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Dear neighbors,
First of all, I want to briefly address the insurrection that occurred in Washington, D.C. this week. I was deeply saddened and disturbed by the violence and chaos at our nation’s Capitol and angry about the handling of the situation. We must stand together to oppose efforts to undermine our democracy and the dangerous rhetoric that led to these events.
Unfortunately, some of my Republican colleagues are among those who’ve undermined trust in our democracy by spreading misinformation and encouraging division. On Wednesday, I joined several of my colleagues in calling out the inappropriate actions of these elected officials. You can read the letter of dissent we filed here.
That said, here’s the latest news from the Capitol:
Legislative Session Begins
On Tuesday, I was sworn in for another term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. It’s an honor to continue serving our community, and I’m looking forward to working with you and for you this session.
I’m also excited to lead the Behavioral Health Policy Division, a new committee that was created to focus on improving Minnesotans’ overall health and wellbeing. In addition, I’ll be serving on the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, and the Property Tax Division.
Most of our work will be done remotely this session due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it will look different, there will still be opportunities to follow and participate in the legislative process, and I’ll work hard to make sure I’m just as accessible as I’ve been in the past. All public hearings and floor sessions will be broadcast on five House live stream channels, and House Public Information Services will continue providing nonpartisan news. You can follow their page on Facebook or subscribe to Session Daily to receive updates from the Capitol. I’ll continue sending these emails regularly, and you can follow my official Facebook page for more frequent updates.
Modified Public Health Guidelines
Thanks to the actions Minnesotans have taken over the past month, the COVID-19 situation in our state has improved. On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced that some of the current restrictions will be loosened. The following changes will take effect on January 11:
- Indoor dining will be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity. Reservations will be required, and bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m.
- Indoor event and entertainment venues may open at 25 percent capacity. The maximum capacity for outdoor events and entertainment will increase.
- Gym capacity will remain capped at 25 percent, but maximum capacity and class numbers can increase. Pools can open at 25 percent capacity.
- Wedding receptions and other private events may resume. Capacity limits and other restrictions will vary depending on where the event is held.
- Youth and adult sports may resume games with spectators on January 14.
You can find more information about these modifications here.
Town Hall Rescheduled
The virtual town hall that was scheduled for this weekend has been postponed. Rep. Lillie, Sen. Wiger, and I will be in touch when a new date is set. In the meantime, you can contact me by email at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-5363. I appreciate hearing your questions, ideas, and feedback, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer
State Representative
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