Tag: HD40B

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 17, 2020


Dear Neighbors,

As we approach the peak of the holiday season I know that many folks are facing difficult financial decisions, especially with our tumultuous economy. That’s why the House DFL and I have been hard at work to provide what assistance we can to those who need it most.

House Passes New Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package

On Monday, we met for our 7th special session of the year to pass an assistance package that will help our most vulnerable neighbors, and local businesses stay afloat during this ongoing crisis. The DFL led the way in designing this package and had to fight hard for this aid, particularly the unemployment aid extension, as GOP Senators wanted to put corporations before the average worker. True to our bipartisan nature we managed to find a path that works for both sides of the aisle while also being a victory for our entire state.Here are a few of the key pieces of the Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package:

  1. Extend Unemployment Benefits: Provides up to 13 additional weeks in unemployment benefits for MN workers who have exhausted all federal and state benefits. There are an estimated 100,000 MN workers who could qualify for this extension, showing how needed this extension is.
  2. Business Assistance Grants: Provides $216.5 million from the General Fund in grants to restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and many other entities directly affected by the executive orders and the pandemic. It is estimated that these grants will be able to assist over 6,000 businesses that have been hurt by Covid-19.
  3. Certain Fees Waived for Hospitality Industry: This is another straight-forward practical action we can take to help ease the financial burden our local businesses are facing. While this is a smaller portion of the total relief, it should go a long way towards helping these vulnerable businesses.
Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 17, 2020”

Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus elect new leadership

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The current and incoming members of the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus have elected Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center) as chair and Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis) as vice chair.

With 16 POCI legislators scheduled to be sworn into office January 5, 2021, the incoming Legislature is the most diverse in history. POCI legislators are serving as chairs for seven of 30 House committees, another historic first.

“I’m honored to be chair of this caucus,” said Chair Vang. “Our state’s growing diversity has never seen itself reflected at the Minnesota Legislature and for the first time our growing caucus of 16 POCI legislators is at the representation we have never seen before. I’m excited to lead this caucus with Vice Chair, Representative Hodan Hassan, to further all our communities for the State of Minnesota.”

Continue reading “Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus elect new leadership”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Deadline for Housing Assistance is Tonight!

If you are struggling paying the rent, mortgage, homeowners association dues, homeowners insurance or utilities there is still over $30 million in available funds to help Minnesotans like you. There is still significant help for you if your income has been affected by Covid, but you must apply by midnight tonight, you can apply here. Please, if you know anyone in your life who has struggled during the pandemic, encourage them to apply. This funding could go a long way to helping lesson the impact of our ongoing housing crisis. Please apply today!

New Budget Forecast

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced the November Economic Forecast, projecting a $641 million surplus for the current budget cycle, while a deficit of $1.273 billion is projected for the 2022-2023 biennium beginning July 1. 

Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 7, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: November 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Updates Return

With the campaign season ending we can return to our regular email updates covering everything happening at the Legislature and around Minnesota. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful community for returning me to the Legislature. I plan to continue to serve you diligently over these next two years.

New Covid-19 Rules as Virus Reaches Record Levels

Unfortunately, Covid is spreading at record levels throughout the country, including here in Minnesota where we have reached our capacity to manage the virus. Governor Walz has announced a number of new actions designed to reign in the virus.

Today, Governor Walz announced the following restrictions:

Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: November 19, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Special Session

On Monday, the House and Senate convened in a special session called by Governor Walz. The governor has extended the current peacetime emergency so he can continue to access the state’s toolbox to take quick, decisive action to protect Minnesotans through the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, the House voted to extend the governor’s emergency powers for another week. We can’t get complacent now after all of our sacrifice and hard work; we have seen that states that reduce precautions too quickly suffer from a major spike in cases.

This special session is an opportunity to finish important work for the people of Minnesota. After George Floyd’s killing, Minnesotans are still demanding improvements to public safety for everyone, in every community, so they can have confidence in law enforcement. We will continue to work to enact strong police accountability measures like the ones the House approved in the last special session. Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: July 16, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: June 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We are approaching the end of the first 2020 special session. I am hard at work alongside my colleagues to ensure that we pass critical legislation. While the Senate Republicans may wish to adjourn today, we in the House are committed to staying as long as it takes to pass the legislation our state needs.

House Passes CARES Act Funding for Our Local Governments
Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill to provide $841 million in federal CARES Act funding to Minnesota’s cities, counties, and towns, and make new investments in the people of Minnesota. It is now moving to the Senate to be approved. Cities would receive $350 million in aid, counties would receive $467 million, and towns would receive $24 million. The bill also includes critically needed investments in Minnesota and Minnesotans. These include the following: Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: June 19, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: June 3, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this update finds you well and healthy. I know it has been quite a difficult time for all of us, but we can only get through this together. I appreciate everyone’s cooperation and the outpouring of community support. We are expected to return to a special session in about a week. Due to the recent turn of events, here is a quick update.

Working With the POCI Caucus to Answer the Cries of George Floyd

The events over the last week have made clear the need to hold our police accountable to our communities. I am committed to pursuing a more just Minnesota. The People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus has proposed a slew of policiesthat centers on:

  • Reform the investigation and prosecution of officer-involved deaths and wrongful actions
    • Move primary investigation and prosecution of officer-involved deaths to the Attorney General’s Office
    • Modify use-of-force laws to prevent wrongful deaths
    • Create a new crime for unjustified use of force that results in death or great bodily harm
    • Strengthen independence of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and design an alternative independent body to their jurisdiction
    • Conduct a review of Medical Examiners to ensure independence and timely action
    • Change civil liability statute of limitations for families of individuals killed by police

Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: June 3, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: May 11, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Last Wednesday was National Nurses Day, which kicked off National Nurses Week. Nurses, more than most other professions have stepped up in our time of need to fight this disease. We would be in a much worse place if we did not have the passion, integrity and expertise of our nurses to aid us through this crisis. To all nurses, thank you, we owe you all a great debt.

asdas

House Passes COVID Economic Security Act

Last week, the House passed HF 1507, a critical bill that will provide economic support for small businesses, fund broadband and telemedicine expansions, $100 million in housing assistance, and increase pay for personal care assistants. These funds are designed to specifically aid the small mom and pop stores that form the backbone of our communities. We have to take bold action in standing up for the most vulnerable if we are to make it through this crisis without causing harm to our state. By sticking to our shared values and helping each other wherever it is needed we can weather this storm. Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: May 11, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: April 24, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

A breakthrough in testing for COVID-19 has been reached as a result of ongoing collaboration between the Legislature, Governor Walz, the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare, and Minnesota’s health plans. You can watch a replay of the announcement here.

Soon, every Minnesotan with symptoms of COVID-19 will be able to get tested. Thanks to funding provided by the Legislature and the hard work of scientists and public health experts, we will establish capacity to deliver 20,000 molecular and 15,000 serology tests per day. This is a major milestone in our ongoing work to re-open Minnesota’s economy in a way that keeps people safe, prevents loss of life, and uses science to guide decision making.

testing breakthrough Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: April 24, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: April 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I’m pleased to report that the Legislature is taking new action today to provide a social safety net for Minnesotans.

The Minnesota House and Senate have approved a bill that makes insulin affordable in an emergency and over the long-term, as well as a fourth COVID response package to provide workers, businesses, and families with flexibility, resources, and economic security during this unprecedented public health crisis. Governor Walz is expected to sign the bills into law as soon as this evening.

We have been working hard over the past month to help Minnesotans with unemployment insurance for people who have lost their jobs (including self-employed and contract workers), no-interest loans for small businesses that have closed (including restaurants and bars), housing security, food security, and workers’ comp for first responders and health care workers who contract the virus. We know there is a lot more to do and it can’t happen soon enough. I want to thank you for your patience as we use technology to do our jobs differently. We are committed to ensuring that the public has access to and can participate in their state government. Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: April 14, 2020”