Legislative Update: Vaccination Update

Neighbors,

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.

Vaccination Update

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced the expansion of vaccine eligibility for 16 years of age and older starting March 30th. The announcement is in response to the expected increased supply of vaccines by the federal government to arrive in April.

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, I encourage you to check out Minnesota’s COVID-19 mn.gov/vaccineconnector, call 833-431-2053 or check with your health insurance carrier to help you find out when, where, and how to get a vaccine.

Earned Sick and Safe Time Passes House

Thursday, we passed HF 7, legislation to extend Earned Sick and Safe Time benefits to all Minnesota workers. The legislation would ensure, at a minimum, one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year.

An estimated 900,000 workers – especially those in low-wage positions and those in the service industry – don’t have access to sick days or any other paid time off. Under the bill, Earned Sick and Safe Time could be used for the following purposes:

• To attend to the worker’s physical and mental health needs, including illness, injury, or doctor’s appointment
• To attend to the physical and mental health needs of a family member (including illness, injury, or appointment)
• Absence due to domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking of the worker or a family member
• If the worker’s job site is closed because of weather or a public emergency, or if a family member’s school is closed
• If the health authorities have determined that the worker or his/her family needs to stay at home because they could jeopardize the health of others (like a pandemic)

Survey

I am still asking for your feedback on potential issues of discussion 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 does not reflect the current $1.6 billion projected positive balance].

Governor Walz to Deliver State of the State Address

Governor Tim Walz announced he will deliver his third State of the State address on Sunday, March 28, 2021, beginning at 6:00pm. The address will be delivered from the Governor’s former social studies classroom at Mankato West High School.

Media outlets can carry the Governor’s address and it will also be streamed on the Governor’s YouTube page here. The announcement will be available in Hmong here, in Spanish here, in Somali here, and on TPT NOW Channel 2.5.

Tax Filing Deadline Update

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has announced a filing date extension for taxpayers to file their 2020 Minnesota Individual Income Tax return, aligning with an IRS decision last week. Minnesotans now have until May 17 to file their payments and returns. Please visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website with information on their resources, including COVID-19 relief available for businesses, and sign up for updates.

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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 (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.
• Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

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Stay connected with the legislature

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.

Sincerely,

Laurie Pryor

State Representative

Rep. Laurie Pryor
571 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
www.house.mn/48a

Phone: 651-296-3964
Facebook: Rep. Laurie Pryor
E-mail: rep.laurie.pryor@house.mn
Legislative Assistant: Jasmyn DiMeglio, 651-296-5408