Dear Neighbors,
I am continuing to work hard at the Capitol to pass legislation that will benefit our communities. Here are updates on some of the bills I’m working on:
- HF 3259: Makes some practical changes to MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) to allow tribes and counties to contact participants by p[hone and writing if they receive an incomplete form. This bill was laid over and will possibly be included in an omnibus bill.
- HF 3260: This legislation will ensure that every school has a strong anti-bullying policy that is visible and enforceable. This bill was heard in the Education Policy committee Monday, there was plenty of powerful testimony on this troubling topic, you can watch my presentation and the following testimony here.
- HF 3269: This will allow supplemental food services to access public data so they can improve the efficiency of their services. This bill passed out of committee unanimously.
- HF 3278: This adds harassment to the crime of aiding suicide and attempted suicide. Any behavior which leads to someone committing suicide should be prohibited.
- HF 3380: Provides directives to improve the chances that a child is kept with their family in child welfare situations, by ensuring the children receive individualized and culturally relevant consideration and placement plans.
- HF 3384: Will make it easier for senior citizens to qualify for property tax deferral.
Affordable Housing for All
I have heard from many of you that housing affordability is a major concern. The House DFL is proposing major investments in housing to solve this crisis. We’re proposing to build more homes Minnesotans can afford, save the affordable homes we already have, provide pathways to home ownership and out of homelessness, and ensure landlords and renters are made whole. We have a golden opportunity this session to invest in solutions to create more housing options and lower costs throughout the state, which will in turn create more economic opportunity for families, businesses, and our state’s future.
Frontline Worker Pay
This week the Minnesota House passed the frontline worker bonus pay legislation HF 2900, which appropriates $1 billion for bonus payments to at least 667,000 frontline workers. The frontline worker bonus pay legislation builds upon the efforts of last year’s working group on this issue, and invests $1 billion in order to meaningfully recognize the Minnesotans who have worked on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible workers would receive payments of up to $1,500.
In order to receive a bonus check, workers must meet the following individual eligibility requirements:
- was employed in one of the frontline sectors in MN for at least 120 hours from 3/15/20 to 6/30/21
- was not able to work remotely due to the nature of their work, and worked in close proximity to other individuals (not in the same household);
- meet income restrictions. For workers providing direct care to COVID patients, max income is $350,000 (joint filers) and $175,000 (single). For all other workers, the limits are $185,000 (joint) and $85,000 (single); and
- did not collect more than 20 weeks of unemployment benefits from 3/15/20 to 6/30/21.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.jessica.hanson@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4212. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here. You can also follow my Facebook page here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jess Hanson, District 56A
421 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155