Happy New Year

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope you and yours are having a happy and healthy start to the new year. Right away, I wanted to share the breaking news that mask mandates have been reinstated for Minneapolis as well as St. Paul. 

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the wake of the new Omicron variant, it’s important to remember that vaccines, boosters, and testing are the best tools at our disposal to ensure that we can all start 2022 in a safe and healthy fashion.

Unfortunately, our state has also reached the grim milestone of over 10,000 COVID-19 deaths, and 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. Our community has done such an amazing job in meeting this moment, but now is not the time to let up. 

Mask up, get tested if you’ve been exposed or are experiencing symptoms, and look out for one another. 

Investing in Our Community

In November, I was honored to welcome the House Capital Investment Committee when they visited our district as part of their statewide capital investment tour. I took on the role of a tour guide as I highlighted our community and our unique needs, specifically in the areas of public transportation.

In addition to the Capital Investment Bill that we’ll be working on next session in the Minnesota House, we’re also getting more information on how the recently passed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will impact our state. While the specifics of the federal bill are still being worked out, Minnesota is estimated to receive $4.5 billion for highways, $818 million for public transportation, $302 million for bridges, and $68 million for electric vehicle charging stations. Other important investments from the legislation not related to transportation include $100 million for broadband internet and $680 million for clean water infrastructure.

Many of these components will require a state match, and I look forward to advocating for these sorely-needed investments for our community next session. 

Minnesota’s Budget Forecast

Another important guide for our work this year will be Minnesota’s economic standing, and the latest forecast from Minnesota Management and Budget shows our state having a $7.7 billion positive fund balance. While this incredibly large number is indicative of economic recovery, it’s evident that the benefits of a recuperating Minnesota aren’t being felt by all.

Next session, our work needs to be focused on lending a helping hand to those still struggling amidst a global pandemic and its economic impact, to say nothing of the issues our state was facing before COVID-19. We need to use these funds to invest in working families, address the inequities in our system, and involve ALL Minnesotans in our state’s recovery. 

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

Stay Connected

We’re just a few weeks away from the 2022 Legislative session, and I want to hear from you. Our work is done best when it’s responsive to your needs, so please feel free to contact me with your questions, concerns, and ideas of how to improve our district and state.

The operations of the Minnesota House will continue to be done remotely next session, meaning much of our staff will continue to work from home, and our hearings and floor sessions will be available virtually.

The best way to touch base with me is through email at rep.sydney.jordan@house.mn, where you’ll either get a response from me, or our Legislative Assistant, David. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, 

Sydney Jordan

State Representative