Friday, February 25th, 2022 --
At long last, after months of negotiating the Frontline Workers Pay Bill and empty promises by Governor Walz to call a Special Session, HF2900 finally made its way to the House Floor this Thursday. While I certainly agree that we should reward those who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, I do not believe the answer lies in socialistic wealth redistribution schemes that do nothing to promote long term economic growth.
Rather than $250 million dollars that was being negotiated before, HF2900 would distribute $1 BILLION dollars to all those that qualify as a “frontline worker.”
Over the past months I have personally spoken with and interviewed hundreds of healthcare workers regarding this bill and the mandates, and EVERY person I have spoken with agrees that they would rather keep their jobs than accept a small sum of money from the government and be left with no means of supporting themselves and their families going forward.
I have been leading on this fight from the very beginning. COVID Vaccine mandates are not only unconstitutional, they’re anti-scientific because they don’t stop the transmission of COVID or prevent people from contracting COVID. That’s why I drafted another Stop Vaccine Mandates amendment to HF2900 that would stop vaccine mandates and nullify any attempts from the federal government to mandate vaccines in Minnesota.
I brought up my amendment to this bill on Thursday, but when I asked for a roll call vote, only 6 other Republicans provided the support needed to get a roll call vote. A roll call vote allows us to know how every single legislator voted on the amendment. Support is needed from 15 legislators to get a roll call vote but only 6 were willing to help fight vaccine mandates.
While so many representatives and senators give rousing speeches about stopping vaccine mandates, their actions speak otherwise. This is one of the single most important issues we are facing right now, and most republicans refuse to do anything about it. Republicans control the Senate! Where is their leadership in this fight? Where is the leadership from the majority of republicans in the House?
I encourage everyone to contact their local legislators and let them know you are watching and that you expect them to not only TALK tough, but to ACT.
MEETING WITH SHAKOPEE STUDENTS
Amidst all the chaos that ensued on the House Floor yesterday, I enjoyed meeting with students from Shakopee to discuss their interests and future careers, as well as their roles in CTSO HOSA. Unfortunately, because the State Office Building is still currently closed to the public, we had to meet via zoom, but I am excited for March 21st when you will be able to make in person appointments.
You can watch my weekly update here.
Remember if you want to be politically respected, you must be politically feared,
Erik Mortensen
State Representative, 55A
CONTACT:
As always, if you need help or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my office. We are still attempting to provide regular contact remotely so if you have other needs, please email my Legislative Assistant, Bridget, at Bridget.Williams@house.mn
Watch the Minnesota House on Public TV
Video: Streaming Website. Also you can watch committees and Floor Sessions on YouTube.