Minnesota Legislature 52 , CD3 DFL

Governor and Lawmakers continue to work on COVID Relief Package

Governor Tim Walz and lawmakers continue negotiations on a relief package for bars and restaurants that remain closed due to the governor’s COVID emergency order. Walz said Friday he thinks they’re getting close to a deal:

“Us starting out and saying, this is where we think we should go and these are the principles. Then there’s of course the House Democratic version, the House Republican version, the Senate Republican version, the Senate Democratic version. And now we’re at the point right now where those kind of four corners are working out.”

If Walz and lawmakers are able to agree on a relief package, it doesn’t look like the legislature would pass it until mid-December, when legislators are back in Saint Paul anyway to vote on the governor’s emergency powers. View the post here.

House HHS Finance Division considers COVID-19-related long-term care, homelessness funding proposals

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Health and Human Services Finance Division considered proposals to continue protecting people living and working in long-term care facilities, as well as those experiencing homelessness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding under the federal CARES Act is set to expire at the end of the year, and these items are among those to be considered during a special legislative session which Governor Walz has called for Monday.

“COVID-19 continues to impact vulnerable Minnesotans, and as 2020 winds down there’s an added sense of urgency to protect people,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), the division chair. “Some of the most vulnerable Minnesotans are counting on these continued investments. If the federal government doesn’t act, the Legislature must be prepared to deliver funding for these key supports.”

The committee discussed proposed legislation authored by Rep. Liebling to fund COVID-19-related priorities supporting Minnesotans in long-term care facilities, including measures to continue COVID-19 testing, a nurse triage line, staff support to monitor COVID-19 transmission, and infection control strike teams. The bill also includes $2 million for a temporary staffing pool that may be deployed to long-term care facilities and other group residential settings experiencing a COVID-19 related staffing crisis.

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: December 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well and taking advantage of the mild start to December.

Here’s an update from the Capitol:

State Budget Forecast

Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced new economic projections that show Minnesota is well positioned to deliver immediate economic aid to workers and small businesses. House Democrats and Republicans are working diligently together to craft a COVID-19 economic assistance package in response. I am hopeful we can find an agreement by December 14, which is when the next special session is slated to begin.

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Deadline for Housing Assistance is Tonight!

If you are struggling paying the rent, mortgage, homeowners association dues, homeowners insurance or utilities there is still over $30 million in available funds to help Minnesotans like you. There is still significant help for you if your income has been affected by Covid, but you must apply by midnight tonight, you can apply here. Please, if you know anyone in your life who has struggled during the pandemic, encourage them to apply. This funding could go a long way to helping lesson the impact of our ongoing housing crisis. Please apply today!

New Budget Forecast

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced the November Economic Forecast, projecting a $641 million surplus for the current budget cycle, while a deficit of $1.273 billion is projected for the 2022-2023 biennium beginning July 1.

State Supreme Court rejects GOP challenge to Minnesota election results

It’s among dozens of court defeats around the country for attempts to undo Biden win.

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a Republican lawsuit to stop certification of Minnesota’s Nov. 3 election results and order a full recount, the latest in a long line of failed legal attempts around the country to challenge the outcome of the 2020 vote.

In a five-page order rejecting the case, Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea cited the late filing of the petition — just hours before the state canvassing board met to certify the election’s results on Nov. 24 — and errors in the manner in which the case was brought.

Unsuccessful GOP congressional candidate Tyler Kistner, numerous other Minnesota Republicans who lost their elections and members of a breakaway GOP state House caucus were behind the petition. Their challenge took aim at a consent decree agreed to earlier this year by Secretary of State Steve Simon that suspended witness requirements for absentee and mail ballots. The Republican petitioners also challenged the process used in some counties for conducting their post-election reviews. Continue reading.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 4, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Holidays this season! As we look to the end of the month I hope we all find something be to joyful about. This has been one of the most challenging years in the memory of many but we have persevered. Science has been learning more and we may have Vaccines sometime in the early months of next year for Covid-19.

I know I am grateful for my family, friends, and all of those I serve and have the honor to continue serving at the Minnesota Legislature. Keep in touch, stay safe and I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

John

Rep. Howard Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, following remarks from Republican legislative leaders on allowing the Minnesota Legislature to be given priority consideration for a COVID-19 vaccine, State Representative Michael Howard (DFL – Richfield) released the following statement:

“To the Republican leaders suggesting that legislators should have priority over other Minnesotans to receive life-saving vaccinations, I ask a simple question – have you no sense of decency? This brazen and selfish request is especially galling coming from legislators that have consistently minimized the seriousness of COVID-19, exacerbating a dangerous and highly contagious disease.

“Instead of cutting in line, we need to work together to prioritize our health care workers who have risked their lives for months fighting on the front lines, the elderly, those with chronic health conditions, our teachers and child care workers who are working around the clock to care for kids, and the food and service workers who are keeping our communities fed through this crisis. To do otherwise would not only be an egregious lapse in integrity, but a flagrant violation of the public’s trust.”

Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: December 4, 2020

Budget Forecast

Earlier this week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced the November budget forecast, which projected a positive budget balance of $641 million for the 2020-21 biennium. The forecast also projects a $1.237 billion shortfall for 2022-23. I believe the 2022-23 forecast is a bit understated because inflation is not considered. Automatic increases were built into prior legislation for future years, and the projected shortfall may be closer to $2.5 billion. It is important to remember that this is only a forecast and like the last one could be significantly different when we actually get to 2022.

The budget surplus can mostly be attributed to two simple factors. Minnesotans are spending more than expected, and state spending is way down. Although lower-income families have been hit harder, total income for Minnesotans did not decline as much as previously anticipated. Federal unemployment assistance helped keep sales tax and income tax receipts high as well. State spending is projected to be $1 billion less than anticipated this year. This can be attributed to fewer people using health care services, federal funding for Medical Assistance increasing, and public-school enrollment falling by nearly 13,000 pupils.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 3, 2020

Neighbors,

We are now several months into our COVID pandemic emergency and the challenges continue for working families and businesses. I appreciate your efforts to help your neighbors to stay safe by staying home as much as you’re able, wearing a mask and social distancing when you are in public. We will get through this together!

District 48 Town Hall

Join Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn and me for a town hall on Thursday, December 17. We hope to see you.

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: December 1, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

New Budget Forecast

This economic projection shows that Minnesota is well positioned to provide immediate economic aid to workers and small businesses. There have been clear winners and losers of the Covid economy and it is our job at the Legislature to ensure that those who have been hardest hit are able to survive this ongoing crisis. We will continue to push for a new economic package that will help those Minnesotans and businesses that are hurting the most.

Minnesota Pledge to Defeat COVID-19

In Minnesota, we care for our families, front-line health care workers and small businesses. We recognize we all play a role in limiting the spread of COVID-19. We commit to the following personal choices to help protect all of us and hope you will join in this commitment. Together, we can defeat COVID-19 and emerge stronger. We will:

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