Minnesota Legislature 38 , CD3 DFL

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: February 12, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

While the pandemic isn’t over, we’ve received some good news with low rates of hospital admissions, an uptick in vaccination counts, and over 30 percent of Minnesotans 65 and older now vaccinated. With President Biden’s announcement yesterday that the US is securing 600 million more vaccine doses, there are many reasons to be optimistic, but not at the cost of losing the ground we’ve gained. Following current public health guidelines is key.

In the wake of this good news, today Governor Walz loosened restrictions on businesses. Effective Saturday, February 13 at noon, this new Executive Order takes steps to further reopen Minnesota’s economy safely, including:

Increasing the “not to exceed” capacity in restaurants to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 50 percent
Increasing indoor entertainment “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent
Increasing private events and celebrations “not to exceed” capacity to 50, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25
Increasing gym and pool “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving maximum capacity at 25 percent, and reducing distancing requirement to 6 feet.
Allowing restaurants to stay open until 11 p.m.

I have received some feedback from neighbors on the vaccine lottery as well as questions on the process as a whole. Health care workers and long-term care residents are continuing to receive the vaccine through their workplace, care facility, or local public health department. Minnesotans age 65 or older and educators are also now receiving the vaccine. Those 65 or older who have yet to receive their first dose can find vaccine providers in their area and more information here. If you pre-registered for the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program, you’ll be notified if you’re chosen through the random selection process. Educators, school staff, and child care workers will receive vaccine information from their employers.

Staying Warm This Winter

This weekend brings some of the coldest days yet for this winter, and Minnesotans struggling to pay their heating bills should know about our state’s Energy Assistance Program as well as the Cold Weather Rule. The Energy Assistance Program helped over 118,00 households pay heating bills last year, and you’re still able to apply – though applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program serves households that earn less than $54,357 for a household of four or $28,266 for a household of one. If you’re eligible, you can apply for assistance with your service provider. Call 800-657-3710 or visit the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) helps protect and reconnect your heat from October 15 through April 15. All electric and natural gas companies must offer CWR protection, with different types of payment plans available depending on your household income and which electric or natural gas company you have. You can find more information on how to take advantage of the CWR here.

Commerce Hearing on Cannabis

Next week, as vice chair of the House Commerce Committee, I’ll be hearing legislation on legalizing cannabis for adult-use. At the start of last session, House DFLers had just finished a statewide “Be Heard on Cannabis” listening session tour in communities across the state, including Eden Prairie. At that event I heard thoughtful, pragmatic responses from neighbors of varying perspectives, and now it’s time to continue that conversation in the legislative process.

Please share your thoughts on this important issue by completing a three question survey here before noon on 2/17. We will also share the link on my Facebook pageand you can help by encouraging family and friends in Eden Prairie to participate in the legislative process by providing their opinions as well.

The hearing will be the first-ever for a bill on the legalization of cannabis in Minnesota, and I promise to approach the issue with an open mind. It’s crucial that we address how Minnesota’s current laws have contributed to racial disparities in our criminal justice system by disproportionately impacting communities of color, despite comparable usage rates among white Minnesotans. We’ll be hearing the bill on Wednesday, February 17, at 3pm. You can visit the committee homepage that day to watch it live.

Stay Connected

The House Public Information website remains a great resource for everything going on at the Minnesota House, whether it’s a hearing on legislation to add new safeguards for renters, a proposal of $745 million in new state aid for our schools, or efforts to remove civil asset forfeiture laws.

You can also stay up to date by “liking” and following my Facebook page, and be sure to subscribe and share these legislative updates. If you have any questions or comments for me, the best way to touch base is through email (rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn) or phone (651/296-7449). I appreciate hearing from you.

Be well.

Sincerely,

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: February 12, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

There’s nothing like a spell of sub-zero temperatures to make one grateful for having a safe and warm home with which to escape the cold – but during this winter, during this global pandemic, that’s not the case for all Minnesotans. As vice chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, and a member of the Preventing Homelessness Division, legislation concerning Minnesota’s housing crisis has been a focus of mine.

Recently, I presented a bill to keep homeless Minnesotans safe amidst the pandemic. One of my Republican colleagues suggested that the primary cause of homelessness is personal choices made by those who lack a home. This was my response:

UBLC lawmakers announce 2021 Legislative Agenda

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday, the United Black Legislative Caucus announced its 2021 Legislative Agenda aimed at eliminating racial inequities and helping Black Minnesotans bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. The priorities are aimed at addressing disparities regarding economic opportunity, housing, education, health and human services, public safety, transportation, and environmental justice.

“The challenges facing Black Minnesotans are numerous, persistent, and urgent, and have been greatly compounded by COVID-19’s impacts on their health and economic security,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), UBLC co-chair. “Black Minnesotans deserve bold progress to eliminate disparities rather than incremental changes, and this agenda represents actions lawmakers can take this year to ensure everyone can share in our state’s success.”

“Even before the pandemic, Minnesota had some of the worst racial disparities in the nation,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL- Mendota Heights), co-chair of the UBLC. “The agenda we are bringing forward today is an important step forward in closing critical gaps for Black Minnesotans to ensure we all have an opportunity to succeed and thrive. There are significant annual economic costs to the state by failing to address these disparities and it continues to lead to a less prosperous Minnesota for all.”

The agenda includes many important actions lawmakers can take to strengthen the future for Black Minnesotans such as:

·Removes barriers to economic security, including high unemployment rates, a significant wage gap, barriers to starting a business, and systemic roadblocks towards building generational wealth.
Tackles the systemic racism Black Minnesotans have faced in homeownership through redlining, displacement, and barriers to capital, in addition to facing discrimination as renters.
Invests in students to help them achieve, including measures to address Minnesota’s opportunity gap – the worst in the nation – and COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black learners.
Addresses key health disparities, including poor maternal and child health outcomes.
Ensures investments in transportation infrastructure consider the needs of Black communities toward our entire region’s success.
Focuses on reforming Minnesota’s legal system to address disproportionately harmful impacts on the Black community.
Delivers economic justice by recognizing Black neighborhoods are disproportionately subject to air and water pollution and live and work in areas more vulnerable to certain climate-related disasters.

At the start of the current legislative session, membership of the UBLC grew from six to 10, with eight House members and two senators, highlighting an increasing diversity among lawmakers better reflective of their constituencies. The UBLC’s legislative priorities build upon the work of the House Select Committee on Racial Justice – which Rep. Moran and Rep. Richardson co-chaired in 2020 – which issued a series of recommendations to address systemic racism.

More information about the UBLC’s priorities can be accessed on this fact sheet. Video of the caucus’s press conference will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 12, 2012

Dear Neighbors,

As of today, 617,896 Minnesotans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 189,902 completing the series.

The Minnesota Department of Health indicated that Minnesota received almost 84,000 doses of the vaccine from the federal government this week. These will be divided up between our health care systems (39,800 doses), the Community Vaccination Program (7,000 doses), education and child care workers (10,000 doses), pharmacy partners (4,200 doses), local public health to finish Phase 1a (nearly 15,000 doses), tribal nations (3,000 doses), and the Department of Human Services for group homes (5,000 doses). More information is available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.

Rep. Kelly Morrison (HD33B) Update: February 12, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this newsletter finds you and yours staying warm! Our work continues in the Minnesota House; between meeting remotely with constituents, advocacy groups, and for committee and Floor sessions, I’ve been working on a variety of initiatives that improve health care access and affordability; you can read about some of these in my latest guest column.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As of today, 617,896 Minnesotans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 189,902 completing the series.

The Minnesota Department of Health indicated that Minnesota received almost 84,000 doses of the vaccine from the federal government this week. These will be divided up between our health care systems (39,800 doses), the Community Vaccination Program (7,000 doses), education and child care workers (10,000 doses), pharmacy partners (4,200 doses), local public health (nearly 15,000 doses – which will finish Phase 1A), tribal nations (3,000 doses), and the Department of Human Services for group homes (5,000 doses). More information is available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 12, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

This weekend is going to be a continuation of sub-zero temperatures, and with the cold weather I wanted to make sure our community was aware of the available resources for those struggling to pay their heating bill. The Energy Assistance Program helped over 118,00 households pay heating bills last year, and you’re still able to apply – though applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program serves households that earn less than $54,357 for a household of four or $28,266 for a household of one. If you’re eligible, you can apply for assistance with your service provider. You can call at 800-657-3710 or visit the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.

Additionally, Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) helps protect and reconnect your heat from October 15 through April 15. All electric and natural gas companies must offer CWR protection, with different types of payment plans available depending on your household income and which electric or natural gas company you have. You can find more information on how to take advantage of the CWR here.

The Latest on the COVID-19 Vaccine

We’ve recently received some good news with President Biden announcing yesterday that the US is securing 600 million more vaccine doses. Add low rates of hospital admissions, an uptick in vaccination counts, and over 30 percent of Minnesotans 65 and older now vaccinated, and there are many reasons to be optimistic. We’re closer than ever to closing this dark chapter, but it’s still incredibly important to follow public health guidelines.

Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: February 12, 2021

February 12, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

We are now more than a month into the legislative session, and if the emails and phone calls and letters I’ve been getting from you are any indication, there is a lot of interest in discussions and work happening in St. Paul. I hope you’ll always take the opportunity to reach out.

Celebrating Black History Month

February 1st through March 1st is recognized federally and state-wide as Black History Month. In recognition of that, I’d encourage us all to take time to reflect on the history and contributions of African American people to America and our democracy. While we have made progress in recognizing our history, we still have critical work to do to achieve an equitable and just America that we all deserve. I am committed to centering racial equity in my work as a Senator. It is the way we will address the large disparities in outcomes we see in many areas of life in our state. I also wanted to share these comments made by Senator Bobby Joe Champion of Minneapolis during one of our Senate floor sessions on the true importance of Black History Month.

Tax Filing Opens Today

The state and federal tax-filing season officially opens on Friday, February 12th. Taxpayers have until April 15th, 2021, to file income tax returns for Tax Year 2020. This year, there are many items to consider when filing taxes:

Federal Recovery Rebate: The Economic Impact Payments (“stimulus checks”) distributed by the federal government in 2020 were based on taxpayers’ 2018 or 2019 tax return data. Some taxpayers did not receive the full stimulus payments or did not qualify at all. Those taxpayers should examine potential eligibility for a federal Recovery Rebate on their federal taxes, which is based on 2020 tax information. The IRS website provides more information on the Recovery Rebate Credit, but it particularly applies to:

Those who lost wages in 2020 compared to 2019
Recent college graduates
Anyone who did not receive the full amount of the first EIP of $1,200 ($2,400 married-joint) or the second EIP of $600 ($1,200 married-joint)
Free state income tax filing: Free electronic filing of Minnesota taxes is available for Minnesotans whose Adjusted Gross Income is $72,000 or less or who meet certain other requirements, which vary based on the electronic tax-filing system used. To determine eligibility for each program, visit the Department’s website.

Free tax preparation: Taxpayers may qualify for free tax preparation help for federal and Minnesota income tax returns if they meet one of these criteria: be age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $57,000 per year. There are more than 200 free tax preparation sites across Minnesota offering help from IRS-certified volunteers. Most sites are open February 12 through April 15 and can be found on the Department’s website.

Fraud prevention: The Department of Revenue reviews and verifies information on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right person. Learn more about identity theft and see tips on how to protect financial information on the Identity Theft and Tax Refund Fraud page.

Track refunds: Taxpayers can track the status of their refunds by using the Where’s My Refund? system on the Department of Revenue’s website. The system will alert filers whether any additional action is needed and will display the exact date any refunds are sent.

Property tax refunds: Renters and homeowners in Minnesota may be eligible for property tax refunds. The applications must be filed separately from income tax returns and refunds will not be distributed until after August 2021. Forms may be found here.

Bills Move Forward

Committee work is the main focus of our time until we reach second deadline on March 19th, and here are a couple examples of bills that I have worked on that are moving forward. Yesterday, I was joined by Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse and Fire Chief Ulie Seal to present S.F. 88. This would provide for a sales tax exemption on construction materials for the new Bloomington Fire Station #4, saving Bloomington taxpayers thousands of dollars. S.F. 88 was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill, so it would require a larger tax bill passing to become law. I will be working with my colleagues on the Tax Committee to ensure that it does move forward.

I’m also a co-author of S.F. 269, which is based on the recommendations of the Family Child Care Task Force that I served on, along with Senator Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake, Representatives Ami Wazlawik of White Bear Twp and Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring, as well as representatives of child care providers, parents, businesses, and organizations from across the state. The group began meeting in the fall of 2019, and issued our final report earlier this month. S.F. 269 would provide funds to establish a Family Child Care Regulation Modernization project. The purpose would be to ensure that regulations related to family child care are more accurately viewed through a lens of national best practices, and that violations and sanctions are appropriately weighted based on health and safety risks for children. This bill is an important first step in ensuring that child care providers are held to standards that reflect real world needs and expectations. This is important as we work to find ways to attract new people to the child care field and retain current providers. Access to quality child care is fundamental to mothers and fathers being able to work.

I’m grateful to have had some opportunities recently to meet with constituents, including advocates for 100% clean energy, and the Bloomington League of Women Voters. Looking forward, I will be attending a virtual lunch with other area legislators and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and ensuring that the concerns I’m hearing from you are also heard by our federal leaders. I’m also anticipating the Virtual Muslim Day on the Hill, and continuing committee work on the budget and other important priorities. I hope you’ll continue to keep in touch if you have any questions or concerns you’d like to share!

Regards,

Melissa

Senate DFL Week in Review: February 12, 2021

PROTECTING DEMOCRACY
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.

Senate DFL members hold press conference calling on Senate to pass SR 21

A violent attack took place on January 6of this year at the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. leading to five deaths and over 50 injuries. This attack took place during the process of final certification of the results of the 2020 presidential election and represented a direct attack on American democracy. Read more >>

DFLers prepare to ensure Minnesotans’ safety

Extraordinary events across the nation over the last year have highlighted the reality that emergency situations can happen anywhere and at any time, often with little notice. The state of Minnesota has a Disaster Contingency Account to help local communities recover from natural disasters and unforeseen circumstances. Read more >>

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: February 10, 2021

Happy Black History Month!

Last week I introduced H.F. 593 , to The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee which calls on the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to revise the standards of conduct for peace officers (under Minnesota Statutes, section 626.843, subdivision 1, clause (6)), to prohibit officers from affiliating with, supporting, or advocating for white supremacist groups, causes, or ideologies.

The bill passed the committee 11-7.

7 nays…

You can watch the hearing here starting at 40:23.

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: February 9, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Edina Public School Students grades K-5 are now back to in-person learning and I am hearing reports things are going well (and that several teachers have been able to access their first vaccines)! Welcome back to our teachers and students!

COVID-19 trends in Minnesota are headed in the right direction, with case numbers and positivity rates heading downward. The vaccination process also continues to improve, with distribution efficiency increasing, and the federal government increasing the supply of doses.

It’s likely there will be changes in Minnesota and nationwide in the coming weeks and months to improve vaccine distribution.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Update

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Celebrating Black History Month

Tax Filing Opens Today

Bills Move Forward

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