 Dear Neighbors, The 2022 Legislative Session started on Monday, and we passed a bipartisan bill this week to help frontline workers. Our frontline heroes have helped us get through the worst parts of the pandemic, and we can count on them to be there for us as we recover. Yesterday, I was proud to support extending the presumption under workers' compensation law that if a health care worker or first responder contracts COVID-19, they got it at work and are therefore eligible for benefits to support their economic security. The measure covers workers such as firefighters, peace officers, EMTs, health care workers, and child care workers. The previous law allowing for this presumption ended on December 31, 2021, leaving 183,000 frontline workers without the guarantee of compensation in the event they contract COVID-19. This was the first bill we passed this session, and I was proud to support the health and safety of the workers who support our health and safety.  Reminder: Town Hall Next Week; Legislative SurveyPlease remember to join Senator Jason Isaacson and me for a Virtual Town Hall Meeting next Wednesday, February 9 at 6 p.m. Each of us will preview our priorities for the upcoming session, but most of the time will be devoted to answering your questions. The meeting will take place on Zoom, and if you plan to attend you can RSVP and submit questions here, and we will send you the login info prior to the meeting. You can also follow along on my Facebook page where we will have livestream video available. I hope you can join us! Also, here’s a reminder to take my 2022 Legislative Survey. It’s just a few questions about the issues most important to you and should only take a few minutes to complete. Your priorities are important to me as we move forward this year at the Capitol.  Improving Public SafetyAll Minnesotans deserve to be safe no matter what you look like or where you live. Just this week, Jahmari Rice, a student was shot and killed outside a school in Richfield. In Minneapolis, community members are seeking answers following the death of Amir Locke at the hands of police. I want to offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Jahmari and Amir. Increases in violent crimes like carjackings and robberies are also increasingly on people’s minds. Working to keep our communities safe requires a comprehensive, thoughtful approach with investments in law enforcement, support for crime investigations, rebuilding community trust with police, and strong investments to address violence at its root causes. My House DFL colleagues and I have been working alongside local mayors, police chiefs, and prosecutors to provide the funding, tools, and collaboration needed to keep people safe. We recently put forth our initial $100 million investment in new, ongoing investments in public safety innovation and proven solutions. A fact sheet with more details about the proposal is available here. As someone who has dedicated my career to public safety and seeking justice for victims, I know that for the criminal justice system to work, it is vital that people have trust in that system. The investments in this package will encourage collaboration between community members and local law enforcement while helping to both reduce crime and rebuild the vital trust that is necessary to deliver the justice our communities expect. In collaboration with local law enforcement, I’ve introduced legislation to allow law enforcement to use new GPS tracking technology to help safely recover stolen vehicles. The technology allows squad cars to attach a device to a stolen car and remotely track it, reducing the need for dangerous high-speed chases while helping improve the chances of successfully locating the vehicle. I recently talked with KSTP about the bill. Finally, strong measures to address gun violence also have to be part of our discussion, and I will once again renew my call for solutions like expanded background checks and Extreme Risk Protection Orders. I’m the chief author of legislation to allow ERPOs, which are court orders to temporarily restrict access to firearms for someone who is proven to be a danger to themselves or others. Stay in TouchIn addition to the Town Hall and Survey, please feel free to contact me directly anytime with your viewpoints or if I can be of assistance. My email is rep.kelly.moller@house.mn and phone number is 651-296-0141. To stay up to date with what’s happening at the Capitol, the Minnesota House Public Information Services office has a variety of timely, non-partisan resources. You can subscribe to Session Daily which provides regular updates of legislative activity, watch live and archived floor sessions or committee meetings on YouTube, and check out informative publications with information about the legislature and our state government. You can learn about bills that have been introduced here and keep track of the bills I’ve authored here. If you have neighbors, friends, or family who you think would find these updates valuable, please share this with them; they can subscribe here. I also encourage you to “like” or “follow” me on Facebook. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Sincerely, Kelly Moller
State Representative |