Dear neighbors,
While my colleagues and I are working remotely to protect our staff and constituents, we are eager to connect with you virtually until we can hold in-person events again. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart, Representative Ginny Klevorn, and I are holding a town hall via Zoom on Saturday, March 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To join us, please click here when the event begins or enter the Meeting ID (931 9621 3833) and Passcode (304705) when prompted on Zoom. We look forward to seeing you then!
Solar on Schools
My Solar on Schools bill had its first hearing last week. This legislation creates a program to help school districts install solar panels on their buildings. Installing solar energy would help Minnesota schools save money on electricity – which is often the second-largest expenditure in their budget – and redirect the savings into the classroom. It would also provide valuable learning experiences for students. The bill is a unique opportunity for a win-win scenario, and I’m looking forward to championing it this session!
Capitol Climate Connections Podcast
On a related note, I recently launched a podcast with Rep. Jamie Long! On the Capitol Climate Connections Podcast, Rep. Long and I will share updates from the Capitol, discuss climate issues, and highlight some of the incredible work Minnesotans are doing to address the climate crisis. We’re excited to talk with people from every corner of the state about protecting our planet! You can find our first episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts.
New Appointment
I was recently appointed to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), a bipartisan group that reviews environmental initiatives. The LCCMR considers proposals for projects that protect, conserve, and enhance our state’s air, water, land, wildlife, and other natural resources. Projects the LCCMR selects will receive funding from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund – which is funded with money from the state lottery – if they are approved by the Legislature. I am honored to serve on this commission and excited to continue working on preserving Minnesota’s natural resources for future generations.
Vaccine Update
Minnesota has made progress in the fight against COVID-19. Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are all trending downward, and our vaccination process is improving as the supply increases. So far, 975,781 Minnesotans have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 516,422 have completed the series. Last week, Governor Walz announced the next steps in this process.
Our state is on track to deliver vaccines to 70 percent of Minnesotans who are 65 years old or older by the end of the month. Once we hit this benchmark, people with certain underlying health conditions and those who are at a high risk for workplace exposure will become eligible. The next group of Minnesotans to receive vaccinations will include:
- People with specific high-risk health conditions, including sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, oxygen-dependent chronic lung and heart conditions (COPD and CHF), and those in active cancer treatment or immunocompromised from organ transplant
- Targeted essential workers, such as Minnesotans who work at food processing plants
- People with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk
Current projections indicate that every Minnesotan should be able to get a vaccine this summer. I encourage you to sign up for Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector, which will alert you when you become eligible for the vaccine.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or if I can be of assistance. You can email me at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn or give me a call at 651-296-9934.
Sincerely,
Patty Acomb
State Representative