May 18, 2020
Session Adjourns Sine Die, Special Session Likely
As of this morning, the 91st legislative session of Minnesota has adjourned Sine Die, which means that the 2019-2020 biennium is officially over. We’ve gotten some good things done for Minnesota this year. One of the things I am most glad that we got done was the prevention of financial exploitation of seniors. Some additional items are:
- An elections bill to help ensure everyone can vote safely in the midst of our current pandemic.
- A Legacy bill to preserve our state’s clean water, land, and cultural heritage.
- Passage of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act
- Wage increase protections for our hard-working state employees.
- A comprehensive health and human services bill.
- The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act.
- A ban on the use of Trichloroethylene (TCE), a known toxin.
We also passed several emergency COVID-response bills over the course of the last two months, as nearly the whole second half of the legislative session took place during the pandemic.
Given that the state of emergency is still in place, we will likely be called back for a special session on June 12 if the emergency is further extended. This gives the legislature the option to end the state of emergency if both the House and Senate overturn it. During this special session, the legislature may also pass additional legislation. A lot of work was left unfinished when we adjourned, and some items I would like to see passed when we reconvene are:
- A robust infrastructure bonding bill.
- A bill to allow breweries to sell their products in cans during the pandemic.
- Appropriations from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) to preserve our great outdoors.
Unfortunately, by the time of the special session it will be too late for our state’s thousands of hourly education workers. We fought hard to keep these critical staff employed and working with students, but unfortunately the Senate Majority impeded all of our efforts. You can view my floor speech on this by clicking HERE.
Celebrating and Reflecting on Minnesota’s 162nd Birthday
Monday, May 11, was Statehood Day for Minnesota. This is one of only two days each year that the electrolier in the capitol rotunda is lit (the other being the first day of a legislative session). I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made over the last 162 years, and am grateful for everyone who exercised their civic duty along the way. It is always important to be reminded of the hard work of those who came before us, and of our responsibility to future generations.
Also in the spirit of reflection, and with the Pandemic facing us on a daily basis, I have often thought about the words at the Hubert H. Humphrey memorial outside the capitol.
“The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”
Minnesota Transitions to Phase 2 of COVID Response
Last week, Governor Walz announced that he will not be extending the Stay Home order, and as of today it is officially ended. We will now be moving into phase two of our state’s response to COVID-19: Stay Safe MN. This will entail a much broader reopening of the economy, while still attempting to do so safely. Bars and restaurants may be allowed to reopen as early as June 1 at limited capacity.
Thank you to everyone who took action and stayed home when possible during this last month and a half. We have bought valuable time for increasing our testing capacity, hospital bed availability, and supply of personal protective equipment. As the case number increases with broader reopening, our healthcare system will be more prepared to handle this surge. Together, we have saved lives.
Looking Ahead, and Looking Back
When prompted with the question, “What is the first thing you will do when stay-at-home orders are lifted and the economy in your state is fully opened?” roughly 1 in 5 U.S. adults wrote about visiting family, spending time with friends, and hugging loved ones.
After that, where will you want to go first? For me, it will be the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
During this pandemic, we have lost many before their time. In 1918, an artist died during the Influenza Pandemic. His name was Egon Schiele. He was twenty-eight. He left the world an unfinished portrait of a friend. That painting now sits at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I look forward to seeing it again, like an old friend.
SD 48 Hosts Its First Online Town Hall
On Wednesday at noon last week, Representative Pryor, Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn, and myself hosted a town hall meeting via Facebook Live. It was a new and interesting experience, and I would like to thank everyone who participated. In case you missed it, you can watch the saved footage online by clicking HERE.
Congratulations, Class of 2020
To all of the high school and college seniors out there missing out on the pomp and circumstance, I know what you are missing. But believe me, you will forever have this unique shared experience that will bond the class of 2020 like no other. You will enter the next phase of your life with a unique and fresh perspective. The people of my generation are waiting with excitement to see all that you will do. Good luck with your post-graduation plans. I spoke about this on the Senate Floor over the weekend, and you can view my speech by clicking HERE.