Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you well and that you’ve been able to enjoy the December snow! As we prepare for the holiday celebrations and gatherings this weekend, and with COVID cases on the rise, Minnesotans are encouraged to do their part and take the following steps:
- Get Vaccinated. Minnesotans aged 5 and up can be vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season—especially those who can’t be vaccinated and children under 5. Find vaccines for the whole family .
- Get Tested. Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, test before holiday gatherings to make sure you’re not spreading the virus to loved ones unknowingly. Take advantage of one of the many free testing options the state has to offer, or head to your local clinic or pharmacy. Make an appointment at a community testing site. NOW is also a great time to order a free test through the at-home testing program to ensure you have one on-hand ahead of the holidays, or use a test if you have one already.
- Get Boosted. All adults 18 and older should get a booster when they are due (6 months after receiving Pfizer and Moderna, and 2 months after receiving Johnson & Johnson).
- Stay Safe. Wear your mask in indoor public settings, wash your hands, and do your best to avoid crowded indoor spaces before getting together with family and friends—especially high-risk loved ones and children under 5 who can’t be vaccinated.
As you know, ICUs across Minnesota are at or near capacity, putting enormous strain on doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. The new omicron variant could exacerbate this crisis. If you haven’t already, please follow proven public health protocols to keep each other safe and alleviate pressure on our frontline health care workers.
New Economic Forecast
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released a new economic forecast early this month. It projects a $7.7 billion positive balance, with an estimated $3.1 billion of one-time money and $4.3 billion of ongoing funds. This does not include rates of inflation moving forward.
While the budget forecast suggests our economy is recovering, we know many people and communities are still facing significant challenges.
What led to this large surplus? This projection is evidence of strong economic recovery as a result of indicators such as increasing incomes, higher consumer spending, and lower unemployment, generating this historic boost in revenue.
What does this mean for Minnesotans? It means some of the areas of the budget where we saved funds will not be ongoing in the future, and pandemic response needs are greater than before, so we must carefully consider those to rebuild. The projected surplus also gives us the opportunity to help Minnesotans overcome challenges like the high costs of healthcare and prescription drugs, helping ensure nobody has to choose between a paycheck or taking care of a new baby or an ill loved one, and our students and main street brick and mortar small businesses have a chance to bounce back from the pandemic’s impact. I’ll continue working to represent the priorities of Maple Grove and Osseo when we gavel in for session next month.
Please feel free to share with me your thoughts and input on how we can best utilize these investments.
Redistricting Update
The House and Senate Majorities have released their redistricting maps. Here are the links to the proposed Legislative and Congressional districts. As a member of the House Redistricting Committee, I can say with confidence our state and congressional legislative maps are fair, representative of Minnesota’s population growth, and have been carefully vetted by the public. In the event there is not a joint agreement between the GOP-led Senate and DFL-led House by February 15, 2022, redistricting will advance to a special judicial panel appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court. However, I remain cautiously optimistic we can find agreement with the Senate ahead of the February deadline.
Cultivating Innovation in our Community
It was great to connect with Upsher-Smith Laboratories recently. The incredible pharmaceutical company has been in operation for over 100 years! The Maple Grove facility specializes in innovative, generic-brand seizure and heart medications.
Fostering these public and private-sector relationships help facilitate foreign investment and opportunities that create jobs here at home with high paying technicians and manufacturing across the Midwest. I look forward to continuing our work together.
Did you know?
Maple Grove is home to a major source of COVID-19 vaccine packaging. Pelican Bio Thermal, LLC, of Maple Grove has been awarded $315,000 from the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) to assist in temperature-controlled packaging for the life science industry. In addition to the MIF award, Pelican Bio Thermal, LCC is investing $728,000 in expanding manufacturing capacity and automation. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development estimates that the average wage of the up to 50 created jobs by the MIF award in Maple Grove would be approximately $24.47 per hour.
Government IT Symposium
As a member of the bipartisan Cybersecurity Commission in the Legislature, it was an honor to recently participate in the 40th Annual Government IT Symposium last month. The purpose of this symposium is to bring together technologists from across the state to discuss the different challenges within the Information Technology system. We also discussed ways we can improve efficiencies within our public sector IT infrastructure so everyone can access the services they need to thrive. You can watch my conversation with Commissioner of Minnesota IT Services Tarek Tomes here.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.kristin.bahner@house.mn or 651-296-5502 for questions, input, or ideas. You’re also welcome to follow me on my Facebook page here.
I’d also like to wish you a very happy holiday and 2022. However you celebrate, I hope it’s filled with love, joy, and good health.
Warmly,
Kristin Bahner
Your State Representative