Dear Neighbors,
I hope this email finds you well! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I wish you and your family a healthy and happy holiday.
This is a time of the year to reflect on all that we have in our lives in which to be grateful; our treasured loved ones, our health, our home, and so much more. As your state representative, I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to our community; to make life a little easier for folks, and to partner with you to find solutions for our state’s COVID recovery, health care people can afford, and financial security for Maple Grove and Osseo families and businesses.
If you’re planning to gather with family and friends over the weekend, please have fun, but be safe. We’re all tired of this virus, but the best way we can beat it is to follow the recommended CDC guidance to stop the spread and save hospital beds. Health care staff from North Memorial is asking for our help.
Booster vaccine eligibility has been expanded to anyone who wants one. The waning effectiveness of the vaccine poses a significant threat in our efforts to combat the virus, protect our elders and immunocompromised loved ones, and our hospital capacity. You can find a location to get your booster here. It’s also not too late to begin your initial vaccine series. Minnesota’s vaccine locator can help you find an appointment or walk-in opportunity.
Over 44,000 kids ages 5-11 have received their vaccine since the CDC has approved a version from Pfizer. Vaccines for children will only be available with parental permission. Parents can learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens and find where to get their children vaccinated at mn.gov/vaxforkids. I also encourage parents to speak with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or local pharmacy about appointments.
Minnesota Benefits from Strong Infrastructure
Federally, Minnesota received good news last week with the President’s signature of the infrastructure bill into law. Our state will benefit with:
- $4.5 billion for highways
- $302 million for bridges
- $100 million for broadband internet
- $68 million for electric vehicle charging stations
- $818 million for public transportation
- $680 million for clean water
MinnPost has a great, comprehensive story on how these figures will keep moving our communities forward and includes bipartisan praise on how we’ll get to work together to make investments in our state’s infrastructure. You can find the article here.
Local Infrastructure in Maple Grove
Last month, I had the opportunity to join area law enforcement, and community members and legislative colleagues to break ground on the North Metro Regional Public Safety Training Center expansion. Due to the high-volume of use of this facility, updates were needed to meet the demand. As a result of the successful funding legislation I authored, the expanded facility will incorporate modernized training capabilities to include simulation training, de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques, and have additional classroom space for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in addition to State Troopers, Hennepin County Sheriff’s, and local Police Departments.
It’s critical our officers come home safely at the end of the day and our community members feel safe. I am grateful for the partnership with our local Maple Grove Police Department, Plymouth and Brooklyn Park Police Departments, city, county and the Hennepin County Sheriff to make this mission a reality.
Cyber Security in Minnesota
Last week marked the very first meeting of the newly formed Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity. I am both honored and humbled to be elected Vice Chair and to work closely with Senator Mark Koran, our Chair.
Cyber security transcends politics. It is about securing the critical state infrastructure to provide the services our citizens expect and that includes protecting their data and privacy.
I am honored to join all the members of the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity and form a strategic plan with a bipartisan group of fellow members.
Minnesota Values Project Survey
The Minnesota Values Project is an initiative my colleagues and I have been working on to know about what’s going well for you and your family, your aspirations, apprehensions, and challenges, as well as what we as lawmakers can do at the State Capitol to improve opportunities across our state. It’s important for Maple Grove and Osseo voices to be included. Please take a few minutes to take the 2021 Minnesota Values Project Survey. The survey is only four questions and will be helpful in guiding our work next legislative session and beyond.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime with feedback, questions, or to let me know how I can provide assistance.
It’s an honor to serve our communities at the State Capitol.
Be well.
Sincerely,
Kristin Bahner
Your State Representative