|
Dear neighbors,
I hope you’re faring well despite difficult circumstances. As I mentioned in my last email, my colleagues and I recently passed a package of legislation to address COVID-19 and the many challenges it has created. House DFLers couldn’t reach an agreement with Senate Republicans on everything we wanted to pass, so we are still working hard on several important measures that weren’t included in our latest bill.
Workers Compensation for First Responders
One of the bills that wasn’t included in last week’s package of legislation would provide workers compensation for firefighters, nurses, police officers, paramedics, and others who are putting themselves at risk to serve Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. These workers deserve to have benefits available if they contract COVID-19 in the line of duty. Yesterday, I signed a letter urging Governor Walz to ensure that public safety and health care workers can access workers compensation. The letter, which was signed by a bipartisan group of 59 legislators, is available here.
Resources for Students
I want to wish educators, students, and parents the best as they begin or prepare to begin distance learning. South St. Paul Public Schools started distance learning yesterday, and School District 197 will start on Monday, April 6.
All South St. Paul children between 1 and 18 are eligible for free meals. Yesterday, South St. Paul Public Schools adopted a new meal pickup and delivery schedule. Meal pickup is now available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Kaposia Education Center, Lincoln Center, and South St. Paul Secondary. Children will receive enough meals to last until the next distribution day, including meals for the weekend. Families can also pick up food at designated bus stops between 11 a.m. and 1:35 p.m. Click here for a map of meal distribution sites. Information about student services and the district’s Distance Learning Plan is available at www.sspps.org.
School District 197 will continue distributing breakfast and lunch between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at 10 locations in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, and Eagan. A complete list of the meal distribution sites is available here. Information about distance learning and additional resources for students and their families is available at www.isd197.org.
Reminder: Be Counted in the 2020 Census
Tomorrow is Census Day, which serves as a great reminder to complete your census forms. By now, you should have received an invitation to respond to the census in the mail. Please take a few minutes to respond if you haven’t already done so.
The census provides crucial data that determines how much federal funding our state receives for schools, roads and bridges, and other services we all rely on. Census data also impacts representation at the local, state, and national level because it’s used to redraw legislative districts to account for population changes. A strong, accurate count is necessary to ensure fair distribution of resources and equal representation. More information about the census is available here.
Small Business Assistance Webinar
If you are a small business owner figuring out how to cope with the impacts of COVID-19, Rep. Angie Craig is holding a webinar that might be helpful for you tonight at 6:30 p.m. Click here to find more information and register for the webinar.
Stay Connected
Like many of you, I’m finding new ways to spend my time and connect with others while staying at home and practicing social distancing. Last night, I enjoyed taking a walk at sunset and talking about citizenship with South St. Paul Troop 95 members on Zoom.
I hope you’ve been able to stay connected to your family, friends, and neighbors despite the need to be physically apart at this time. Please continue doing your part to “flatten the curve” and check in on those around you, especially people who are elderly or vulnerable. If I can be of help in any way, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
|