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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Bundle up! It's going to be a cold weekend — we may even be setting some wind chill records. It may be a good time to stay home. (If only we haven’t been doing that for a long while. 😊)
It was another busy week at the legislature read about it below!
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Returning Students to the Classroom
Distance learning has impacted school-aged children all across our state, whether it’s been from lack of broadband or technology tools, family resources and time, and learning styles. Working parents are struggling with not having their kids in school and the disjointedness of school schedules is interrupting the learning process. Kids need routine and stability and they need to be face-to-face with their teachers and classmates. Early on, when the science was not clear, decisions were made to move to the current distance-heavy model for learning. Now, however, we are seeing more and more evidence that with proper precautions, in person learning is safe for students and teachers.
The mental health strain on students has been heartbreaking and the science is now showing it can be avoided. We need to get students back in the classroom.
The Biden Administration's CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, went on the Rachel Maddow show with a simple message: the data is clear that schools can safely reopen now, with proper precautions.
This is too important to play political games with — our kids need to be in school. Let's get it done. Watch the clip here.
I have co-authored two bills: one to make teachers “essential workers” so that they are prioritized for vaccinations if they want one and another to return all students to in-person learning.
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SAFE Account
This week, Democrats submitted a bill in committee that would create a $35 million State Aid for Emergencies (SAFE) Account in anticipation of the Chauvin trial that is set to begin in March. Former officer Chauvin is on trial for his role in the death of George Floyd.
As a strong supporter of law enforcement, I want to make sure that the men and women protecting our communities have the resources needed to respond to riots and unrest — we simply cannot allow a repeat of the failures in leadership we witnessed last summer.
With that said, there are issues with the bill in its current form. By current Minnesota law, local jurisdictions, in this case Minneapolis, are responsible for the expense of outside agencies assisting during times of “imminent danger.”
Additionally, the scope of the bill was expanded to include response planning, after-action costs, and costs within the community as eligible for reimbursement. If the fund is intended to ensure sufficient law enforcement response, it must be limited to just that.
The reality is that the actions by Minneapolis to reduce the size of their police department (currently 200 members short) have consequences that are going to put all Minnesota taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars in expenses. The long-term effects of these cuts will last for decades.
Minneapolis needs strong leadership whether it be from the city council, mayor, or the Governor.
It is also important for community leaders to step up to the plate to help diffuse tensions to ensure further rioting does not occur.
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Honoring Lake City Firefighter Clayton Brandt
This past fall our community lost Clayton Brandt in a single-car accident. Clayton was a beloved firefighter in Lake City where he was a lifelong resident.
This week I had a chance to enter a House Resolution in his honor and the Minnesota House had a moment of silence in his honor. You can watch that here.
May Clayton Rest in Peace and our thoughts and prayers stay with the Brandt family and his loved ones. More on Clayton here.
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Local Broadband Grants
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 39 broadband grants statewide through the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program that included two grants to Nuvera Communications that serve Goodhue and Wabasha counties.
Securing these grants is a huge win for our community and I am so glad constituents will have access to stable highspeed internet. I have been a strong advocate for these unserved areas in Hay Creek and Welch and wrote multiple letters of support for these projects - most recently in July.
Access to broadband supports our workforce and strengthens our community. Now, more than ever before, the importance of having access to high speed internet is vital for students, workers, farmers, and growing businesses. This is great news for our community. I recorded a quick video talking about the importance of these projects.
The projects will serve approximately 265 previously unserved and underserved locations– homes and businesses– with highspeed broadband internet.
The Goodhue Welch FTTP grant will serve the area south of Welch and receive a $340,790 grant. The Goodhue West FTTP grant will serve locations in Goodhue, Zumbrota, Minneola, and Belle Creek townships as well as Chester Township in Wabasha County and receive a $532,232 grant.
DEED awarded over $20.6 million in total broadband grants through the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program. That money is matched by almost $34 million in local funds.
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Low Income Heating Assistance
The frigid cold is here and COVID-19 has hurt so many families not only physically but financially. During this difficult time, I want to remind people with limited funds that they don’t have to choose between paying the heating bill or buying groceries.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program serves both renters and homeowners, providing financial assistance to pay past due energy bills to avoid disconnection, to purchase emergency fuel, or to repair or replace a homeowner’s malfunctioning furnace.
Eligibility is based on the household’s past 3 months of income and assets are not counted. Benefit amounts are based on the household’s heating costs, household size, and income, with an average benefit of roughly $500.
The application period is open until May 31. To determine eligibility or to learn more about the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, visit: mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp.
COVID-19 Vaccine Info & Links
On Tuesday I sent out an update on the COVID-19 Vaccine. You can read that here.
With the constant state of new information, it is best to check the following links regularly for updates:
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STAYING IN TOUCH
As always, if you have questions or concerns regarding any issue, please contact me. You can reach me at rep.barb.haley@house.mn or 651-296-8635.
Sincerely,
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/RepBarbHaley
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239 State Office Bldg.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-8635
rep.barb.haley@house.mn |
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