Dear Neighbors,
Thanks in large part to the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we’re ahead of schedule in our vaccination timeline, allowing more Minnesotans to become eligible to get their shot this week.
Neighbors,
You are invited to join Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, Sen. Cwodzinski, and me next Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. for a virtual town hall. We are now in the third month of the 2021 Legislative Session and we would like to hear your comments on the work ahead. Go to any of our Facebook pages to participate.
Click here to submit a question in advance.
I am still taking your feedback on issues that may be discussed this legislative session. Your priorities are important to me. Please take a moment to click on this link and complete my legislative survey. [You may note this survey was created prior to the February forecast announcement and question #4 doesn’t reflect the current $1.6 billion projected positive balance.
Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 12, 2021”
March 12, 2021
Stepping Up Vaccinations and Dialing Back Mitigations
On March 9th, Governor Walz announced that vaccine eligibility has been expanded 3 weeks ahead of schedule, due to 70% of seniors 65 years and older receiving the vaccine. This is an incredible accomplishment. You can find out where you fall in the distribution order by clicking HERE.
If you have not already, get registered with Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector by clicking HERE, to get notified on when a vaccine will be available for you.
And in additional news, this increase in vaccine deployment is also helping us dial back some COVID-19 mitigation measures. While school districts have already been empowered to return to in-person learning and all businesses are allowed to be open, we are now safely increasing capacity limits. Brighter days are on the horizon, and hopefully we can all see each other in the summer for an in-person town hall meeting. You can view the full details by clicking HERE.
Dear Neighbors,
I hope you are finding time to enjoy the nice Spring weather we have been blessed with in the recent weeks. We are welcoming a new business into our community that you can explore in Maple Grove! The MiniSota Play Cafe is now open for business in The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes. Let’s give them a warm welcome!
I’ve been incredibly proud to see Maple Grove grow and thrive during this unfortunate pandemic. You can find additional information about MiniSota Play Cafe here.
Minnesota landlords, generally prohibited from evicting tenants under Gov. Tim Walz’s COVID-19 peacetime emergency orders, could be required to wait 60 days before starting most eviction proceedings in the 12 months after the orders expire.
HF12, sponsored by Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul), would only allow immediate evictions during the 12-month period in the most serious circumstances, such as if a tenant unlawfully destroys property, not for rent nonpayment.
Mortgage lenders would also be required to wait 60 days before filing foreclosures. Continue reading.
Investing in our schools and students
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.
Investing in our schools and students
Senate DFLers held a press conference this week to highlight the need of fully investing in our students and schools so that our education system supports all students, regardless of their race, zip code, or economic status. In a year when so many are recovering from the effects of COVID-19, we need to not only invest in our current system but improve it for the better. Read more >>
DFLers push to include workers, students in business tax relief bill
The Senate passed bipartisan legislation Thursday to match the federal government’s tax-exclusion for forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans received by businesses in 2020. About 102,400 businesses received $11.3 billion worth of loans in Minnesota. Typically, forgiven loans are taxable at the state and federal level, but Congress made special exceptions last year. Read more >>
Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: March 12, 2021”
Dear Neighbors,
The pace of work in the legislature is picking up, and I am continuing to work hard within our virtual committee structure on behalf of our communities and the entire State of Minnesota. Committees are hearing bills, and we have also taken up a number bills in the full Senate. I want to let you know about a few things that have happened, but please feel free to reach out if you’d like more information about something not mentioned here.
With deadlines rapidly approaching, I’ve been spending more time in committee evaluating bills that are heard, and I’ve also had the opportunity to present three bills that I’m the author of.
S.F. 735 was heard in the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, and would extend medical assistance postpartum coverage to one year (instead of the current 60 days), ensuring greater support and stability for new mothers and babies. Historically, the maternal mortality rate for African American women has been at least twice as high as white mothers; the American Indian mortality rate is approximately four times higher than white mothers. Data also suggests that almost half of maternal deaths occur in greater Minnesota. Federal law requires our state’s Medical Assistance program to cover women who are enrolled during pregnancy for 60 days postpartum. Data suggests that 40% of women enrolled in MA during pregnancy lose this coverage after that time or face gaps in coverage, increasing the risk of severe health complications.
Continue reading “Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: March 12, 2021”
Dear Neighbors,
On March 20th at 11 A.M. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg to address legislative issues important to our district. I hope you are available to join us on Zoom.
You can RSVP to join on the Zoom call and submit your questions prior to the event on the following google form, or simply watch the live-broadcast of the event my Facebook page.
Continue reading “Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: March 12, 2021”
Dear Neighbors,
Spring has arrived in Minnesota! As the weather warms and the snow melts— you can feel hope in the air. This Spring signals the beginning of our pathway out of this pandemic. While more and more vaccines are being administered every week, I hope you and your loved ones are able to monitor eligibility and available appointments. If you are experiencing issues with access and are in a qualified group, please be sure to contact me at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn.
Currently, 1,129,967 of Minnesotans have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 642,701 individuals have completed the vaccine series. Each week we are making more progress on this front as we expand eligibility.
We received great news earlier this week: Minnesota was able to expand vaccine eligibility on Wednesday, March 10 as the state reaches its goal of vaccinating 70% of Minnesotans 65 years of age and older. At our current pace, Minnesota is now several weeks ahead of schedule. More than 1.8 million Minnesotans are newly eligible to receive a vaccine .
Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: March 11, 2021”
Dear Neighbors,
This week, I’d like to ask for your feedback on issues that could be discussed this 2021 Legislative Session, including recovering and rebuilding from COVID-19, ensuring Minnesotans have affordable health care, great educational opportunities from preschool through job training, and economic security. Our government always works best when the decisions made include all.
The link for the 2021 Legislative Survey for District 50B is below. Please get in touch with me anytime. I appreciate hearing from you!
HealthPartners recently opened its first drive-up vaccination site at its Bloomington headquarters, and is prepared to open additional drive-up sites as vaccine supply increases. The site will be open 7 days a week, and appointments are required.
Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 10, 2021”