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

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Legislative Update – November 22, 2021

Monday, November 22, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

As cold weather begins to take over and flurries start to fly, I hope fall is treating you well. I also hope you and your family have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s an update.

COVID-19 Update

I wish there was more promising news to deliver regarding COVID-19, but unfortunately, case counts continue to rise, while hospital capacity is once again being pushed to the maximum. Those with non-COVID-related conditions are now facing lengthy waits for emergency care. To emerge from this crisis, it’s critically important for as many people as possible to be vaccinated, as everyone age 5 or older is now eligible. If you haven’t yet received your vaccine, or have been hesitant or skeptical, please make plans to get your shot. It’s safe, effective, and helps prevent serious illness and hospitalization. A map of locations offering the vaccine is available here, along with information on availability for children and teens.

Friday, the CDC approved booster shots for all adults aged 18 or older. If it’s been six months or longer since you’ve received your initial vaccine series, please consider getting a booster shot to increase the vaccine’s efficacy. More information about boosters is available here.

Heating Assistance Available

As we head toward winter with temperatures continuing to fall, everyone deserves to have a warm home. On October 1, Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) took effect. The CWR protects people from electricity and natural gas shutoffs during the coldest period of the year. If you’re behind on energy bills, the CWR allows you to enter a payment plan with your natural gas or electric provider. Visit the Public Utilities Commission website for more information.

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program helps families pay for current and past-due bills for electricity, gas, oil, biofuel and propane, emergency fuel delivery, and repair/replacement of homeowners’ broken heating systems. Starting this year, the program has been expanded to include water and sewer bills. Over $130 million in federal funding for this program is available with over 600,000 households eligible. More information is available from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

2022 Redistricting

Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, lawmakers are charged with developing new congressional and legislative maps to reflect changing populations. I serve on the House Redistricting Committee, and we’re committed to ensuring new maps are fair and to the extent possible, keep communities together. We’ve heard input from interested Minnesotans across the state, and recently took our first action by approving a series of principles to guide our work. 

Friday, the House Redistricting Committee met to learn about a House proposal for legislative districts. Next week, we will consider a proposal for new congressional district maps. As we move forward, other lawmakers will propose ideas too. On December 1 and 2, our committee will hold a pair of listening sessions to gather input about the proposals. If you’re interested in this process, please follow along on our committee webpage. In the House, our goal is to reach an agreement on a plan that can earn approval from the House, Senate, and Governor Walz. In case we can’t reach an agreement, the Minnesota Supreme Court has appointed a special judicial panel to enact new boundaries, and that group is gathering input and information on a dual track to the Legislature.

Opportunities to Serve

If you’re interested in providing your voice to our community, the Local Mental Health Advisory Council in southern St. Louis County is seeking volunteers to serve on the panel. Ideal candidates include anyone with lived experience and diverse experiences and perspectives, a loved one with lived experience, and those in the profession or who do volunteer work supporting others. The council’s goal is to bring together diverse perspectives on mental health in order to improve mental health services in our communities. The council meets once per month. More information and application instructions are available here.

Additionally, there are numerous state boards, councils, and commissions with openings giving Minnesotans opportunities to lend their voice and expertise. A full list is available here. If you’re interested in any of these positions, I strongly encourage you to apply.

Please continue to stay in touch with your viewpoints, ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. Thank you for the honor to work as your public servant.

Sincerely,

Jen Schultz
State Representative