Dear Neighbors,
Last Wednesday was National Nurses Day, which kicked off National Nurses Week. Nurses, more than most other professions have stepped up in our time of need to fight this disease. We would be in a much worse place if we did not have the passion, integrity and expertise of our nurses to aid us through this crisis. To all nurses, thank you, we owe you all a great debt.
House Passes COVID Economic Security Act
Last week, the House passed HF 1507, a critical bill that will provide economic support for small businesses, fund broadband and telemedicine expansions, $100 million in housing assistance, and increase pay for personal care assistants. These funds are designed to specifically aid the small mom and pop stores that form the backbone of our communities. We have to take bold action in standing up for the most vulnerable if we are to make it through this crisis without causing harm to our state. By sticking to our shared values and helping each other wherever it is needed we can weather this storm.
Pay for Hourly School Employees
We also passed a bill that requires school districts and charter schools to compensate all employees for time that they were scheduled but did not work during the distance learning period. The funds to pay these workers have already been appropriated to the schools, so this bill would not impact our current budget. These are members of our community who devote their career to supporting our children. This bill makes sound fiscal sense and is critical to helping all of these workers through this crisis.
Election Security and Facilitation of Vote by Mail
Early last week we passed an election security bill that allows Minnesota to utilize federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds. This bill consolidates federal and state matching appropriations intended to address election cybersecurity and COVID-19 resiliency, and also includes policy provisions intended to give counties and cities greater flexibility in utilizing absentee voting in the 2020 primary and general elections. Our elections are under threat from foreign powers and COVID-19. With these funds we will ensure that our elections are safe and secure for everyone.
Elective Surgeries to Return
Starting this week, doctors, dentists, and veterinarians who create a plan to keep patients and healthcare professionals safe may begin offering procedures, which can treat chronic conditions, prevent and cure disease, and relieve chronic pain.
Governor Walz’s executive order will allow hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and clinics – whether veterinary, medical, or dental – to resume many currently-delayed procedures once facilities have developed criteria for determining which procedures should proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided a plan to maintain a safe environment for facility staff, patients, and visitors. Many of you have waited patiently in difficult situations for elective surgeries to resume. Thanks to your strength and perseverance Minnesota was able to continue to prepare for COVID-19.
Stay in Touch
For all up to date information on COVID-19 and information on testing locations please visit mn.gov/covid19/.
Please reach out to my office if you need assistance with anything. I always appreciate hearing from you. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page here.
Sincerely,
Rep. Samantha Vang
651-296-3709
rep.samantha.vang@house.mn