|
|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you all have great Independence Day plans set with friends and family and enjoy the long weekend! This year will no doubt be a little different than most 4th of July celebrations, but we still have so much to celebrate as Americans!
America is still the greatest country on earth and the American dream is still alive and well, despite the pandemic! I have spoken with dozens, if not hundreds, of small business owners over the last three months - from our district, from Greater MN, and from the areas in Minneapolis and St. Paul destroyed by the arson, looting and riots. Regardless of where they live or the type of business they run, these entrepreneurs have a lot in common. They believe in their dream, are finding creative ways to keep selling their product or service safely, and they want to fully reopen, provide jobs and grow again. This determined, entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and should be celebrated.
Our freedoms and the rule of law have enabled the innovation that have allowed us to develop inventions, products and technologies that have dramatically improved life and health, not only for our people, but for billions around the world. We still have real work to do to ensure that every American is included and has the opportunity to succeed, and we will continue to work for justice and opportunity for all as the American Experiment continues. We must continue to strive for the ideal inscribed by the Founders on the Great Seal of the United State seal in 1782 - E Pluribus Unum – “Out of many, One.”
If you have never done so, I encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence this July 4th. We read it to our children several times over the years and were always glad when we took the time to do so —even if they weren’t always big fans! 😃
|
|
Executive Summary
- Stopping Spread of COVID – Update on Facemasks
- Small Business Grant Deadline - Thursday at 5:00 PM
- Rent Assistance for Hennepin County
-
Expired Driver’s License Extension
- Early voting for August 11th Primary has begun!
- New Laws Take Effect
|
|
Stopping Spread of COVID-19
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been confusion and controversy over wearing facemasks. I wanted to share my view, based on data I have reviewed, which I admit is not exhaustive! Although there have been contradictory statements by leaders and the CDC since the beginning of the pandemic, there seems to be strong evidence and emerging consensus that wearing face masks can help slow the spread of the virus.
A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of American (PNAS) found that:
“..Our results show that the airborne transmission route is highly virulent and dominant for the spread of COVID-19. The mitigation measures are discernible from the trends of the pandemic. Our analysis reveals that the difference with and without mandated face covering represents the determinant in shaping the trends of the pandemic. This protective measure significantly reduces the number of infections. Other mitigation measures, such as social distancing implemented in the United States, are insufficient by themselves in protecting the public…”
Wearing facemasks can help and I try to wear one in public, particularly indoors, as much as possible, out of respect for others, to be a good neighbor and to do whatever I can to slow the spread of the virus. I share the concerns of many who have contacted me about government overreach, loss of freedom, etc., which is why I encourage voluntary wearing of facemasks.
I am concerned that if we start to see a big spike in cases, it could reverse the hard-won gains we have made in re-opening the economy and activities, such as youth sports. If voluntarily wearing a facemask will enable us to not go back to “stay-at-home” orders and business closures, we should do it. This virus is expected to be with us for another 9-12 months and we need to find ways to live with it without reverting to lockdown measures.
So, whatever your plans are for the long weekend, please consider wearing a mask if you are in public, particularly indoors. Our numbers are headed in the right direction but we should stay vigilant so we don’t have a spike in cases and have the economy show down again. To that end, here’s a reminder of the current CDC/MDH guidelines and a link to testing locations if you think you may have COVID-19.
-
Wear masks when in public. Wearing a mask has been shown to lower the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
-
Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time. Enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends
-
Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms - Find testing locations.
- Stay six feet away from others whenever possible.
|
|
Small Business Grant Deadline
Tomorrow, July 2nd at 5:00, is the final day for applications to the small business grant program for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. I strongly encourage any small businesses in Rogers, Dayton, and Maple Grove that are eligible to apply.
Apply here: mnhouse.gop/SmallBizGrants
The program will provide $10,000 grants to small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. Half of the funding will go to businesses in Greater Minnesota and half to businesses in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area.
Rental Assistance
If you need help paying rent, Hennepin County is offering emergency rent assistance for low-income households who have lost income due to COVID-19.
If you’ve fallen behind on rent or utilities or are worried about making payments on time this month, apply now for Hennepin County rental assistance.
Rent is still due during the statewide moratorium on evictions as part of Governor Walz’s emergency declaration. Don’t let unpaid rent add up. You may be at risk of eviction if you are behind on payments, when the state of emergency ends.
Apply as soon as possible to ensure you receive adequate support in time. Learn more and apply at www.hennepin.us/rent-help.
|
|
Expired Driver’s Licenses
If you are like me, your driver’s license may be expired! I’ve had a few calls on this lately, so I wanted to make sure everyone has accurate information. If your Driver’s License has expired since March 13th, it is still considered valid. Driver’s Licenses that expire between March 13 and July 31 are valid until September 30. Out of state licenses may be used in Minnesota for more than 60 days. If you are flying, TSA will accept a driver’s license that has expired since March as valid identification.
It’s never too early to start making your in-person appointment to get it renewed, however. You can find out how to make an appointment and fill out the online portion of the application through this link: www.hennepin.us/residents/licenses-certificates-permits/drivers-licenses
Early Voting for August 11th Primary has Begun
Minnesota has one of the most expansive early voting systems in the country. Early voting for the August 11th Primary runs June 26-August 10. You can vote early in person or by absentee ballot.
Absentee Ballot: https://www.hennepin.us/residents/elections/absentee-voting
In-Person Early Voting: Check with each city for in-person absentee voting hours.
Dayton: June 26-August 10 12260 S Diamond Lake Road, Dayton, MN 55327 www.cityofdaytonmn.com/government/elections/ 763-421-1791
Maple Grove: August 4 - August 10 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway N, Maple Grove, MN 55369 www.maplegrovemn.gov/about/elections/absentee-voting 763-494-6947
Rogers: In-person absentee voting is not available
Please take time to vote early or in-person on August 11th!
|
|
New Laws in Effect - July 1, 2020
A handful of new laws and parts of others passed during this year's regular legislative session will take effect July 1, 2020, including part of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act and tractor safety.
This information can be accessed here.
Summaries of all laws passed by the 2020 Legislature are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services here.
Photos
Public Hearing with colleagues on Jobs Committee to hear from small business owners in Minneapolis looking to rebuild.
More from the Jobs Committee hearing.
Celebrating the accomplishments of the Maple Grove Lions Club - they do so much great work for our community!
From the Maple Grove Lions Club celebration
Tony is 92 and celebrated 57 years with the Lions - and still going strong!
Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance. My office phone number is 651-296-7806 or by email at rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. My office is located on the second floor of the State Office Building in room 225.
Have a great Independence Day Weekend!
Kristin
|
|
225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
|
|
|
|
