Dear Neighbors,
This week was Omnibus week at the Minnesota State Capitol which meant 12-14 hour days on the House Floor. This week’s update will focus on those important bills and the many provisions members have worked on over this legislative session. The last day of session is May 17th, set forth by the Minnesota Constitution. This being a budget year, we have the large task of delivering strong, bi-partisan legislation and a balanced budget for our State as the only divided legislature in the Country. In the weeks to come, I will have more details on the final compromise.
I want to acknowledge this week delivered a historic moment verdict in the Chauvin Trial in Minnesota. Derek Chauvin has been held accountable – as more work to improve accountability, transparency and trust continues at the State and local level.
Update on Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Data
This month, we have made extensive progress on vaccinations statewide. I urge you all to get in line for a vaccine shot at your earliest convenience to keep yourself and your neighbors safe! As of April 21st, the statewide data reports bypassing a number of milestones including:
- People with at least one vaccine dose: 2,376,700
- People with completed vaccine series: 1,711,408
- Progress to 3-day 90% goal: 94%
- Progress to 7-day 100% goal: 94%
- Percent of 16+ with 1+ dose: 54%
Mask Update from Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm
Commissioner Malcolm announced this week masks will no longer be required for outdoor sports but will still be required for indoor activities. More details can be found here.
Omnibus Week at the Minnesota Capitol
This was a long week at the legislature where we passed several important Minnesota House Omnibus Bills from the Floor that will be negotiated with the Senate. Monday we will be taking up Health and Human Services. Below are the bills that were passed this week:
K-12 Education Omnibus / Higher Education Omnibus
This bill makes strong investments in students and schools that we can be proud of – including several provisions I chief authored. The higher education budget holds tuition flat at Minnesota State and increases funding to the State Grant Program, impacting over 75,000 students and expanding access to over 3,000 grant applicants. A copy of the legislation can be found here.
Transportation Omnibus
The House transportation budget makes direct investments in transportation to address the long-term safety risk posed by our aging roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure. Minnesotans expect our roads and bridges to be safe and efficient, but too many roads are being left unrepaired and bridges near collapse. A copy of the legislation can be found here.
Commerce and Energy Omnibus
As of the fastest warming states in the country, Minnesota is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. The Energy and Commerce budget bill is another comprehensive bill passed through the Minnesota House this week on a vote of 70-64. The Climate and Energy portion of the budget puts Minnesota on a path to achieve 100 percent clean energy in the electricity sector by 2040. It improves energy efficiency goals, strengthens the renewable energy preference, and updates state emissions targets to align with the latest scientific projections. We must take action to protect our health, our farms, and our infrastructure now. Our climate and energy omnibus is a smart approach to protect Minnesota for generations to come. A copy of the bill can be found here.
Public Safety and Judiciary Omnibus
Wednesday night, the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced a budget bill to increase accountability measures within law enforcement, expand survivor protections and increase community oversight over the safety of our state. This omnibus bill is a compilation of a number of bills, shown below, brought forth by legislators covering a broad range of public safety needs.
Environment Omnibus
To celebrate Earth Day the MN House passed nation-leading climate and environmental legislation! Among many other things, the bill includes important solutions to protect our air, water, land, and wildlife. A copy of the bill can be found here.
Minnesota’s Walter Mondale was a true Public Servant
Thank you for your dedication to Minnesota, our country and seeing potential in all people, Vice President Walter Mondale. A true Public servant, you made a meaningful mark on this world.
As a woman, I want to acknowledge how you helped progress women’s rights for choosing a woman VP candidate, Geraldine Ferraro, for the first time in history, in 1984 during your run as a presidential candidate. Your courageous leadership set in motion and paved a path for future women leaders — and today we have a woman VP!
Edina Public Schools: Referendum Election on May 11th
On May 11th, Edina Public Schools will ask district voters to support a 10-year, $7M technology levy (a renewal of the current $6.5mm levy with an increase of $500,000) and approve a 20-year, $7M bond issue for expansion of bus garage facilities and traffic control improvements at two schools.
Your vote matters and our community deserves to hear your voice. This decision could greatly impact our public schools – I urge you to plan ahead to cast your vote by May 11th. You can read more here.
Here are important voting details for the May 11th Election:
- Early Voting at Edina City Hall has Started: Note that you can early vote at Edina City Hall Monday through Friday from March 26th to May 7th from 8AM to 4:30PM, on Saturday, May 8th from 10AM to 3PM, and Monday, May 10th from 8AM to 5PM.
- Edina City Hall is not a polling place on Election Day (May 11) and if voting on Election Day you should vote at your regular polling place that can be found here: Election Day Voting
- Absentee Voting Information is located here: Minnesota Regular Absentee Ballot Application
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn or 651-296-4363 with your input or questions. You’re welcome also to follow me or ‘like’ my official Facebook page for additional updates.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Edina residents and families in the Minnesota House!
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative