Legislative Update - Vaccine Eligibility Opens Up

Dear Neighbors, 

Thank you to everyone that joined us earlier this month for the latest virtual update from your District 45 legislators. We had a lot of great conversations about education, criminal justice, ranked-choice voting, and our efforts to see Minnesota through the COVID-19 pandemic. If you weren’t able to join us, you can watch a recording of the town hall below, or read the Sun Post’s summary.

Save the date for our next District 45 Town Hall, which will be on Saturday, April 10, at 11am. I’ll share the Zoom login information as we get closer to that date - stay tuned. 

Vaccine Eligibility Opens Up Today

Starting today, all Minnesotans age 16 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of their health status or occupation. At-risk Minnesotans will still be prioritized, and supplies still aren’t meeting demand, so eligibility doesn’t necessarily mean your first dose will be accessible in the coming days. An increased supply of vaccine is expected from the federal government in early April, which will certainly help, but patience and diligence will be needed in the coming weeks as many of us wait for our first available appointment.

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, I encourage you to check out Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool to help people find out when, where, and how to get a vaccine. It can let you know when you’re eligible to be vaccinated, connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment, and alert you if there are vaccine opportunities nearby. To sign up, visit mn.gov/vaccineconnector or call 833-431-2053. Minnesotans can also contact their healthcare provider, local pharmacy or use the Vaccine Locator Map to search for vaccine providers in their area.

Fighting for Students and Working Families

Last week was a busy one in the Minnesota House, with notable work taking place on the House floor as we passed several bills aimed at assisting those who have sacrificed and struggled during the pandemic. The first bill we passed off the House floor was our Summer Learning Plan. This package of legislation would invest in summer programs for students of various ages, field trips and hands-on learning, mental health services, and more. It will help meet students’ academic and emotional needs and make sure they have the tools to succeed as we move forward. 

Later in the week, we passed several bills aimed at assisting the working Minnesotans whose economic insecurities have either been laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic, or were put in financial jeopardy. We passed the Preventing Discrimination Act and legislation extending worker’s compensation benefits for public safety and health care workers, establishing Earned Sick and Safe Time for all Minnesotans, and providing assistance for laid off hospitality and service sector workers - which I co-authored.

Stay Connected

This week is the Legislature’s Easter and Passover Break, with no official committee hearings or floor sessions taking place until April 6. Now if a great time to touch base with any questions or comments you may have on our work in the Minnesota House. You can contact me at rep.mike.freiberg@house.mn and at (651) 296-4176. (E-mail is preferred). I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

Mike Freiberg

State Representative