Dear Neighbors,

During this difficult time, I hope you and your loved ones are doing well. We’re in the final week of the legislative session, and Sunday is the last day for us to pass bills. In case you missed it, here’s a recent piece I submitted to the Duluth News Tribune highlighting our priorities in these final days.

COVID-19 Economic Security Agenda

Minnesotans are suddenly facing challenges they’ve never experienced before, and many of those who were struggling before the pandemic are among those impacted by COVID-19 the most directly. Last week, I voted to approve the House DFL’s COVID-19 Economic Security Agenda, which helps those who are struggling to make their next rent payment, students who depend on broadband access to connect to their schools and teachers, the smallest businesses that have been denied any financial assistance, and PCAs who continue to provide care during this pandemic.

The actions we take now will determine whether Minnesotans will be able to emerge from this pandemic not just in good health, but in a position where they can succeed and thrive economically. You can read more about this package here.

Local Jobs and Projects Bill

Today the House Ways and Means Committee approved the House’s Local Jobs and Projects Bill. I’m proud it contains several projects important to Duluth including UMD’s A.B. Anderson Hall, Northern Lights Express rail between the Twin Cities and Duluth, Duluth Seawall improvements, Lake Superior Zoo, and the Duluth Depot. This legislation will be key to getting more Minnesotans back on the job and aiding in our overall economic recovery. I’m hopeful we can come to a bipartisan agreement soon and deliver these investments in infrastructure communities are counting on. You can find a full list of the projects in the bill here.

State Worker Contracts

Our state employees provide excellent, essential services for the people of Minnesota. They deserve fair compensation and yesterday, the House voted to ratify their labor contracts that were negotiated in good faith and are currently in effect, subject to legislative approval.

Workers covered by these contracts include people like Stephanie, who works on the case investigations team for the Minnesota Department of Health, handling isolation and quarantine, following up with our health care workers to ensure those providing services in our hospitals, clinics, long-term care settings, group homes, and many other places are healthy. Joshua is a corrections officer, who, in order to keep his family safe, has been sleeping in a fish house in his driveway.

These workers are the very people on the front lines fighting this pandemic and caring for us. They deserve economic security through this crisis.

For up-to-date information about COVID-19 in the state of Minnesota, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard or the Minnesota House’s COVID-19 website. If I can be of any assistance, email me at rep.liz.olson@house.mn or call me at 651-296-4246.

Wishing wellness, safety, and good health to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Liz Olson
State Representative