Legislative Update - Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope you and yours have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. This time last year, I know we all hoped to have a greater sense of normalcy by now, but I remain thankful for my family, their health, and the honor of representing you at our State Capitol.

The bad news is that COVID-19 cases are once again at untenable levels in our state, meaning that we can’t yet abandon the public health practices that have become a habit for so many of us. The good news is that boosters are now available for all Minnesotans that last received their second dose over six months ago (two if you got Johnson & Johnson), and children age 5 and older are now eligible to receive their first dose.

If you haven’t gotten your booster yet (or your first dose), now is the time. Minnesota Public Radio highlighted the difficulties many hospitals are encountering in delivering timely emergency care and response, which impacts all of us, whether we’re in the waiting room for COVID or a broken arm. More information about boosters and appointment scheduling is available here, and vaccine information and locations for children are available here. 

Investing in Infrastructure

Since the House Capital Investment Committee’s stop in our community (which I covered in my last update), they have now finished their statewide tour of infrastructure projects in Minnesota. This comes alongside the news of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passing Congress and being signed by President Biden last week. The specifics of where the federal funds will go still need to be worked out, but generally we know that our state will receive the following:

• $4.5 billion for highways
• $302 million for bridges
• $100 million for broadband internet
• $68 million for electric vehicle charging stations
• $818 million for public transportation
• $680 million for clean water

This is an incredible investment in our state, and along with a robust Capital Investment Bill that we’ll be fighting for in the Minnesota House, we can bring the exact type of federal and state action we need to build back better for Minnesota. 

Stay In Touch

The 2022 Legislative Session begins on January 31, which will be here before you know it. If you haven’t already, please consider taking our brief Minnesota Values Project Survey, which will help guide our work in St. Paul. 

If you have any questions for me about the work ahead, or ideas you have for our community and state, please feel free to reach out. It looks like our work next session will continue to be done virtually, and the best way to contact me is at rep.michael.howard@house.mn or (651) 296-7158. You can also follow along on my Facebook page. I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy Thanksgiving,  

Michael Howard