Volume 6, Issue 3
January 22, 2021
Weekly Review Video
A weekly message from your Senator
Dear Constituents and Friends,
I continue to have many meeting with people lately to discuss legislative priorities and planning the 2021 – 2022 legislation. This legislative session feels extremely different than past session due to COVID-19. In the past in-person meetings were the norm, our hallways were always filled with people and I could meet with people face to face! This session has been completely different, we still have virtual committee hearings, virtual meetings, and hybrid floor sessions. As the Senate DFL Assistant Minority Leader, I still go into the office spend more time at the Senate Building. We are all trying to learn and adjust to the needs of everyone involved in the legislative process, please understand that this legislative session will continue to look different than past sessions.
In Committee: This week we started to hear bills in the Human Resources Reform Committee. In the Finance Committee, we reviewed the Coronavirus Relief Fund/COVID-19 Minnesota Fund. The Commerce and Consumer and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee did not meet this week, but we will be back on January 25th, when we will hear from the Department of Commerce. Floor Sessions have been quick since we are still at the beginning on the legislative session. As a reminder, you can always watch committee meetings and Senate Floor Sessions online.
COVID-19 vaccine: Many people are wondering when they can receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Walz announced a pilot community vaccine program this past week. The pilot vaccination sites are in Anoka, Brooklyn Center, Fergus Falls, Marshall, Mountain Iron, North Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, and Thief River Falls.
If you prefer to get the vaccine at your regular health care provider, please do not contact them currently. Your provider will let you know when there are vaccines available for eligible patients.
Who is eligible to schedule vaccinations at the pilot sites:
1) Adults aged 65 years or older.
2) Pre-k through grade 12 educators and childcare workers that have been notified by their employer that they have been selected to receive the vaccine.
How to make an appointment at a pilot site:
o Online: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/index.jsp
o By phone: 612-426-7230 or toll free at 833-431-2053
o Appointments for pilot sites are made available every Tuesday at noon.
o Vaccine is available by appointment only. Walk-ins are not accepted.
I will continue to update you when I hear more information. In the meantime, stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Melisa
The inauguration of President Joe Biden
The inauguration of a new President has always been a large event with hundreds of thousands of people coming together to celebrate. In President Biden’s inaugural speech, he spoke out for unity between the parties. That as part of his duties as leader, he is committed to uphold facts and denounce misinformation as the Biden Administration navigates the COVID-19 crisis. President Biden called for Americans to give him a chance to demonstrate that he will be a President for America, not only to those who have voted for him. With everything that has happened in the past weeks, President Biden stated that democracy has prevailed, and he is committed to bridging the divide in the nation.
Some Minnesotan elementary school students head back to school
Elementary schools across the state opened up on Tuesday, January 19, for in-person instruction after many schools had gone to distance or hybrid learning because of the pandemic. Governor Walz announced the phased-in school re-opening in December as part of the Safe Learning Plan. School districts across the state are focusing on kindergarteners, first-graders, and second graders, allowing for the youngest Minnesotan students to return to their classrooms. Many hope to bring older students back into the classroom in February.
As schools begin to reopen, state guidelines call for safety measures within each classroom. Teachers are recommended to wear both face masks and plastic face shields, plexiglass barriers are to be used between teachers and students when social distancing is not feasible, and regular COVID-19 testing must be available for school staff.
Governor Walz announced that teachers will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes more available across the state, with elementary and other in-person teachers having first priority. While school districts slowly make the transition back to full in-person instruction, families still have the option to continue with distance learning.
Direct business payments released; other assistance available
Within the past week, the Department of Revenue released an initial round of COVID-19 business relief payments to qualifying businesses. In the event a business believes they qualified for direct COVID-19 business relief but did not receive a payment, or received the wrong amount, the Department of Revenue established a website for businesses to inquire. Inquires need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2021 or they will not be considered.
If a business did not qualify for direct payments, over $100 million was distributed to counties to provide assistance. Both businesses and nonprofits are eligible for this application pool. Counties have discretion in how this money is distributed. To see if your business/nonprofit qualifies please contact your county directly.
Qualifying convention centers and movie theaters also have a separate fund that they can apply for through the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Drivers’ license extensions
Within the past week, the Department of Revenue released an initial round of COVID-19 business relief payments to qualifying businesses. In the event a business believes they qualified for direct COVID-19 business relief but did not receive a payment, or received the wrong amount, the Department of Revenue established a website for businesses to inquire. Inquires need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2021 or they will not be considered.
If a business did not qualify for direct payments, over $100 million was distributed to counties to provide assistance. Both businesses and nonprofits are eligible for this application pool. Counties have discretion in how this money is distributed. To see if your business/nonprofit qualifies please contact your county directly.
Qualifying convention centers and movie theaters also have a separate fund that they can apply for through the Department of Employment and Economic Development.