Legislative Update- December 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well and taking advantage of the mild start to December.

Here’s an update from the Capitol:

State Budget Forecast

Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced new economic projections that show Minnesota is well positioned to deliver immediate economic aid to workers and small businesses. House Democrats and Republicans are working diligently together to craft a COVID-19 economic assistance package in response. I am hopeful we can find an agreement by December 14, which is when the next special session is slated to begin.

Discussions are ongoing on a plan that would:

• Keep Small Businesses Afloat 
  • Provide direct aid to businesses through Business Assistance Program 
  • Waive State and regulatory fees for bars, restaurants, event centers, craft breweries, and more
  • Establish eviction moratorium so small businesses can stay in their locations

• Support Workers Struggling to Get By
  • Extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks, helping as many as 100,000 workers whose benefits currently end late December
  • Provide a $500 one-time emergency payment to struggling families

• Help Minnesota Families Put Food on the Table
  • Establish one-time grant to restaurants to provide food for healthcare workers, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities
  • Provide a tax credit for businesses that donate food that would otherwise spoil or be thrown away 

Getting our Kids Back to Classroom Learning

Senator Franzen and I released a public statement urging consideration of vaccinating educators after health care workers, in a second wave of frontline workers. As legislators and mothers of young children, we understand on a personal level the toll this pandemic has placed on our students, educators, families, and caretakers alike. You can read the statement here.

COVIDAware App

You may have recently heard about a new tool to help keep Minnesotans informed as cases surge across the state. COVIDaware MN is a free mobile app can alert people if someone they’ve been in close contact with – even someone they don’t know – contracts the virus. The app is free, voluntary, and anonymous. Over 230,000 Minnesotans have downloaded it. You can learn more here.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime to let me know about the issues important to you at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn. For additional community and Capitol updates, follow me on my official Facebook page here.

It’s an honor to serve our Edina neighborhoods at the Minnesota Legislature.

Sincerely,

Heather Edelson

State Representative