Good Friday, everyone, and a happy week of Passover to you as well. Today at 6 PM, the legislature will recess for Easter Break. It also marks the last deadline for the House. All policy legislation that is to become law this year must have passed through all committees with jurisdiction.

After we gavel back in from recess on April 6th, we will begin hearing the DFL omnibus bills from each committee. These are massive multi-hundred page and multi-subject bills that few read and usually pass along party lines. This year the legislature has produced nothing bipartisan, and everything Republicans and conservatives want will be held over our heads in these unconstitutional bills. Fortunately, through this gridlock, I have received five bill hearings, plus “Cassey’s Law” is on track to become law. 

Work on District Projects

This week I had hearings for 2 bills that I have authored. The first is a bill that would provide funding to the Lake Crystal community center. This funding would be used to help make critical repairs to the facility like the HVAC system. (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)  This community center is used by many, not just in our neighborhood but in the region. Its pools and basketball courts are frequently used to host our school’s games and swim lessons. With nearly 20 years of operation, this facility has become a pillar of our community and an extension of our schools. Thank you to LCARC Director Ryan Yunkers and Lake Crystal City Administrator Taylor Fronau for testifying to this bill.

The second bill would provide funding to the Little Lakers Daycare Center. The planning for this facility has been underway for five years and they have begun renovation of an existing building. With over 50 kids already on the waiting list, and a capacity for 90 children, this childcare facility would meet an economic need for the community. I am grateful to the board of directors for testifying for this project. Senator Rosen is carrying the Senate version of this bill.

Bringing Freedom to MN Counties

Over the past year, I have heard from hundreds of constituents deciding whether or not to move to Iowa or South Dakota due to the large discrepancy in regulatory and tax burdens that St Paul has offered. This is especially prevalent in communities near the borders. After watching Oregon and California vote on initiatives to allow rural counties to join neighboring Idaho, many have asked me about the process. House researchers drafted a bill showing this process, and I introduced it yesterday as House File 2423. 

The response from supporters and opposers has been very large. Even South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem weighed in. Governors of both of the Dakotas have been running active campaigns to poach employers from our communities, convincing companies and families to move across the border. This bill would allow everyone to stay put and would bring the border to us. I hope that this bill highlights the economic and regulatory discrepancies between Minnesota and neighboring States and the decimation caused to border communities over time. 

This morning Governor Walz held a press conference to announce his expansion of vaccine eligibility expansion. This new expansion means every Minnesotan 16 and older will be eligible next Tuesday, March 30 to get their vaccines. This comes after the Federal Government has drastically increased the number of vaccines the state is receiving. We have vaccinated over 80% of our seniors 65 and older, with 6% of our educators and childcare workers being fully vaccinated. Below are some tools that you can use to help find vaccines closest to you. Remember to contact your health care provider for more information on getting a vaccine. The Star Tribune has a good piece that walks you through the process HERE.

• Sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to get updates on vaccine opportunities and to be entered into the random selection process for the state's Community Vaccination Program sites.
• Search for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment near you by using the CDC’s Vaccine Finder.
• Use the Vaccine Locator Map to find local vaccine providers in your area.

Thank you for being engaged in Government,

Jeremy Munson

State Representative, 23B

Contact

If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my office. We are still attempting to provide regular contact remotely so if you have other needs, please email my Legislative Assistant, Grayson, at Grayson.mcnew@house.mn

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