Dear Neighbors,
The eyes of the world were on Minnesota this week, while our eyes were glued to the TV as the jury rendered its verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial on Tuesday afternoon. The House recessed its floor session and I joined a number of my colleagues in the Speaker’s Capitol office to watch the verdict come in. The collective sigh of relief was followed by a rush of emotion which came to the realization that justice had been done. Lead prosecution attorney Jerry Blackwell is a Bloomington neighbor and fellow resident of our House District, and I am so proud of the work that he and his colleagues did to secure justice in this unprecedented case.
These last two weeks, we have again been forced to confront our state’s issues around systemic racism and injustice for Black, Brown and Indigenous Minnesotans. I am grateful that Derek Chauvin was held accountable for his murderous actions, but just a week earlier we saw the tragic killing of Daunte Wright. We clearly have significant work to do so that Black lives are valued and all Minnesotans are safe in their communities. I encourage you to read the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus’ statements on the killing of Daunte Wright here, and on the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin here.
Budget Bills Passed
We are entering the final weeks of session, so we are passing our comprehensive budget bills (also called omnibus bills) on each legislative topic. A number of my own provisions are included in these bills, including one in the Health and Human Services Omnibus bill that would prevent Health Insurance Plans from kicking you off of a covered drug that is working for you in mid-year. These will form the base of our negotiations as we work to craft a budget that works for all Minnesotans. This means we are staying up late on the House floor debating the final amendments before we pass the bills. We have passed most of the omnibus bills for the session and only have a couple left. Here are some highlights:
Transportation: Our transportation budget funds critical transit projects that will help Minnesotans connect with each other throughout the metro and the entire state. We also provide significant funding for our roads and bridges so we can finally catch up on repairing our dangerously aging infrastructure. I have been named to the Transportation Conference Committee, which will negotiate the final form of this bill with our Senate counterparts.
Climate & Energy: Climate change is warming Minnesota rapidly, reshaping our entire state and how we interact with it. Our climate omnibus bill sets us on the path to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040 while improving efficiency and emission targets. We have to take action to reduce greenhouse gas and this bill funds these necessary actions.
Public Safety & Judiciary: The past year has proven time after time that our public safety and justice system need deep systemic changes. Our legislation increases accountability for law enforcement while also increasing investments in public safety. Furthermore, it expands justice for survivors of sexual assault and helps to equip communities with the resources for keeping their neighborhoods safe. The bill also focuses on reducing racial bias, decriminalizes poverty, and ensures that every Minnesotan faces equitable treatment under our justice system.
Jobs & Labor: Strong worker protections are integral to the health of our economy, that’s why we put workers first in our Jobs bill. The bill helps families, workers, and small businesses emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, and includes critical investments and protections for Minnesotans’ economic security, like Earned Sick & Safe Time and Paid Family & Medical Leave.
Education: The House DFL is committed to providing every child with a quality world class education, no matter their race, income or zip code. I am proud of our education budget that increases funding for all students, provides funding for full service community schools, funds programs to increase teachers of color, and so much more. Our budget will take us closer to ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Housing: Even before COVID-19 we were in the midst of a housing crisis, with more and more Minnesotans facing housing instability. More than 572,000 Minnesotan households pay more than they can afford for housing, more than 1 in every 4 households in the state. On any given night, over 10,000 Minnesotans experience homelessness, a number that has only grown since 2015, and greatly impacts Black, Indigenous, and Minnesotans of color. Our housing bill funds programs to relieve and prevent homelessness while creating more affordable housing throughout the entire state.
Rental Assistance
Rent help is now available if you have fallen behind on rent, utilities, or have an upcoming rent payment you won’t be able to make. Please learn more and apply for aid here.
Vaccines Available
There are thousands of available vaccines at the State Fair site. If you or a loved one needs a vaccine, please call the vaccine hotline at 833-431-2053. There is assistance available in the following languages: Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Oromo, Russian, Amharic, Karen, and English.
Energy Assistance
The Minnesota Department of Commerce has funds available for Energy Assistance, and the recently approved federal stimulus includes over $100 million for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program, nearly doubling the amount of support. If you qualify, you could receive significant assistance to help pay your energy bills. Eligible applicants receive an initial grant between $300 and $1,600 for energy expenses and can be eligible for up to $1,200 more to help pay overdue bills, avoid a utility shut off, or get a fuel delivery. There are energy service organizations (CAPs and others) across the state providing energy assistance services. There is a map that denotes these providers across Minnesota. Eligibility is based on income and family size. Individuals need to earn less than $28,266 to qualify, while families of four can earn up to $54,357. You can learn more here.
Virtual Food Drive
The MN House and Senate far surpassed our goal in the Feeding Minnesota Food Drive. COVID-19 resulted in an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, with no community in Minnesota left unaffected. Over the last year, many of our neighbors faced food insecurity for the first time, while those struggling to make ends meet before the pandemic have needed greater assistance to stay afloat. Demand for food assistance skyrocketed.
This fundraiser, driven by Members and Staff in the Minnesota Legislature, will benefit food banks across the state, including Channel One Regional Food Bank, Great Plains Food Bank, North Country Food Bank, Second Harvest Heartland, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, and Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. Together, these food banks serve Minnesotans in every corner of the state, ensuring food makes it to every community where there is need.
Keep in Touch
Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance. Please follow me on my Facebook page for further updates and invite your friends and family to do so as well.
Thanks for the honor of representing you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Steve Elkins
Representative, District 49B
Minnesota House of Representatives
515 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-7803