Dear Neighbors,
2022 session is now underway, and I’ve been hard at work advancing legislation to support families and workers in Minnesota.
The House is hitting the ground running and passed its first bill of the session, HF1203, which extends the workers’ compensation presumption that eligible workers who test positive for COVID-19 contracted the virus during employment. I am proud to stand with frontline workers and vote for their protection.
School Workers Eligibility for UI
On Monday, the Workforce and Business Development Committee heard an overview of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) system at DEED, and bills to put money into the UI Trust Fund. H.F. 3000 takes an important step in the right direction, by making hourly school workers eligible for UI.
Prior to the pandemic, school workers were already sacrificing so much for our children - often working late hours, and responding to the needs of larger class sizes. These issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic, as the shift to online teaching and uncertainty of funding creates a cloud of confusion and frustration. I will always fight for our school workers and the working families in our state.
COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives
The Kids Deserve a Shot vaccine incentive program has entered its second phase. Minnesota families who get their qualifying children fully vaccinated in February can get a $200 Visa gift card. To qualify, kids in Minnesota ages 5-11 must receive their first and second dose between January 1 and February 28. Registration opened on January 24 and will close at 11:59pm on February 28, 2022.
This spring, there will be drawings for several $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings for all qualifying children who are fully vaccinated. More details will be released soon!
Families in Minnesota can visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find local vaccine clinics. Families can also check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or pharmacy regarding appointments. In addition, please be sure to watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.
You can contact me at rep.erin.koegel@house.mn or (651) 296-5369. You can now follow me on Facebook as well! I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Erin Koegel
State Representative