Women's History Month

Dear Neighbors,

Thanks to everyone who attended our town hall last week! I had a great time chatting with you and answering your questions. If you missed it, you can watch a recording of the town hall here.

End of Black History Month, Beginning of Women’s History Month!

We ended Black History Month with a bang this year, first the House passed the CROWN Act 104-25 with incredible bipartisan support. Multiple states across the U.S. have passed legislation banning race-based hair discrimination as a result of the C.R.O.W.N Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” I urge the Senate to act on this bill, so that we can join these states. 

Second, President Biden put forth Ketanji Brown Jackson as his supreme court nomination, who would be the first Black woman justice if confirmed by the Senate. This would also be a great start to Women’s History Month! I am proud to continue to honor the legacy of so many trailblazers who led the way before me, and I will continue to fight to make the future a better place for our daughters.

Budget Forecast

This week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced a new economic forecast showing a $9.25 billion budget surplus for the current biennium. The analysis does not incorporate inflationary costs or the various impacts of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

This is a truly historic moment in our Minnesota's history, and we can't let it slip by! With this budget we are able to truly fund our students, teachers, schools, and mental health workers. This increase has been driven by increased corporate profits, so it does not necessarily imply the average Minnesotan is doing better. We have a duty to lift up everyone, not make the rich richer. I will be fighting for an equitable budget to make sure the average family is able to thrive in the life they choose!

Frontline Worker Pay

The Minnesota House passed the frontline worker bonus pay legislation HF 2900, which appropriates $1 billion for bonus payments to at least 667,000 frontline workers. The frontline worker bonus pay legislation builds upon the efforts of last year’s working group on this issue, and invests $1 billion in order to meaningfully recognize the Minnesotans who have worked on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible workers would receive payments of up to $1,500.

In order to receive a bonus check, workers must meet the following individual eligibility requirements:

• was employed in one of the frontline sectors in MN for at least 120 hours from 3/15/20 to 6/30/21
• was not able to work remotely due to the nature of their work, and worked in close proximity to other individuals (not in the same household);
• meet income restrictions. For workers providing direct care to COVID patients, max income is $350,000 (joint filers) and $175,000 (single). For all other workers, the limits are $185,000 (joint) and $85,000 (single); and
• did not collect more than 20 weeks of unemployment benefits from 3/15/20 to 6/30/21.

Now this bill needs to be passed by the Senate so each of these workers can get what they deserve. With our improved budget outlook this should be an easy decision, and I will continue to push for this bill throughout the session.

Stay In Touch

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at rep.tou.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-7807. You can also follow me on Facebook. 

Keep your comments, questions and concerns coming! I always enjoy hearing from you. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Tou Xiong