Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the end of week 5 in the 2021 session. At this point bills are flying and many if not all committees are in full swing. The budget still poses some issues in what the Governor has proposed and we will be working to create a Senate Budget that we believe will reflect Minnesota.
It has been a busy and sad week. Friends have passed and issues have been raised but we move forward and address what we can. I hope this finds you and your families safe and staying warm, as winter comes back in full force the upcoming week. Please reach out if you have any ideas or need to connect on an issue.
John
A Friend has Passed
Ron Jerich was a lifelong lobbyist and educator of varying issues that matter to Minnesotans. He was the ultimate connector and ship builder. He passed away this week and I wanted to highlight this wonderful man and his life. Below are some statements from his obituary and my own comments on the floor, one of many Senators to recall fond memories. As Senator Tomassoni state, “this is an end of an era.”
Ronald “Ron” Jerich of Naples FL and Mendota Heights, MN passed away peacefully on February 2, 2021 in Naples, FL. Ron was born on September 19, 1940 to Joseph and Frances (née Piela) Jerich of Minneapolis, MN. He attended DeLaSalle High School and then Ely College. He married Valerie (née Weidner) Jerich in 1967 and they had 3 children. Ron was a longtime lobbyist and never retired. He loved his work and was known for always being able to put together a deal. Ron never forgot a name or phone number and always stayed in close contact with everyone. His phone skills are legendary. His generous spirit, endless energy and love of life was infectious and he put a smile on everyone’s face with a joke or quip. Ron never gave up. Through numerous medical setbacks, you could never count him out. He was an inspiration to all and will be dearly missed. There’s no doubt he’s handing out $2 bills in heaven at this very moment! He is survived by his wife Valerie Jerich (née Weidner) and their 3 children Michael (Tricia) Jerich of Circle Pines, MN, Kari Jerich Brunn of Elk Grove, IL and Trina (John) Waitkunas of Duxbury, MA. Ronald had 6 loving grandchildren; Abby, Tommy, Jack, John, Lauren and Audra.
In Committee
This week in Health and Human Services Reform the Department of Human Services presented important information on their Family First work and the Nursing Facility rate payments and future modifications. While we have been going over the budget there have been some concerns. Providers have been reaching out and informing us the budget and rates presented may not actually impact providers as promised on their face. Once we have fully dove through the budget and pulled it apart in its entirety, I shall have a full report for everyone to see.
On a lighter note, Senator Abeler and I highlighted the work of one of the most honest journalists we know who pursues the truth no matter how terrible to ensure we know what is happening in our state. A massive thank you to Chris Serres of the Star Tribune!
Regulations eased for Minnesotans during pandemic
Two bills worked their way through the Senate this week that aim to assist Minnesotans as we continue to weather the pandemic.
The first heard in committee this week was a bill that allows the state’s court system to pause expirations of various deadlines. As COVID-19 has made it difficult to navigate the legal system and carry out regular court cases, this will provide necessary flexibility for state courts.
Secondly, a bill was passed off the Senate floor that allows wills that have harmless errors in them to still be executed. As Minnesotans are reacting to COVID-19 more wills are being drafted, which can help ensure wishes are carried out after death. However, the state has a number of requirements in drafting a will that can be difficult to meet in the midst of a pandemic, such as having two witnesses. This bill allows wills that are drafted without meeting those requirements to still be carried out, as long as the intent of the will’s owner can be proven.
Minnesotans are a year into this pandemic, and while vaccines are being given every day we are not yet out of the woods. (SF 303, SF 258)
Hometown Heroes Act Introduced to the Legislature
The Hometown Heroes Act was introduced in the Legislature this week, which would provide aid to firefighters and their families in the event of disease or mental illness brought on by occupational hazards. Firefighters have been shown to be at a higher risk for cancer and heart disease and are also up to six times more likely to suffer from mental illness than the public due to the perils and hazards they face on the job. This bill, with bipartisan support, will make sure that firefighters, both volunteer and career professionals, are supported across the state.
Passing the Heroes Act has faced resistance in the past due to financial concerns. While Minnesota ranks 21st in population, it ranks 48th in firefighter service investment. The hope is that by passing this bill, Minnesota would have a $7 million annual budget to support the over 22,000 firefighters who protect the state. The bill has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee in the Senate and is awaiting its first hearing. (SF 621)
Thank you!
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit. You must schedule with our office to arrange an appointment before any arrival, and we also do Zoom meetings! So reach out and tell me what matters to you or schedule an appointment so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn or by phone at 651-296-4154. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2235 in the Minnesota Senate Building.
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
35,000 vaccine doses going to Minnesota seniors this week
The Governor announced this week that 35,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be distributed to over 100 health systems, clinics, and local pharmacies across the state for Minnesotans over 65. In addition, two new permanent site clinics launched this week in Minneapolis and Duluth; another in southern MN will be opening soon. More large-scale community clinics may be added in coming weeks, but most eligible Minnesotans will continue to get their vaccine from health care providers.
To help connect older Minnesotans with providers closest to them, the State launched a new vaccine finder tool. To find vaccine locations: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/index.jsp
There’s still not enough vaccine supply in the state for everyone over 65 to get vaccinated right away, with the state’s current allocation it will take weeks to get through the nearly one million seniors in the state. Vaccinations are going faster; providers are administering twice as many shots per day compared to last week after the Governor set new expectations for providers to be administering 95% of their doses within three days. Minnesota will also get a slight increase in our weekly vaccine allocations for at least the next three weeks to be used for health care workers, long-term care residents, first responders, school workers, and Minnesotans over the age of 65.
Residents of long-term care facilities have been prioritized since the beginning of the vaccine rollout since they account for 63% of the Covid-19 deaths in Minnesota, largely due to age, underlying health conditions, and how the virus spreads in communal settings. The Minnesota Department of Health shared positive news at the Aging and Long-Term Care committee meeting this week that residents in all of our skilled nursing and assisted living facilities have been offered their first dose of vaccine. Cases and deaths in these facilities have been declining in recent weeks, and state officials are hopeful this trend continues as residents and staff continue to receive their second doses.
Tax-filing season opens February 12
The state and federal tax-filing season officially opens on Friday, February 12. Taxpayers have until April 15, 2021, to file income tax returns for Tax Year 2020. This year, there are many items to consider when filing taxes:
Federal Recovery Rebate: The Economic Impact Payments (“stimulus checks”) distributed by the federal government in 2020 were based on taxpayers’ 2018 or 2019 tax return data. Some taxpayers did not receive the full stimulus payments or did not qualify at all. Those taxpayers should examine potential eligibility for a federal Recovery Rebate on their federal taxes, which is based on 2020 tax information. The IRS website provides more information on the Recovery Rebate Credit, but it particularly applies to:
- Those who lost wages in 2020 compared to 2019
- Recent college graduates
- Anyone who did not receive the full amount of the first EIP of $1,200 ($2,400 married-joint) or the second EIP of $600 ($1,200 married-joint)
Free state income tax filing: Free electronic filing of Minnesota taxes is available for Minnesotans whose Adjusted Gross Income is $72,000 or less or who meet certain other requirements, which vary based on the electronic tax-filing system used. To determine eligibility for each program, visit the Department’s website.
Free tax preparation: Taxpayers may qualify for free tax preparation help for federal and Minnesota income tax returns if they meet one of these criteria: be age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $57,000 per year. There are more than 200 free tax preparation sites across Minnesota offering help from IRS-certified volunteers. Most sites are open February 12 through April 15 and can be found on the Department’s website.
Fraud prevention: The Department of Revenue reviews and verifies information on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right person. Learn more about identity theft and see tips on how to protect financial information on the Identity Theft and Tax Refund Fraud page.
Track refunds: Taxpayers can track the status of their refunds by using the Where’s My Refund? system on the Department of Revenue’s website. The system will alert filers whether any additional action is needed and will display the exact date any refunds are sent.
Property tax refunds: Renters and homeowners in Minnesota may be eligible for property tax refunds. The applications must be filed separately from income tax returns and refunds will not be distributed until after August 2021. Forms may be found here.
Meeting with Youth Against Sexual Violence
This week I meant with the amazing branch of Youth Against Sexual Violence, who are all Teenagers advocating for their cause! This year they are looking at a bill to ensure convicted rapists do not have parental rights should a victim keep a child from such a trauma, protecting both mother and child from the perpetrator. I look forward to supporting these youth in their work and was absolutely amazed at their organizing and knowledge in their youth.
In the News this Week!
Pedestrian bridge repairs approved in Coon Rapids
Free dental care coming to Golden Valley, Brooklyn Park, Robbinsdale
Coon Rapids firefighters vaccinated against COVID-19
Anoka County offers health-focused grant opportunities
Over 90% of Allina ER and critical care providers vaccinated against COVID-19