|
Neighbors,
March is Women’s History Month and yesterday we celebrated International Women’s Day. I’m proud to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of women in the House DFL Caucus and in our community. I honor those who came before us and enthusiastically celebrate those who succeed us. I am grateful for women in my life today, and every day.
Call to Temporarily Suspend Standardized Testing
Yesterday, I was joined by advocates and Sen. Erin Murphy to ask the Biden administration to suspend standardized testing in Minnesota for this school year. COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our students, and we believe giving states flexibility to suspend, delay or select another method of assessment will offer more time for students to spend with their teachers instead of taking tests. You can read the news release here, and view the news conference here.
Virtual Town Hall
Please join Sen. Eken, Rep. Marquart and me for a virtual town hall on Sunday, April 11. Our original date was postponed due to Gov. Walz’s State of the State address to Minnesotans on March 21. As April 11 draws closer, I will send details on how you can participate and weigh in on legislative issues.
Local Legislation
We are working on an effort to allow the city of Moorhead to – if voters approve it – impose a local sales tax option. HF 1614 will bring us closer to creating our Regional Library and Community Center. The next stop for this bill is the Property Tax Division.
Career Pathway Program Seeking Applicants
Applications are being accepted until May 28 for the Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers (IDEC) program, a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Board of Water and Soil Resources. You can learn more here.
Vaccine Update
Today, Governor Walz announced the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine access to those with a broad range of chronic and underlying conditions and key front-line workers. The state has almost reached its goal to vaccinate 70% of senior citizens.
You can be ready for the COVID-19 vaccine by signing up for the Vaccine Connector. When you become eligible to receive a vaccine under state guidelines, you will be alerted of your eligibility, connected to resources to schedule an appointment, and notified if there are vaccination opportunities in the area.
Stay Connected
The House has expanded the number of simultaneous committees it can?webcast live?from a maximum of two to five, so you can stay current on issues moving through committees this session.
The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here.
Contact me anytime at rep.heather.keeler@house.mn. I welcome your questions and comments. Also, you are welcome to “like” my Facebook page.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Heather Keeler
State Representative
|