Dear Neighbors,
While the regular legislative session adjourned last week, my colleagues and I are still advocating for budgetary allocations for the issues most important to you – like healthcare, childcare, and public education. Although we were able to reach a bipartisan agreement on our budget framework before adjourning, the finer details of our budget continue to be negotiated. Right now, we’re looking at a June special session to pass our final budget.
Thanks in large part to the American Rescue Plan passed by the Democrats in Congress and signed into law by President Biden, Minnesota will have the resources to help those hit hardest by the pandemic. House DFLers are fighting for students, families, workers, and small businesses. We will be spending these next few weeks working with the Senate to ensure that as our state recovers, we don’t leave any Minnesotans behind.
Summer Learning Plan
Today is the last day of school for Eden Prairie’s students, who time and again have faced incredible challenges during the last school year. In recognition of the struggles faced by students all over the state, another important part of our bipartisan budget agreement includes an immediate one-time investment to support our students who have had to deal with so much during the past year. Last week, based on legislation we had passed in the Minnesota House, Governor Walz announced a Summer Learning Plan to help students recover from the pandemic. The plan includes an investment of $75 million of Minnesota’s American Rescue Plan funds in summer learning programs. Of this, $34.6 million is dedicated to providing academic and mental health support during the summer and beyond.
The rest of the funds will provide preschool for four- and five-year-olds, expand access to tutoring, strengthen Adult Basic Education programs, and support academic enrichment and college readiness initiatives. This package of investments will help students, families, educators, and communities bounce back and prepare for a bright future.
Your Legislators
In the final week of the regular session, I joined a bipartisan group of legislators on PBS’ Your Legislators to take questions from the public and discuss our work as we strive to put together a budget for the next two years. We cover early childhood education, higher education funding, transportation, and capital investment. If you weren’t able to catch the program live, you can watch it here.
Vaccines Available!
It’s never been easier to get a vaccine, and though we’re currently experiencing our closest return to normal since the onset of this pandemic last March, mass vaccination is our surest tool in ensuring we can close the book on COVID-19 for good. Minnesotans can now use the Vaccine Connector to directly schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the state’s Community Vaccination Program locations. You can visit VaccineConnector.mn.gov to directly schedule appointments at Community Vaccination locations around the state. Here is how you can get your shot:
- Make an appointment through the Vaccine Connector at one of the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program locations: https://mn.gov/vaccineconnector.
- 833-431-2053
- Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Sat, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 833-431-2053
- Use the state’s Vaccine Finder Map to find the closest vaccine provider: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp.
- Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
- Employers may also reach out with information about vaccination opportunities.
Yesterday, Governor Walz also announced incentives for those who have yet to receive their vaccine. 100,000 Minnesotans who get vaccinated between Memorial Day weekend and the end of June will be eligible to choose from a wide range of incentives that will include state park passes and fishing licenses as well as fair and amusement park tickets. But more importantly, getting vaccinates keeps you, your loved ones, and your neighbors healthy.
Stay Connected
I hope you and your loved ones have a safe, healthy, and reflective Memorial Day weekend. May we always remember those who gave their lives for our country.
If you have any questions about our work in the Minnesota House, especially as we prepare for a June special session, please feel free to reach out. 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