Legislative Update - Thursday's Town Hall with Speaker Hortman

Dear Granite City Neighbors, 

The 2022 Legislative Session is officially underway, and I want to make sure you have every opportunity to touch base with me about the issues that are important to you. In addition to making sure we’re working together, I also want to make sure the priorities of St. Cloud are known to legislative leaders, which is why I’ve invited Speaker of the Minnesota House Melissa Hortman to join me for my fist town hall of the year this Thursday, February 3, at 6:00pm.

With both of us working in St. Paul that day, and to keep this as safe and healthy as possible, we’ll be hosting this event on Zoom and streaming simultaneously on my Facebook page. 

If you would like to join us on Zoom to better engage in the event, you can RSVP to kyle.smith@house.mn to receive the login information. 

This will be an incredibly important legislative session for our state, so please reach out to me regardless of whether you’re able to join us this Thursday. 

Hitting the Ground Running

There are several issues we might cover on Thursday, so beforehand I want to give you a picture of what I’m already working on, the proposals I helped craft with my DFL colleagues, and other important bills. 

Session began yesterday, and right away I was in committee for my bill to extend the workers’ compensation presumption for public safety and healthcare workers who contract COVID-19. Every day, a projected average of 65 frontline workers will contract this virus, leaving them and their families on the hook for anywhere between $1000-$9600. That’s why I’m pushing to pass this bill as quickly as possible to have the backs of the heroic men and women who are keeping us safe, taking care of us when we are sick, and caring for our children.

All of our work in the Minnesota House is important, but at the forefront of my mind at the onset of session is the safety and security of our community and state. All Minnesotans deserve to feel safe, no matter what they look like or where they live, which is why I’m supporting a $100 million investment in public safety. The rest of our legislative efforts won’t make much of a difference unless our communities are safe, and I’m confident that’s a goal we can meet when working together.

In addition to public safety, I’m committed to working with you to deliver economic security for working families, support for our students, and building a cleaner and greener Minnesota. You can find the DFL House’s proposals on these issues here:

• Public Safety
• Economic Security
• Climate Action
• Education

You can also read my latest column in the St. Cloud Times, where I covered my “legislative resolutions” for this year. 

Stay Connected

The Minnesota House will continue to conduct our work in remote and virtual operations for the time being, which unfortunately means we’re not yet to the point where you can visit with me in-person in the House offices. To stay up to date on the latest news and the livestreams of committee hearings and floor debates, you can visit the House Public Information website. 

For keeping up with me, you can follow along for regular updates on my Facebook page, subscribe to these email updates if you haven’t already, and contact my office at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn or (651) 296-5507 (though email is preferred). You’ll hear back from me or Kyle, our legislative assistant. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lastly, I’ll leave you with the words from my colleague, State Representative Rena Moran, as we mark the start of Black History Month. Here’s to building a better Minnesota for ALL Minnesotans.

Sincerely, 

Rep. Dan Wolgamott