St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed two bills. The first, HF 3429, would allow for the utilization of federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds, and additional measures to ensure Minnesota’s elections remain safe and secure. The second, HF 4415, provides compensation for hourly school employees who have been impacted by school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. State Representative Todd Lippert (DFL - Northfield), in addition to being a co-author of HF 4415, voted in favor of both bills.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s imperative that we support the Minnesotans being impacted right now and prepare for how this might impact our communities in the future,” said Rep. Lippert. “We don’t know what the status of COVID-19 will be during the August primary or the November election, but Minnesota needs to utilize the tools at our disposal to make sure our voters, and the integrity of the vote, are protected. More can still be done, but this bill is a step in the right direction.”
In addition to improving accessibility and modernizing election security, HF 3429 would better ensure the health and safety of election officials and in-person voters. This includes preparation for increased absentee voting, new polling place locations, the purchase of sanitation and disinfectant supplies, and public outreach for implementing social distancing guidelines related to voting.
“Like many frontline workers, our schools’ hourly employees are providing essential services to our communities during this pandemic. They deserve the economic security of a steady paycheck during the school year, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this bill.”
HF 4415 also addresses school finance formula glitches resulting from the conversion to the distance learning model. The legislation creates and legislatively approves certain waivers of state law regarding assessments, graduation and course requirements, and potential licensure issues faced by prospective and current teachers.
Video of today’s House floor debate is available here.
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