Dear Northlanders,

I want to wish President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris all the best following their inauguration today. They have a big job ahead of them as our country continues to face significant challenges. While this is a day of celebration for the new Commander in Chief, today also represents the peaceful transition of power, a fundamental bedrock of our republic.

Right now, it’s no secret our nation is divided. While Americans will certainly disagree on policy, we must come together in the best interests of our nation to ensure everyone can get through these difficult times and have a strong future.

Investments in Broadband

Today, the House Industrial Education and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee held a hearing about my legislation to improve broadband internet access throughout the state. The bill would invest $120 million over the next two years, the amount recommended by the Governor’s Broadband Task Force. While COVID-19 has put a new spotlight on the problems many Minnesotans in rural areas are facing, they aren’t new.

In law, our state has a speed goal of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload by 2022. Time is running out, and we need to take bold steps to not only meet these benchmarks, but to prepare for our next generation of connectivity goals. We’ve heard too many stories of students doing homework in fast food restaurant parking lots, their parents trying to telecommute with a connection that’s too slow and unstable, and grandparents that must travel – in some cases long distances – instead of staying home safely to take advantage of telemedicine services. You can watch the hearing and learn more about this critical legislation here.

Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline

Farming is a stressful occupation. Due to a variety of circumstances, farmers often feel heavy weights on their shoulders, and while they work extremely hard, there is frequently a great deal out of their control. Fear, uncertainty, and familial frustrations can lead to significant stress. COVID-19 has compounded many of these difficulties.

Today, in the House Agriculture Committee, we received an update on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s mental health outreach efforts to farmers and farm families. If you or someone you know needs a listening ear, or legal or financial advice, confidential help is available. The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline can be reached by phone at 833-600-2670, by texting FARMSTRESS to 898211, or through email at farmstress@state.mn.us. Click here for more information and helpful resources.

COVID-19 Update

The Minnesota Department of Health will operate a temporary COVID-19 testing site at Bob Walls Memorial Union Hall in International Falls beginning tomorrow, Thursday, January 21 through Saturday, January 23. Appointments aren't required, but they are encouraged, here. The tests are free, and results are available within 48-72 hours. If you have symptoms, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or work somewhere with high exposure, you should get tested. More information on Minnesota’s testing strategy is available here.

The COVID-19 vaccine is currently being distributed in phases, with health care workers and long-term care residents currently getting shots. Last week, the state launched a new dashboard to detail the progress of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The dashboard presents a variety of key data in a visual and user-friendly way, including the number of vaccine doses allocated to the state by the federal government, the number shipped to Minnesota providers, and the number ultimately administered to Minnesotans. The dashboard will be updated daily at 11 a.m.

Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Health began a pilot program for Minnesotans 65 or older, teachers, school staff, and child care workers. The program is currently in nine clinic locations across the state, and the effort will hopefully put us in a position to quickly develop community vaccination clinics and events – similar to what we have now with testing – once we get the vaccine in a greater supply. More info on this effort is available here.

Economic Assistance

The Minnesota Department of Revenue issued $67.3 million in COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to 3,891 eligible businesses in Minnesota. The relief payments were part of the bipartisan legislation lawmakers approved in December to help restaurants, bars, gyms, and other venues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation also delivers direct funding to all of Minnesota’s 87 counties to set up local grant relief programs.

Businesses that didn’t receive a payment but think they meet the program criteria can contact the department. An online inquiry process is available through Friday, February 5. An additional round of payments will be made after that date for businesses that qualify.

Please continue to contact me with your feedback and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund
State Representative