Legislative Update- January 14, 2022

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you staying well and healthy. It has been a busy week as I wrap up subbing in our schools and continue to get ready for the start of session on January 31.On Monday evening, I had the opportunity to meet with the St. Louis Park City Council, Mayor, and Administrative staff. It was nice to touch base and hear how we can partner on some of the projects they are working on.

This week, I also participated in our Climate Caucus, Reproductive Freedom Caucus, a meeting of the Salvage Title Working Group, as well as interviewing applicants to work with the Minnesota House DFL Caucus as part of the hiring team.

I would also like to thank everyone who attended our first community conversation of 2022 on Tuesday night! It’s always good to connect with you to hear what’s on your mind and help answer questions about what’s going on at the Legislature. I hope you can join me for the next one on January 26 at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP with my legislative assistant, Eric, at eric.petersen@house.mn to receive the Zoom credentials to join us. We have our final community conversations coming up on February 9, February 22, and March 9. Hope to see you there!

Local information you may be interested in: The Hopkins Public Schools have pivoted to distance learning for secondary school students, and the City just recently approved an emergency ordinance that requires face coverings for indoor spaces throughout our community.

COVID-19 Update

As the COVID-19 Omicron variant continues to rapidly spread across the country and our state, health care workers continue to plead with folks to get vaccinated, boosted, wear a mask, and stay home when you’re not feeling well.

Yesterday, the House Health Finance and Policy Committee held a remote hearing to discuss COVID-19’s status in Minnesota, including the Omicron variant and the pandemic’s impact on health care. Omicron is highly infectious, doubling every day-and-a-half to three days and as a result, health care system capacity continues to face pressure. Statewide test positivity is currently at 19.8%, the highest ever reported during the pandemic. I'm cautiously optimistic from the modeling I've seen we can turn a corner soon with positive case counts. 

We’re all tired as we reach the grim milestone of nearly two years since the pandemic began, but it’s critical we do our part to keep each other safe, and to protect hospital infrastructure and capacity. Thank you for all you continue to do to show our dedicated frontline workers we care.

Legislative Preview with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce

This morning, I joined House Speaker Hortman, Rep. Klevorn, Rep. Hertaus, and Rep. Robbins for a session preview at a virtual meeting with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. We discussed issues ranging from redistricting, education, public safety, and housing, as well as how we can keep working on a bipartisan level to ensure our small businesses can stay afloat and thrive.

As I mentioned above, our frontline workers continue to work hard to provide essential services we all rely on as the pandemic continues, and that includes our first responders. I greatly appreciate St. Louis Park Officer Bruce London for letting me tag along last Friday night for a ride along. Thank you to the police officers in our communities of St. Louis Park and Hopkins for all they do to protect and serve our families.

Highway 7 Survey

St. Louis Park and Hopkins residents are welcome to weigh in and help the Minnesota Department of Transportation complete a thorough assessment of the safety concerns along the Highway 7 corridor from St. Louis Park west to Hollywood Township in Carver County. As part of this process, MnDOT is seeking feedback directly from community members about their experiences on the roadway, areas of concern, and ideas for improvements. I joined our local leaders and residents in advocating for this study given the significant and urgent need to improve public safety on Highway 7. Learn more about the study and take the survey on MnDOT’s website here. Thank you for your help!

Minnesota Values Project Survey

As we look ahead to the 2022 legislative session, my colleagues and I are looking to hear from Minnesotans across the state. We hope to learn about what’s going well for you and your family, as well as your challenges and roadblocks. Please share your thoughts by taking the 2021 Minnesota Values Project Survey. It’s a short, four-question survey, that will help guide our work at the Capitol to both address our short-term needs and build a long-term pathway for prosperity.

Tax Filing Season

The Minnesota Department of Revenue will open the state Individual Income Tax filing season on Monday, January 24, 2022. This date matches the opening day for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The filing deadline to submit 2021 state and federal income tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2022.

Electronic Filing and Free Tax Help When you file your taxes this year, choose electronic filing. Last year, over 90 percent of Minnesota taxpayers filed their taxes electronically. Using electronic software is easy, convenient, and secure. Electronic filing also ensures that you have the most up-to-date forms and instructions when you file.

Free electronic filing is available for Minnesotans who meet certain requirements. You may be eligible to file electronically for free if your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $72,000 or less. To see if you are eligible for free electronic filing, see the Electronic Filing Software for Individuals (https://go.usa.gov/xpSuy) page on the department’s website.

You may qualify for free tax preparation help for your federal and Minnesota income tax returns. To qualify, you must meet one of these criteria: be age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $58,000 per year. There are over 170 free tax preparation sites across Minnesota where you can get help from IRS-certified volunteers. Most sites are open January 29 – April 15 and you can visit the website to find free tax preparation sites near you (https://go.usa.gov/xpSup) by the end of January.  

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn or 651-296-9889. With Capitol remote operations continuing, email is the quickest way to get in touch.

Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins and St. Louis Park communities in St. Paul.

Enjoy the snow today and stay safe.

Warmly,

Cheryl Youakim
State Representative