Legislative Update - November 12, 2021

Dear Neighbors, 

This week saw yet another of our Capital Investment Committee’s “Bonding” Tours, bringing us to Southeast Minnesota. This tour comes on the heels of Congress’ passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which would potentially help many of the projects we’ve visited in the past month.

HAFA Farm, a highlight of this week’s tour and a recipient of state funds in 2020

While the exact impact of the federal legislation remains to be seen, it’s clear that if Congress can come together to deliver historic investments in our aging infrastructure, we can step up to do the same in the Minnesota Legislature. Our tours throughout the state have shown time and again that the need for capital investment and the jobs that accompany them are so great, it’ll take both federal and state efforts to ensure all Minnesotans can have access to the resources they need and deserve.

We’re almost done with our state-wide tour, with next week bringing us to our community during our final, Metro-region stops. Like all parts of the state, our community and those like it deserve the benefits of state investment, but we know that historically there are peoples and communities that are too often left behind. When we complete our tour next week, we’ll start the process of taking what we’ve seen to help craft the 2022 Capital Investment Bill, and as Chair of the committee in the House, I’ll be working to ensure Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, along with other disenfranchised groups, are seen and supported through our legislation. 

Vaccine Boosters & Child Eligibility

There have been some important updates for the COVID-19 vaccine with Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson being offered for boosters in Minnesota, and children as young as 5 years old now being able to get their first dose. 

Johnson & Johnson Booster Info:

All Minnesotans age 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster shot at least 2 months after their first dose.

Pfizer or Moderna Booster Info:

For Minnesotans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, health officials recommend you should get a booster shot at least 6 months after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• Are 65 years of age or older.
• Live in a long-term care facility (refer to CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots: Long-term care setting residents aged 18 years and older ).
• Are 50-64 years old with certain underlying medical conditions (refer to CDC: People with Certain Medical Conditions ).

Additionally, Minnesotans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine may get a booster shot at least 6 months after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you are:

• 18-49 years old and at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease because of certain underlying medical conditions (refer to CDC: People with Certain Medical Conditions ).
• 18-64 years and at increased risk for getting COVID-19 disease because of where they live or work (refer to CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots: People who work or live in high-risk settings ages 18–64 years ).

Officials also authorized "mixing and matching" COVID-19 vaccine boosters, meaning anybody who is eligible to get a booster shot can get any of the three currently authorized or approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) – regardless of what dose they received for their primary series. You can find more information on boosters here.

Children as young as 5 years old are now eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19. After extensive clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in children last week.  

Minnesotans who’d like to vaccinate their child can visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to view a list of local providers or contact their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or pharmacy. Vaccines will also be available at school- and community-based sites across the state. Before you go, make sure the provider offers the pediatric version of the Pfizer vaccine.

To encourage those aged 12-17 to get vaccinated, the “Kids Deserve a Shot” incentive program offers a $200 Visa gift card for 12-17-year-olds who start and complete their vaccine series between October 18 and November 30. Additionally, there will be five drawings for $100,000 Minnesota college scholarships for any 12-17-year-olds in Minnesota with a complete vaccine series, and you can learn more here.

Apply for State Boards, Councils, and Commissions

If you’re looking for a way to get involved with the work being done at the State Capitol, serving on a state board, council, or commission is a great way to contribute your expertise to Minnesota. These groups are responsible for advising the Governor and the Legislature, overseeing professional licensing, and protecting our environment. Many are accepting applications right now and you can find a list of current openings on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

Stay Connected

We’re starting to get ready for the 2022 Legislative Session in January, which will be here before you know it. If you have any questions about our work next session or ideas for our community that we should address, please feel free to contact me at 651-296-4262 or email at rep.fue.lee@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, 

Fue Lee

State Representative