Dear Neighbors,
As session progresses I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the most pressing issues we are working on at the Capitol. Please complete the following survey to help me understand where you feel I should focus my efforts for the rest of session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021mn25b
MN Values Podcast
The Minnesota Values Podcast is a great way to get a more in depth look at the important legislation we are working on at the Capitol and to hear directly from DFL legislators. You can check out the first episode of the year here.
United Black Legislative Caucus members announce 2021 legislative priorities
This week, members of the United Black Legislative Caucus announced a 2021 legislative agenda aimed at eliminating racial inequities and helping Black Minnesotans bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. The priorities are aimed at addressing disparities regarding economic opportunity, housing, education, health and human services, public safety, transportation, and environmental justice. Click here to download a fact sheet, or watch video of the entire announcement here.
Next Virtual Town Hall – March 6
My Rochester colleague Rep. Tina Liebling and I invite you to join us for our next Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, March 6 at 10 a.m. You can either join us on Zoom (meeting ID: 971 0681 2112, passcode: 291465) or Facebook Live. The event is open to everyone in the community and all are welcome. You’re invited to submit questions ahead of time at bit.ly/March6TownHall.
Zoom Meeting with ISAIAH MN
Next Friday at 4pm I will attend a Zoom meeting with Rep. Lippert and ISAIAH MN as we discuss legislation around childcare. You can sign up for this event here.
On a related note, I introduced HF 1278 this week, this bill would establish a task force on early care, education affordability and workforce compensation. This bill would establish a goal for all families to have access to affordable, high-quality early care and education, for children from birth up to age five, that enriches, nurtures, and supports children and their families. The bill then defines accomplishing the goal as:
- creating a system under which no family pays more than seven percent of its income for early care and education;
- ensuring that a child's access to high-quality early care and education is not determined by the child's race, income, or zip code; and
- increasing compensation and professional development opportunities for the early care and education workforce.
Vaccine Connector
Yesterday, the state of Minnesota launched a new tool to help let Minnesotans know when they are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We are eager for everyone to be able to receive a vaccine as soon as possible, and luckily there are reasons to be optimistic that distribution will greatly accelerate soon, including substantial new orders from the federal government. The new Vaccine Connector will alert Minnesotans when they are eligible, connect you to resources to schedule an appointment, and notify you about vaccine opportunities near you. Learn more and sign up here. Assistance is also available over the phone at 833-431-2053.
Middle and High Students Back to the Classroom
This week Governor Walz announced a plan to have all middle and high schools offer in-person learning by March 8. The direct engagement students have with their teachers and peers is critical toward both their academic achievement and their development into young adults. This plan is possible thanks to the precautions we have all taken to slow the spread, and progress we’ve made to get folks vaccinated.
Having students back in the classroom is only one step toward rebounding from the pandemic. We must also work together to address learning loss over the past year, invest in critical wrap-around supports, and deliver necessary funding for school districts.
Stay in Touch
I always appreciate hearing from you, so please feel free to share your questions, ideas, and feedback. Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.liz.boldon@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-9249. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, you can also follow my Facebook page here.
It’s an honor to represent our community. Please be safe and stay in touch.
With gratitude and hope,
Liz
Rep.Liz Boldon, District 25B
533 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155