|
|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is an honor to once again represent the people District 34A at the State Capitol. While the first week of the 2021-22 Session was far from normal as the Capitol complex remains closed to staff and the public, it was still very busy and it was nice to see many of my colleagues.
This week we passed temporary House rules, confirmed the new committee structure, and members began working on bills for introduction. In addition to continuing to address COVID-related issues, two of the biggest priorities this year will be passing a two-year budget while addressing a projected $1.3 billion deficit, and passing a 10-year redistricting plan based on the 2020 census results. It is going to be a busy 5 months and the complex issues will likely will be more difficult for the public to follow as committees and floor sessions continue to be conducted remotely. I will do my best to keep you updated with this weekly newsletter.
|
|
Executive Summary
- Remote swearing-in and committee assignments for the 2021 legislative session.
- Amendment to end remote voting at the end of first year of biennium.
- Letter to Governor calling to end youth sports mask mandate.
- Hennepin County grant applications open until January 14.
- Events in Washington, D.C.
- New loosening of COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and events.
|
|
Remote Swearing-In
On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, the 92nd Session of the Minnesota Legislature began. I am so thankful to be able to serve a second term representing the wonderful people of Dayton, Maple Grove and Rogers! Swearing in via Zoom from our St. Paul offices was different, but still very humbling. I was happy that all of the newly-elected legislators of both parties were able to be on the House floor and be sworn in in person.
This session, I will serve on the Tax, Human Services Finance & Policy, and Judiciary Finance & Policy Committees. I look forward to working on the important issues these committees will address.
|
|
Amendment to End Remote Voting
|
In order to keep House Members and staff safe in these COVID times, only a limited number of Members have been allowed on the House Floor at a time since last March. Those who are unable to participate in the legislature's business in person participate online, including remote voting. We used voice-votes throughout 2020. Beginning this week, however, we are using an electronic remote voting system, which uses our fingerprint to verify our vote before we vote via computer.
Remote voting can be done safely from our offices in the State Office Building, as was shown during the swearing in ceremony, when we all had to be physically at “the seat of government” in St. Paul. Now that we are back in regular session, I think it is important for Members to be at the Capitol as much as possible to ensure transparency and provide opportunities to work together, while following all the requirements for masks and social distancing. Our staff and the public will continue to be out of the buildings, so there will still be relatively few people in the large Capitol complex.
It is my sincere hope that the full legislature can get back to business in person as quickly as is safely possible. We are able to serve our constituents and the state most effectively when we are able to meet as a body. The temporary rules of the House passed this week, however, order remote voting through the end of the 92nd Session in May, 2022. I believe providing for two full years of remote voting is unnecessarily long and will hamper transparent and effective functioning of state government.
On Thursday I offered an amendment to the rules which would instead end remote voting in May, 2021, at the end of the first year of the biennium. Had this amendment passed, we still would have been able to revisit safety protocols at the end of this first year, but it would have signaled our intent to return to in-person government by next January. Unfortunately, my amendment lost 63-70 on a party-line vote.
I will continue to update you on the status of remote voting and the meeting of the full House throughout this session. It is in the best interest of the constituents we serve to get back to normal business in the legislature as soon as possible.
|
|
|
Letter to Governor Ending Youth Sports Mask Mandate
I have heard many of your concerns about the youth sports mask mandate implemented by Gov. Walz. Guidance from the World Health Organization and CDC show that it is unnecessary for children to wear masks during physical exercise. I wrote a letter to the Governor signed by Minority Leader Kurt Daudt and 28 other colleagues urging him to remove this burdensome regulation.
You can read our letter here.
|
|
Hennepin County Grant Applications Are Now Open
The COVID relief package that my colleagues and I worked so hard to pass last month provides funding for small business and nonprofit grants. Applications are available until January 14th in Hennepin County to those eligible organizations that have been impacted by the pandemic. I urge impacted businesses and non-profits to find out more information and apply here.
There are also grant opportunities for convention centers and movie theaters.
|
|
New Loosening of COVID-19 Restrictions
On Wednesday, Gov. Walz loosened the current COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants and events. These new rules will take effect Monday, January 11, 2021, at midnight:
- Restaurants are allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity with a max of 150. Groups can include no more than six people, and tables must be spaced six feet apart. Bar service is allowed to resume to customers in groups of two. Restrictions on dining between 10PM and 4AM remain in place.
- Gyms remain capped at 25 percent, maximum capacity raised to 150, and classes can be increased to 25 people with distancing.
- Outdoor events and entertainment capacity remains at 25 percent with the maximum capacity raised to 250.
- Indoor entertainment and events (bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, etc.) may open at 25 percent with a cap of 150.
- Youth and adult sports games may resume January 14 with spectators subject to the same indoor entertainment restrictions.
- Pools are open at 25 percent capacity.
- Wedding receptions and other "private parties" may resume with limits. If food and drink is served there is a limit of two households or 10 people indoors and 3 households/15 people outdoors. If there is no food/drunk, they are covered by the event/entertainment restrictions.
- Churches remain open at 50 percent but the overall capacity limit has been lifted so there is no maximum.
|
|
Events in Washington, D.C.
Finally, like so many of Americans, I am shocked and saddened by the riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. this week. Many citizens have concerns about the way the election was conducted and I support their right to protest and to pursue legal means to present their case and grievances.
Anarchy, trespassing, destruction of public property, assault and rioting are not peaceful protests and are not constitutionally protected “free speech.” Just as I denounced the riots and destruction of our cities in the wake of George Floyd’s death, I denounce the riots and criminal destruction we witnessed in Washington, D.C. this week. Those who participated in this lawlessness should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
America was founded on an ideal – that free men and women can govern themselves through representative government and rule of law. That ideal is unique in the history of the world and has served us and the entire world well, even if imperfectly.
Anarchy is the antithesis of the rule of law and will lead to tyranny if we do not stand against it. All people of good will who love our country should oppose these acts of political violence and destruction of property, regardless of whether they come from the right or the left.
It is far better to work through the legislative and electoral process to achieve lasting election reform. I look forward to working on these issues.
|
|
Photos
 Being virtually sworn-in from my office. It may be different, but it is still an honor to represent you!
 Behind the scenes look at my swearing-in.
|
|
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 weekend!
Kristin
|
|
225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
|
|
|
|
