Legislative Update
News from St. Paul
This week, we spent time in Education Policy going over the proposed education policy omnibus bill. With over 50 people requesting to testify, we unfortunately only were given enough committee time to hear from about half of them. Of those several dozen testifiers, the majority of them had serious concerns about the effects this bill will have on the tiered licensure system and on those homeschooling their children. I look forward to presenting an amendment to the bill that brings more flexibility and local control for schools and students, and emphasizes quality teaching and learning loss.
Additionally, this coming week, I will be presenting my bill for short-call subs in Education Policy, and I look forward to advocating for schools and teachers through that bill.
Emergency Powers Vote
It has been nearly a full year since the beginning of the governor's peacetime emergency and the start of the many business restrictions that have impacted people and businesses across our state. I spoke yesterday on the House Floor during the debate on the House's 16th vote this year to end the peacetime emergency.
|
Business Restrictions Rolled Back
Today, the governor announced further rollbacks of his business restrictions. I was glad to see these changes, but it is unfortunate that he once again gave businesses just a few days notice before changing the rules on them again.
Some of the changes are listed below:
- Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor gatherings, both without household limits.
- Youth sports: Pod size increasing to 50 for outdoor activities.
- Religious services: Remove occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Celebrations: Follow venue guidance.Support small businesses:
- Bars and restaurants: Increasing allowable occupancy to 75%, up from 50%, with a limit of 250 people. The limits apply separately indoors and outdoors. Bar seating increases to parties of 4.
- Salons/barbers: Removing the occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Gyms/fitness centers/pools: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%. Outdoor classes can increase to 50 people.
- Entertainment venues: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250.As summer nears, the state will adjust guidelines for large venues. All venues can open at 50% capacity up to 250 people. Venues with normal occupant 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.As more Minnesotans are vaccinated, work from home will no longer be required – but it will continue to be strongly recommended – beginning April 15. All employers should continue to accommodate employees who wish to work from home.
News from District 27B
Last Friday I attended the fish fry at the Adams American Legion, and I had a great time meeting all the veterans who attended! I also had the honor to meet some of the students who received an honor roll letter from me - our community is a great place to live in!
I also attended the city council meeting in Adams this week. Mower County Sheriff Steve Sandvik attended as well, and there was an interesting conversation about the possibility of hosting time at the school to bring a positive law enforcement relationship to students in our community.
|
The Riverland Community College President held a roundtable this week, where I was able to learn about many of the innovative things they've been doing to assist their students, including giving workforce development scholarships.
We heard from one scholarship recipient named Gretta, a nontraditional student, who wants to be an organic farmer. She is using her workforce development scholarship within the foods program. It is exciting to see the incredible work being done in our area!
|
|
