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Dear Neighbors,
Earlier this month, Minnesota Management and Budget released the state’s latest economic forecast, projecting a $7.7 billion positive fund balance. The forecast is very good news for Minnesotans, not just because it shows a strong economy and replenishes the state’s rainy day fund, but because it enables our state to lend a hand to those that have yet to feel the benefits of a recovering Minnesota. Now is the time to invest in working families - the people who made our economy strong in the first place.
We need to provide support and relief to small businesses, we need to lower the cost and increase the accessibility of childcare, and we need to lower the cost of healthcare. That’s what I’ll be fighting for next session to meet this moment and expand economic opportunity for all Minnesotans in a meaningful and lasting way. You can read more about the state’s economic forecast here.
What do you think we should be prioritizing?
Boosters Available for All
I encourage everyone 16 and older who is fully vaccinated to get their booster to protect against the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as well as the Delta variant. If you aren’t vaccinated, you can still get vaccinated and join the 78% of eligible Minnesotans who have received the shots.
As we enter holiday season, we can renew our commitment to care for one another (and ourselves), by getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.
Continued thanks to our health care providers and all who continue care for us through the pandemic.
How Minnesotans can get their free shot:
- Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
- Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
- Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
- Walk in to or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites. I got my son vaccinated at the community vaccination site at the Mall of America, and the whole process was extremely smooth.
- Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline
- 1-833-431-2053
- Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 7:00pm & Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm
How Minnesotans can get a COVID-19 test:
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 resources available to our community, please feel free to reach out to me.
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Minnesota House Internship Program
The Minnesota House will be administering a remote Undergraduate Internship Program for the 2022 legislative session. For a detailed description of the program click on the following link: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sergeant/internship
They have developed an educational component that will consist of two offerings, both of which will be interactive and conducted via the Zoom platform: the Ideas and Issues Forum will use a variety of formats to provide the interns with a window into the House, the legislature, and state government. Profiles in Public Service will be a series of interviews with House Members, staff members, and guests from the executive and judicial branches focused on serving the greater good.
Applications close January 7th, 2022.
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Governor Walz in the District
On December 15th, Governor Walz stopped in Robbinsdale to visit the new water treatment plant, which is still under construction. This facility is supported with Public Facilities Authority funding that was part of the Local Jobs and Projects Plan that we worked on last year. Thank you to our water treatment workers, the behind-the-scenes workers that keep our community's water clean and drinkable.
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Merry Christmas!
I hope you and yours have a safe, healthy, and warm holiday season. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule is now in place, ensuring we all stay warm this winter. If you or someone you know is having trouble paying an electricity or gas bill, you can find helpful information on the Public Utility Commission’s website.
As always, feel free to contact me at rep.mike.freiberg@house.mn with any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mike Freiberg
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