January 15, 2021
Adjusting the Dials of Our COVID Emergency Response
Governor Walz made an announcement last week about the easing of COVID-19 restrictions that have been in place over the past two months. Due to the slowing of new positive COVID-19 cases after a peak in November, the governor has made the decision to re-open specific sectors of the state economy. Among the dials we adjusted was the one for indoor dining. Bars and restaurants can now be open indoors at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 150 people. Parties must be no larger than 6 people, with six feet distance from other parties; bar seating is open to parties of two; reservations are required; and establishments must close dine-in service by 10 p.m. The rest of the guidelines can be found by clicking HERE.
Protecting the Boundary Waters
Two press conferences were held this week on bills I am authoring to help preserve and protect The Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Wilderness. On Wednesday, my colleagues and I together with Friends of the Boundary Waters introduced the Prove It First bill. This legislation would require scientific evidence that a copper-sulfide mine has operated elsewhere in the nation for at least ten years without causing any damage or pollution, and that the mine has been closed for ten years without any damage or pollution. Our state’s sacred nature preserve should not serve as experimentation for copper-sulfide mining. You can learn more about the initiative and watch my colleagues and I share our stories about why we need to protect the Boundary Waters by clicking HERE.
Then on Thursday, we introduced a bill to permanently protect the Boundary Waters by preventing sulfide-ore copper mining on the edge of the wilderness area. The BWCA is one of my favorite places on earth, and the jewel of our state. We cannot let it be harmed. You can check out our press conference by clicking HERE.
Civility Caucus Holds First Meeting of 2021
With the retirement of my colleague Senator Carolyn Laine, I was honored to be chosen as the Senate DFL’s chair of the bipartisan bicameral Civility Caucus. We need to tear down the animosity between parties. Whatever disagreements we have, we all need to respect each other’s humanity. We had a good contingent of members show up from each of the four caucuses, including fellow SD 48 Representatives Laurie Pryor and Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn!
Reflecting on a Dark Day in American History
As we witnessed the violent insurrection take place last Wednesday, January 6th, I expressed my reflections on the Senate floor displaying gratitude toward the public servants and staff at our own Capitol in St. Paul that are dedicated to protecting our democracy and its institutions. You can watch my remarks by clicking HERE
I still think about the events that took place last Wednesday, considering it as one of the most significant attempts to assault our democracy in my lifetime. I am still deeply saddened by what we saw. For 20 years I took students to the very site of last week’s breaching of the Capitol. Millions of people worldwide have a tear in their eye for what is happening at what is recognized as the universal symbol of representative democracy.
In a recent interview with Raymond Rivard from the Sun Sailor News, Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case and I reflected upon our former careers as educators in understanding the events that transpired. Through recognizing our history and how it has led us to today, I hope we can collectively learn a significant lesson from the tragedy and work towards creating a better future. You can read our interviews by clicking HERE.
Exercising Your Civic Duty Virtually
As the 2021 legislative session commences, committee meetings are starting up again as well. If you would like to tune in, Senate Media Services is suggesting that everyone use their webpage to quickly find the links to each day’s hearings. You can access it by clicking HERE
Additional guidance for following along during this largely virtual session can be found by clicking HERE.
As always, I am always willing to meet with my constituents as well. if you would like to set up a meeting, please let me know and we can get something scheduled.
2231 Minnesota Senate Building
95 University Ave W
St Paul, MN 55155
Email: stevec@senate.mn
Phone: (651) 296-1314