Tag: Minnesota House

House Democrats propose new pandemic assistance to help laid-off hospitality and service sector workers

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Rep. Andrew Carlson (DFL-Bloomington) and House Democrats are proposing new legislationto help laid-off hospitality and service sector workers return to their jobs. It’s one of many immediate actions that House Democrats are proposing to respond to the needs of workers, families, and small businesses hit hardest by the pandemic. High-quality video and audio of this virtual press conference will be available here this afternoon.

“In 2020, many of us had to cancel our travel plans for graduation, summer vacation, Thanksgiving, Christmas and so on. However, behind these visible personal impacts are our hospitality workers that are hit hard by the pandemic due to restaurant, hotel and airport layoffs.” said Rep. Carlson. “We need to pass legislation that will create a pathway forward to economic recovery for Minnesotans, especially communities of color who make up 71% of displaced hospitality workers. My new bill will ensure that these workers are heard and supported by their state government.”

Rep. Carlson’s bill applies to Minnesotans employed by hotels, airports, and event centers; the facilities attached to them, including restaurants, bars, and retail; as well as related services, including maintenance, security, ticketing, ground-handling, and food and beverage services. It also applies to an enterprise providing maintenance and security services to office, retail, or commercial buildings, like a staffing agency.

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House Education Policy Chair Richardson Statement on Anti-Trans youth bill introduced by Senate Republicans

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Senate Republicans heard legislation February 3 targeting transgender youth whose assigned sex at birth is different from their true gender. The Senate Republican-controlled Education Committee heard a bill which would prohibit schools from allowing any student whose “sex is male” from participating in girls’ sports.

Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights), chair of the House Education Policy Committee condemned the measure and released the following statement in response:

“For Minnesota to be a state with world class education we must ensure an inclusive school experience for students of all genders with equitable access to the activities that support their learning and well-being. As the House Education Policy Chair, I am committed to using my gavel to expand opportunity, not restrict it on the basis of transgender status. Our committee will not give Senate Republicans’ bill a hearing because it would have a harmful and exclusionary impact on children in our schools. 

All of our students in Minnesota deserve every opportunity to be successful in and out of the classroom and that includes participating in extracurricular activities and sports. We ought to be celebrating the contributions our students are making to their school teams among their peers, not denying or restricting their opportunities based on transgender status.”

Minnesota Lawmakers Announce Bipartisan Hometown Heroes Act

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On February 4, a bipartisan group of legislators announced new efforts to deliver vital supplemental state health assistance to Minnesota’s 22,000 firefighters. The Hometown Heroes Act, authored by Rep. Cheryl Yoaukim (DFL-Hopkins) and Sen. Jeff Howe (R-Rockville), would address the alarmingly high incidence of cancer, cardiac issues, and emotional trauma facing these frontline workers.

“Our firefighters face unique challenges, especially with the ongoing pandemic,” said Representative Youakim. “They have higher incidences of cancer, cardiac issues and now more than ever, trauma. This bill would not only deliver quality health care assistance our firefighters need but takes a proactive approach with the necessary awareness training they deserve.”

“I, unfortunately, have watched many of my fellow firefighters suffer and die from cancer and heart disease,” said Senator Jeff Howe. “If we don’t take care of the folks we call when we’re in trouble, how can we expect them to be there when we need them? I’m passionate about this subject, and I’m honored to be carrying this bill.”

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DFL proposal would expand paid sick leave to workers statewide

To improve employee health and well-being, particularly among lower wage earners, House DFLers have reintroduced legislation that would require paid time off for all Minnesota workers.

HF7, sponsored by Rep. Liz Olson (DFL-Duluth) and co-sponsored by 15 other DFLers, would require employers to provide workers at least one hour of health-related paid time off for every 30 hours worked.

The time could be used to recuperate from an illness, care for an ill family member, attend an appointment, watch kids during weather- or emergency-related day care closures or care for a parent. Continue reading.

House Health Committee receives update COVID-19 update from Dr. Osterholm, discusses Rep. Wolgamott’s proposed public health investments

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the House Health Finance & Policy Committee received an update on COVID-19 from Dr. Michael Osterholm, world-renowned epidemiologist and Director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. The committee also discussed the important role of local public health in combating the pandemic and considered legislation to boost investments in local public health grants.

Dr. Osterholm shared several concerns regarding the virus with the committee, including the emergence of new COVID-19 variants that could mean the worst of the pandemic is still in front of us. Noting that the first doses of the vaccine has been greatly effective, he discussed the possibility of adapting to a first-dose priority plan for those ages 65 or older, postponing the second dose for those patients. He also stressed the importance of continued mask wearing, physical distancing and avoiding crowds, and discussed the need for individuals to protect their mental health.

“We’ve recently seen key COVID-19 metrics, including case counts and hospitalizations, trend downward, but as Dr. Osterholm told us, we aren’t out of the woods yet,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee. “As Minnesota continues vaccinating our residents, we must all remain vigilant against the virus – particularly as new variants emerge – to continue making progress and get through the pandemic as quickly as possible.”

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House Education Finance Division hears Increase Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers Act of 2021

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Today, the House Education Finance Division heard the Increase Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers Act of 2021, authored by Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis). The bill aims to attract and retain more Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers, with the goal of providing all students with equitable access to effective and diverse teachers who reflect the diversity of their students.

“We owe it to our students to give them the best education possible, and the most important factor in a quality education is our educators,” said Rep. Hassan, co-chair of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus.

“It has been shown repeatedly that all of our students benefit when they have teachers of color and American Indian teachers, but this is especially true for our students of color and indigenous students. HF 217 will ensure that our school education system has adequate resources to hire and retain teachers of color and American Indian teachers, while also creating a space for anti-racist and culturally relevant learning to take place. The integration of these diverse perspectives and experiences will lead to improved outcomes for every student.”

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House Early Childhood Committee discusses economics of early care and learning and need for greater investment

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee heard and discussed a presentation on the economics of child care and early learning, including the need for public investment in this essential resource for the youngest Minnesotans and their families and communities. 

“High-quality early care and learning is foundational to our economy and to our society,” said Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – St. Paul), chair of the committee. “It allows parents to work, businesses to grow, and children to get the great start they need for success in school and life. Like other public infrastructure, including education and transportation, this critical sector needs public support.”  

Legislators at the hearing heard testimony on how the economics of early care and learning place an enormous squeeze on families and providers alike. An average family in Minnesota with one infant pays nearly 20 percent of its income for child care, with many families paying a much higher percentage.  

Meanwhile, child care is the lowest-paid occupation of any requiring a high school diploma; a third of workers in the profession are on public assistance. And their employers are doing no better; margins are razor-thin, with many subsidized by churches, nonprofits, and even individual donations. Low compensation and high turnover undermine the consistent relationships and enriching experiences that young children need.  

Presenters at the hearing included Christa Anders, Coordinator, Transforming Minnesota’s Early Childhood Workforce; Jamie Bonczyk, former Executive Director at the recently-closed Hopkins Early Learning Center; and Oriane Casale, Interim Labor Market Information Director, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. 

Video of the hearing is available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel. More information, including documents from the hearing, is available on the committee’s webpage.  

State prescription drug purchasing program wins narrow approval in health committee


By changing how prescription drugs are purchased for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, the Department of Human Services could save money and provide more transparency to the process, Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) told the House Health Finance and Policy Committee Monday.

She sponsors HF8, which would move all drug purchasing for public health care programs to the department.

The department currently handles drug purchasing for fee-for-service patients, who make up about 25% of enrollees. The other 75% are in programs whose drug purchasing is handled by managed care organizations and pharmacy benefits managers, she said. Continue reading.

Minnesota POCI Caucus Black History Month Statement

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today marks the beginning of Black History Month. The People of Color and Indigenous Caucus (POCI) released the following statement to commemorate Black History Month:

“It is important that we take this month to not only remember and celebrate the rich and meaningful history of Black people in our nation, but to take time to consider the future of Black lives. Black history is being written as we speak, from the incredible organization of Black voters in the 2020 election which resulted in the first female Vice President of color, to the ongoing cries for reform from the historic Black Lives Matter movement. There remains a harrowing distance between the level of Black excellence in this nation, and level of systemic racism that perpetuates cycles of discrimination and increased disparities. Let this be the Black History Month where we choose to elevate Black voices and value Black lives forever more. Let this month, and every month after, be the months where we fight to create a future where Black lives can be lived fully without the burden of oppression, racism, and inequity.”

The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Esther Agbaje (59B), Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Cedrick Frazier (45A), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (Vice- Chair 62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Athena Hollins (66B), Fue Lee (59A), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), Samantha Vang (Chair, 40B), Jay Xiong (67B), Tou Xiong (53B), and Senators Bobby Joe Champion (59), Omar Fateh (62), Melisa Franzen (49), Foung Hawj (67), Mary Kunesh (41), Patricia Torres Ray (Chair, 63)