Dear Neighbors,
I hope you had a great fall and are enjoying the beginning of the holiday season. With the return of the holiday season we also have a return to cold weather. Open now until May 31, 2024, the Energy Assistance Program helps pay energy bills for eligible Minnesotans. This program is free and provides benefits up to $1,400, with additional support to respond to emergencies. Both renters and homeowners can qualify, and eligibility is based on income and household size. This program is federally funded and administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. You can access the application here.
Here is an update on a few things you may have missed and some things coming up as we head towards the end of 2023.
December is my favorite month! Celebrating with friends and family at the Stillwater tree lighting event.
New Laws
As a quick recap to a historic session, new laws went into effect on July 1st and August 1st. These laws will have a lot of positive benefits for our state and I can't wait to see them work! The nonpartisan office of House Public Information has a summary of the new laws here:
Earned Sick and Safe Time Starting Soon
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law requires employers to provide paid leave to employees who work in the state. This is a fantastic win for workers across the state who will no longer have to choose between a paycheck and recovering from an illness. You can find a full FAQ of this important new law, here.
Flag Redesign Commission
Minnesota is getting a new flag and seal! The commission received 2,123 flag submissions and 398 seal designs in total, but has recently narrowed the flag options to 6. Next, the redesign commission will finalize their pick, with their next meeting taking place today. You can find critiques of the remaining options here, and Fair Vote conducted a ranked choice vote for fun to see where folks stand on these designs. The new emblems will become official on Minnesota Statehood Day on May 11.
Session Priorities Constituent Survey
As we prepare for the upcoming 2024 legislative session, House DFLers want to hear about the issues most important to you.
That’s why I wanted to share with you our Minnesota Values Project Survey, an easy way to share your values, hopes, challenges, and ideas with us on solutions at the legislature. It only takes a few minutes to fill out, and can be found here or using the QR code below.
Free COVID Tests
With COVID cases on the rise, here’s a quick reminder that you can now order up to four free rapid-antigen COVID tests through the federal government’s at-home testing program to be delivered directly to your home. These tests are intended to be used by the end of this year. For more information or to place your order, you can visit COVIDTests.gov.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.josiah.hill@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-4124. 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, and follow my Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Josiah Hill, District 33B
415 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155