amara’s Law would restrict the sale of PFAS products in 11 categories including carpets or rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, juvenile products, menstruation products, textile furnishings, ski wax and upholstered furniture.

THUMBS DOWN

Recent vehicular

violence alarming trend

The last few days the United States has seen a surge of violent incidents involving vehicles. During a New Year’s celebration on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a driver intentionally drove into the crowd, killing 14 people and injuring several others. The FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism. On the same day in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel. The blast injured several people near the hotel. The driver of the vehicle took his own life before setting off the blast. In both incidents, the suspect behind the attack had a military background. The driver in New Orleans was an army veteran in Afghanistan. The driver in the Las Vegas blast was an active-duty Green Beret. There is no direct connection between the two acts of violence. Each appears to be a separate incident. However, this points to an alarming trend of using vehicles as weapons.