Legislative Update- April 30, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

We’re entering the final weeks of the legislative session, with all of our budget bills now passed off the House floor. Most of our work in the next week will be in conference committees made up of House and Senate members, where we’ll craft consensus legislation for our final budget bills.

Minnesota remains one of the only divided state legislatures in the nation, and while it’s certainly a challenge, it’s up to us to show that good governance can still take place by coming together and debating ideas. There will be areas of necessary compromise, just as there will be issues where we’ll need to hold firm. For my part, I’m honored to share that I’ll be serving on the Taxes Conference Committee. You can follow our work and watch the public meetings online here.

Health and Human Services Budget Passes

Late Monday, the Minnesota House passed its Health and Human Services Budget aimed at building a better health system for Minnesotans after the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget strengthens our public health systems, addresses health inequities, makes prescription drugs more affordable, and expands coverage for low-income Minnesotans. The bill also includes needed investments in affordable child care for Minnesota families. COVID-19 has highlighted how much Minnesotans count on affordable, high-quality health care, which is why I was proud to vote yes on this area of the budget.

Vaccine Update

56% of Minnesotans 16 and older have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and progress continues to improve daily. Johnson and Johnson vaccinations have resumed and more opportunities to get a shot at a community vaccine location are popping up every day. Here is a vaccine site in our district for you to share with your networks:

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hopkins (715 Minnetonka Mills Rd, Hopkins, MN 55343) is hosting a Pfizer vaccination clinic sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health and FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency this Sunday, May 2, from 1 to 4 p.m., for residents 16 years+.

To be eligible, you must live in one of the zip codes listed below. Second doses will be given on Sunday, May 23, from 1 to 4 p.m., and will be scheduled when you check in for your first dose.

Sign-up for the clinic here. Need a ride? Metro Transit is providing free round trip rides to state-sponsored vaccination clinics. More details are available at http://metrotransit.org/vaccine.

Eligible zip codes:

Hennepin County: 55343, 55344, 55369, 55404, 55405, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55414, 55415, 55418, 55420, 55422, 55423, 55425, 55426, 55427, 55428, 55429, 55430, 55443, 55444, 55445, 55454, 55455, 55467

REAL ID Deadline Extended

In a recent announcement from the Federal Government, the deadline to obtain a REAL ID has been extended by an additional 18 months to May 3, 2023. This will help relieve some of the pressure on our local Driver and Vehicle Services offices, which have been overwhelmed with requests to renew expired drivers licenses and vehicle registration tabs, and give Minnesotans more time to obtain this updated form of identification.

Beginning May 3, 2023, Minnesotans will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities. An enhanced driver's license or ID card, passport or passport card are acceptable substitutes. Simple vehicle tab renewals can be handled online in just a few minutes at the DVS website, so take advantage of that option if you can’t get an in-person appointment at a local Hennepin County Service Center.

Social Justice & Racial Equity Art-Walk:

Call for Artists

Artists and community members with connections to St. Louis Park are invited to create an artwork for the SLP Human Rights Commission Summer of Action Art-Walk around the themes of Social Justice and Racial Equity: reflection, memorial, healing, and commitment to action. Participants will receive a 24"x24" piece of plywood, acrylic paints and brushes (or you may use your own weather-proof materials). Artwork will be displayed along the trail at Wolfe Park beginning June 6 at the kickoff event of the HRC Summer of Action, a summer-long series of events to deepen knowledge and build capacity around social justice and racial equity issues.

Up to 30 participants will be selected to participate—participants who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color will be given priority. We welcome artwork from people of all ages as well as families working together, and recognize that understanding and expression of the project themes will vary based on age and lived experience. Sign up here! Registration will close on May 7.

Minnesota will Retain all 8

Congressional Seats

Census reporting was released earlier this week indicating that by a narrow count of 89 people, Minnesota will not lose any congressional seats. Kudos to everyone in our Hopkins and St. Louis Park communities for taking the time to make their voice counted in the U.S. Census to protect critical federal funding we all need for a strong and thriving Minnesota. The numbers that were released by the Census Bureau were over arching data to determine the number of congressional seats for each state. The more granular detail needed to draw senate district lines will be coming sometime at the end of August or early September.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. I am hopeful this will be our last remote legislative session; however, as we currently continue to operate like this for the remainder of session, email is the best way to reach me. Enjoy the sunshine.

Have a nice weekend!

Be well,

Cheryl Youakim

State Representative