 Dear Neighbors, I share my wishes for a healthy, safe, and happy holiday season with loved ones. As we close the book on 2021, it’s clear we’re still facing challenges, and many among us are struggling. Nevertheless, this is the season for hope, joy, and peace. Heading into 2022, I hope everyone can have the opportunity to experience a healthy, prosperous future. New Budget Forecast Officials from Minnesota Management and Budget recently announced results from the November Economic Forecast which projects a $7.7 billion positive budget balance for the current two-year cycle. The forecast contains a great deal of evidence of economic recovery including increases in income, consumer spending, and Gross Domestic Product. Employment is approaching pre-pandemic levels. Still, many Minnesotans are facing significant challenges, and the surplus gives us an opportunity to help them overcome roadblocks to success. Front line workers, students, and small businesses in particular deserve the opportunity to share in our recovery. This coming session, lawmakers should work together at the Capitol to make targeted investments in a world-class education for all students, affordable health care, and economic security for workers and families. Bipartisan Work to Help Survivors Seek Justice Photo: Sarah Whiting Over the past several years, courageous survivors came forward to share stories of how loopholes and shortcomings in Minnesota's sexual assault laws let them down. In leading a working group charged with reforming the state criminal sexual conduct code, they also offered solutions to help ensure other survivors wouldn't face a similar result in the future and would be able to seek justice. This year, along with these same survivors, I was honored to help lead a bipartisan effort to move these important reforms through the legislature and into law. Minnesota Women's Press recently highlighted how, by working together, we got this work done. COVID-19 Update More than 10,000 Minnesotans have tragically lost their lives to COVID-19. Hospital admissions are high and ICUs in the Twin Cities are at or near capacity. Health care workers are physically and emotionally exhausted. Leaders from Minnesota’s health care systems recently purchased a full-page newspaper ad pleading with Minnesotans to do their part to help end this crisis. With the holidays here, none of us wants to see a friend of family member get seriously ill. Here are the steps all of us can take to protect one another this holiday season: - Get Vaccinated. Minnesotans age 5 and up can be vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season—especially those who can’t be vaccinated and children under 5. Find vaccines for the whole family.
- Get Tested. Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, test before holiday gatherings to make sure you’re not spreading the virus to loved ones unknowingly. Take advantage of one of the many free testing options the state has to offer, or head to your local clinic or pharmacy. Make an appointment at a community testing site. NOW is also a great time to order a free test through the at-home testing program to ensure you have one on-hand ahead of the holidays, or use a test if you have one already.
- Get Boosted. A booster shot is recommended (6 months after receiving Pfizer and Moderna, and 2 months after receiving Johnson & Johnson).
- Stay Safe. Wear your mask in indoor public settings, wash your hands, and do your best to avoid crowded indoor spaces before getting together with family and friends—especially high-risk loved ones and children under 5 who can’t be vaccinated.
Stay in TouchI value hearing from you, and I hope you’ll be in touch with your input, ideas, or if I can be of assistance. My email is rep.kelly.moller@house.mn and phone number is 651-296-0141. If you have neighbors, friends, or family who you think would find these updates valuable, please share this with them; they can subscribe here. I also encourage you to “like” or “follow” me on Facebook. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Sincerely, Kelly Moller
State Representative |