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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you all enjoyed Labor Day weekend and that the school year is off to a great start for those with children! I am so thankful for all the dedicated workers who work so hard to build our country – in construction, mining, agriculture, nursing, manufacturing and other industries. The American worker’s skill and work ethic are the best in the world and have propelled us to unprecedented innovation and prosperity.
I can’t believe summer is over! My husband and I enjoyed trips to see extended family this summer and two weddings that brought all of our girls home for the same weekend! My girls are now back to work and college and we are looking forward to some good football this fall!
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Executive Summary
- Remembering 9/11
- New Grants for Small Businesses
- President Biden's Vaccine Mandate
- Update on Line 3
- New Public Health AmeriCorps Funding Available
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Remembering 9/11
This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks on our country on September 11, 2001. Our recent withdrawal from Afghanistan makes this anniversary even more difficult for many of the families who lost loved ones, first responders and members of our military who bravely fought in Afghanistan to bring Osama bin Laden to justice and ensure Afghanistan would not be a safe haven for terrorists.
I have spoken to many Veterans groups and veterans who are struggling now that the Taliban have regained control of Afghanistan just as we reach the 20th Anniversary of September 11th. If you know any veterans, please do a “buddy check” and ask how they are doing. If you know anyone who is struggling, please have them contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) or Text 838255
We will never forget their sacrifice of the heroes and victims of September 11th and strive every day to honor their memory.
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New Grants for Small Businesses
Applications for the Main Street COVID Relief Grants Program are open now through September 20th. Over $64 million is available in grants for Minnesota owned and operated businesses who faced demonstrable financial hardship because of COVID-19.
I am pleased that more grants will now be available to help small businesses still trying to recover from the pandemic closures. Although businesses can now be open without state restrictions, many are still not able to fully open due to the labor shortage and supply chain problems. Small businesses continue to struggle and I hope this helps them be able to stay afloat until the economy improves.
Businesses that are majority-owned by military veterans, women, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color individuals; employ 6 people or fewer; and/or did not receive previous assistance from other state relief programs will be prioritized in the selection process.
Grant amounts will total between $10,000 and $25,000 based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTEs) employees on staff. To be eligible, businesses must operate in Minnesota and be majority owned by a resident of Minnesota. Additional eligibility requirements and application information can be found here.
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President Biden's Vaccine Mandate
Last night, President Biden announced a detailed plan to mandate vaccines, without exemptions, for federal government contractors and employees at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid payment. In addition, all private employers with 100 or more employees must either require vaccinations or conduct weekly testing of all employees. This mandate will affect approximately 100 million Americans.
The mandate comes, despite the President’s earlier statements that he did not think vaccines or masks should be mandatory and his Press Secretary saying that this “was not the role of the federal government.”
The new mandates for private employers will not take effect until the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration issues a rule, which could take several months if traditional rule-making processes are followed. Penalties for violation of the new OSHA rule will be a $14,000 fine per violation.
The full federal Executive Order is linked here. I will try to put out updates as they become available.
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Update on Line 3
Last week, Rep. Ilhan Omar and other members of 'The Squad' came to Minnesota to protest the Line 3 pipeline, which will replace a 52-year-old pipeline to ensure oil sands are safely transported from Alberta, Canada to Superior, Wisconsin. I joined more than 60 legislators in putting out a statement objecting to their efforts to stop this project, which has been thoroughly vetted by state environmental regulators and the courts:
Their presence will only serve to incite the obstructionists when it’s clear Line 3 has brought incredible benefits to the state and people...Line 3 is one of the most important projects for Minnesota’s future. It will not only modernize and improve safety for the current oil operations, and it is also providing jobs and careers for hundreds of workers in Northern Minnesota. The permits are issued, the lawsuits are settled, it’s time to complete the work.
You can read the full letter here.
Rep. Omar, Members of Congress, and Members of the Minnesota Legislature previously wrote to Governor Walz asking him to intervene in the construction of the pipeline. The Walz Administration sent a stunning response shortly before 'The Squad's' arrival, debunking their misinformation on the project. You can read the Walz administration’s letter here.
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New Public Health AmeriCorps Funding Available
Federal funding is now available for Public Health AmeriCorps through AmeriCorps’ State and National program. Public Health AmeriCorps is a new partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that will help meet public health needs of local communities and support the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs.
Applications for Public Health AmeriCorps are open to apply until Monday, Nov 8, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
This competition is open to nonprofit, faith-based and community-based organizations; higher-education institutions; state, local and territorial government entities, such as cities or counties; and Indian Tribes. New organizations are encouraged to apply for these grants.
Learn more about these grants, including upcoming informational webinar sessions, here.
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Photos
I was very honored to speak with a group of American heroes this week at the Osseo/Maple Grove American Legion Post 172! Their personal service and sacrifice on our behalf, as well as their continuing commitment to our communities and country is absolutely inspiring!
I gave my Legislative update at the Maple Grove City Council Meetjng this week and was honored to meet Bryce Ehlert, who retired from Maple Grove Fire-Rescue after 20 years of service! Chief Tim Bush outlined his many contributions to the Fire Department and presented him with a retirement patch and award! Thank you for your service, Firefighter Ehlert!
Such incredible art was created at Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes, including this rendering of Minnesota Olympian Suni Lee!
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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.
The House is adjourned until January 31, 2022. The best way to reach me is by email: rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. For occasional updates, you can follow my Facebook Page at @RepKristinRobbins. You can also leave a voicemail on my office number, 651-296-7806, which is checked a couple of times/week.
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
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225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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