Dear Neighbors,
I want to thank everyone who joined Sen. Sandy Pappas, Rep. Carlos Mariani, and me for last week’s Town Hall Meeting. We appreciate all the thoughtful questions from those who attended, and we all value this type of engagement from the community. If you couldn’t make it, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly throughout the legislative session. Video of the virtual gathering is also available on Facebook.
Frontline Worker Pay
During some of the pandemic’s darkest days, Minnesota’s frontline workers kept our state running. Many of them didn’t have the option to work remotely, and every day faced greater exposure to the virus. They clearly deserve bonus pay for their dedication.
House DFLers are moving a proposal to deliver premium payments up to $1,500 for those who faced the pandemic head-on, like our healthcare and long-term care workers, educators, first responders, corrections officers, food service workers and others. On Monday, I chaired a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee where we approved the bill. Tomorrow, the full Minnesota House will consider the measure, and after we pass it, I’m hopeful the Senate will quickly take action so we can get these checks to Minnesotans.
Public Safety Solutions
Democrats understand that Minnesotans are concerned about public safety amid a national and local rise in crime and gun violence. We also know community trust in law enforcement is vital to achieving a public safety system that protects everyone. To achieve this, agencies need to diversify their workforces and attract the best and brightest individuals committed to service in their communities. House DFLers are working on a plan to recruit and retain police officers who are underrepresented in the profession and who have a proven commitment to serving the community.
The DFL proposal would strive to include people from groups that are currently underrepresented in policing while ensuring participants represent all regions of the state. Financial benefits would include free tuition, a stipend to cover living expenses, job placement assistance, a signing bonus, and a retention bonus after 18 months of service. Participants must remain continuously employed full-time as a peace officer in Minnesota for six years after completion of the program. Read more about the proposal here.
Help with Heating Bills
The Minnesota Reformer recently highlighted how too many Minnesotans are struggling with the high costs of heating their homes this winter. No one deserves to be left in the cold, and if you or someone you know is behind on bills, help is available. The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program can assist with electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil or biofuel payments, as well as emergency fuel deliveries, and repair or replacement of broken heating systems. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule protects residential utility customers from having electric or natural gas service shut off between October 1 and April 30. More information about shut off protection is available from the state Public Utilities Commission.
Please feel free to reach out to share your feedback, offer your ideas, or let me know if I can be of help. It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Rena Moran
State Representative