Dear Neighbors,
Approximately 146,901 Minnesotans have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 29,684 in Hennepin County and 6,294 in Anoka County. As you may have heard or seen in the news, the vaccine is being administered in phases. Health care workers and long term care residents will be the first to receive it, followed by essential workers, those 65 or older, and those with underlying health conditions.
It’s estimated that more than 50 percent of the vaccines produced have been held back by the federal government. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that they would grant a request from Governor Walz and eight other governors to release millions of these critically-needed vaccines. If you’d like to stay updated throughout the vaccine distribution process, Minnesota’s new Vaccine Data Dashboard is a great resource.
Yesterday, my House colleagues announced our first priorities for the 2021 legislative session. We introduced legislation to protect the economic security, health, and safety of Minnesotans during the pandemic to ensure that they can stay afloat now and thrive after it ends. Other priority bills would provide assistance to those who need it, strengthen worker protections, improve long-term care and services for those without shelter, and support students. You can read more nonpartisan coverage of our plan at the Minnesota House’s Public Information Service Session Daily publication here.
Committee work got underway this week. You can stay up-to-date and view the full House schedule at https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/Schedules/Week. A reminder that legislative committee meetings are open to the public and viewable at the House website.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime with input, ideas, or to let me know how I can be of assistance. I can be reached at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn or 651-296-5513.
You’re welcome to follow or ‘like’ my official Facebook page for additional Capitol updates.
Thank you for the honor of serving our Champlin and Coon Rapids families in the Minnesota House of Representatives!
Sincerely,
Zack Stephenson
State Representative