We finished passing a state budget on Wednesday! The two-year budget includes a historic increase in funding for public schools, significant investments in public health, tax cuts for workers and small businesses impacted by COVID-19, measures to improve police accountability, funding for roads and public transit, rental assistance, and more.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley), Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL – Minnetonka), Rep. Ami Wazlawik (DFL – White Bear Township), Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL – Deephaven), Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL – Northfield), Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL – Plymouth), Rep. Jay Xiong (DFL – Saint Paul), Rep. Heather Keeler (DFL – Moorhead), Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL – Roseville), Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL – Brooklyn Center), Rep. Fue Lee (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Peter Fischer (DFL – Maplewood), Rep. Steve Sandell (DFL – Woodbury), Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL – Coon Rapids), Rep. Liz Reyer (DFL – Eagan), Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL – Spring Lake Park), Rep. Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Michael Howard (DFL – Richfield), and Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL – Minneapolis) issued the following statement calling for the resignation of Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) President Dean Compart:
“Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) poses a critical threat to Minnesota’s wild white-tail deer population, and the Board of Animal Health has the responsibility to hold cervid farms in our state accountable for their role in its spread. Unfortunately, by failing to act, the BAH and its leadership have continued to let down those who enjoy deer hunting. Worse, future generations potentially won’t be able to enjoy these cherished traditions if CWD is allowed to spread, and based on the frequency at which the disease is identified in new areas of the state, unless urgent action is taken, it almost certainly will.
“All Minnesotans deserve a healthy deer herd and comprehensive solutions to protect it. If the deer farms won’t be accountable to the BAH, and the BAH won’t be accountable to Minnesotans, it’s time for BAH President Dean Compart to do the honorable thing and resign.”
I hope the beginning of summer is treating you well and that you’ve had a chance to enjoy some of the great activities our community has to offer. I was able to stop by a pie sale and concert at Plymouth at the Hilde this afternoon!
I hope you and your loved ones have been able to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather this week!
I’m happy to report we’re making progress at the Capitol. House DFLers, Senate Republicans, and Governor Walz reached a bipartisan agreement earlier this week. The agreement establishes a framework for the state budget and outlines how state resources and some federal COVID-19 relief funds will be used over the next two years. It contains significant investments in education, which House DFLers prioritized during negotiations.
I hope you were able to spend some time celebrating Earth Day yesterday! I went for a morning walk in a favorite park before returning to the Capitol for another long day of debate. Fittingly, we took up the Environment and Natural Resources omnibus bill in the evening.
Our Environment and Natural Resources bill, which passed with bipartisan support, aims to protect Minnesota’s clean air, water, and land for many years to come. It delivers funding to manage significant threats like climate change, pollution, and invasive species; strengthens environmental protections; expands access to the outdoors and outdoor recreation for children and young adults; protects animals and insects, including pollinators; and addresses racial and economic disparities that put communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income communities at a higher risk for exposure to pollution and hazardous chemicals. One of the bills I authored was included as well. It invests $16.2 million in regional parks and trails across the metro area!
I hope this email finds you and your family well and enjoying the start of spring! Here’s the latest news from the Capitol:
Expanding Access to Earned Sick and Safe Time
Many of us are caregivers or will become caregivers at some point in the future. Last week, I voted for a bill that would give more Minnesotans time away from work so they can care for their loved ones and themselves. Under this legislation, all workers would earn, at a minimum, one hour of Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year. Minnesotans could use this paid time off to take care of a family member, stay home when they’re sick, or get help if they experience events like domestic violence or sexual assault.
I hope you and your loved ones had a chance to enjoy the warmer weather last weekend! Here’s an update on Minnesota’s fight against COVID-19 and my work at the Capitol:
Vaccine Eligibility Expands
Minnesota reached Governor Walz’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of our state’s seniors last week. Thanks to the efforts of many Minnesotans and a new vaccine that only requires one dose, we hit this target earlier than expected. In response, Governor Walz expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.
While my colleagues and I are working remotely to protect our staff and constituents, we are eager to connect with you virtually until we can hold in-person events again. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart, Representative Ginny Klevorn, and I are holding a town hall via Zoom on Saturday, March 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To join us, please click here when the event begins or enter the Meeting ID (931 9621 3833) and Passcode (304705) when prompted on Zoom. We look forward to seeing you then!
We’re wrapping up another busy week at the Minnesota Legislature. A few of my bills received public hearings, including an ambitious plan to address the climate crisis. Called the Next Generation Climate Act, this legislation significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. By 2050, our state would achieve net-zero emissions across all sectors!
If it’s enacted, the Next Generation Climate Act would be one of the most ambitious plans in the nation. If you’d like to learn more about it, you can watch a public hearing on the bill here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Connector
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, I encourage you to sign up for the new COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. This tool, which launched yesterday, helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get vaccinated. It will let you know when you’re eligible to receive a vaccine, connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment, and notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area. Signing up is free and easy, and you don’t need insurance or identification. Visit mn.gov/vaccineconnector or call 833-431-2053 to sign up.
