Dear Neighbors,
With Presidents Biden’s inauguration and the meeting of the 117th Congress, we start a new chapter and have a great opportunity to make lasting progress for our state and the entire nation. At the Legislature I will continue to work to build the just and inclusive Minnesota where everyone can thrive, no matter the color of their skin, how they worship, or who they love. While there is renewed hope, we have to remember that we are all responsible for protecting our democracy, and working together towards justice for all. In the words of the amazing inaugural poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, “When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” May we all be brave enough to be it.
House DFL Introduces Democracy for the People act
This week the House DFL introduced legislation that will defend and strengthen our democracy. The bill has several measures that will ensure all Minnesotans can participate in our democracy without interference. Here are the main provisions of the bill:
- Prohibits intimidating and harassing voters or elections officials and using deceptive practices to disenfranchise voters.
- Gives state and local elections officials access to the critical federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds they need for election security and infrastructure.
- Establishes automatic voter registration, allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, and restores the right to vote for Minnesotans who are on probation or parole.
- Strengthens absentee voting by creating a permanent absentee ballot list, establishing ballot drop box and return sites, removing the witness requirement, and ensuring voting instructions for absentee ballots are provided in multiple languages.
- Closes dark money loopholes, while making outside groups that spend large amounts of money disclose their three largest donors. The disclosure process for online and digital advertising will be modified as well.
- Modernizes the Political Contribution Refund (PCR) program, replacing it with Democracy Dollars coupons that are available to all registered Minnesota voters.
- Empowers voters and small donors with a small donor public financing match program for candidates and the creation of small donor committees for grassroots efforts.
- Improves Minnesota’s redistricting process by setting fair criteria for lawmakers to follow when drawing and evaluating maps. It also creates a public process to solicit Minnesotans’ input, make redistricting data available to the public, and provides advance notice of maps and hearings.
Vaccine Pilot Program Launches
This week, Minnesota announced an important next step in the process of delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to certain priority groups. A pilot program will establish new vaccination sites throughout the state, including one in Rochester,, and individuals who are 65 years or older, as well as school staff and child care workers (who have been notified by their employer), will now be eligible to make appointments to receive the vaccine. If you are a school staff member or child care worker you will schedule an appointment through your employer.
Each week, appointments will open for those who fall into these groups every Tuesday at noon. The number of appointments, based on the number of available vaccines, is currently very limited, but this pilot will help to improve the process so it can be scaled up successfully when the vaccine supply increases. Appointments can be made online here, or by phone at 612-426-7230 or toll free at 833-431-2053.If you encounter problems or need help navigating this process, please contact me.
The pilot sites are located in Andover, Brooklyn Center, Fergus Falls, Marshall, Mountain Iron, North Mankato, St. Cloud, and Thief River Falls.
Olmsted County Small Business Relief
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners announced on January 19, 2021 that it is allocating funds to small business relief as part of the State of Minnesota County Relief Funding Program. A total of $3,388,968 in economic support to businesses and non-profit organizations affected by COVID-19 will be distributed. For more information please visit this website.
Legislative Priorities for the House DFL
Last week, we rolled out the House DFL’s initial legislative priorities for this year’s session, with a focus on getting Minnesota through this pandemic and ensuring that we have the resources necessary to bounce back. While protecting and investing in economic security, worker protections, education, child care, and health and human services are crucial components for Minnesotans, we’re diligently working within all policy areas to build a better state for all Minnesotans.
Stay in Touch
I always appreciate hearing from you, so please feel free to share your questions, ideas, and feedback. Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.liz.boldon@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-9249. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, you can also follow my Facebook page here.
It’s an honor to represent our community. Please be safe and stay in touch.
With gratitude and hope,
Liz
Rep.Liz Boldon, District 25B
533 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155