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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jennifer Schultz (DFL)

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Legislative Update – December 15, 2021

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

The holiday season is here and I wish everyone joy and peace in the new year. We must recognize the pandemic is still with us, and it remains important to be responsible and follow protocols to protect one another. The last thing we want is to have a loved one experience illness, so I hope everyone can enjoy the merriment safely.

  • Get Vaccinated. Minnesotans age 5 and up can be vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season—especially those who can’t be vaccinated and children under 5. Find vaccines for the whole family.
  • Get Tested. Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, test before holiday gatherings to make sure you’re not spreading the virus to loved ones unknowingly. Take advantage of one of the many free testing options the state has to offer, or head to your local clinic or pharmacy. Make an appointment at a community testing site. NOW is also a great time to order a free test through the at-home testing program to ensure you have one on-hand ahead of the holidays, or use a test if you have one already.
  • Get Boosted. All adults 18 and older should get a booster when they are due (6 months after receiving Pfizer and Moderna, and 2 months after receiving Johnson & Johnson).
  • Stay Safe. Wear your mask in indoor public settings, wash your hands, and do your best to avoid crowded indoor spaces before getting together with family and friends—especially high-risk loved ones and children under 5 who can’t be vaccinated.

COVID-19 News

The number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota remains extremely concerning, with hospital admissions continuing to increase and ICUs nearing capacity. Just today, our state eclipsed 10,000 deaths. Leaders from Minnesota’s health care systems recently purchased a full-page newspaper ad pleading with Minnesotans to do their part to help end this crisis. Our health care professionals are emotionally drained and physically exhausted. The new omicron variant has received a great deal of attention with its recent emergence, but the delta variant is still predominantly fueling increased case counts. Please: if you haven’t yet, get vaccinated. It prevents transmission and, if you do acquire COVID, is effective in limiting the severity of illness.

With some time having passed since many people received their initial vaccine, it’s understandable that people have misplaced their COVID-19 vaccine cards. An app called Docket is available for Minnesotans to securely access and share their immunization records, including for COVID-19. MIIC, Minnesota’s immunization information system, combines all immunizations a person has received into a single record, even if they were given by different health care providers in Minnesota. It can also create a PDF of your vaccine record that can be saved to your mobile device, printed, emailed, or texted as needed.

Docket is free and available for download in Apple and Android app stores.

New Budget Forecast

Budget Surplus graph

Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced the November Economic Forecast showing a $7.7 billion positive budget balance for the current two-year budget cycle. This is encouraging news highlighting a significant economic recovery compared to the pandemic’s worst days. Despite the strong surplus number, we must confront the reality that too many Minnesotans continue to struggle.

This coming session, the Legislature should focus on helping working Minnesotans and those experiencing hardship have a brighter future. Instead, Republicans are calling for massive tax giveaways to the wealthy and large corporations. As long as COVID-19 is still looming, economic uncertainty will remain, in addition to Minnesotans’ health still remaining at risk. We also must note inflation isn’t accounted for in the forecast, and one-time money represents a sizable portion of the surplus. Still, lawmakers have an incredible opportunity to deliver the resources workers, students, and families are counting on to recover and keep our state moving in the right direction.

Resourceful

resourceful logo

While we prepare for holiday festivities with friends and family, for those already facing challenges, this time of year can be especially difficult. Earlier this year, Essentia Health partnered with about 20 other community organizations to launch Resourceful, a program with tools to support people in our community who may need a helping hand. Resourceful connects people in our community with food, shelter, health care, and other services for people and families like job searches and financial assistance. Learn more about the resources available and about how you might be able to assist their efforts here.

Again, I want to offer heartfelt wishes for a happy holiday season and all the best for you and your family in the new year. Please continue to stay in touch with your viewpoints, ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. Thank you for the honor to work as your public servant.

Sincerely,

Jen Schultz
State Representative