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Neighbors,
It’s an honor to serve Eden Prairie and Minnetonka at the State Capitol. As your Representative, I’m committed to helping our communities – and the entire state – recover and rebuild from COVID. We want Minnesotans to have access to affordable health care, excellent educational opportunities, and a robust economy for everyone.
I’d like your feedback on issues that may be discussed this legislative session. Your priorities are important to me. Please click on this link and complete my legislative survey.
Another way we can stay in touch during the session is an upcoming virtual town hall with Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, Sen. Cwodzinski, and me on Tuesday, March. 16. More details will be available as the day nears.
Paid Family Leave
Next week the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee, of which I serve as Vice-Chair, will hear the Paid Family Medical Leave bill. This is such an important issue and I look forward to hearing testimony from those who will be positively impacted by passage of family leave.
New Tool to Connect All Minnesotans to COVID-19 Vaccines
A new tool is now available to help all Minnesotans learn how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The Vaccine Connector is the next step in the state’s vaccination strategy to link Minnesotans to vaccine opportunities, no matter where they live or their personal circumstances.
Minnesotans unable to sign up online can call 833-431-2053 to sign up over the phone. A translation hotline can also be called at 833-431-2053 to sign up over the phone.
When a Minnesotan becomes eligible to receive a vaccine under state guidelines, the Vaccine Connector will alert them of their eligibility, connect them to resources to schedule an appointment, and notify them if there are vaccination opportunities in their area.
Vaccine demands still far exceed supply. Every Minnesotan will have an opportunity to get vaccinated as more vaccine arrives in the weeks and months ahead. It will just take time and the Vaccine Connector is another tool Minnesotans can use to be prepared.
Getting Students Back to In-Classroom Learning
This week, Governor Walz announced an updated plan to return more children to the classroom. Many of our younger students are already back in school and starting February 22, middle and high schools can begin welcoming students back for hybrid or in-person learning. By March 8, all schools will offer some type of in-person learning.
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Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
- Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic (are not experiencing any symptoms). Wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lessen COVID-19 spread.
- Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
- Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Stay six feet away from others.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth – with unwashed hands.
- Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.
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Stay connected with the legislature
The Minnesota House will continue to operate remotely, as we did throughout most of 2020. The House will ensure openness and transparency for the public by expanding the number of simultaneous committees it can webcast live?from a maximum of two to five, so you can stay current on issues moving through committees this budget session.
Also, the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here.
Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Laurie Pryor
State Representative
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