Dear Neighbor,
Much of the talk regarding COVID-19 lately has centered on the rollout of vaccines. While the rapid advancement of vaccines has been reason for optimism, Minnesota has been among the states lagging behind in administering them. Recent reports ranked Minnesota last in the Midwest in total percent of our supply used.
Our state also was last in the Midwest for doses administered per 100 people, at 3.19 doses per 100 people and just 34 percent of our supply used. By comparison, North Dakota (71 percent, 6.42 per 100 people) and South Dakota (61 percent, 6.14 per 100) are among the highest in the nation.
I remain hopeful that, after a rocky start this week, a new community pilot program Minnesota launched will help our state do a better job of administering vaccines. The state is partnering with local public health and school districts at nine locations across the state (including one in St. Cloud).
The pilot sites will initially serve adults aged 65 and older, Pre-K through Grade 12 teachers and school staff, and staff working at licensed and certified childcare programs. School districts will select pilot program participants, and childcare providers will be randomly selected and notified to secure an appointment.
Minnesotans age 65 and older can schedule an appointment by calling (612) 426-7230 or (833) 431-2053, or by visiting this link. The high volume of traffic shortly after the program launched on Tuesday crashed the website and caused problems for people trying to call in to schedule an appointment. Let’s hope those technical issues have been resolved and the process is smoother going forward.
On a different COVID-19 note, all three counties in District 12B (Douglas, Pope and Sterns each have approved a plan for businesses and non-profits to apply for funding under the state's Covid Relief Plan. If interested, you are encouraged to visit your respective county’s website for more information.
In other news, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency this week began conducting information sessions regarding the governor’s effort to adopt California’s mandatory auto-emission standards on vehicles sold in Minnesota. There are a great number of concerns over adopting these regulations and it also is concerning the governor looking to do this all on his own, through the administrative rule-making process.
As he has done more than 100 times on COVID-19 mandates, Gov. Walz is bypassing the Legislature on this issue, deciding on his own that Minnesota should adopt the California mandatory auto emission standards.
This would be a bad deal for consumers and car dealers alike. Minnesota consumers could see substantial cost increases when purchasing vehicles, while also having fewer choices as mandating more electric vehicles would mean fewer trucks and SUVs on dealer lots.
Also, by adopting California auto laws, Minnesotans will have no voice on auto standards and will be forced to abide by what California tells us to do. As of now, Minnesota would be the only state in the Midwest to make such a move, subject to decisions made 1,700 miles away on the West Coast.
It also is concerning that cars may be just the first step toward even more restrictions. If we are willing to turn over our auto regulations to California, are semi-trucks, boats, lawnmowers, snow blowers and anything else California regulates next?
Additional MPCA informational hearings will be held on Feb. 22-23. Prior to adopting the new rules, there is a public comment period running through March 15. People can learn more or submit their comments here.
Sincerely,
Paul