Neighbors and Friends, This week in the Housing Finance & Policy committee, we began finalizing our Omnibus Housing bill. We have so many housing needs across the state and our bill makes historic investments, so all Minnesotans have access to affordable, available housing. You can watch Housing committee action on the House of Representatives’ YouTube Channel.  Supporting Workers This week we passed several pro-worker bills on the House floor, including legislation ratifying the 2020-21 state employee labor contracts. We also approved legislation to protect and empower Minnesota’s warehouse workers and to address practices which have led to high injury rates at Amazon facilities. No one should be concerned about getting injured while at their workplace. Lastly, legislation was approved to require Minnesota employers to provide workers Earned Sick and Safe Time. The legislation would ensure, at a minimum, one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year and can be used to attend to physical and mental health needs – including illness, injury, or a doctor’s appointment – for workers and their family members. This legislation is needed because all workers should be able to take a day off if they are hurt, or sick or if a loved one is hurt or sick. Upwards of 900,000 Minnesota workers, including two-thirds of workers in the lowest wage positions, lack access to paid time off.  COVID-19 Update This week, the FDA authorized a second booster shot for Americans over 50 and for those 12 years and older who are immunocompromised. Following the FDA’s announcement, the CDC expanded eligibility for an additional booster dose for certain higher risk individuals. Second boosters for all Americans will be evaluated. You can read more from the U of M Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) here. Considering dropping COVID-19 numbers and fewer positive tests and serious illnesses, Minnesota is changing its testing strategy, gradually moving away from saliva tests toward rapid at-home tests. Minnesota households are now eligible to receive two test kits (for a total of four tests) per home through the mail at mn.gov/covid19. Minnesota has secured 500,000 test kits (for a total of 1 million at-home tests) and the program will be available until all the test kits are ordered. You can also order free rapid at-home tests from the federal government at CovidTests.gov. Getting a test is still recommended if you have symptoms, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, after traveling, or if you’ve attended a high-risk event.  __________ Staying Connected You can watch legislative sessions and committee hearings by going to this link on the Minnesota House of Representatives website. The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services also offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, you can utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website. I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can call me at (651) 296-3824 or email me at rep.alice.hausman@house.mn. Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature. Sincerely, Alice |