Neighbors,
The legislative session officially adjourned on Monday, after months of working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. We negotiated in good faith with Senate Republican colleagues, but at the end of our regular session, the disagreements – although we were close on many issues – could not be bridged. We worked around the clock to reach compromises on our important legislation.
For better or for worse, special sessions are a common tool used in divided government to wrap up our work. Minnesotans care about what we get done to improve their lives, not how long it takes. I am pushing for a special session so we can finish passing our supplemental budget which includes investments to help everyone succeed and thrive.
Despite the unfinished business, we did accomplish the following, impacting many of our friends and neighbors, including:
- Giving bonuses to frontline workers who could not work from home.
- Distributing unprecedented amounts of money to address the opioid crisis.
- Making the largest investment in high-speed broadband internet in state history.
- Funding public health infrastructure to keep people healthy and safe as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
- Protecting and supporting veterans and Gold Star families.
- Replenishing funding for Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Program, keeping businesses’ unemployment insurance tax rates flat.
- Extending the COVID-19 worker’s comp presumption for first responders, including fire fighters, police officers, paramedics, and more.
- Reducing the cost of health insurance for those who use the individual market.
- Modernizing state liquor laws to support Minnesota’s breweries and distilleries.
- Funding nation-leading ALS research.
- Providing relief to farmers impacted by the 2021 drought and delivering resources to control and contain the avian influenza outbreak.
- Preventing Republicans from infringing on a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions.
Remembering our Fallen Heroes
On Memorial Day, we remember those who died in active military service. We thank them for their ultimate sacrifice.
Avian Influenza Update
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI/H5N1) continues to spread. It is recommended bird feeders be removed for now and those who raise backyard chickens, should keep the birds enclosed and separated from wildlife. Call the HPAI hotline at 1-833-454-0156 for questions and learn more from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the Board of Animal Health.
COVID-19 Update
Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order a third round of free at-home COVID-19 tests. Click here to place your order. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Also, a reminder Americans over 50 and those 12 years and older who are immunocompromised can receive a second COVID-19 booster shot. More updates about COVID-19 are available through the Minnesota Department of Health website, or the U of M Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
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Stay connected with the Legislature
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I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can send an email to rep.luke.frederick@house.mn or can call my legislative assistant, Blake Wilcox, at 651-296-8803.
Also, please visit and “like” my Facebook page for more Capitol and community updates.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Luke Frederick
State Representative