March 11: Legislative and Vaccine Updates, Town Meeting

Dear Neighbors, 

On March 20th at 11 A.M. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg to address legislative issues important to our district. I hope you are available to join us on Zoom.

You can RSVP to join on the Zoom call and submit your questions prior to the event on the following google form, or simply watch the live-broadcast of the event my Facebook page.

You will receive the Zoom link the day before the event. We look forward to having you there. Democracy works when we show up for our community! 

Update on Minnesota’s Economic Forecast

Twice each year, near the end of November and February, Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB) produces a forecast of the state’s General Fund revenues and expenditures for current and future bienniums. Based on the announcement from today, there is no longer an anticipated shortfall for 2022-23 fiscal year. The projected positive balance is $1.6 billion due to higher revenue forecast, lower state spending, and an increased balance for the current fiscal year.

At the legislature, we will work to prioritize investments that put people first and create a better quality of life for all Minnesotans.

Affordable Minnesota Health Plan 

Last week, over fifty members of the House and Senate reintroduced a previously proposed Minnesota Health Plan (MHP) that would cover all medical needs for Minnesotans while still costing less than the current, unaffordable system. The plan would not require any copays or deductibles, patients would have the ability to choose their providers, and premiums would be based on affordability. The proposed Minnesota Health Plan would cover all medically necessary care, including dental, vision, hearing, mental health, chemical dependency treatment, prescription drugs, and long-term care.

I am the lead author of the bill in the House, accompanying Senator John Marty's proposal in the Senate. Families statewide depend on us to deliver affordable change, and the Minnesota Health Plan is our best option to respond with bold action.

Emergency Paid Time Leave for Healthcare Workers and Essential Employees 

My legislation (House File 41) to provide emergency paid sick leave to health care employees excluded from Families First Coronavirus Response Act had its second hearing in the House Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee this week. The bill successfully advanced for a next stop in the State Government and Elections Committee for its next hearing. You can find the full clip of Wednesday’s committee hearing here. 

Modifications to the bill include requiring employers to provide up to 80 hours of paid leave for full-time essential employees, preventing working families from being forced to use their paid time off, sick days or going without pay for shifts missed. We need a plan to account for workers excluded from Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This legislation is a promise to support all Minnesotans who have dedicated themselves to take care of us and get us through this pandemic.

The PROMISE Act for 2021 Legislative Session

Last week, DFL House representatives, members of the Minneapolis and St. Paul legislative delegations, and community leaders held a press conference highlighting proposals to help businesses rebuild and recover from last summer’s civil unrest, many of which are owned by Black, immigrant, and communities of color. You can watch the recording here.

I signed on as a co-author of the Providing Resources, Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act, which House lawmakers first approved on June 19, 2020, to provide assistance for impacted community members, nonprofits, and business owners. The proposal includes $267 million in direct assistance to small businesses.

Our community is still struggling to heal from the collective trauma of George Floyd’s murder, the civil unrest that followed, and the psychological upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PROMISE Act is a continued promise to support Black, Indigenous and Immigrant-owned businesses to build back better and stronger. Our job is to provide community members and impacted businesses with the resources necessary to recover and rebuild the culture and vibrancy of Minnesota.

COVID-19 vaccine video series in Spanish, Somali, Hmong, and English

The Sahan Journal recently published an article with Community leaders Jessica Acevedo, Michael Yang, and Maxamuud Mascadde who came together to produce a series of videos addressing questions and providing resources in Spanish, Somali, Hmong and English to communicate COVID-19 related information to individuals with language barriers. 

You can read the article, share and watch the videos here.

Minnesota Vaccine Distribution Update

We just received great news: Minnesota is expanding vaccine eligibility on Wednesday, March 10 as the state reaches its goal of vaccinating 70% of Minnesotans 65 years of age and older. At our current pace, Minnesota is now several weeks ahead of schedule. More than 1.8 million Minnesotans will become eligible to receive a vaccine beginning this week.

Phase 1b Tier 2 populations include: 

• Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions: Sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, those in cancer treatment or immunocompromised from organ transplant, oxygen-dependent chronic lung and heart conditions (COPD & CHF)
• Targeted essential workers: Food processing plant workers
• Minnesotans with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk of severe illness

Phase 1b Tier 3 populations include:

• Minnesotans age 45 years and older with one or more underlying medical conditions identified by the CDC
• Minnesotans age 16 years and older with two or more underlying medical conditions
• Minnesotans age 50 years and older in multi-generational housing
• Essential frontline workers: Agricultural, airport staff, additional child care workers not previously eligible, correctional settings, first responders, food production, food retail, food service, judicial system workers, manufacturing, public health workers, public transit, and U.S. Postal Service workers

All Minnesotans who have not received a vaccine should sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to get regular updates on vaccine availability and eligibility. In some cases, health care providers or employers will have more information for patients or employees on vaccine availability. Minnesotans can also call the translation hotline at 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone.

Please reach out to me at rep.cedrick.frazier@house.mn for any questions or concerns about legislative issues in the Minnesota House, I look forward to hearing from you!

In Service, 

Cedrick Frazier
State Representative, District 45A 
Minnesota House of Representatives