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Neighbors and Friends,
This week, the House advanced our Economic Security package that invests in housing, health care, economic security, education and healthy communities. The $100 million housing investment will assist Minnesota renters, homeowners, and landlords. In addition to support for rent and mortgages, qualified applicants can receive help paying utility bills and property taxes. The proposal has received broad support, ranging from the Homes for All Coalition, representing 250 Minnesota housing organizations, to the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association, which represents property management companies throughout the state. You can read my statement here.
Also, this week, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released an updated budget, projecting a $2.426 billion deficit in the current biennium. Thanks to smart management in the last decade, the executive and legislative branches shored up the state’s cash flow account to $350 million and $2.359 billion in the budget reserves. Minnesota has also received nearly $2 billion in federal aid to help provide economic security to get through the COVID-19 crisis.
This is certainly a very difficult time, but we do have resources to respond to the effects of this extraordinary interruption. If we stay home, socially distance and abide by Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, we will get through this together.
Housing
For many, housing insecurity is a real issue. The homelessness problem doesn’t go away. Expanding the amount of affordable housing has been not only a focus of my legislative work, but a core belief. As chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Division, and other committees, I have had a front row seat to the victories and defeats of navigating housing proposals through the legislature.
This week I took part in three events with our affordable housing friends; Habitat for Humanity, Minnesota Housing Partnership and the Homes for All. I’m honored to partner with these excellent advocates whose life work is to ensure safe, affordable and secure housing for everyone. Even as we face these challenging circumstances, we will continue the fight to make sure everyone has a safe place to call home.
Long-term care facility announcement
Governor Walz has unveiled a new 5-point plan to support our long-term care facilities, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read more about the plan here.
Elective surgeries to resume
Gov. Walz signed an executive order allowing the resumption of certain elective surgeries. Read about this and all Gov. Walz’s executive orders here.
Election security and help for hourly school workers
This week the House approved legislation that allows the state to receive federal funds from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and additional measures to ensure Minnesota’s elections remain safe and secure. In addition to improving accessibility and modernizing election security, HAVA funds will be used to ensure the health and safety of election officials and in-person voters. This includes preparation for increased absentee voting, new polling place locations, the purchase of sanitation and disinfectant supplies, and public outreach for implementing social distancing guidelines related to voting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, additional funds were made available for virus-specific measures through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
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The House also approved the COVID-19 response legislation for hourly school workers. The legislation provides compensation for hourly school employees and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices as a result of COVID-19 related school closures and the conversion to distance learning programs.
This week we marked Teacher Appreciation Week. Educators have gone the extra mile while facing unique challenges. The work our teachers are doing are making a difference for our students across the state and we thank them!
National Nurses Day was also observed this week. Nurses are heroes every day, but during the pandemic we want to express our deep gratitude more than ever for all they do.
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I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can call me at (651) 296-3824 or send an email at rep.alice.hausman@house.mn.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Alice
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