Legislative Update: Our Accomplishments and The Work Ahead

Dear Neighbors, 

As we approach the new year, it is a natural time of reflection, both for what we’ve accomplished and the work we still have yet to do. This was a year of challenges for many, and for our work in the Minnesota House, we focused our efforts on helping those that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic and its economic impact. Despite being one of the only divided state legislatures in the nation, we were able to accomplish the following this year:

When we return to St. Paul for the 2022 legislative session in January, we’ll build upon this work and address issues that still need to be resolved. I hope you’ll join me in that work. 

Minnesota’s Economic Forecast

Earlier this month, Minnesota Management and Budget released the latest economic forecast for our state, which can help guide our work at the legislature. Currently, Minnesota is estimated to have a $7.7 billion positive fund balance. While a surplus is certainly better than a deficit, it’s important to remember that despite this number, many Minnesotans are still struggling.

In my role as chair of the House Workforce and Business Development Finance and Policy Committee, I’ll be working to ensure the state’s position is used to lend a hand to working families, who are the Minnesotans that are driving our economic recovery in the first place. Now is the time to make investments to address the urgent needs and challenges facing Minnesotans, expand economic opportunity, and build a stronger future for everyone. 

You can read more about the state’s economic forecast here. 

Have a Healthy and Happy New Year

As we gather to celebrate with friends and family in the coming weeks, I want to stress the importance of following public health guidelines, especially with the recent news of Minnesota passing the tragic milestone of 10,000 deaths from COVID-19.

Getting tested, along with vaccines and boosters, will help slow the spread and ensure our hospitals aren’t overwhelmed. Leaders from Minnesota’s health care systems recently purchased a full-page newspaper ad pleading with Minnesotans to do their part to help end this crisis.

Minnesotans age 5 and older are now able to get the COVID vaccine, and those that have received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines over 6 months ago can get their booster shots. If you received Johnson & Johnson, you can get boosted if your initial vaccine was over 2 months ago. You can find more information on boosters here. 

A healthy new year is a happy new year, and I hope you’ll take advantage of these resources to keep you and your loved ones safe. If you have any questions about the resources available to our community, or comments on our work as we prepare to return to St. Paul in just over a month, please feel free to reach out to me. You can reach me at rep.mohamud.noor@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Mohamud Noor

State Representative