 Dear Neighbors, We still haven’t heard the Senate budge on special session. We need to come back to work to pass the supplemental budget. This is billions of dollars that should be invested in schools, long-term care, healthcare, public safety, climate, infrastructure, and social services that they are choosing to hold hostage. Things that I’m excited to pass if we go into special session: - Important expansion of disability services and support for long-term care.
- Police accountability measures- every officer should have a body cam.
- New programs to replace lead pipes so that everyone can have clean water - no matter how old your house is.
- Support for renters and new homeowners - we need to address the rising costs of living.
- Student mental health - right now Minnesota ranks near the bottom for our counselor-to-student ratio. We should be worried about that.
- Teacher support - we saw teachers and school workers striking this year, for good reasons. They are underpaid and under-supported, and this surplus could make the change they need.
- Gun violence prevention. Banning ARs, closing loopholes for background checks, and creating Extreme Risk Protection Orders
 Frontline Worker Pay is Open!Please help us spread the word! The system to disperse Frontline Worker Bonuses is now up and running. If you had to work in person during the toughest times of the pandemic (nurses, teachers, janitors, food service, etc.) you can put your name in to receive $750 or more. Go to https://frontlinepay.mn.gov/submit and fill out a small form. El sistema de solicitud de pago de bonificación para trabajadores de primera línea se lanza hoy. Akhbaar Wanaagsan oo ku saabsansan lacag bixinta shaqaalaha safka hore ee geesiyaasha ah ee Minnesota: Nidaamka codsiyada lacag bixinta ayaa bilaabmaya maanta. Taariikhaha Taariikhda codsigu waa min 8-da Juun illaa 22-ka Luulyo, 2022. Shuruudaha u-qalmitaanka iyo macluuumaad kale ayaa laga heli karaa websaydkaan: www.frontlinepay.mn.gov. Muaj xov xwm zoo rau cov neeg ua haujlwm lub sijhawm muaj kab mob: tamsim no kev ua ntaub ntawv txais cov nyiaj pab tau qhib rau hnub no. Lub sijhawm ua ntaub ntawv txais cov nyiaj pab yuav pib rau lub rau hlis ntuj hnub 8 xyoo 2022 rau lub xya hlis ntuj hnub 22 xyoo 2022. Yog xav paub seb koj txoj haujlwm thiab kev ua haujlwm puas yuav txais tau cov nyiaj pab no, mus saib rau huav tshooj www.frontlinepay.mn.gov. Governor Walz Announces Three Minnesota COVID-19 Testing Locations to Become Test-to-Treat Sites Testing locations in Brooklyn Park, Duluth, and Moorhead will now offer Paxlovid to eligible patients who test positive on-site. All community testing sites will now provide free at-home rapid tests to families with children. Governor Tim Walz announced this week that three state-run community COVID-19 testing sites will become test-to-treat locations in the next week, allowing Minnesotans to get tested for COVID-19 and, if positive and determined to be high-risk, receive a prescription for medication at the same time. The community testing site in Brooklyn Park will become a test-to-treat location on June 10.The testing site in Moorhead will offer test to treat beginning June 13, and the site in Duluth will offer it beginning June 14. Additional sites will offer test-to-treat in the weeks ahead. (I expect a site to open in Saint Paul) “I am proud to be one of the first states to partner with the federal government to offer more test-to-treat options to people who need them,” said Governor Tim Walz. “We will continue to make sure all Minnesotans have options when it comes to testing for and treating COVID-19. It is important when someone tests positive for COVID-19, they have immediate access to treatment options.” The three community test-to-treat sites will continue to test all Minnesotans at no cost. Minnesotans who test positive for COVID-19 via a rapid antigen test will be able to choose to be evaluated on site by a clinician and given a prescription for the antiviral medication Paxlovid if it is deemed appropriate. The medication will also come at no cost to Minnesotans. Walk-ins are accepted but appointments are recommended at mn.gov/covid19. Speaking of COVID, last fall I worked with a national health equity firm studying the impact of COVID-19 in our Hmong Minnesota community. The latest data highlights the state of our Hmong community during this pandemic. Learn more about this project via: https://www.the21collective.org/hmong-american-health...  Bills to expand mental health access are signed into lawThis week, Governor Walz held a ceremonial bill signing and celebration for the mental health package lawmakers passed late last month. This package invests in the state’s mental health system which will increase hospital bed capacity, attract new mental health care professionals, and expand the use of mobile crisis services. The new law also includes $30 million to create an improved system to better serve those involved in the criminal justice system who are found not competent to stand trial. Mental health crises are on the rise, and now more than ever, it’s critical to invest in the care Minnesotans need access to. We have more to do in this area of health care, but this new law will help expand access for our children and most vulnerable neighbors, and that’s a good start. January 6th HearingsIf you haven’t already heard, the US House of Representatives created a panel to investigate and review the events of January 6th, 2021. The Pioneer Press covered it well here. We need to see accountability, or insurrections like this will keep happening. The peaceful transition of power is the most basic democratic principle. Once we lose that - then we’re really living in a dystopia. Let’s not forget - while we were watching January 6th in DC on TV, there were concurrent protests here at the governor’s mansion and at the Capitol. This moment fundamentally changed how all of our elected officials approach their work at the Capitol. Keep in TouchLess news than usual today, but please continue to reach out. If you’re trying to keep up with the possibility of special session (like I am) you should follow #mnleg on Twitter. Remember that you can always reach me at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn if you ever need assistance. In solidarity, Jay |