Dear Neighbors,
The legislature is back from the holiday break, and we will begin discussing our supplemental budget bills. Before break, the State Government Finance Committee, approved our supplemental budget, which includes funding for state agencies, election security measures and more. I will be supporting our budget, which concentrates on family budgets and helps Minnesotans succeed and thrive.
Governor's State of the State Address
Governor Walz will deliver his annual State of the State address in the House of Representatives chamber on Sunday, April 24th at 6 p.m. You can watch the governor’s address live here.
Bring it Home, Minnesota
My legislative colleagues and I attended the Bring it Home, Minnesota rally this week to advocate for equitable and stable housing throughout the state.
Avian Influenza Update
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI/H5N1) continues to show up in various Minnesota locations. The legislature approved – and Gov. Walz signed into law – a $1 million appropriation to be used for testing supplies, emergency response activities and disease surveillance.
There are actions the public can do to help limit the spread of the virus. The Raptor Center in St. Paul recommends removing bird feeders for now. Keep a lookout for any deceased birds or those in need of help – don’t touch the bird, but rather call the DNR, Raptor Center, or a new HPAI hotline at 1-833-454-0156.first for next steps.
For those who raise backyard chickens, keep the birds enclosed and separated from wildlife. Place mesh or tarps on the outside of the coop.
The virus has not caused human illness. According to the CDC, recent bird flu infections in U.S. wild birds and poultry pose a low risk to the public. You can read more from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the Board of Animal Health.
DEED Redevelopment Grant Awarded
The City of Bloomington is the recipient of a grant for demolition and infrastructure improvements on a site formerly used for retail and as a service station. The site will be redeveloped into an expansion of an existing restaurant, creating a possible 10 jobs, retaining 18 jobs, increasing the tax base by $23 thousand dollars, and leveraging $1.3 million dollars in private investment. Matching funds from the developer and TIF are also provided.
COVID-19 Update
The FDA has authorized a second booster shot for Americans over 50 and for those 12 years and older who are immunocompromised. You can read more from the U of M Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) recommendations here.
If you have symptoms, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, after traveling, or if you’ve attended a high-risk event, please get tested to slow the spread of COVID-19. You can order free rapid at-home tests from the federal government at CovidTests.gov and from the state at mn.gov/covid19.
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Stay in Touch
The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here.
You can stay up to date on our work by subscribing to these legislative updates and “liking” my official Facebook page. For any questions you have on the resources available to our community or our work in the Minnesota House, you can reach me at rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn or leave a voicemail at (651) 296-4218. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Andrew Carlson
State Representative