 Dear Neighbors, I hope this finds you well and enjoying the brisk weather as we gear up for the holiday season. With anticipated snow soon, I want to remind folks about Hopkins and St. Louis Park’s polices around snow emergencies. You can find them above by clicking on the hyperlink of each city above. I’m grateful to everyone who attended our virtual community conversation last week. Your input and questions help me deliver the results our Hopkins and St. Louis Park communities deserve! I hope you can join me for the next one, which is on November 22 at 6:30 p.m. Please contact Eric at Eric.Petersen@house.mn for the Zoom information.  COVID-19 cases are rising at an alarming rate across the state with the positivity rate now over 10%, the highest in the nation and the highest we’ve seen since last fall. Hospitals are reaching their capacity and we are seeing increased breakthrough cases. The waning effectiveness of the vaccine poses a significant threat in our efforts to combat the virus, protect our elders and immunocompromised loved ones, and our hospital capacity. Understaffed health care professionals are asking for our help. You can find a location to get your booster here. I got mine last Friday. It’s also not too late to begin your initial vaccine series. Minnesota’s vaccine locator can help you find an appointment or walk-in opportunity. The good news is over 44,250 kids ages 5-11 have received their vaccine since the CDC has approved a version from Pfizer. Vaccines for children are only available with parental permission and guardians can learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens and find where to get their children vaccinated at mn.gov/vaxforkids.  House to Release Legislative Redistricting MapsTomorrow, the House Redistricting Committee will release and discuss the proposed legislative redistricting maps at a 2:00 p.m. public hearing. The committee will have a walk-through of proposal and entertain technical questions at the 2pm hearing, but no debate or formal action will be taken. Additionally, my House colleagues serving on the committee are holding public hearings on Dec. 1st and 2nd to collect public testimony about the proposed maps. You can sign up to testify or submit written testimony by emailing Nancy Conley at Nancy.conley@house.mn. Recognition from RethosI was honored to recently receive the Legislator of the Year Award from Rethos’ Places Reimagined for my work on historic preservation tax credits. Historic Tax Credits are a financial tool to help developers rehabilitate old buildings for new uses versus tearing them down. During the 10 years that the Minnesota version of the Historic Tax Credit has been in place, with the Federal Counterpart, there has been 130 projects in Minnesota, with18,650+ jobs, $1.95 billion in project investments, and $3.5 billion added to the Minnesota economy. Another fun fact: When a new building is built, 85% of the cost of the project is in materials. When an older building is rehabilitated, 85% of the costs of the project is in labor. Not only does the credit preserve history and revitalize community, it creates jobs. You can learn about the program here at https://www.rethos.org/.  Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. As we continue remote operations in the House, email is the quickest way to get in touch. Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  Be well,  Cheryl Youakim
State Representative |