One Year of Emergency Powers
Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the Governor declaring a peacetime emergency to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We voted multiple times this week to end his powers and and on Monday I was the one who brought forward the motion to do so. You can watch that here.
The Governor continues to insist that his emergency powers are needed, but as COVID-19 cases across the nation and state continue to fall and vaccinations ramp up, it’s becoming very clear the governor should give up his powers and work with the legislature.
We've voted 16 times to end the emergency powers and return to regular legislative order. Sadly, each of these votes has failed as the House Majority refuses to cross the governor.
States run by Democrats and Republicans across the nation have started the process of reopening and returning to regular governance. We should be able to do the same here in Minnesota. Vaccine number are up, hospitalizations are down, ICU beds are way down, it's time.
The “emergency” is over. We must now move into the management and recovery phase and that is best done as a dialogue with Minnesotans. Minnesotans deserve to have their voices heard.
I’ve been working as co-lead with Rep Dave Baker on business re-opening bill and loosening restrictions for venues including weddings, hotels, pools, etc. We have had a plan since we came into session in January and have refined it many times as the situation has changed. We are willing and ready to work with our colleagues across the aisle.
Although we are meeting each week with DFL leads, the process isn’t moving fast enough.
According to our largest hospitals and health care systems, when MN reaches 70% of those 65+ vaccinated, we will eliminate 90% of the hospitalizations and deaths from COVID. Well, we have reached that milestone! There is no reason for the House Majority to not move quickly and join us in removing the powers so Minnesotans can get back to living.
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