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Dear Neighbors,
It’s an honor to serve our community at the State Capitol. The legislative session began in January, and I am now reaching out for your feedback on the issues that we are discussing this year.
As your Representative, I am committed to ensuring that the State of Minnesota supports all residents as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19. I am focused on policies that will increase access to health care, ensure public safety, work for quality education, expand protections for working families, and create targeted job training and workforce development to ensure economic opportunity and security for all.
I invite you to complete the following survey and let me know what you hope to see at the legislature this session. Feel free to get in touch with me anytime. I appreciate hearing from you!
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Reduced COVID-19 Restrictions in MN Starting Today
Beginning on today, Minnesotans can safely gather with more friends and loved ones and do more to support small businesses harmed the most by COVID-19. Governor Walz and public health officials say restrictions can be eased because Minnesotans are following public health guidelines, hospitalizations are falling, and the state is weeks ahead of schedule on vaccinations. Nearly 1.2 million Minnesotans and more than 70 percent of seniors have gotten a shot. Click here to watch Gov. Walz’s news conference announcing the changes, or click here to read coverage from the Star Tribune.
 Reduced restrictions starting today (March 15th) will include the following:
- Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor gatherings, both without household limits.
- Wedding ceremonies and religious services: No percentage or capacity limits. Social distancing and masks required.
- Bars and restaurants: Increasing allowable occupancy to 75%, up from 50%, with a limit of 250 people. The limit applies separately indoors and outdoors. Bar seating increases to parties of 4.
- Salons/barbers: No percentage or capacity limits, but social distancing and masks required.
- Gyms/fitness centers/pools: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%.
As summer nears, Minnesotans want to be more active: to go to a baseball game or a soccer match or a reception or other celebration. With the progress we’ve made, we can adjust guidelines for venues. All venues can open at 50% capacity up to 250 people as of March 15. Venues with capacity over 500 can add additional guests, effective April 1:
- Seated outdoor venues can add an additional 25% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Non-seated outdoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Seated indoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 3,000 people.
- Non-seated indoor venues can add an additional 10% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 1,500 people.
Effective April 15, work from home will be strongly recommended for those who can, BUT not required. All employers should continue to accommodate employees who wish to work from home and must provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.
- Minnesotans should keep wearing masks. We know that masks work.
- Continue to socially distance.
- All of our guidance still requires venues to maintain 6 feet of distance between guests or groups to reduce the spread of the virus.
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 Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act
Since taking effect last July, the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy has reported that 465 Minnesotans have obtained access to life-saving insulin thanks to the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.
This is one small, but significant step forward in our efforts to make lifesaving medication affordable to anyone who needs it. It’s also a tangible example of what we can do for people when we work together on bipartisan solutions for Minnesotans.
If you or anyone you know might need an urgent need of a 30-day supply of affordable insulin, please visit MNinsulin.org where you can see if you qualify, download the application, and learn how to apply today.
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Women's History Month: Minnesota Civil Rights Icon
Josie Robinson Johnson is an American community organizer and activist for African American rights. Described by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as the "First Lady of Minnesota Civil Rights," she was instrumental in the success of a fair housing bill in Minnesota in 1962. You can read more about her here.
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Nominate a Clergy to Give a Prayer at the Capitol.
Do you have a clergy member at your place of worship that you would like to honor by having them join us virtually at the House of Representatives to give the opening prayer during the 2021 Legislative Session this Spring?
Please email nominations with the clergy contact information to: Dan.Dodge@house.mn
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