Welcome back to session, much is new this year including many more opportunities for citizens to participate and view online hearings on a variety of topics.
This year I have the privilege to serve as the Vice Chair to the Human Services Committee. I will continue to work on the Health Services Committee as well. Both allow me the ability to exercise my keen interest in issues around access to affordable healthcare and prescription drugs and making healthcare work to provide better outcomes and preventative care for families. My passion is always on finding ways to strive toward the economic and physical health of our families. All too often, these issues need a good dose of common sense.
I will also serve on the Redistricting Committee this year and look forward to the hard work ahead to create fair and equitable outcomes for all Minnesotans across the state. Finally I will be on the State Government and Elections Committee. Some of you may recall I served as Vice Chair on Elections last year and continue to be a strong advocate for access to the vote and fair electoral process reforms. Work on the committee also allows me to continue my work on governmental reforms and technology, cyber and privacy concerns.
I was re-appointed to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on IT where we are actively looking at how to modernize our state IT systems while emphasizing how we make these systems benefit everyday citizens. People-centric technology is very much in my wheel house. I have also this past year joined the Board of MN Cyber, a group aimed at promoting issues on cyber security and the development of a pipeline of talented IT professionals to tackle our cyber challenges today and in the future.
As always, I am always delighted to hear from you on specific issues, including a constituent who has ideas on Home Owners Association reforms and work on the city of Maple Grove’s investment in the North Metro Range providing training facilities for our officers and the Community Center plans. Please let me know what issues matter to you.
Look for more information in upcoming e-updates on business relief, vaccine distribution and other critical issues throughout the session.
Representative Mary Murphy
This week, I want to highlight one of the inspiring voices in Minnesota. It is incredibly important to uplift the voices of women working to make life better for Minnesotans everywhere. Let’s continue to champion dialogue surrounding women’s issues!
As an outspoken advocate of strong Women’s leadership and the need to have more women at the table in government, I want to say congratulations to one of the unwavering voices in the MN House, Mary Murphy. Rep. Murphy is a fierce advocate for Minnesotans and is now the second longest-serving legislator in the MN House of Representatives. She has led the way for so many of us with her steely determination and dedication.
On The Devastating Attack on Our Capital
I believe it is important to listen to your community with an open mind and find understanding, humility and trust in dialogue. However, the events in the US Capitol were not a good reflection on exercising our constitutionally granted first amendment rights, our right to congregate, or our pursuit of patriotism. Violence has never been and will never be the answer. These demonstrations were not a true reflection of who we are as citizens.
Minnesota has historically been a leader on voter participation and engagement in our democracy. Minnesotans turned out in record numbers, from all facets of the ideological spectrum, demonstrating our desire as voters, and as citizens, to exercise our vote was strong. This robust turnout across the state needs to be respected, to do otherwise denies the fundamental rights of every Minnesota voter and the will of the people. In particular it invalidates the voice of so many who turned out for the first time, trusting us with their voices.
As the former Vice Chair of the Elections Committee, we acknowledge ours is not a perfect union and there is always room to examine our process for ways to be fair and equitable. This is a natural part of a healthy democratic system. However, sewing distrust without a complete or accurate picture does great harm unjustly. We must continue to strive to have fact-based dialogue, examine evidence and look for any opportunities where our process can be stronger.
A secure democracy is the foundation on which America was founded, and the insurrection we witnessed is a serious threat to our faith in democracy. No matter what political ideologies we hold, destruction, violence, threats against our nation’s lawmakers and Vice President cannot be the answer. Overturning the will of the states and individual citizens in not the answer. Our philosophical differences have a right to be heard through civil discourse and thoughtful contemplation. There is much pain and struggle from our communities, from rural to suburban, from urban to individual citizens. Only through meaningful discussion can we work toward solutions. It is my hope this is a time for us all to reflect on how we arrived here and how we press forward as a nation and as a state. Our communities and our families deserve nothing less than the best we have to offer.
Priorities for the 2021 Session
This week, my colleagues and I in the House announced our first priorities for the session. We will work to introduce and implement legislation that will provide assistance to Minnesotans impacted by COVID-19, strengthen worker protections, better support people experiencing houselessness, support our education system, and ensure affordable child care is available to those who need it.
Loosened COVID Restrictions Now In Place
Thanks to our combined efforts of adhering to public health guidelines, COVID cases are are on a downward trajectory in Minnesota. In response, Governor Walz has loosened restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms, and other venues and gatherings – which are now in place.
The changes include the following:
- Indoor dining at bars and restaurants can open at 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of 150 people. Parties of no more than six people must remain six feet from other parties; bar seating is open to parties of two (this is not the case in Minneapolis); reservations are required; and establishments must close dine-in service by 10 p.m.
- Gym capacity remains capped at 25 percent but maximum capacity increases to 150 and classes can increase to 25 people, assuming distancing can be observed. Machines and people must maintain 9 feet of distance. Face coverings are required.
- Outdoor events and entertainment continue at 25 percent capacity, but maximum capacity increases to 250 people. Social distancing is required.
- Indoor events and entertainment – like bowling alleys, movie theaters, and museums – may open at 25 percent, with no more than 150 people in each area of the venue. Face coverings are required, and they may not offer food service after 10 p.m.
- Youth and adult organized sports have resumed practice as of January 4 and games resume January 14 with spectators, following the appropriate capacity limits for indoor or outdoor venues. Inter-region tournaments and out of state play are discouraged.
- Places of worship remain open at 50% capacity but without an overall maximum capacity.
The changes include the following:
- Indoor dining at bars and restaurants can open at 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of 150 people. Parties of no more than six people must remain six feet from other parties; bar seating is open to parties of two (this is not the case in Minneapolis); reservations are required; and establishments must close dine-in service by 10 p.m.
- Gym capacity remains capped at 25 percent but maximum capacity increases to 150 and classes can increase to 25 people, assuming distancing can be observed. Machines and people must maintain 9 feet of distance. Face coverings are required.
- Outdoor events and entertainment continue at 25 percent capacity, but maximum capacity increases to 250 people. Social distancing is required.
- Indoor events and entertainment – like bowling alleys, movie theaters, and museums – may open at 25 percent, with no more than 150 people in each area of the venue. Face coverings are required, and they may not offer food service after 10 p.m.
- Youth and adult organized sports have resumed practice as of January 4 and games resume January 14 with spectators, following the appropriate capacity limits for indoor or outdoor venues. Inter-region tournaments and out of state play are discouraged.
- Places of worship remain open at 50% capacity but without an overall maximum capacity.
While this is helpful for our local businesses, it remains incredibly important that we continue to social distance, wash our hands, wear a mask, and get tested.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update: January 19, 2021
Minnesotans eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to sign up for appointments at one of the state’s nine community vaccination pilot clinics through a new website and call center launched today by the State of Minnesota. The clinics will initially serve adults age 65 and older, as well as pre-kindergarten through grade 12 educators, staff, and child care workers.
The state continues to vaccinate the health care workers and assisted-living residents and staff in phase 1a and is on track to having provided at least one shot to all 500,000 Minnesotans in that group before the end of the month.
Minnesotans Age 65 and Older
Minnesotans age 65 and older can make appointments by visiting mn.gov/vaccine or by calling 612-426-7230 or toll free, 1-833-431-2053. Minnesotans should attempt to make an appointment online before dialing the call center. Minnesotans who cannot immediately make an appointment may be able to sign up for a waitlist.
Available appointments will refresh every Tuesday at noon. Minnesotans will have the opportunity to schedule appointments for both their first and second doses of vaccine.
Educators, School Staff, and Child Care Workers
Educators and child care providers, with few exceptions, will work directly with their employer to receive instructions on how to secure a vaccination appointment and should not try to schedule an appointment unless their employer has contacted them with information about their appointment.
Due to the very limited supply of vaccine, appointments are not open to all workers in these sectors in the pilot program. The limited vaccine doses have been allocated to regions associated with schools and based on a percentage of the workforce in child care and education. School districts, charter schools, tribal schools, and nonpublic school associations will select who participates in the pilot.
Child care programs will be randomly selected and notified to secure an appointment through the state-sponsored pilot sites.
Defending and Strengthening Democracy
My colleagues and I joined together this week for a press conference to introduce legislation to defend and strengthen our democracy. The Democracy for the People Act is focused on how we put our citizens back at the heart of our democracy, strengthen access to the vote like Automatic Voter Registration (of which I am the author) and the robust process of checks and balances that ensure free and fair elections of all eligible, legal voters. The bill looks at reforms to campaign finance that are long overdue, including the Sunshine law provisions (of which I am the author) which seek to provide greater transparency to who is seeking to influence our vote. In every poll, every town hall, I hear people stating loud and clear the desire to return to grassroots campaigns focused on our communities and our ideas – to focus on people, not big money and corporations. I agree. Democracy belongs to the people.
The hard work of preserving our democracy lies in each of us. The bill boldly suggests that our path forward is not to constrict the will of the people but to expand it, to celebrate it. If the record turnout of the last election has taught us anything, it is that Americans regardless of ideology and background are clamoring to claim their right to vote.
While we overcome the COVID-19 crisis, welcome a new administration, and create a better Minnesota, I urge you all to stay in touch with me through e-mail, and help make our community a place for unity.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Maple Grove and Osseo residents and families in the Minnesota House!
Sincerely,
Kristin Bahner
State Representative