Neighbors,
Today we reach our third committee deadline before the Easter/Passover break. All session, House DFLers have focused on the issues hardworking families are facing, and we have worked hard to find solutions for challenges Minnesotans are experiencing.
This was a very busy week at the Capitol. We advanced many of our supplemental budget bills through committee. On Thursday, we approved a major plan to invest in child care and early learning was approved in the House Early Childhood Finance & Policy Committee. I serve as vice chair and am very proud of this measure which aims to close opportunity gaps for tens of thousands of low-income and vulnerable children, helps many more families access and afford care, and stabilizes this critical sector. We are working for the voiceless and our vote will have a long-term impact.
Earlier this week, the House Education Committee approved our E-12 budget, investing in students, families, schools, and staff.
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Plan to Reduce Costs for Minnesotans
House Democrats this week announced a new plan to reduce the cost of Minnesotans’ biggest expenses, including child care, housing, and prescription medications. Democrats’ plan targets assistance to people who need it most, such as workers, families, senior citizens, and people with chronic health conditions.
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Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who took time to complete my legislative survey. It’s evident by your responses, you care about Minnesota and our neighbors. I’ll utilize your comments to finalize our legislation as we head into the last weeks of the session. You can read the results here.
Avian Influenza
Yesterday, the Minnesota House voted to invest $1 million in the state’s response to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Minnesota. The funding will be used for testing supplies and other emergency response activities, including disease surveillance.
The first cases of H5N1 in Minnesota were confirmed last month. The USDA updates the latest HPAI detections on its website. Listen to this MPR story.
The virus has not caused human illness. According to the CDC, Recent Bird Flu Infections in U.S. Wild Birds and Poultry Pose a Low Risk to the Public. You can read more from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the Board of Animal Health.
The state has activated a new HPAI hotline for anyone with poultry to ask questions or to report sick birds at 1-833-454-0156.
Energy Assistance
The Minnesota Department of Commerce has raised the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program crisis benefit per household. Income-qualified homeowners or renters can now receive up to $3,000 to pay past-due energy bills, to prevent energy disconnections, and to cover costs for emergency fuel deliveries. Previously, the crisis benefit was $1,200. The grant is in addition to the up-to-$2,000 in non-crisis benefits a qualifying house receives.
COVID-19 Update
The FDA has authorized a second booster shot for Americans over 50 and for those 12 years and older who are immunocompromised. You can read more from the U of M Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) recommendations here.
Minnesota households are now eligible to receive two test kits (for a total of four tests) per home through the mail at mn.gov/covid19. You can also order free rapid at-home tests from the federal government at CovidTests.gov
If you have symptoms, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, after traveling, or if you’ve attended a high-risk event, get tested to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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Stay connected with the legislature
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.
Sincerely,
Laurie Pryor
State Representative