Dear Neighbors,
We’re nearing the end of the 2020 legislative regular session, with our constitutional adjournment date of May 18 just ten days away. Things are moving pretty fast. To make it easier for you to stay in the loop, Representative Pryor, Senator Cwodzinski and I want to invite you to join us next week for a virtual town hall streaming live on Wednesday, May 13, at 12:00 PM on my State Representative Facebook Page.
We’ll be able to provide an update on our work and the path ahead, but more importantly we want to hear from you. Your input is important to us, and the questions, comments, and stories of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted you will help us in our work at the state capitol. In order for us to properly answer your questions, we encourage you to submit them ahead of the town hall here. We look forward to hearing from you! In case of conflict with a scheduled floor session, we will reschedule as soon as possible.
Tomorrow, we’ll be taking up legislation to provide additional funds for the Minnesota Family Investment Program, increase the legal age of tobacco use to 21 (I’m a co-author of HF331), mandate more transparency in drug pricing, make technical changes to Commerce Department policies (I am the chief author of HF4055), and more. You can watch tomorrow’s floor debate live at 1:30 PM.
This week in the Minnesota House, we’ve spent a lot of time on the “virtual” House floor, passing legislation that supports our hourly school workers, protects our elections, and delivers economic security to Minnesotans. Here’s a quick overview of what we passed this week.
Supporting Our Schools’ Hourly Workers
As we work to support the economic security of Minnesotans, it’s important we don’t leave anyone behind, especially those who continue to support our students. Our schools’ hourly employees remain crucial to the success of our students, even more so during COVID-19. Our House bill delivers the economic security and clarity they deserve.
Safe and Secure Elections
This year, we knew steps would have to be taken to ensure November’s elections are secure from interference. Federal funds were allocated to each state for this purpose, and in addition to improving accessibility and modernizing election security, funds were also made available to better ensure the health and safety of election officials and in-person voters during the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota and across the nation.
While it’s difficult to predict how the virus may impact Minnesota in the fall, we need to be prepared. This includes preparation for increased absentee voting, new polling place locations, the purchase of sanitation and disinfectant supplies, and public outreach for implementing social distancing guidelines related to voting. You can read more about this bill here.
Economic Security Package
In order for our community to bounce back after this pandemic, we need to properly invest in all Minnesotans. Yesterday, my colleagues and I in the House passed a package of legislation that combined several bills aimed at delivering economic security to the hardest hit by COVID-19. Many Minnesotans faced struggles long before this pandemic, and those issues have only been compounded by the virus. The bill we passed contains provisions for housing assistance, a temporary wage increase for personal care assistants (PCA), funding to expand broadband access, and small business loans.
#WhoCaresForUs
This week, there were overlapping celebrations for many essential workers in Minnesota and across the country: teachers, nurses, and correctional officers. There was a parade through our neighborhood this afternoon for one of our Eden Prairie teachers. However you are showing appreciation for #WhoCaresForUs, the impact they have on our lives is irreplaceable and long-lasting. Thank you for the work you do to keep us safe, healthy and learning!
EP PROP Yard Sign Fundraiser
You might have seen these signs popping up around the community and wondered where to find one for your yard! #InThisTogether yard signs are available for $10 at any Eden Prairie Liquor location – all profits ($3 each) from the sale of these signs will help Eden Prairie PROP feed hungry families in our community. Please bring a credit card for payment, and thanks for coming together to help our neighbors in need!
Stay Connected
The most up-to-date and accurate source of information on COVID-19 is the state’s informational dashboard on the virus: https://mn.gov/covid19/
Please feel free to contact me with any questions on our work in the Minnesota House or the resources that are available in our community. You can leave a voicemail at (651) 296-7449 or email me at rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn. Please be sure to follow along on Facebook, too! I always look forward to hearing from you.
Be well! We’re all in this together,
Sincerely,
Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn