Neighbors,
Back from the Easter/Passover weekend, the Minnesota House will begin discussing and approving the supplemental budget bills, which include many bills and provisions I have authored in collaboration with area partners. I’ll be voting for our supplemental budget, which makes historic investments and helps families across Minnesota.
Town Hall
Please join Sen. Nick Frentz and me for an in-person town hall meeting for all constituents on Saturday, May 7 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Mankato Intergovernmental Center – Mankato Room to provide an update on the progress of the legislative session and take questions from attendees.
And there’s still time to tell me what’s important to you this legislative session by giving me your input on the issues we are discussing at the Capitol. Please take a moment to complete my legislative survey. Thank you.
Governor’s State of the State Address
Governor Walz will deliver his annual State of the State address in the House of Representatives chamber on Sunday, April 24th at 6 p.m. I am honored to be among the delegation escorting the governor from his office to the chamber. You can watch the governor’s address live here.
HWY 14 Expansion Groundbreaking
This week, I joined Gov. Walz and a bipartisan group of legislators and community leaders to break ground for the 12.5 miles Hwy 14 expansion between New Ulm and Nicollet, completing a continuous four-lane stretch between New Ulm and Rochester. This is an important link to improve safety on one of the most dangerous highways in Minnesota.
Meeting with Community Visitors
I welcomed several visitors from home this week.
On Wednesday, I met with Veterans Service Officers and advocates from Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties during Veterans’ Day on the Hill. We need to support those who have supported us, this includes their loved ones.
I also met with visitors from Blue Earth County and from Greater Mankato Growth. When we work together to advocate for the region, we all do better.
Mankato Schools Awarded YST Grant
I was excited to learn Mankato Area Public Schools was awarded a 2022 Youth Skills Training (YST) Grant in the amount of $40,000. This grant will enable Mankato Area Public Schools to partner with local employers to develop and implement safe, healthy, and meaningful paid work experiences for students 16 years of age and older in the health care industry. You can learn more about the program here.
Avian Influenza Update
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI/H5N1) continues to show up in various Minnesota locations. The legislature approved – and Gov. Walz signed into law – a $1 million appropriation to be used for testing supplies, emergency response activities and disease surveillance.
There are actions the public can do to help limit the spread of the virus. The Raptor Center in St. Paul recommends removing bird feeders for now. Keep a lookout for any deceased birds or those in need of help – don’t touch the bird, but rather call the DNR, Raptor Center, or a new HPAI hotline at 1-833-454-0156.first for next steps.
For those who raise backyard chickens, keep the birds enclosed and separated from wildlife. Place mesh or tarps on the outside of the coop.
The virus has not caused human illness. According to the CDC, recent bird flu infections in U.S. wild birds and poultry pose a low risk to the public. You can read more from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the Board of Animal Health.
COVID-19 Update
The FDA has authorized a second booster shot for Americans over 50 and for those 12 years and older who are immunocompromised. You can read more from the U of M Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) recommendations here.
If you have symptoms, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, after traveling, or if you’ve attended a high-risk event, please get tested to slow the spread of COVID-19. You can order free rapid at-home tests from the federal government at CovidTests.gov and from the state at mn.gov/covid19.
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Stay connected with the Legislature
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.
I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can send an email to rep.luke.frederick@house.mn or can call my legislative assistant, Blake Wilcox, at 651-296-8803.
Also, please visit and “like” my Facebook page for more Capitol and community updates.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Luke Frederick
State Representative