Dear Neighbors,
I hope that this email finds you safe, healthy, and staying warm!
Here’s the latest news from the Capitol, where we’re wrapping up the first month of the legislative session:
Continue reading “Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: February 5, 2021”
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Senate Republicans heard legislation February 3 targeting transgender youth whose assigned sex at birth is different from their true gender. The Senate Republican-controlled Education Committee heard a bill which would prohibit schools from allowing any student whose “sex is male” from participating in girls’ sports.
Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights), chair of the House Education Policy Committee condemned the measure and released the following statement in response:
“For Minnesota to be a state with world class education we must ensure an inclusive school experience for students of all genders with equitable access to the activities that support their learning and well-being. As the House Education Policy Chair, I am committed to using my gavel to expand opportunity, not restrict it on the basis of transgender status. Our committee will not give Senate Republicans’ bill a hearing because it would have a harmful and exclusionary impact on children in our schools.
All of our students in Minnesota deserve every opportunity to be successful in and out of the classroom and that includes participating in extracurricular activities and sports. We ought to be celebrating the contributions our students are making to their school teams among their peers, not denying or restricting their opportunities based on transgender status.”
Dear Neighbors,
Another week is nearly behind us. Our work continues at the Minnesota House and we’ve been focusing on delivering support to families, workers, and businessesacross the state.
Here’s a glimpse at some of the legislation and proposals moving through the Legislature:
Small Business Tax Support
A week ago, we passed a bipartisan bill that holds 2021 Unemployment Insurance experience ratings constant. Without this legislation, small businesses would face massive increases in their Unemployment Insurance taxes due to the significant number of layoffs that occurred during the pandemic. Governor Walz signed the bill into law on Friday. Although there’s more work for the legislature to do to help our small businesses, I’m glad we took this necessary and significant step forward to ensure our businesses are held harmless as they prepare for the 2021 tax season.
Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 5, 2021”SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On February 4, a bipartisan group of legislators announced new efforts to deliver vital supplemental state health assistance to Minnesota’s 22,000 firefighters. The Hometown Heroes Act, authored by Rep. Cheryl Yoaukim (DFL-Hopkins) and Sen. Jeff Howe (R-Rockville), would address the alarmingly high incidence of cancer, cardiac issues, and emotional trauma facing these frontline workers.
“Our firefighters face unique challenges, especially with the ongoing pandemic,” said Representative Youakim. “They have higher incidences of cancer, cardiac issues and now more than ever, trauma. This bill would not only deliver quality health care assistance our firefighters need but takes a proactive approach with the necessary awareness training they deserve.”
“I, unfortunately, have watched many of my fellow firefighters suffer and die from cancer and heart disease,” said Senator Jeff Howe. “If we don’t take care of the folks we call when we’re in trouble, how can we expect them to be there when we need them? I’m passionate about this subject, and I’m honored to be carrying this bill.”
Continue reading “Minnesota Lawmakers Announce Bipartisan Hometown Heroes Act”
Neighbors,
This week in Health Finance and Policy committee, we heard testimony from University of Minnesota epidemiologist and world-renowned infectious disease expert, Dr. Michael Osterholm. He and other experts have great concern about the new variants of the virus, turning up in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Brazil, and South Africa, and are now seeing a new surge of cases followed by a devastating increase in hospitalizations and deaths.
Dr. Osterholm affirmed that it is just as important as ever to wear a mask when in public and to keep a physical distance from people outside your immediate household. He also spoke to the need to wear a good quality mask consisting of multiple layers and well fitted – and wearing it properly – and said there are too many pictures with noses showing above the mask.
I asked Dr. Osterholm how we can keep our spirits up and our mental health intact during these difficult days. You can watch our exchange here.
Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: February 5, 2021”
To improve employee health and well-being, particularly among lower wage earners, House DFLers have reintroduced legislation that would require paid time off for all Minnesota workers.
HF7, sponsored by Rep. Liz Olson (DFL-Duluth) and co-sponsored by 15 other DFLers, would require employers to provide workers at least one hour of health-related paid time off for every 30 hours worked.
The time could be used to recuperate from an illness, care for an ill family member, attend an appointment, watch kids during weather- or emergency-related day care closures or care for a parent. Continue reading.
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the House Health Finance & Policy Committee received an update on COVID-19 from Dr. Michael Osterholm, world-renowned epidemiologist and Director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. The committee also discussed the important role of local public health in combating the pandemic and considered legislation to boost investments in local public health grants.
Dr. Osterholm shared several concerns regarding the virus with the committee, including the emergence of new COVID-19 variants that could mean the worst of the pandemic is still in front of us. Noting that the first doses of the vaccine has been greatly effective, he discussed the possibility of adapting to a first-dose priority plan for those ages 65 or older, postponing the second dose for those patients. He also stressed the importance of continued mask wearing, physical distancing and avoiding crowds, and discussed the need for individuals to protect their mental health.
“We’ve recently seen key COVID-19 metrics, including case counts and hospitalizations, trend downward, but as Dr. Osterholm told us, we aren’t out of the woods yet,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee. “As Minnesota continues vaccinating our residents, we must all remain vigilant against the virus – particularly as new variants emerge – to continue making progress and get through the pandemic as quickly as possible.”
Continue reading “House Health Committee receives update COVID-19 update from Dr. Osterholm, discusses Rep. Wolgamott’s proposed public health investments”
Dear Neighbors,
I want to extend an invitation to you for a conversation in coordination with the League of Women Voters of Edina and LWV of Bloomington.
Join us for the first town hall of the 2021 Legislative Session in District 49. Please RSVP at the link here, and submit a question to be asked during the event. We will send out the Zoom link the day before. You can join on Zoom or watch it on my Facebook page live-streamed.
I am excited and looking forward to your engagement.
Select Committee on Racial Justice Final Report
This month, in honor of Black History Month, I want to invite you to read the final report released on Racial Justice.
Over the interim, the House Committee on Racial Justice examined how racism pervades Minnesota’s laws and institutions. This committee wrote a report of their findings to guide House members and me as we write bills.
Click here to read the full report.
A Unified Statement in Defense of Our Democracy
In addition to taking measures to reform free and fair elections, the Minnesota House of Representative joined together and passed House Resolution 1, a resolution condemning violence and violent rhetoric directed at the United States Capitol and state capitols, and affirming support for democracy, rule of law, and the certified results of our election. The resolution passed on a vote of 111-8.
Now is the time to stand up to rhetoric that threatens the stability of our democracy and casts baseless doubt on the legitimacy of our free and fair elections.
Sober Homes And Consumer Protections
I had my first bill hearing this morning in the Behavioral Health Policy Committee to conduct a study of Sober Homes and add consumer protections. The bill is co-authered by Rep. Koegal and Rep. Hassan.
You can watch the full-clip of the Behavioral Health Policy Committee hearing here.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn or 651-296-4363 with your input or questions. You’re welcome also to follow me or ‘like’ my official Facebook page for additional updates.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Edina residents and families in the Minnesota House!
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Today, the House Education Finance Division heard the Increase Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers Act of 2021, authored by Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis). The bill aims to attract and retain more Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers, with the goal of providing all students with equitable access to effective and diverse teachers who reflect the diversity of their students.
“We owe it to our students to give them the best education possible, and the most important factor in a quality education is our educators,” said Rep. Hassan, co-chair of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus.
“It has been shown repeatedly that all of our students benefit when they have teachers of color and American Indian teachers, but this is especially true for our students of color and indigenous students. HF 217 will ensure that our school education system has adequate resources to hire and retain teachers of color and American Indian teachers, while also creating a space for anti-racist and culturally relevant learning to take place. The integration of these diverse perspectives and experiences will lead to improved outcomes for every student.”
Continue reading “House Education Finance Division hears Increase Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers Act of 2021”
Virtual Town Hall
Join Rep. Edelson, Sen. Franzen and I in coordination with the League of Women Voters of Edina and LWV of Bloomington for our first town hall of the 2021 Legislative Session Tuesday, February 9 at 7-8:30pm. Please RSVP, and submit a question to be asked during the event. We will send out the Zoom link the day before. You can join on Zoom or watch it on Facebook live. We look forward to your engagement.
