Minnesota Legislature 31 , CD3 DFL

House DFL lawmakers introduce legislation to increase opportunities for equitable COVID-19 vaccine access

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – House DFL lawmakers Wednesday introduced new legislation to increase opportunities for equitable COVID-19 vaccine access. In response to the vast disparities outlined in reporting from the Minnesota Department of Health, Representative Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven), Representative Jay Xiong (DFL-St. Paul), Representative Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis), Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley), and 31 other House DFLers are leading efforts to close the gap and get more vaccine doses distributed to marginalized communities across the state.

“By doubling down on our efforts now to get shots into as many arms as possible, in every corner of the state, we can crush the virus and close the chapter on this public health crisis,” said Rep. Morrison, a practicing physician and Assistant Majority Leader in the Minnesota House. “The Minnesota Department of Health has been doing an incredible job handling the pandemic response, but we can and should do more for our communities who have been especially hit hard over the last year.”

The legislation would establish a Mobile Vaccine Program, in which mobile vaccination vehicles are deployed to disproportionately impacted communities around the state to provide COVID-19 vaccines to those residents. A mobile vaccination vehicle providing vaccines in a community with a large number of residents with limited English proficiency must also be staffed by interpreters for the needed languages.

POCI Caucus Statement on Beginning of Chauvin Trial

SAINT PAUL – Today marks the beginning of the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. This process will be strenuous and traumatic for many throughout the state, especially for BIPOC communities and those who have fought for justice over the last year. The People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus released the following statement to remember the life of George Floyd and highlight the urgent need for continued public safety reform:

“It is difficult to comprehend the full scale of consequences that stem from the fateful day of May 25, 2020. For many of us, it marked a turning point in our lives, and how we view public safety. The trauma of that day and the sleepless nights that followed will stay with us for the rest of our lives, but the hope is that we can honor this moment by enacting change that will last for generations.

There are some things we know for sure. We know that a man’s life was taken before his time, before our eyes. We all bore witness to the final minutes of a human life that was snuffed out with a terrible cruelty that was all too casual in its nature. We know that our society has not changed enough, that this terrible death can and will occur again if we do not act now to transform how we approach public safety so that we are all working together to keep one another safe.

The POCI caucus has worked tirelessly to make positive change, and while we have been successful on many fronts, systemic changes that will allow for true reforms have yet to reach a bipartisan consensus. We will continue to fight for justice for our black, brown, and Indigenous communities, and we hope that this trial is the beginning of justice for George Floyd.”

The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Esther Agbaje (59B), Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Cedrick Frazier (45A), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (Vice- Chair 62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Athena Hollins (66B), Fue Lee (59A), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), John Thompson (67A), Samantha Vang (Chair, 40B), Jay Xiong (67B), Tou Xiong (53B), and Senators Bobby Joe Champion (59), Omar Fateh (62), Melisa Franzen (49), Foung Hawj (67), Mary Kunesh (41), Patricia Torres Ray (Chair, 63)

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 9, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you have been able to get outdoors and enjoy this early taste of spring! I was able to head out for a stroll along Nine Mile Creek in Bloomington on Sunday afternoon and the sound of running water was rejuvenating! Our days are getting brighter both literally and figuratively.

Vaccination Update

Minnesota was recently ranked 3rd in our ability to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.This week, we reached an important milestone in our fight against COVID-19; 70% of Minnesotans 65 years of age and older have officially been vaccinated! We had initially hoped to reach this goal by the end of March, but thanks to an increased supply from the federal government we have been able to speed things up. As a result, the state will expand eligibility to the next two phases of Minnesotans at once, starting Wednesday. Providers have been directed to prioritize people in the first of these phases, which includes Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions; food processing plant workers; and Minnesotans with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk of severe illness. Providers will then have the flexibility to provide available appointments to other eligible Minnesotans. You can stay up to date on our stats on the State’s Vaccine Dashboard.

More than 1.8 million Minnesotans will become eligible to receive a vaccine beginning this week including:

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: March 8, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you have been able to get outdoors and enjoy this early taste of spring! Our days are getting brighter both literally and figuratively. Minnesota was recently ranked 3rd in our ability to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine. At our current rate we should be able to vaccinate 70% of Minnesotans 65 years or older by the end of the month! With the new single dose vaccines now available, this pace will continue to speed up.

Renters Rights

This week my bill, HF 969, was heard in the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. This important bill would require landlords to follow the same debt collecting practices of debt collectors and prevent them using abusive practices to collect rent. This is just one more protection we can give renters to ensure that they are treated fairly. You can watch my presentation on the bill here.

Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 7, 2021

CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 5, 2021

This week I continued my virtual constituent meetings and committee hearings. It continues to be an honor to serve even in a remote capacity. The pace of session is increasing as the policy deadlines approach and committee hearings are being extended into evening hours.

Constituents Clifford Kashtan MD, Jennie Eldridge Calderón, and myself

Committee Updates

This week in Judiciary Committee we heard legislation intended to close a loophole in Minnesota’s criminal statutes dealing with torture.

Rep. Kelly Morrison (HD33B) Update: March 8, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

In response to the Carver County outbreak of the B117 COVID variant over the weekend, the Minnesota Department of Health announced a new temporary COVID-19 testing site at the Chanhassen Recreation Center (2310 Coulter Blvd., Chanhassen, MN 55317). Saliva testing at this location will take place Thursday, March 11 through Saturday, March 13, and Thursday, March 18 through Saturday, March 20. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Walk-ins are also available. Hours of operation are as follows:

Thursday, March 11, 2 – 8 p.m.
Friday, March 12, noon – 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 13, noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 18, 2 – 8 p.m.
Friday, March 19, noon – 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 20, noon – 6 p.m.

Other testing locations in Carver County can be found here:

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 6, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We have one more week until first deadlines. Many bills have been moving, and this week we had several. You’ll find more details on the specifics in this ENews. I would also like to say we had introduced on Monday the bill that will address the issues I wrote about last week! SF 1570 was introduced and I am proud to be the second Author on the bill and to support it with the full force of the office of Senate District 36. This will bring training, accommodation and accountability to our agencies in ensuring the support of all potential and current employees with disabilities.

Among the important bills heard this week are two transportation bills I’m working on with Senator Abeler and Senator Newton. These will finish a key part of highway ten and expand it to three lines for a significant portion of the road, reducing congestion and rush hour delays for all passing along this important corridor. With an amendment moving with the bills to bonding, it is 71 million in funding I will do my utmost to bring to the finish line.

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 5, 2021

Volume 6, Issue 9

March 5, 2021

Weekly Review Video

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

This week marks a year since Minnesota had its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The way we live our lives has changed significantly since March of 2020. As of today, 58.2% of Minnesotans ages 65+ have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. On March 3, we reached 1,498,369 doses of the vaccine administered. 975,781 Minnesotans had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 516,422 having completed a full vaccine series. Minnesota ranks third in the nation in the percentage of vaccine doses received being administered.

Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart (SD44) Update: March 5, 2021

Week-in-Review Video

Update from the Capitol

Constituents and friends,

I’m excited to share my first weekly update from our state Capitol! I’ve had a very busy two months, and have been learning an enormous amount about the legislative process and how to best advocate for the SD44 community in the Senate.

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: March 5, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Spring is in the air and we have big news! Last week, we received a clearer picture of when Minnesotans could receive their COVID-19 vaccines. The supply of vaccines is still far from meeting the demand in our state, and we’re not alone in that, but it looks as though we’re on track to meet our goal of vaccinating 70% of Minnesotans age 65 and older by the end of March. Once that goal is met, we’ll begin administering the vaccine to people with specific high-risk health conditions and targeted essential workers – adding more Minnesotans throughout the spring. Check the timeline to see when you or your loved ones may be eligible.

Whether you’re eligible to get the vaccines in a few weeks or a few months, be sure to sign up for the state’s Vaccine Connector.

Get Connected to Your COVID-19 Vaccine Image

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Vaccination Update

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CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 5, 2021

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A weekly message from your Senator

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Update from the Capitol

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