Legislative Update from Rep. Jeff Backer

Dear Neighbors,

I have heard from many of you about concerns you have regarding school closures. While schools around the nation and globe have had their doors open during the pandemic, Governor Walz has mostly kept Minnesota’s schools closed to in-person learning.

These closures are harming students academically and hurting their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

With thousands of Minnesota students still in remote learning and school reopening guidance rumored in the coming days from the Walz administration, House Republicans held a news conference Thursday to push for legislation that would empower local school districts to make the best decisions for their districts and remove the Governor's ability to unilaterally keep schools closed. 

These decisions should be left up to local school boards, administrators, teachers, parents, and students who know their communities best. It’s time to empower these groups to work together to come to a consensus on solutions that make sense for their school districts.

The science and data show we can safely get our students back in the classroom — even President Biden's Centers for Disease director said multiple times last week that we can safely return to in-person learning before all teachers are vaccinated. 

Our students cannot afford to wait any longer, it’s time to get kids back in school.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program 

As Minnesotans continue to feel the impact of COVID-19, I want you to know that there is still assistance available to income-eligible households (both owners and renters) for home heating bills and furnace repairs. The Energy Assistance Program can help by providing financial assistance:

• To pay past due energy bills to avoid disconnection
• To purchase fuel for delivery in emergencies
• To repair or replace homeowners’ malfunctioning furnaces.

The application period is open until May 31st, 2021. Click here for more information and to apply: https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp 

Staying in Touch

That’s all for this week’s update. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share any thoughts, concerns, or questions you may have. I can be reached by phone at either 651-296-4929 or 701-361-1909. I can also be reached via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.

Have a good day,

Jeff