Neighbors, Thursday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved legislation to deliver frontline workers up to $1,500 in bonus pay for their role in helping to protect Minnesotans during the pandemic. The bill dedicates $1 billion for bonus payments to thousands of frontline workers. Those eligible include long-term and home care workers, health care workers, teachers, and school staff, first responders, janitorial, maintenance, and security workers, bus drivers, child care workers and more. It’s past time our frontline workers get the bonuses they have earned. They kept our economy going during the darkest times of the pandemic. I was proud to vote ‘yes’ to show our gratitude and now it’s the Senate’s turn to approve this measure so we can get the bonuses into the pockets of those who sacrificed so much. They were there for us; let’s be there for them. You can watch debate on the House of Representatives YouTube page.  Committee Highlights This week, in the Health Finance and Policy committee we heard HF 3470 regarding a moratorium on hospital construction. Children’s Hospital Saint Paul campus is asking for an exception to add 22 inpatient beds for pediatric behavioral health services. Testimony highlighted the dire need for these additional beds for pediatric patients from the metro area as well as from across the state. Support for the bill came from Mental Health Minnesota who told the committee creating an inpatient unit is an essential next step to meet the needs of our youngest Minnesotans. You can watch hearing here. In the Early Childhood Finance and Policy committee, we heard a presentation from the center for Rural Policy and Development on the need to expand child care options for families. You can watch here. Survey Your input is so important to me as we go through the legislative session. Please take a moment to complete my legislative survey here. COVID-19 Update Getting the COVID-19 vaccination and booster can keep you and your family safe. If you’re not feeling well, get tested. You can still order up to four free COVID tests for your household. Go to https://www.covidtests.gov/ to get your test kits and many more resources. _____________ Stay connected with the legislature 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 |