Dear Neighbors,
Last week, the House took a vote to end the Governor’s peacetime emergency powers.
Sadly, I am disappointed to report that once again, House Democrats were unwilling to provide the votes needed to end the peacetime emergency.
Minnesota remains in the longest peacetime emergency in state history and the Governor’s executive orders and closures have devastated our economy and failed to protect vulnerable Minnesotans in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Despite last week’s disappointment, I remain committed to working to end the Governor’s emergency powers, restore the legislature as a constitutional co-equal branch of government, and make sure that Minnesotans voices are represented again with the legislature back on equal footing with Governor Walz.
Getting Kids Back to School
This week, much of our work took place in committee with agency overviews and presentations from Commissioners.
In the Education Finance Committee, we received an overview from the Department of Education on their Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 school year. The Safe Learning Plan outlines the three learning models, guidelines for determining the safe learning model, and includes procedures that are required and those that are recommended.
The Governor’s shutdowns and keeping kids out of school has been extremely damaging for student’s academic trajectories and their mental health. An entire generation of kids are being harmed because of the Governor’s executive orders. This reality is proof that we MUST end the peacetime emergency powers.
What risk-benefit for children is being factored into these school closure decisions? We need to hold the Governor and Department of Education accountable and make sure they are considering the risks of mental health, maltreatment, and learning loss versus the risk of contracting or developing complications from COVID-19.
California Car Mandate
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) kicked off a series of hearings that officially open the process of adopting the California Car Mandate.
This policy, which the Walz administration is seeking to implement via administrative rule rather than working through the legislature, will raise the cost of all new vehicles for Minnesota families by $1,000 or more, reduce consumer choice, and will make Minnesota the only state in the Midwest that places these burdensome mandates on auto dealers.
Many families are hurting because of government-mandated shutdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and it is unconscionable that Governor Walz would seek to raise prices on vehicles for families during such a difficult time.
Additionally, why would Democrats want to put an unelected board in California in charge of policy here in Minnesota? By outsourcing policy-making to California bureaucrats, Governor Walz is directly preventing Minnesotans from having a say in this dramatic change.
Also, California has the dirtiest air in the nation. Why would we want to follow their lead on matters related to “clean air”? This is a bad idea for Minnesota and one that should be rejected.
Vaccine Rollout
COVID-19 continues to impact most aspects of our lives. Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel as more vaccines become available. While doses remain scarce, the state nevertheless continues to ramp up its vaccination efforts.
On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced a new community COVID-19 vaccine program that partners with local public health and school districts at nine locations across the state. 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.
According to the announcement, a "small number of doses" will be available at each site for eligible Minnesotans, and appointments can be made by phone or online only for Minnesotans 65+.
Visit this website for more information: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/
Staying in Touch
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share any thoughts or concerns you may have about state government or the job I'm doing as your representative. It would be great to talk with you. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-8237 or via email at rep.brian.daniels@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Brian