Wolgamott Weekly Update - Budget Framework for a Special Session

Dear Granite City Neighbors, 

While the 2021 Legislative Session adjourned last week, the work has not slowed down. Though we were able to reach a crucial bipartisan agreement on our budget framework, we’ll be spending the next few weeks finalizing the specifics of our budget - to be passed during a June special session.

Several components brought us to this point, including the challenges of safely working in a pandemic, and a late-in-session influx of funds from the federal government thanks to the American Rescue Plan that was passed by Democrats in Congress and signed into law by President Biden. Some important issues have already been hammered out, but my DFL colleagues and I in the House are still negotiating with the Republicans in the Senate to build a budget that will help Minnesota not only bounce back from the past year, but thrive. 

Our budget proposal in the house prioritizes students, families, workers, and small businesses, and while the proposals around these are all incredibly important, it’s crucial to remember, especially as we reflect on the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, that meaningful public safety reform must also be part of our final budget.

Between the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, this has been a traumatic year for many of us, and our state has often been in the global spotlight - not for the things that make us great, but for the inequities that exist in our society. Minnesota is not alone in its issues, but we have the opportunity now to be a leader. I’m confident we can work together to put forward a budget that builds a stronger, healthier, more equitable and inclusive Minnesota.

Summer Learning Plan

Part of our bipartisan budget agreement includes immediate funds to help Minnesota’s students. Last week, Governor Walz announced a plan to help students recover from the pandemic and the unprecedented challenges many of them have faced this year, a plan based on the one we constructed in the Minnesota House. He’s investing $75 million of Minnesota’s American Rescue Plan funds in summer learning programs. Of this, $34.6 million is dedicated to providing academic and mental health support during the summer and beyond.

The rest of the funds will provide preschool for four- and five-year-olds, expand access to tutoring, strengthen Adult Basic Education programs, and support academic enrichment and college readiness initiatives. This package of investments will help students, families, educators, and communities bounce back and prepare for a bright future.

Adult-Use Cannabis passes Minnesota House

Earlier this month, a bill I co-authored to legalize cannabis for adult use passed the Minnesota House with bipartisan support. This first-of-its-kind bill in our state would also expunge the records of those convicted for nonviolent cannabis-related crimes. Minnesota’s outdated cannabis laws are doing far more harm than good, and this bill would create a regulatory framework that changes our system which currently causes disproportionate harm to Minnesotans of color.

This is a comprehensive, responsible bill, crafted with direct input from the people of St. Cloud during events I held in our community and through correspondence I’ve received on this issue. This bill is now in the possession of the Minnesota Senate, where the Republican leadership has made it clear that they don’t intend to hold a vote on this bipartisan, thorough bill. This is not an issue that’s going away anytime soon, and we have the choice now to either prepare Minnesota for the future, or be left behind. 

You can find more information on our bill here.

Vaccines Available!

It has never been easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you haven’t already. The Minnesota Department of Health reports more than 2.8 million of our friends and neighbors have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 2.5 million have received a complete vaccine series. Check out Minnesota’s COVID-19 mn.gov/vaccineconnector, call 833-431-2053 or ask your health care provider to help you find a vaccine.

Following CDC guidance, Governor Walz announced the end of the statewide face covering requirement for vaccinated Minnesotans. It is recommended those unvaccinated continue to wear face coverings indoors, and many businesses are still requiring them for the time being. For now, be sure to have a mask on hand as businesses and other cities change their mask policy. 

Stay Connected

We have a lot of work ahead that will be happening in a short amount of time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn, or give me a call at (651) 296-6612. You can also follow along with my work on my member page, “like” my official facebook page, and subscribe to and share these legislative updates. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Rep. Dan Wolgamott