Dear Neighbors,
This week, Rep. Dave Pinto and I held a press conference with ISAIAH about HF 1278 which will set us on a ten-year path to an early care and learning system that is affordable for all families, high quality for all children, and pays a fair and liveable wage for workers. I’m proud to be the chief author for this bill that would create a task force charged with developing a plan to achieve the three goals of:
- Universal affordability: no family would pay more than 7% of its income for child care.
- Quality: Each child's access to high-quality early care and learning must not be determined by the child's race, family income, or zip code.
- Compensation: A fair and livable wage, and increased professional development opportunities for providers.
I'm excited to be leading this important work as we strive to create a state where all children get the care and education they deserve.
Session Survey
As session progresses I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the most pressing issues we are working on at the Capitol. Please complete this survey to help me understand where you feel I should focus my efforts for the rest of session.
Virtual Town Hall
On Saturday, March 6 at 10 a.m., Rep. Tina Liebling and I will host a virtual town hall. We invite you to share your ideas and priorities and to ask questions about issues important to you.
The event will be held on Zoom (meeting ID: 971 0681 2112, passcode: 291465). To join by telephone, you can dial 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and password when prompted. The event will also be livestreamed on our Facebook pages.
The event is nonpartisan and everyone in the community is welcome. Questions can be submitted ahead of time at bit.ly/March6TownHall.
Covid Update
Minnesota was recently ranked 3rd in the nation in our ability to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine. At our current rate we should be able to vaccinate all Minnesotans 70 years or older by the end of the month. With the new single dose vaccines now available, this pace will continue to speed up. To track vaccines, visit the Department of Health’s dashboard. I am also watching for more information to be shared soon around how Minnesota is doing in terms of racial equity of vaccine distribution as this is critically important.
The state of Minnesota launched a new tool to help let Minnesotans know when they are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We have all been eager to receive a vaccine as soon as possible, and luckily there are reasons to be optimistic that distribution will greatly accelerate soon. In the meantime, the new Vaccine Connector will alert Minnesotans when they are eligible, connect you to resources to schedule an appointment, and notify you about vaccine opportunities near you. Learn more and sign up here. Assistance is also available over the phone at 833-431-2053.
Budget Forecast
The state budget officials announced a new economic forecast, highlighting a turnaround in our state budget outlook. This is good news, but the fact remains too many Minnesotans are still struggling as a result of the health and economic impacts from the pandemic. Those who were already struggling before the pandemic have experienced even greater hardship over the past year. We need to come together to invest in what Minnesotans value most – like excellent public schools, health care, and support for small businesses and families – to ensure we can all pull through this crisis and have the opportunity to thrive on the other side.
Stay in Touch
I always appreciate hearing from you, so please feel free to share your questions, ideas, and feedback. Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.liz.boldon@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-9249. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, you can also follow my Facebook page here.
It’s an honor to represent our community. Please be safe and stay in touch.
With gratitude and hope,
Liz
Rep.Liz Boldon, District 25B
533 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155