Minnesota Legislature 51 , CD3 DFL

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: December 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

House Passes New Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package

Yesterday, we met for our 7th special session of the year to pass an assistance package that will help our most vulnerable neighbors, and local businesses stay afloat during this ongoing crisis. The DFL led the way in designing this package and had to fight hard for this aid, particularly the unemployment aid extension. True to our bipartisan nature we managed to find a path that works for both sides of the aisle while also being a victory for our entire state.Here are a few of the key pieces of the Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package:

Extend Unemployment Benefits: Provides up to 13 additional weeks in unemployment benefits for MN workers who have exhausted all federal and state benefits. There are an estimated 100,000 MN workers who could qualify for this extension, showing how needed this extension is.
Business Assistance Grants: Provides $216.5 million from the General Fund in grants to restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and many other entities directly affected by the executive orders and the pandemic. It is estimated that these grants will be able to assist over 6,000 businesses that have been hurt by Covid-19.
Certain Fees Waived for Hospitality Industry: This is another straight-forward practical action we can take to help ease the financial burden our local businesses are facing. While this is a smaller portion of the total relief, it should go a long way towards helping these vulnerable businesses.

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: December 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Early this morning, Minnesota received its very first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine. The shipments arrived today at four sites across the state: Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, Olmsted Medical Center, and Cass Lake Indian Health Services.

Throughout the week, Minnesota is expected to receive a total of 46,800 units of vaccine across the statewide regional vaccine distribution hubs. From there, the vaccine will be distributed to smaller hospitals or clinics, and providers will then administer the vaccine to Minnesotans, starting by protecting the life and health of those most susceptible to serious complications and those who care for them.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: December 10, 2020

December, 2020

Priorities for 2021 legislative session

The next legislative session is right around the corner, and my colleagues and I are already preparing for how we can best serve the people of Minnesota. At the top of my list is relief for those impacted by coronavirus. We need to slow the spread, support our medical professionals, and give aid to those who have had to make tremendous financial sacrifices. Additionally, I will be introducing bills on the following subjects:

Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus elect new leadership

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The current and incoming members of the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus have elected Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center) as chair and Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis) as vice chair.

With 16 POCI legislators scheduled to be sworn into office January 5, 2021, the incoming Legislature is the most diverse in history. POCI legislators are serving as chairs for seven of 30 House committees, another historic first.

“I’m honored to be chair of this caucus,” said Chair Vang. “Our state’s growing diversity has never seen itself reflected at the Minnesota Legislature and for the first time our growing caucus of 16 POCI legislators is at the representation we have never seen before. I’m excited to lead this caucus with Vice Chair, Representative Hodan Hassan, to further all our communities for the State of Minnesota.”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 11, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we prepare for the holidays, I hope you are all safe and healthy. The year is almost over and it has been a long one for us all. With that in mind there is hope that in the coming year, we will transition over time to a normal we all miss.

A vaccine is on the way. It will not be out as fast as any of us would like, but it is coming. Below you’ll find more information on Minnesota’s plan to ensure we get the most vulnerable and frontline workers and then the rest of the state.

We move forward into a new year with new hopes and opportunities. Stay safe everyone, and Happy Holidays.

Tensions over Minnesota election outcome on display as Senate panel meets

At GOP-led hearing on election integrity, Secretary of State Steve Simon warns of ‘disinformation.’

Disinformation and conspiracy theories about this year’s vote are a danger to election workers and democracy itself, Minnesota Secretary of State Simon warned Tuesday at a state Senate hearing called to examine the election’s integrity.

With the presidential race’s outcome under continued but unsuccessful legal attack by President Donald Trump and allies, Republican state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake raised questions about pandemic-driven changes to Minnesota’s voting procedures that have since been the subject of court wrangling.

Still, Kiffmeyer, a former secretary of state and frequent critic of Simon, said in a subsequent press release that “so far, claims of widespread fraud have not held up under scrutiny or in the courts.” Continue reading.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 11, 2020

Neighbors,

Please join Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn and me for a District 48 Virtual Town Hall next Thursday, December 17 at 7 p.m. To participate, go to my Facebook page: Rep. Laurie Pryor | Facebook. You can submit your questions ahead of time here.

Special Session on Monday

Governor Walz has called us back into special session on Monday, December 14 to consider a COVID package which will provide much needed assistance to small businesses, families and workers struggling during the pandemic. Legislative leaders and the governor have been working around the clock to craft help for Minnesotans to get through this difficult time.

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: December 11, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As you may have heard, Governor Walz unveiled a COVID-19 vaccination plan earlier this week. The goal is to quickly, equitably, and safely deliver the vaccine to Minnesotans in every corner of the state in partnership with the federal government and local communities.

No vaccine is available yet, but two pharmaceutical companies – Pfizer and Moderna – have submitted vaccines for FDA approval. Pfizer’s passed a critical milestone yesterday, when an FDA advisory panel formally recommended authorizing it. Other vaccines are currently in clinical trials. Once one is approved, there will be 25 distribution hubs set up across the state to receive vaccine deliveries through the national distribution chain. From there, the vaccine will be distributed to smaller hospitals and clinics.

Health care workers and long-term care residents will be the first to receive the vaccine, followed by essential workers, seniors, and people with preexisting conditions who are more likely to become seriously ill if they contract the virus. The vaccine, which won’t be mandatory, will be provided to Minnesotans at no cost. You can find more information about Minnesota’s vaccine distribution plan here.

The expected arrival of a vaccine is good news, but this process will require time and patience. In the meantime, it’s important to do our part to protect each other by wearing masks, social distancing, staying home when possible, and getting tested if feeling sick.

Economic Assistance for Minnesotans

House DFLers recently put forth a COVID-19 economic assistance package that would keep small businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by, and help Minnesota families keep food on their tables. The package includes direct aid for small businesses, an eviction moratorium, a 13-week unemployment extension, and emergency assistance for struggling families. It also includes grants for restaurants to provide food for health care workers, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities.

Our plan has Governor Walz’s support, and we’re working with our Republican colleagues to reach an agreement before the next special session on Monday, December 14. I hope we can come together to deliver this critical assistance.

Climate Action Plan Webinar

The Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus, which I chair, is gearing up for the next legislative session! We recently released our Climate Action Plan, a comprehensive, science-based framework for addressing the climate crisis. You can view the plan here.

If you’d like to learn more about the House Climate Action Plan, you can join me and Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL) for an informational webinar on Thursday, December 17 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. I’ll share our plan to fight climate change in Minnesota and answer questions from the audience. You can find more details and RSVP here.

I always appreciate hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or feedback. You can contact me at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn or 651-296-9934.

Sincerely,

Patty Acomb
State Representative

House Education Finance Committee holds hearing to discuss extending free and reduced-price lunch eligibility deadline

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the House Education Finance Committee held a remote informational hearing to review a proposal that would give an extension to school districts during the current pandemic to collect forms from families for free and reduced lunch. Currently, the deadline is December 15. The proposed legislation would move it to January 4, 2021. A copy of the draft proposal can be found here.

“With distance and hybrid learning coupled with changes to school structures, it’s been more challenging to connect with families about eligibility for free and reduced-price lunches,” said Chair Davnie. “At the same time we know that the pandemic recession has hit many families hard.”

The committee heard supportive testimony from the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Independent School Forum, Ed Allies, Hunger Solutions, Schools for Equity and Education, and the Minnesota School Board Association. All organizations stressed the urgency to act due to the challenges families are experiencing accessing and returning the application forms for free or reduced price lunch.

The bill is expected to be taken up on the House Floor during Monday’s special session. Supporting materials can be found on the committee’s website.

Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee Reviews New COVID-19 Assistance Package

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee reviewed a new COVID-19 assistance package designed to help workers, families, and small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic. House DFLers are advocating for direct assistance for workers and families in addition to businesses.

Key pieces in the assistance package include:

Extend Unemployment Benefits (Mahoney/Noor): Up to 13 additional weeks in unemployment benefits for MN workers who have exhausted all federal and state benefits.
TANF Money for MFIP Families (Noor): One-time grants of $500 for 30,000 MFIP Families, using $15.7 million from the federal TANF Fund.
Business Assistance (Mahoney): Provides $200 million from the General Fund in grants to restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and many other entities directly affected by the executive orders and the pandemic.

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December, 2020

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Economic Assistance for Minnesotans

Climate Action Plan Webinar

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