Dear Neighbors,
I want to wish everyone in our community a safe and enjoyable holiday season. No matter the traditions you and your family celebrate, I hope this time of year is full of joy, warmth, and quality time with those close to you.
January 1: Earned Sick and Safe Time Goes Statewide
I’m excited that on January 1, Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time law goes into effect. Workers across our state – much like those in Duluth because of our local ordinance which took effect in 2020 – will have the ability to stay home when they’re sick, go to the doctor, or take care of a sick child. This overdue change will have an enormous impact on the economic security of workers and their families. Getting the proposal across the finish line was an effort lasting many years, and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of workers, small business owners, and other unrelenting advocates.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has a wealth of information about the new law both for workers and employers. I shared a few words about the law in this video on my Facebook page.
Other New Laws Taking Effect Jan. 1
During the 2023 legislative session, DFL lawmakers advanced numerous other measures Minnesotans have been advocating to become law, many of which also take effect January 1. Extreme Risk Protection Orders to prevent gun violence, access to menstrual products for students, a ban on employers prying for salary info from prospective employees, protections for meatpacking workers and more will soon become law.
A full list of these new laws is available here.
Historic Investments in Housing
Everyone deserves a safe, supportive place to live, but Minnesota’s housing crisis has continued to grow, with both homeownership and rental housing out of reach for too many people. This year, DFLers stepped up to deliver bold, generational investments with a record $1.3 billion housing budget to bolster the state’s housing supply, along with first-generation homebuyers assistance, rental assistance, homelessness prevention, workforce housing development, and manufactured home lending grants.
State housing officials recently announced a funding package to preserve and build over 4,700 housing units across Minnesota totaling $348 million. $35.5 million of this funding is targeted to Duluth for apartments and single-family homes. These projects – from organizations like One Roof Community Housing – are incredibly exciting and will help protect the health, safety, and economic security of families in our community and across the state.
Please continue to be in touch with your feedback and input. The Minnesota Values Project Survey is still open, and the insight provided will guide our work at the Capitol this coming session.
It’s an honor to represent you. Again, Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Liz Olson
State Representative