Dear Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who voted yesterday! Thanks to your efforts, the much needed school levy votes for Roseville schools passed. This will ensure our schools have the resources they need to give our students the education they deserve. This is a really big win for our whole community!
I would also like to congratulate the newly-elected and re-elected school board members for our Roseville, Mounds View and White Bear area school districts. I’m confident they will put our students first and look forward to working with them in the future!
Vaccination news
Governor Walz announced a list of Minnesota experiences that will be awarded to weekly drawing winners of the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ vaccine incentives campaign. These are designed to encourage 12-17 year olds to roll up their sleeves and get fully vaccinated. Parents or guardians must enter their 12-17 year old by the entry deadline to be eligible for the following drawing(s). Once a kid is entered, they will be included in all following drawings. Minnesota experiences will be divided up and drawn across all five drawing weeks from November 19 — December 17. You can refer to the official drawing rules online to see which experiences will be drawn each week.
COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for children aged 5 to 11! This is good news for Minnesota families. Vaccination is the best way to protect your child and the people around them. It has been shown to be safe and effective. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds will be arriving at vaccination locations across the state in the coming days. Learn more about the vaccine and find a vaccination location near you. My kids fall into this age group and I already have appointments booked for them to get their vaccines in the coming week!
Capitol Update
State legislators recently announced a new Reproductive Freedom Caucus to promote and protect the reproductive rights of all Minnesotans. I joined this important caucus and was elected as one of the Co-Chairs. You can watch the press conference announcing this new caucus here.
This year at the Capitol, lawmakers passed the Healthy Start Act, legislation I authored to end the harmful practice of separating newborn babies from incarcerated moms. In 2019, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and I toured the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, Minnesota’s only women’s prison, and learned first-hand how traumatic it is for a mother to have their newborn taken away from them minutes after giving birth and the difficulties families experience thereafter. The Healthy Start Act was bipartisan and notably, all 35 authors of the bill in the House of Representatives were women. Talk Poverty recently published a comprehensive summary of this groundbreaking legislation that will help improve health outcomes for babies, prevent recidivism among mothers, and end generational cycles of trauma. .
Utility Assistance
Utility assistance has been extended throughout the state. This is critical as we head into winter and heating bills begin to build up. If you or someone you know has lower income and needs help with utilities, applications for assistance can be completed here.
Deer Hunting
The 2021 firearms deer opener is in just a few days! Like many of you, my family is looking forward to heading out for quality time together, hopefully for a fun and successful season. As we enjoy these traditions each year, the threat of the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, a fatal neurological disorder that’s threatening Minnesota’s wild white-tailed deer population, requires our continued attention. A troubling number of CWD-positive cases have been connected to deer farms, including at a dumping site in Beltrami County. Last week, the Minnesota DNR held a pair of listening sessions on the topic. At the Capitol, my colleagues and I continue to work with hunting enthusiasts on reforms to prevent the spread from cervid farms to the wild deer population and better hold those responsible accountable. As you go hunting this fall, be aware of the DNR’s safeguards and rules in place to help contain CWD. The DNR just announced emergency action to prevent the spread of CWD, this includes a ban on the movement of farmed deer and new whitetails entering the state.
Many hunters across the state will need to take part in mandatory testing as we monitor for the disease. In addition, the CDC recommends that people not consume venison from CWD-positive animals. Taking part in testing in the higher risk areas of the state will help provide valuable data to the DNR and also keep your own family safe.
High School Page Program
The start of the legislative session is around the corner and now is the time for high school juniors to apply for the High School Page Program. Students have the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about various aspects of the state legislature. The weeklong program allows participants to get a front-row seat to the legislative process and get involved in policy and public service. You can learn about the application process and more here. The application deadline is November 23.
Stay in Touch
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance or if you have questions or feedback that you’d like to share. You can follow me on Facebook and you can reach me by email at rep.jamie.becker-finn@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-7153.
Sincerely,
Jamie Becker-Finn
State Representative