Vaccine Eligibility to Expand Tuesday

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Walz announced this week that starting Tuesday, Minnesotans 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. The final eligibility expansion comes as the federal government has promised an increased supply of vaccine by April. By expanding eligibility to all Minnesotans, providers across the state will have the flexibility they need to fill appointments and support the state’s most critical goal: to get as many Minnesotans vaccinated as quickly as possible to end this pandemic.

All Minnesotans who have not received a vaccine should sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to get updates on vaccine opportunities and be entered into the random selection process for the state’s Community Vaccination Program sites. Minnesotans can also contact their healthcare provider, local pharmacy or use the Vaccine Locator Map to search for vaccine providers in their area.

While all Minnesotans will become eligible next Tuesday, not every Minnesotan will be immediately able to make an appointment. Vaccine shipments from the federal government will continue increasing over the coming weeks, but for now demand will still exceed supply.

The governor has also made a commitment to making sure every single community in Minnesota has fair access to these vaccines. With more doses arriving in Minnesota, the state is ramping up strategies to get more vaccines to Minnesota’s BIPOC communities and preparing to launch new, creative methods for delivering vaccine to communities who need them, including mobile vaccination units that will hit the road in the coming weeks. I’m grateful to see this is a priority as the vaccination rollout continues.

We’ve had a busy week at the Legislature. Here’s a look at some of the high-profile bills we passed to protect economic security for Minnesotans amid the ongoing pandemic.

Summer Learning Package Advances

Students, parents, teachers, and families have been hit hard by the pandemic, academically and emotionally. The robust summer learning package we passed on Tuesday would help address learning loss through hands-on tutoring and programming, ensure our students have an opportunity to get caught up, and provide critical mental health support to those, including teachers, who need it. I support this bill and look forward to the Senate joining us in getting the help our students need and deserve.

Securing Worker’s Compensation for First Responders

Last year, we passed a bill to ensure these Minnesotans on the front line of this pandemic would receive workers’ compensation if they contracted COVID-19 or were exposed to it on the job. That provision is set to expire on May 1, but first responders are still in a vulnerable position- especially with new variants of the virus appearing across the west metro. Yesterday, we passed a bill that would extend that deadline. Nurses, doctors, paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, correctional officers, and child care workers are covered under this proposal.

Preventing Wage Discrimination

March 24 was Equal Pay Day, an annual reminder that American women continue to be paid less than men. For every dollar that a White man is paid, Asian women make 85¢, White women make 82¢, Black women make 61¢, Indigenous women make 58¢, and Latina women make 53¢. One of the reasons that this gap exists is that employers can ask job applicants about their pay history and use it to make compensation decisions, which perpetuates the cycle of discrimination. I’m proud to share the House passed the Preventing Discrimination Act, a bill that halts this practice and brings us one step closer to closing the pay gap.

Helping Hospitality and Service Sector Workers Return to their Jobs

Many Eastsiders employed at hotels, airports, event centers, and related businesses were laid off last year. Since many Minnesotans are still avoiding travel and large events due to COVID-19, many of these workers haven’t been able to return to their jobs yet. That’s why we’ve championed legislation to help hospitality and service sector workers return to the jobs they had before the pandemic. The bill passed off the House Floor yesterday with my enthusiastic support.

Expanding Access to Earned Sick and Safe Time

The pandemic has demonstrated that we all benefit when workers have the ability to stay home without missing a paycheck. One of the bills we approved yesterday would ensure Minnesota families aren’t forced to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or a loved one. Under this legislation, workers would earn at least one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. Workers could use this time to stay home when they’re sick or to take care of a family member.

Legislation Update

This week, a couple of my bills that focus on equity were heard in committee. We heard a powerful democracy bill I’ve authored that would ensure all voters have the information they need, in the language they need it, to exercise their right to vote and participate in our democracy. My vaccine equity bill also had a hearing in the House Health Finance and Policy Committee. Both pieces of legislation are critical in breaking down barriers to access to basic rights around democracy and public health; our BIPOC communities deserve no less.

Keep in Touch

Please reach out anytime you need assistance or have questions at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-4201. I’m always happy to help out when you need it.

I am honored to represent our Eastside neighbors at Capitol. Thank you!

Have a great weekend,

Jay Xiong

State Representative