Legislative Update- May 8, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

May 18— our constitutionally required date to adjourn—is just around the corner. We’re working with the Governor’s office and the Legislature to wrap up various proposals that puts the needs of Minnesotans first during the pandemic.

Yesterday with my support, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the COVID-19 Economic Security Act, which delivers much-needed relief to thousands of Minnesotans experiencing difficulties during the pandemic. The legislation helps those who are struggling to make their next rent or mortgage payment, students who depend on broadband access to connect to their schools and teachers, the smallest businesses that have been denied any financial assistance, and personal care assistants who continue to provide care to the most vulnerable during this pandemic. You can read more about the bill here.

Ensuring Honest Pay for our Hourly School Workers

Early this week, my House colleagues and I approved legislation that ensures our hourly school workers – the paraprofessionals, the food nutrition personnel, the bus drivers, and more – are fairly compensated for the work they’ve still been putting in throughout distance learning. These folks are going above and beyond delivering meals to families with food insecurity, dropping off critical classroom materials for students with varying learning abilities, and more. I’ve been a longtime advocate of this proposal and was glad to see it advance.

Securing Safe Elections for Minnesotans

Also this week, the House passed a key bipartisan measure to allow for federal Help America Vote Act funds to be used for our upcoming August primaries and November elections in Minnesota. Funds will be used to ensure the health and safety of election officials and in-person voters by preparing for increased absentee voting, increasing new polling place locations, purchasing of sanitation and disinfectant supplies, and public outreach for implementing social distancing guidelines related to voting. Mail-in voting was unfortunately not included, but I’ll continue to advocate for this reliable method that’s already widely and successfully used in several of our rural Minnesota communities.

District 57 Virtual Town Hall- Monday!

This is a friendly reminder to join your legislative district 57 team for a virtual town hall meeting on Monday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. We’ll be streaming the event live on my Facebook page. If you have questions you’d like to submit in advance, you may do so here.

Looking forward to connecting with you online!

Keep in Touch

Please keep the calls and emails coming. I appreciate your input, so never hesitate to contact me anytime. The best way to reach me is through email at rep.john.huot@house.mn.

If you know of a neighbor, friend, relative, or coworker who may be interested in receiving these regular Capitol updates, feel free to let them know they can sign up here.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Mother’s Day weekend.

Sincerely,

John