Dear Neighbors,
I want to wish you and your family a joyous and healthy holiday season. This time of year is for celebration, reflection, and hope for the future. While we participate in our holiday festivities with family and friends, it’s important to recognize the struggles many people are experiencing, and I hope we can continue to be there for one another. Nevertheless, I hope you’re able to create new memories with your loved ones that you’ll cherish for years to come. Here’s an update from the State Capitol.
New Budget Forecast
Minnesota Management and Budget recently announced a new economic forecast showing a $7.7 billion positive budget balance for the current two-year period. There’s no doubt our economy is recovering, but many workers and families are still encountering tough times due to the pandemic with things like housing affordability, education challenges, and access to affordable health care. Additionally, as long as COVID-19 is with us, we will continue to experience a degree of uncertainty.
Still, this surplus gives us an opportunity to invest in our shared future, and House DFLers are eager to help ensure all Minnesotans can successfully recover from the past two years. With the new economic outlook, legislators can and should use this opportunity to invest in economic security, world-class education, and affordable health care so everyone can have the bright future they deserve.
COVID-19 Update
Minnesota recently surpassed the grim milestone of 10,000 deaths due to COVID-19. Each of these deaths represents a tragic loss for a family in our state. Essentia Health, St. Luke’s, and St. Louis County Public Health have come together to offer this message to our community. Simply put: our health care workers have been pushed to the max. They’re emotionally and physically exhausted. Hospital admissions are rising and ICUs are approaching capacity. Those seeking emergency care for a sudden illness or injury are forced to wait unreasonable lengths to see a doctor or a nurse. Overwhelmingly, those admitted to the hospital with COVID symptoms are unvaccinated.
None of us wants to see a loved one get sick or end up in the hospital, especially during the holidays. Please do your part to keep members of your family and community safe by getting vaccinated (or getting a booster if you’re eligible), wearing a mask around others, staying home if you’re sick, and get tested if you’re experiencing symptoms.
Child Care Expansion
The difficulties families face in finding affordable child care aren’t new, but have been greatly enhanced since the pandemic. A lack of child care access is one of the most significant roadblocks families face in achieving the economic stability they deserve by limiting opportunities for potential new employees to join the workforce.
This past legislative session, I was honored to champion a package of historic investments in affordable child care totaling $8 million. This package included grants to organizations in communities across the state to increase the supply of quality child care providers. Last week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced the first round of grant recipients with a total of $2,425,000 going to 14 organizations. One such organization is the Northland Foundation which will receive $240,000 to expand child care in our region. Grant funding can be used to partner with local employers to build new child care facilities, training, assistance with licensing, and more.
Given our budget outlook, I’m hopeful we can make additional investments in tools to help families achieve economic security, and a lack of child care is certainly one such hurdle to help them overcome.
I want to wish everyone warm holiday greetings with joyful celebrations along with friends and family, and hope for health, peace, and prosperity in the new year. Turning the chapter to 2022, I’m hopeful we can come together to ensure everyone can have the bright future they deserve. As always, I invite you to reach out to me with your input, ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Liz Olson
State Representative