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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Sondra Erickson (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Sondra Erickson

Friday, January 22, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) kicked off a series of hearings that officially open the process of adopting the California Car Mandate. 

This policy, which the Walz administration is seeking to implement via administrative rule rather than working through the legislature, will raise the cost of all new vehicles for Minnesota families by $1,000 or more, reduce consumer choice, and will make Minnesota the only state in the Midwest that places these burdensome mandates on auto dealers.

cars

Families are in financial ruin because of Governor Walz’s shutdowns and it is unconscionable that now the Governor would seek to raise prices on vehicles during such a difficult time. 

Furthermore, why would Democrats and Governor Walz want to place an unelected board in California in charge of policy here in Minnesota? By outsourcing policy-making to California bureaucrats, Governor Walz is preventing Minnesotans from having a say in this change.

With the dirtiest air in the nation, why would we want to follow California’s lead on matters related to “clean air”? This is a bad deal for Minnesotans.

Reopening Schools

On Wednesday, the House Education Finance Committee received an overview from the Department of Education on their Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 school year. The Safe Learning Plan outlines the three learning models, guidelines for determining the safe learning model, and includes procedures that are required and those that are recommended.

As the Republican lead on the Education Policy Committee, I spent much of the summer working on ways to get students back in school.

The shutdowns have caused significant harm for students by negatively impacting their academic trajectory and causing significant mental health problems for many.

What risk-benefit for children is being factored into these school closure decisions? We need to hold the Governor and Department of Education accountable and make sure they are considering the risks of mental health, maltreatment, and learning loss versus the risk of contracting or developing complications from COVID-19.

Students and parents alike are looking for schools to reopen. It is past time to give local school boards the freedom to make these decisions for their communities. School officials know their communities and the students and families they serve. Parents and the best interests of students are the factors that should be driving these decisions. I am confident that these local officials can create a plan that will keep students and staff safe while providing a world-class education to Minnesota’s youth.

Vaccine Rollout

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced a new community COVID-19 vaccine program that partners with local public health and school districts at nine locations across the state. The pilot sites will initially serve adults aged 65 and older, Pre-K through Grade 12 teachers and school staff, and staff working at licensed and certified childcare programs.

According to the announcement, a "small number of doses" will be available at each site for eligible Minnesotans, and appointments can be made by phone or online only for Minnesotans 65+.

Visit this website for more information: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/

Staying in Touch

Please be sure to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-6746 or via email at rep.sondra.erickson@house.mn.

Have a good day,

Sondra