Dear Neighbors,
The 2022 session started last week. While Minnesota is faring well broadly, I have heard from many in our community who are struggling. I will work with my colleagues to pass economic legislation which will prioritize workers, families and local businesses. I am also returning as the Chair of the Local Government Division, where I will work to pass common sense reforms to ensure that local governments are funded appropriately and run effectively.
Lawns to Legumes
Applications for the Lawns to Legumes program are now being accepted, with the final due date being February 15. This program helps Minnesotans grow pollinator friendly habitats right on their lawns. Our pollinators are critical to the health of Minnesota’s natural environment and this program is a great way to increase their habitat. You can learn more about the program, and apply to participate here.
National Gun Violence Survivors Week
Last week was National Gun Violence Survivors week, which makes the recent high profile shooting incidents all the more tragic. We must continue to fight for common sense gun control so we can stop living in fear of increased gun violence.
By early February, more people are killed with guns in the United States than are killed with guns in other high-income countries in an entire year. All told, 58 percent of American adults, including 68 percent of Black and Hispanic Americans, are survivors of gun violence, either experiencing gun violence themselves or caring for someone who has experienced gun violence in their lifetimes. You can read and share stories of gun violence survival here.
ERA
The Equal Rights Amendment is now the 28th amendment of the United States, but we now need the Minnesota constitution to comply with this amendment and guarantee equal rights. It’s been more than 100 years since women fought and achieved the right to vote. Yet, we still don’t have equality in so many areas of our lives like pay inequity, gender violence, and discrimination that women still face every single day. Minnesota can only truly be a great state if every one of its residents are treated equally.
COVID-19 Update
The ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ vaccine incentive program to encourage families in Minnesota to get their kids 5- to 11-years-old fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is still ongoing. It is paramount that we vaccinate our children so they can learn in person as much as possible. You can learn more about the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ program here. Here are some important details on the incentives:
- Families in Minnesota who get their 5 to 11 year olds fully vaccinated in January and February can get a $200 Visa gift card. To be eligible, kids in Minnesota ages 5-11 must receive their first and second dose between January 1 and February 28. Registration will open at 10:00am on January 24, 2022 and close at 11:59pm on February 28, 2022. Learn more here.
- Later this spring, there will be drawings for five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings for all 5-11 year olds who are fully vaccinated. Details will be released soon.
Families in Minnesota can visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find local vaccine clinics. Families can also check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or local pharmacy about appointments. In addition, please be sure to watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.
The federal government is now offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to every household. As the COVID-19 omicron variant continues to spread across our state, testing frequently and isolating if positive are some of the best preventative measures after getting vaccinated. Get your free tests 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