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.
Everyone is pitching in to help make Minnesota’s vaccine rollout as smooth as possible, including the Vikings. 13,400 Minnesotans will take the field today at the Vikings’ practice facility in Eagan for their dose of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine. You can read more about this weekend’s vaccine event here.
Continuing the Conversation on Cannabis
Thank you to everyone that responded to my quick survey on legalizing cannabis for adult-use in our state. In addition to the “Be Heard on Cannabis” event we held in Eden Prairie before the 2020 Legislative Session, this was another great way to hear from folks in our community as we craft what could be incredibly impactful legislation. Though I recognize this isn’t a scientific poll, you can see that out of 143 responses, folks were overwhelmingly supportive of the bill.
When we heard the bill in the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee, I voted to advance the legislation, but my concerns remain. Minnesota should only legalize cannabis for adult-use if the proposed legislation adequately takes steps to ensure that cannabis products would remain out of the hands of minors. It’s clear that our current laws are doing more harm than good, and I’ll be following this legislation very closely.
You can watch me deliver comments in committee (and reference our survey) here.
Paid Family & Medical Leave
The pandemic has laid bare many of the disparities that exist in our society, and also highlighted the public health benefit of staying home when we are sick. The United States remains the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn’t require any type of paid family leave, and while some Minnesotans have the ability to stay home to bond with a newborn, get well after an illness or injury, or take care of an ill loved one without risking their livelihoods, many do not.
In the Minnesota House, legislation I’m co-sponsoring would create a Paid Family & Medical Leave plan for all Minnesota workers. The bill would allow Minnesotans with qualifying family events and medical conditions to apply for 12 weeks of paid leave per year. The plan would be modeled after our unemployment insurance system, with employees and employers both paying premiums. You can learn more about the importance of this bill for Minnesota workers here.
Save the Date – Virtual Town Hall
We’ll be holding another District 48 Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, March 16, at 7pm. As we’ve done in the past, we’ll be holding the event live on my State Representative Facebook page. You can submit questions ahead of time here.
Stay Connected
Zoom video calls continue to be the norm for constituent meetings this session. Shout out to Barb and Kayla who virtually visited during Clearway’s “Minnesota for a Smoke free Generation” day on the hill, and Valerie, an EP mom and professor at Gustavus who discussed the Minnesota Council on Economic Education. This week had Pediatrician’s Day on the Hill with Dr. Nadia and Dr. B, two wonderful pediatricians who call Eden Prairie home. I deeply miss in-person meetings, but it’s still great to see constituent’s faces!
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