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

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Legislative Update – May 1, 2020

Friday, May 1, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Today is the Who Cares for Us Day of Action. The initiative acknowledges and celebrates the workers who are caring for all of us during COVID-19 pandemic, including grocery store workers, janitors, caregivers, nurses, educators, and other frontline or essential employees who keep Minnesota going.

I filmed a short video to offer my thanks to these dedicated Minnesotans, many of whom are putting themselves at increased risk. Please watch it on my Facebook page.

whocaresforus

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced a modified version of the Stay at Home order will remain in place until May 18. Starting Monday, retail businesses can open for curbside pickup and delivery service. As we continue to gradually “turn the dials,” we must ensure Minnesotans – workers and customers alike – can be safe and healthy. The Governor’s COVID-19 update can be accessed here.


Boosting PCA Wages

PCA wages

My House DFL colleagues and I have assembled a COVID-19 Economic Security Agenda. As we take the next steps in addressing the pandemic, we’re looking to build a stronger, safer, healthier Minnesota when we emerge from this crisis.

I’m the chief author of one significant provision of this package to deliver a temporary 15 percent rate increase for Personal Care Assistance (PCA) services during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also makes other program modifications to help ensure vulnerable Minnesotans get the care they need. Minnesota PCAs perform challenging work day in and day out to ensure people with disabilities, older adults, and others who may be vulnerable can live with dignity. The people providing these critical services put their hearts and souls into their jobs. Especially during this pandemic – when they are putting themselves at higher risk of exposure – they deserve to be paid a living wage. This legislation is part of a longer-term effort to increase PCA wages, and I remain committed to ensuring we’re able to recruit and retain dedicated Minnesotans in these critical positions.


Economic Security for Low-Income Minnesotans and Small Businesses

MFIP

By and large, federal assistance prioritized by the Trump Administration has gone to large corporations. While unemployment insurance and other assistance is available to many people, there are many low-income Minnesotans struggling during this crisis. Another portion of our economic security agenda will provide a one-time supplemental Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) payment of up to $500 per household to help protect family economic security during the COVID-19 pandemic. MFIP helps families with children meet their basic needs while helping parents move to financial stability through work. By investing in low-income families, we can help ensure they’re able to navigate this public health crisis and once we emerge from it, succeed and thrive.

We’re also supporting a package of forgivable loans for small and minority-owned businesses to ensure they can weather the storm and continue to be there for our communities after the pandemic.


Protecting Access to Democracy During COVID-19

Recently, Wisconsin held a primary election where voters were forced to appear in person at their polling place to vote, despite a stay at home order during the pandemic. This is unacceptable, and unfortunately, dozens of voters and election personnel have become afflicted with COVID-19 as a result.

In Minnesota, we need to do everything we can to avoid a similar scenario and ensure everyone can access democracy fairly. I enthusiastically support legislation to implement a vote by mail mechanism for the 2020 primary and general elections. Everyone deserves to participate in the fundamental civic duty of voting, and they deserve to do so without putting their health or safety at risk.


Please visit the state COVID-19 Dashboard for all the latest in our effort to fight this pandemic. The Minnesota House website has links to resources and other helpful information as well. Also, continue to contact me directly if I can be of help. My email is rep.jennifer.schultz@house.mn and phone number is 651-296-2228. It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Jen Schultz
State Representative