Tag: House District 48A

Neighbors,

The special session of the legislature convened a week ago, focusing on unfinished business to deliver additional economic security to Minnesotans impacted by the pandemic. We approved HF 5, which includes $62.5 million in grants for small business impacted by COVID-19. Gov. Walz signed the bill into law.

The aid comes at an important time to help our businesses get back on their feet. The first $60 million in the bill comes from the federal CARES Act, and $2.5 million from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Emergency Loan Program.

Regrettably, the House, Senate and Governor did not reach agreement on other important measures and the legislature adjourned early this morning.  One of the casualties of the session was a bill the House approved on Friday, sending additional CARES act funding to help communities throughout the state facing financial struggles due to the pandemic. The measure also included mortgage and rental assistance, expansion of broadband internet and a temporary pay raise for our personal care assistants. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: June 20, 2020”

Neighbors,

Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn and I will host a District 48 Virtual Town Hall this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. I hope you can join us to discuss the latest in COVID-19 developments, the recent upheaval in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the likely upcoming special session and anything else on your mind. Follow this link to register and submit questions  https://forms.gle/JMweHs5dDVL1EaUp6.

Please click on Sen. Cwodzinski’s Facebook page to listen and participate: https://www.facebook.com/senatorcwodzinski/

Phase III of Stay Safe MN

On Wednesday, June 10, limited re-opening of dine-in restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues will begin. Occupancy rates will be limited based on risk, with an overall occupancy maximum of 250 people. 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.

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Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

• Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lower 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 – Find testing locations.
• 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.
• Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

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.

Sincerely,

Laurie Pryor

State Representative

Rep. Laurie Pryor, DFL-Minnetonka, announces her re-election campaign for House District 48A, which includes portions of Minnetonka and Eden Prairie. She is endorsed by the party.

“It has been an honor to serve our community in St. Paul these past four years,” Pryor said. “I have a proven record of working across the aisle to pass legislation that advances the greater good. Minnesota faces unprecedented challenges, and I am seeking another term so that I can continue to provide thoughtful, common-sense leadership to protect our communities and our economy.”

Pryor was first elected to the State House in 2016, she has adopted safe communities, economic development and dynamic schools as the pillars of her service. She currently serves on a number of committees including the Higher Education Finance and Policy Division (vice chair), Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division, and Education Finance Division. She lives in Minnetonka with her husband, Jon. Her three children, their spouses and seven grandchildren all live in Minnesota. Continue reading.

Neighbors,

We are in an unprecedented time. The COVID-19 global pandemic has uprooted much of our everyday routines, slowed our businesses and kept us distant from family and friends. As if coping with COVID-19 wasn’t difficult enough, the Twin Cities has experienced violence following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. His death has now been ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County medical examiner. We all wait for swift justice in this heart-breaking loss.

The ensuing unrest and destruction left many of us wondering how we can help. Last weekend, our Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and surrounding communities held a food drive to collect needed items for our friends in the state’s biggest city. You came out in impressive numbers to collect, sort and deliver food for our Minneapolis neighbors directly affected by the upheaval. Thank you for all you’ve done. This just proves once again that Minnesotans care about each other and we are here to help each other in good and bad times.

Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: June 2, 2020”

Neighbors,

One of the most unusual legislative sessions in Minnesota history adjourned at midnight on Sunday. Little did we know when session convened on February 11, that just a few weeks later our world would be turned upside down. COVID-19 affected every part of our lives.

Since mid-March, the legislature has operated remotely. Under the guidance of Speaker Melissa Hortman, we complied with best practices for public health. Some legislators voted from their homes, many traveled to St. Paul and voted from our offices, and a very few attended floor sessions in the House chamber. We learned how to use technology in a new way to hold committee hearings and floor sessions. Like many of you who have made major adjustments and are operating under less than ideal circumstances, we were able to accomplish our work with everybody pulling together. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 22, 2020”

Neighbors, 

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Senate District 48 Town Hall on Wednesday. As usual, your questions were thoughtful. The Facebook format was new for me, but in the absence of a face-to-face town hall, it was great to interact with you! Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Koytza-Witthuhn and I hope to host another meeting soon. If you weren’t able to join us you can view the town hall here.

Changes in the Stay at Home order 

On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced that the current stay at home order will expire on Monday, May 18th, and will be replaced with an order allowing for more businesses to reopen as well as other changes. The governor also extended his peacetime emergency powers through June 12th. These powers have enabled the governor to take necessary action to secure the safety of Minnesotans and provide emergency relief to residents of our state who have been harmed economically by this pandemic.

You can read the full executive order here.  Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 14, 2020”

Neighbors,

This week, the House advanced our Economic Security package that invests in housing, health care, economic security, education and healthy communities.

Also, this week, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released an updated budget, projecting a $2.426 billion deficit in the current biennium. While certainly unwelcome news, the executive and legislative branches have worked over the last decade to smartly manage our state’s resources, resulting in $350 million in the state’s cash flow account and $2.359 billion in the budget reserves. Minnesota has also received nearly $2 billion in federal aid to help provide economic security to get through the COVID-19 crisis.

We have the resources to get through this unprecedented disruption of our daily lives. By staying home, we can keep everyone safe and start the road to recovery. Minnesotans care about each other and we will get through this together. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: May 8, 2020”