Neighbors,
The legislature is back from recess, and I hope you and your families had a very happy Passover, Easter, and Ramadan.
This week I’m working with my colleagues as we start passing finance bills and outline our packages of budget priorities. As we focus on these bills, I remain optimistic as I fight for the working families of Minnesota.
MPR Appearance
Recently I had the opportunity to join Angela Davis on MPR to discuss the concerning rise of Anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States. Anti-Asian hate crimes were up 260% in the United States in 2021, and in Minnesota, recent data shows overall hate crimes climbed by 39%. This session, I proposed a bill to address this alarming and unacceptable increase in hate crimes. The legislation improves reporting of bias incidents and hate crimes along with additional training for police officers to identify and support victims. You can hear the full MPR conversation here.
Investing in our Families
As our state’s economy remains recovering and growing from the pandemic, we have seen that the growth is not shared equally. That is why the House DFL is focused on policies to support the workers, families, and kids who made this recovery possible. Below are some more details on our plans aimed to reduce costs of some of the largest expenses like child care, housing, health care, and student debt.
Combating the Avian Influenza
Recently, the Minnesota House recently voted to invest $1 million in the state’s response to the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Introduced by migrating wild birds, H5N1 spreads through spring migration and can affect all domestic poultry, both small and urban flocks, and commercial industries. While the current HPAI outbreak in Minnesota poses a high risk to poultry, there is a low risk to the public and no food safety concern for consumers. However, it is important for folks to take steps to protect their backyard flocks.
Here is a sheet from the Board of Animal Health on steps you can take, and more information is available here from the U of M Extension.
Stay in Touch
Please reach out to my office if you need assistance with anything. I am best reached through email at rep.samantha.vang@house.mn or please contact my legislative assistant Josh at josh.kilgard@house.mn. 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