The legislature has returned from Easter/Passover break and we are continuing work on the two-year budget.
This week, the Early Childhood committee, which I serve as vice-chair, approved HF 2230, the Early Childhood Finance and Policy bill. Earlier, during our committee’s work, we learned about the scope and the severity of the crisis that exists in early care and education. The years from birth to five are critical for healthy growth and development and public investments are at the lowest during those years. We also know that parents are stretched thin to afford care and too many childcare workers are among the least paid professionals.
There are many challenges, but if our House Early Childhood budget bill becomes law, it will make a significant down payment toward the investments we need to support Minnesota’s youngest and their families.
House DFLers are focused on crafting a budget to reflect the values and priorities of Minnesotans. This week, we released our budget target framework aiming to build a state where everyone succeeds. Our budget invests in students, workers, families, and small businesses and as vice chair of the Early Childhood Committee, I am especially pleased we are boosting our investment to help our littlest learners. So many of our neighbors did not fare very well during the pandemic and our budget gives them the tools and support to recover and thrive.
You are invited to join Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, Sen. Cwodzinski, and me next Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. for a virtual town hall. We are now in the third month of the 2021 Legislative Session and we would like to hear your comments on the work ahead. Go to any of our Facebook pages to participate.
I am still taking your feedback on issues that may be discussed this legislative session. Your priorities are important to me. Please take a moment to click on this link and complete my legislative survey. [You may note this survey was created prior to the February forecast announcement and question #4 doesn’t reflect the current $1.6 billion projected positive balance.
You are invited to join Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, Sen. Cwodzinski, and me on Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. for a virtual town hall. We are now in the third month of the 2021 Legislative Session and we would like to hear your comments on the work ahead.
I am still taking your feedback on issues that may be discussed this legislative session. Your priorities are important to me. Please take a moment to click on this link and complete my legislative survey. [You may note this survey was created prior to the February forecast announcement and question #4 doesn’t reflect the current $1.6 billion projected positive balance].
I am still taking your feedback on issues that may be discussed this legislative session. Your priorities are important to me. Please take a moment to click on this link and complete my legislative survey.
You are invited to join Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, Sen. Cwodzinski, and me on Tuesday, March 16 for a virtual town hall. Details to follow.
Paid Family Medical Leave
This week, we heard compelling testimony in the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee, of which I serve as Vice-Chair, on the Paid Family Medical Leave bill. Whether we need to stay home to care for ourselves when sick, bond with a new baby, or help an aging parent, every Minnesotan should have time to care for themselves or a loved one. You can watch the committee here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Anticipating more COVID-19 vaccine arriving in Minnesota, Governor Walz this week announced the strategy and next phases of vaccine distribution. Also announced was a plan to vaccinate 70% of all seniors by the end of March.
The Vaccine Connector is another tool to link Minnesotans with a vaccine. For now, there is more demand than supply, but every Minnesotan will have an opportunity to get vaccinated as more supply arrives in the weeks and months ahead. It will just take time, and the Vaccine Connector is another tool Minnesotans can use to be prepared.
Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic (are not experiencing any symptoms). Wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lessen COVID-19 spread.
Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
Stay six feet away from others.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth – with unwashed hands.
The Minnesota House will continue to operate remotely, as we did throughout most of 2020. The House will ensure openness and transparency for the public by expanding the number of simultaneous committees it can webcast live from a maximum of two to five, so you can stay current on issues moving through committees this budget session.
Also, the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here.
Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
I hope you are all able to stay warm and safe during this extreme weather. Help is available with utility bills, to repair or replace homeowners’ malfunctioning furnaces, and to purchase fuel for delivery in emergencies through Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Homeowners and renters with young children, people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those experiencing unemployment or financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic are especially encouraged to apply.
Thousands of Minnesotans were helped last year, and new applicants have until May 31, 2021 to apply. Funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, the state’s Cold Weather Rule is in effect until April 15 which prevents utility shut offs if you sign up for a payment plan with your energy provider. More information on these protections is available from the Public Utilities Commission
I’m looking forward to the slight warm-up next week!
Committees
This week, the Health Finance and Policy Committee gave unanimous support to HF 660, also known as the Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act. We heard compelling testimony on addressing the unacceptable disparities in maternal health and morbidity. In Minnesota, Black women are two to three times more likely to die and Native American women are more than four times likely to die of causes related to pregnancy and birth. Bill author, Rep. Ruth Richardson said, “A majority of these deaths, over 60% of them, are preventable.” You can watch the committee here.
The committee also heard an impressive list of experts on the overwhelming evidence of mask effectiveness (HF 604) to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Most Minnesotans have adopted the healthy habit of wearing a mask in public and, thankfully, cases are down.
I am pleased that the Clean Energy First measure, HF 10, is heading to the House floor. I am also an author of HF 802, which would move us to 90% clean energy by 2035. It also addresses cutting emissions and creating job opportunities in environmental justice communities.
Save the Date – Town Hall March 16
I hope you will be able to join Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, Sen. Cwodzinski, and me for a virtual town hall on Tuesday, March. 16. We will release more details as the date nears.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
COVID-19 case numbers and positivity rates are trending downward in Minnesota. The vaccination process is improving as well. The federal government is gradually increasing the supply of doses, and the state is adapting the process to ensure that the vaccines we receive are distributed more effectively and equitably. More information is available on the state’s Vaccine Data Dashboard.
Health care workers and long-term care residents and staff will continue receiving the vaccine through their workplace, care facility, or local public health department. Educators, school staff, and child care workers will receive information from their employers. Minnesotans who are 65 or older can use this tool to find nearby vaccine providers and make an appointment.
Black History Month
February is Black History Month. While there has been some progress made in the fight for racial equity, there is more work ahead. COVID-19 has exposed existing racial disparities in our state that we can only address through bold legislation. To learn more about legislative action on this important issue, read the House Select Committee on Racial Justice’s report. Please also read the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus’ statement on Black History Month.
A reminder that spring is just a few weeks away!
Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic (are not experiencing any symptoms). Wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lessen COVID-19 spread.
Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
Stay six feet away from others.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth – with unwashed hands.
The Minnesota House will continue to operate remotely, as they did throughout most of 2020. The House will ensure openness and transparency for the public by expanding the number of simultaneous committees it can webcast live from a maximum of two to five, so you can stay current on issues moving through committees this budget session.
Also, the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here.
Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
This week in Health Finance and Policy committee, we heard testimony from University of Minnesota epidemiologist and world-renowned infectious disease expert, Dr. Michael Osterholm. He and other experts have great concern about the new variants of the virus, turning up in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Brazil, and South Africa, and are now seeing a new surge of cases followed by a devastating increase in hospitalizations and deaths.
Dr. Osterholm affirmed that it is just as important as ever to wear a mask when in public and to keep a physical distance from people outside your immediate household. He also spoke to the need to wear a good quality mask consisting of multiple layers and well fitted – and wearing it properly – and said there are too many pictures with noses showing above the mask.
I asked Dr. Osterholm how we can keep our spirits up and our mental health intact during these difficult days. You can watch our exchange here.
This week in the Health Finance and Policy Committee, we heard legislation that aims to make sure everyone has access to affordable healthcare. Small business owners are one group who have been hurt by health plans with high premiums and high deductibles. The testifiers, including family farmers and “ma and pop” shop owners, told compelling stories about the difficult choices, worries, and heartaches that come from trying to maintain access to affordable healthcare for themselves, their families, and their employees. In addition to expanding the number of people who would be able to enroll in a public option, the bill is structured to maximize federal funding and to increase competition. New enrollees will be able to take advantage of lower out-of-pocket costs and access to a strong network of providers. You can watch the hearing here.
In the Preventive Health committee, we heard about the threat to public health caused by climate change. Extreme weather events (storms, floods, and droughts), degraded air quality, and infectious diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks as they expand territory, are examples of how climate change is creating a health crisis in Minnesota and the world. You can watch the committee hearing here.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took their oath of office this week against a backdrop of political division, a worldwide pandemic, and the economic fallout of COVID-19. I am optimistic their leadership will provide a path to heal our nation and, during this difficult time, it is a hopeful sign that our democracy endures.
Vaccine distribution update
The federal government instructed states to open vaccinations to everyone over 65 and the state has set up nine pilot sites across Minnesota to administer the vaccines. While appointments are currently full, check back on the site. Available spots will refresh every Tuesday at noon. The vaccine supply is limited, but this program will help our state prepare to distribute vaccines quickly and equitably when they become available. We are receiving about 65,000 doses a week and from what I am reading, it will be April before that number significantly increases.
The vaccination program continues to be impactful and we are reaching seniors, who have been hit so tragically hard by this disease. All 369 of our skilled nursing homes received their first dose and are on track to finish vaccinations in both residents and staff by early February. Last week seniors living in assisted living centers began receiving their first doses and vaccinations to this group should be completed by the end of February.
This legislative session we will work on action to support Minnesotans and protect their economic security during the pandemic. Committees are meeting and we’ve heard from agencies about their work and how they partner with the Legislature.
For each committee, the focus has been on updating the pandemic response including the hopeful news on the roll-out of vaccinations.
In the Early Childhood committee, which I service as vice-chair, we learned about the importance of continuing grants to childcare providers to assist in keeping them open in difficult times.
