Minnesota Legislature 28 , CD3 DFL

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 19, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the most pressing issues we are working on at the Capitol. If you have not done so already, please complete this survey to help me understand where you feel I should focus my efforts for the rest of session.

AAPI Violence

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in violence against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), immigrants, and international citizens. Over the past month in particular, there has been a rise of anti-AAPI violence, and these violent acts have culminated in the horrific murders in Atlanta, Georgia, which included six AAPI women. We must all stand up and confront hate when we see it, I stand with our AAPI communities and will work to ensure that they feel safe wherever they are. Please watch my colleague Rep. Tou Xiong’s speech on this tragedy, and the Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucuses statement on the issue.

Senate DFL Week in : March 19, 2021

Proving a clean future
and everything happening in the Legislature this week

DFLers are committed to providing a clean future

Climate scientists are only giving us 10 years to make true systematic changes to counteract the dangerous effects of climate change. To do their part the Senate DFL is prioritizing making investments in a green economy within Minnesota to protect the things that make Minnesota a great place to live. Read more >>

Governor Walz releases revisions to the budget proposal

Governor Tim Walz released revisions to his budget proposal following a significant change in the state’s fiscal outlook in the February 2021 budget forecast. Governor Walz released an initial budget proposal on January 26, based upon the November budget forecast projection of a $1.3 billion budget shortfall. Read more >>

Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus Issue Statement on Atlanta Shooting

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday, March 16, a series of shootings took place across several Atlanta massage parlors resulting in the deaths of eight people, several of whom were of Asian descent. While the motives of the shooter have not been made clear, there is a strong possibility that this was a hate crime. The Minnesota Asian Pacific (MAP) Caucus released the following statement:

“This is the tragic result of increasingly hateful, offensive, and inflammatory rhetoric against Asian people that has taken place over the last year. Racist language and attacks on Asian Americans have skyrocketed as a result of COVID-19 misinformation, and racial epithets spouted by our previous president. Asian Minnesotans have felt this increase in hatred as well. We experience hate in many forms every day, leaving us with the fear of, ‘will our community be next?’

We ask that state and federal governments do more to fight disinformation, hateful language, and hate crimes by funding improved data collection and reporting of hate crimes and consistently working to reduce disinformation. Today, we mourn for those who lost their lives due to the hate and fear that has built up in this country. We will continue to fight this hate, but we ask that our friends, communities, and politicians stand up for all Asian Americans to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.”

House passes Rep. Moller’s Uniform Enforcement of Canadian Orders for Protection Act

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Uniform Enforcement of Canadian Orders for Protection Act, authored by Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview). The legislation expands Minnesota’s recognition of foreign orders for protection to include those issued in Canada.

“When the border is open, many people travel freely between Minnesota and Canada, and this bill will be a tool to help keep people safe on both sides of the border,” Rep. Moller said. “Minnesota has consistently been a leader in standing up for domestic violence survivors, and the Uniform Enforcement of Canadian Orders for Protection Act is another example of our commitment to protecting those who have experienced trauma.”

Currently, Minnesota recognizes and enforces orders issued by other states and tribal governments. Several Canadian provinces already recognize Minnesota’s protection orders. The bill was developed in collaboration with the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) and the Uniform Law Conference of Canada. Six states have enacted this legislation, including North Dakota, Wisconsin, California, Delaware, Nevada, and Washington.

The bill passed the House unanimously. The Senate previously passed the bill, which now heads to Governor Walz for his signature.

Video of the floor session will be available on House Public Information Services’YouTube channel.

House passes Rep. Liebling bill to increase COVID-19 vaccine payment rate for MA enrollees

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today the Minnesota House passed legislation, authored by Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), to raise the payment rate for administering COVID-19 vaccinations to Medical Assistance (MA) enrollees. Administration of COVID-19 vaccines is more complex than other vaccines such as the flu shot, resulting in higher costs for providers. The bill takes advantage of recent federal action to give providers the higher rate available under Medicare.

“As more doses of COVID-19 vaccines become available, this bill takes advantage of the American Rescue Plan passed by Democrats in the U.S. Congress to help more Minnesotans get vaccinated,” Rep. Liebling said. “Some of the COVID vaccines have unique requirements, including very cold storage. This bill will help cover costs for pharmacies, clinics, and other providers, with the goal of increasing the number of providers administering the vaccine as supplies increase.”

The rate currently paid for Medical Assistance enrollees is $12.84 per dose. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated the Medicare rate to an average of $40 per dose. Under the American Rescue Plan, the federal government will provide 100% matching funds for COVID-19 vaccine administration to MA enrollees at the higher Medicare rate.

The bill next goes to the Minnesota Senate for its consideration. Video of the floor session will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: March 17, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your loved ones had a chance to enjoy the warmer weather last weekend! Here’s an update on Minnesota’s fight against COVID-19 and my work at the Capitol:

Vaccine Eligibility Expands

Minnesota reached Governor Walz’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of our state’s seniors last week. Thanks to the efforts of many Minnesotans and a new vaccine that only requires one dose, we hit this target earlier than expected. In response, Governor Walz expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.

House Education Finance Committee advances summer learning package

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The evening of March 16, the House Education Finance Committee advanced a measure to fund a summer learning package for Minnesota students from cradle to career.

“House DFLers support strong investments in education, starting with funding for summer learning,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We need to help our children and students recover from a difficult year and then thrive once this pandemic is behind us. All Minnesota children deserve a world-class education and every opportunity to succeed. We intend to pass this bill off the House floor next week.”

“The House DFL is taking swift action to get this money out early so families can finalize summer plans, and school districts and community partners can begin planning,” said Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis), chair of the House Education Finance Committee. “We have a comprehensive summer learning package detailed in our bill that reaches all learners in Minnesota, from children enrolled in summer preschool, to high school seniors making the transition to college, to adult learners who are looking to re-enter the labor market with sharper skills. These funds can be utilized through the 2022 school year, as well. This is a sound investment to help get our students back on track.”

The bill addresses learning loss by expanding access to tutoring, investing in field trips and hands-on learning, and implementing summer programs for preschoolers, high schoolers, and adult basic education.

“Minnesota is home to some of the worst disparities in the nation,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights), chair of the House Education Policy Committee. “We know these have existed long before the pandemic, but now have a real opportunity to level the playing field and make significant progress in addressing the opportunity gap head on with this bill. All of our students deserve the support they need to be successful and thrive.”

The measure also funds student mental health support. A key provision in the legislation prioritizes school districts that have experienced declining enrollment.

The bill’s next stop is the House Ways and Means Committee. More information and materials will be available on the committee’s webpage.

Minnesota Legislature Holds Joint Convention to Elect University of Minnesota Regents

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives today elected four regents to govern the University of Minnesota: Ruth Johnson for the 1^st Congressional District; James Farnsworth for the 4^th Congressional District; Kodi Verhalen for the 6^th Congressional District; and Doug Huebsch for the 7^th Congressional District.

There were 20 applications submitted for consideration for the four open seats. Newly elected Regents will serve a six-year term.

Representative Connie Bernardy (DFL-New Brighton), Chair of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Division noted these newly-elected regents bring important skills and strengths to lead a complex university system amid a global pandemic.

“I’m pleased we were able to come together on a bipartisan, bicameral level to elect these new regents. I thank them, the outgoing regents, and the current regents for their service to our state,” said Chair Bernardy.

Minnesota State Legislators Urge Congressional Delegation to Support Equal Rights Amendment

Here’s a PDF of the letter sent March 15, 2021:

3.15.21.ERA-FEDERAL-LETTER Download

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 16, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

We’re about halfway through this year’s legislative session, and as our work really starts to ramp up, I wanted to provide the opportunity to check in with you. Today, March 16, I’ll be joining Sen. Cwodzinski and Rep. Pryor for a Virtual Town Hall to provide an update on our work and answer your questions. We’ll be streaming on my Facebook page, and you can submit questions ahead of time here.

I hope you can join us!

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Vaccine Eligibility Expands

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