Legislative Update- May 10, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you and yours well, and that you had a chance to enjoy Mother’s Day weekend.

A big thank you to everyone who joined our virtual coffee chat last Saturday! We had an excellent turnout and covered lots of good topics. I really appreciate the opportunity to connect with you all so I can hear directly from you what’s on your mind. Hopefully, we’ll be able to gather together in person for a future get together! Stay tuned.

Our work continues at the Minnesota Legislature. With a week to go until our constitutionally required date to adjourn the 2021 regular session, Senate and House conference committees continue to meet to reconcile differences within each version of the budget bills. You may have seen in the news recently that the Senate Majority has threatened to cut funding for state parks and zoos if any clean cars provision is a part of final negotiations. Especially at a time when state park attendance is at an all-time high, and we are fighting to keep the Minnesota Zoo funded after a tough year, this obstructionist positioning is out of touch. Furthermore, Minnesotans expect lawmakers to work together to get the job done. I’ll continue to do my part to find common ground and work on behalf of the people of Rosemount, Apple Valley and Coates to balance our two-year state budget.

Loosened COVID-19 Restrictions

Last week, the Governor announced a three-step timeline to end nearly all COVID-19 restrictions by May 28, and end the statewide masking requirement once 70% of Minnesotans aged 16 years and older get their vaccine, or by July 1. 

This announcement comes as more than 2.6 million Minnesotans have been vaccinated and is on track to vaccinate 70% of Minnesotans by the end of June.

The most at-risk Minnesotans – seniors, long-term care residents, assisted living residents, educators, and front-line workers – have been vaccinated. Nearly 90 percent of Minnesotans over the age of 65 have received at least one dose.

Since mid-April, COVID-19 cases have declined. Hospitals are seeing fewer admissions and vaccination progress has relentlessly pushed forward. Vaccines held COVID-19 variants at bay and avoided having them overwhelm our state.

Step One took place at noon on May 7. It includes initial steps to relax some restrictions, primarily in outdoor settings. 

• Removes limits for outdoor dining, events, and other get-togethers, and ends the mask requirement outdoors except at large venues with over 500 people. 
• Eliminates the state-established mandatory closing time for bars, restaurants, and food and beverage service at other places of public accommodation.

Step Two begins on May 28. Remaining capacity and distancing limits will come to an end, including for indoor events and gatherings. The requirements that will remain include:

• Face coverings indoors and for outdoor events that exceed 500 people.
• Businesses and other venues must have plans that keep their employees and customers safe – as they have from the beginning of the pandemic – guided only by a minimal universal state guidance document that includes no new requirements.

Step Three takes place once 70 percent of Minnesotans age 16 years and older – 3,087,404 Minnesotans – get at least one dose of the vaccine, but no later than July 1.

• The remaining face covering requirement and the requirement for preparedness plans will end. Work on vaccines will continue, and local jurisdictions and entities may set their own mask policies.

Because the youngest Minnesotans are not yet eligible for the vaccine, the Safe Learning Plan for schools will continue until the end of the school year to protect students, teachers, and staff in schools. 

Additional protections will remain, including the eviction moratorium, a ban on price gouging, and eligibility exemptions for people who receive state services. The state will continue its emergency efforts to get Minnesotans tested and vaccinated.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.john.huot@house.mn or 651-296-4306 with input or questions. For additional community updates, you’re welcome to follow me on Facebook.

Thank you for the honor of serving our communities at the State Capitol.

Have a great week.

Sincerely,

John