Dear Neighbors,
I wish you, your loved ones, and our entire community a happy holiday season. Now is a time for us to reconnect with one another and to reflect on what is really important in our lives. Even though times can seem grim, there is still plenty of joy and beauty to be found. Happy Holidays!!!
MMB Budget Forecast
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released a new budget forecast showing a projected balance of $7.7 billion for the current two-year budget cycle.
Minnesota is in a strong economic position thanks to the sound economic management and investment in our communities led by DFL lawmakers. This forecast is broadly good news, but it highlights the fact that the COVID recession and ongoing economic recovery has hurt lower income and middle-class Minnesotans more, while benefiting them less. Now is our chance to fund the services that will spread this recovery across our state evenly, including priorities like affordable childcare, education, housing investment, and hero pay for pandemic workers. I will work hard to ensure our community benefits from this budget fairly while pushing for policies that will lift up the entire state.
Apply for State Committees and Boards
There are over 400 open state committee and board positions. These play a critical role in influencing statewide policy and are a fantastic way to get involved. If you are interested, I encourage you to apply soon. You can find all open positions here.
COVID-19 Update
The COVID-19 situation in Minnesota remains serious, with hospital admissions increasing and intensive care units, nearing capacity. As a result, others needing emergency care – often for non-COVID related conditions – are forced to wait. Overwhelmingly, those with the most serious COVID illnesses admitted to hospitals are unvaccinated.
Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals working in hospitals are physically exhausted and emotionally drained. Leaders from Minnesota’s health care systems recently purchased a full-page ad pleading with Minnesotans to do their part to help end this crisis. If you haven’t yet, please get your COVID-19 vaccine and if you’re eligible, a booster shot. The vaccine is free, safe, and effective toward preventing community transmission. Perhaps most importantly, if you happen to contract COVID-19, the vaccine is remarkably effective in reducing the risk of serious illness or death. Also, wear a mask around others and if you have symptoms, stay home and get tested.
Cold Weather Rule and Energy Assistance As the weather gets colder, here is some info you should keep in mind. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR), which is administered by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, protects residential utility customers from having electric or natural gas service shut off between October 1, 2021 and April 30. 2022. For more information, see the PUC’s Shutoff Protection page or call the PUC’s Consumer Affairs Office at 651-296-0406.
You may qualify for the Energy Assistance Program. By submitting one application through the Energy Assistance Program, you could qualify for payments to cover both water and energy bills, and qualify for the Minnesota Weatherization Program. See the 2022 income guidelines and apply.
Remote Undergraduate Internship Opportunity
The House Sergeant-at-Arms Office will administer a remote Undergraduate Internship Program for the 2022 legislative session.
The undergraduate internship program is structured around a focus on serving and learning. A sincere interest in public service is expected of all applicants for a House internship. A genuine desire to learn is also expected and in a dynamic and influential institution like the House, opportunities for learning abound. For a detailed description of the program click here.
Upcoming Town Hall
On Thursday, January 6 at 6pm, join Representative Reyer and Senator Carlson and I as we discuss the beginning of the 2022 session. We look forward to speaking with you and hearing about your priorities for this session! You can register to receive the Zoom link here.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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 me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Sandra Masin
State Representative