Tag: HD49A

Dear Neighbors,

Calling all Edina high school students! My office is hosting a Student Bill Writing summer internship July 20th through August 24^th. Last year’s group helped craft meaningful legislation that passed into law a short few weeks ago!

All meetings will be held remotely using the videoconferencing platform Zoom and a local Edina Graduate will be helping me lead this initiative. This opportunity will be a nonpartisan working group focused on public policy – all political affiliations are welcome.

We know a lot of internships have been postponed this year – but not this one! Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 6, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you and your family well.

As July approaches, several new laws go into effect on the first of the month, including the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act and the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. You can read more about the other new laws that will begin on July 1 by clicking on the link above.

Governor Walz Releases Federal CARES Funding

Last week, Governor Walz announced a plan to deliver $841 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to Minnesota’s cities, counties, and towns. Under the formula, our community of Edina will receive approximately $3.95 million. Once the Legislative Advisory Commission approves the plan, funds will be distributed on a rolling basis beginning this week. Local cities and governments have been working hard to keep all of us safe since the onset of COVID-19, and these funds will go a long way to help provide necessary and basic services our residents rely on. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 29, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Tim Walz today announced the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is now accepting applications for the $62.5 million Small Business Relief Grants Program for businesses impacted by COVID-19, which he signed into law last week.

Eligible businesses with 50 or fewer employees may apply for grants of up to $10,000. The money will be evenly distributed between businesses in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro, with at least $10 million to go to minority-owned businesses, $2.5 million to veteran-owned businesses, and $2.5 million to women-owned businesses.

An additional $2.5 million is allocated by law for grants of up to $250,000 each to operators of cultural malls to maintain existing tenants. This will be a separate application process, and DEED will provide more information this week at mn.gov/deed/relief. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 23, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

The special session concluded early Saturday morning after the House negotiated all night with the Senate on the Policing Accountability, CARES Act federal funding, and a jobs and local projects or “bonding” bill.

Unfortunately, an agreement could not be reached which means the legislature will reconvene in mid-July. Hopefully at that point a meaningful bipartisan compromise can be reached.

If I’m honest, I am disappointed. We must do better should we reconvene in July to deliver for Minnesotans.

Here’s an overview of the House proposals we passed without Senate support: Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 22, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Tim Walz today announced Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues beginning Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Under Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan:

• Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
• Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
• Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
• Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
• Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums may open at 25 percent capacity.
• Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.
• Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.
• Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.

Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 5, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

As news continues to sweep across the nation about the tragic killing of George Floyd, my heart breaks for his family, friends, the city of Minneapolis, and the black community in every corner of our state. I echo the sentiments from our House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus. George Floyd should be alive today.

There is no question, the officers involved in George Floyd’s death need to be held accountable. Justice begins when we hold each other accountable and work together to change the persistent inequalities and inequities in our state and society.

It’s also important that when demonstrating our values and fighting for change, we do so in a way that is not harmful to others. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 28, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Late Sunday night, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned. It has been truly an honor and gives me great joy to represent our Edina neighborhoods at the State Capitol. I look forward to continuing efforts that keep moving our community forward.

I’m proud of the swift, bipartisan work we delivered to increase resources to Minnesota’s health care workforce and public health infrastructure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We ensured health care and public safety workers would receive workers’ comp should they get sick with COVID-19. Additionally, the Legislature also approved an emergency response package of legislation providing flexibility and resources in a variety of areas during the crisis, including approval of wills and marriage licenses, expanded telemedicine, remote local government meetings, and alternative health care facilities. Continue reading “Rep. Heath Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 20, 2020”