Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: January 15, 2021

Volume #6, Issue #2

January 15, 2021

Call of the Senate Postcast Video

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Friends and Residents of Senate District 49,

We are rounding out week two of the regular 2021 legislative session. I proudly serve as Assistant Senate DFL Leader. This week, I joined other Assistant Senate DFL Leader Senator Nick Frentz and Senate DFL Leader Susan Kent for The Minnesota Senate DFL Call of the Senate podcast to kick off its third season. In this episode, we cover top priorities for the Minnesota Senate DFL’s 2021 Legislative Session.

This year, I serve on the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy, Finance, and Human Services Reform Finance and Policy committees. As of now, we have only had informational hearings in these committees. It is already clear that a balanced budget will continue to be the main topic of conversation for this legislative session. I will continue to advocate for spending that helps us get through the pandemic, come out of the pandemic, and thrive heading into the future. In the Finance Committee, we will continue to look at the budget and spending in order to best help all Minnesotans. As of this time, all committee hearings are heard virtually, you can watch and follow along on the Senate website.  

I hope you continue to stay safe and healthy this upcoming week. If you need anything please reach out to melisaf@senate.mn or jess.yeganeh@senate.mn, we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Melisa

With threats of armed protest, please avoid the Capitol

Following the insurrection in the U.S. Capitol, reports have surfaced of the potential of white nationalist and far-right groups instigating violence at state capitols throughout the country — including at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, over the next few days through the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden. 

While the State Capitol Complex will be secure and under the protection of the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota National Guard, I encourage Minnesotans to avoid the state capitol and counter protesting in the proximity of these potentially dangerous gatherings until the threat has passed. 

The reports of planned demonstrations by white supremacists, militia members, and other extremists should concern each and every Minnesotan — and present a real and credible danger to the community and public. The first priority must be the safety of Minnesotans and each other. We are discouraging people and groups from planning any counter protests that may be targeted by these groups over the next week.

Legislature receives an update on vaccination planning and rollout

This week the Aging and Long-Term Care Policy and Health and Human Services Committees heard updates on Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This week Minnesota has been steadily working through Phase 1a of vaccinations, which includes health care workers and long-term care residents and staff. Over 150,000 doses have been administered so far and thousands have already received their second dose. A new vaccine data dashboard gives an overview of how many vaccines have been distributed and administered throughout the state.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made some game-changing vaccine announcements. After a request from Governor Walz and eight other governors, HHS announced they would be releasing millions of vaccine doses that were being withheld.  They also indicated the next priority group should be individuals 65 and older, as well as those aged 18-64 with chronic underlying health conditions. This would be a significant addition to the priority phases the state was planning for, which included essential frontline workers and adults aged 75+ in the next group.

More vaccine supply would help this process move faster, but at this point, no additional doses have been made available to the state. We need the federal government to provide more detail about the supply of vaccine available for Minnesota and when it will arrive. The state is ready to take on more doses of vaccine, but until then, we’re still working with an extremely limited allocation of around 60,000 doses each week. Vaccine administration has been getting faster and more efficient, but it’s important to be deliberate and do this right so that vaccine is not wasted or mishandled. As more doses become available and providers can vaccinate more people each day, things will go faster.

We all know how important it is to move through COVID-19 vaccinations as quickly and as safely as possible so we can all return to a more normal life. As the Minnesota Department of Health and vaccine advisory partners sort through the shifting federal guidance and learn more from the new Biden administration, we will work closely with state health officials and partners at the local level to communicate where we are throughout this process and provide as much information as possible.

Minnesotans can check mn.gov/vaccine for the latest information.

Unemployment Insurance updates

Soon after the state passed an extension for unemployment insurance (UI), the federal government took action at the end of December and passed an 11-week Unemployment Insurance extension. The federal extension includes the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Additionally, a $300 per week supplemental payment to anyone receiving unemployment benefits was also included.
 
While the federal government paid for the benefit extension, state governments are responsible for determining who qualifies and distributes the money. Those seeking unemployment can apply through the State of Minnesota. 

In 2020, the UI program paid out $9,680,185,156 when accounting for regular and new federal benefits. This represents 23,010,049 actual payments. A recent DEED press release included the following, “Over the course of 2020, DEED received over a million new applications for unemployment insurance with payments going out to more than 814,000 individuals compared to 120,000 new applicants in 2019.”

Businesses get assistance from the Legislature

The Legislature approved and Governor Walz signed into law a bill that provided $216 million in relief to businesses in December 2020. The money was divided into three areas: business relief payments ($88 million), movie theater and conventions center grants ($14 million), and county relief grants ($114.8 million).  

  • Business relief payments ($88 million): The first distribution of business relief payments (3,893 checks totaling $67,320,000 million) should be arriving in the mail for qualifying businesses in mid-January. Qualifying businesses generally include restaurants, breweries, wineries, bars, gyms, and bowling centers that saw a 30% reduction in business as a result of COVID-19. Businesses did not need to take action to receive these payments, the Department of Revenue used information on file.
  •  Movie theaters ($14 million): Grants are available for application for convention centers with a seating capacity of over 1,500, and movie theaters. A per screen formula is used in determining the allocation for movie theaters while there are several criteria for convention centers.  
  • County relief grants ($114.8 million): The largest pot of money was given to counties to distribute to businesses and nonprofits in their communities impacted by the pandemic. Counties were given a lot of discretion in how the funds would be deployed in the communities encompassed within their borders. The money for counties was allocated based on $200,000 or a per capita population formula, whichever is greater. To see how/when funding will be allocated contact your county.
  • Federal assistance: In December, the federal government passed a second package that provided additional assistance for businesses. Information on the availability of federal assistance can be found on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website. 

Harvard removes Republican Elise Stefanik from advisory committee

Stefanik was among the 147 House Republicans who voted against certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory.

BOSTON — The Harvard Institute of Politics removed Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) from its Senior Advisory Committee in the wake of last week’s deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, pointing to her unfounded claims of voter fraud in the November election. 

“Elise has made public assertions about voter fraud in November’s presidential election that have no basis in evidence, and she has made public statements about court actions related to the election that are incorrect,” Harvard Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf wrote in a letter released Tuesday. “Moreover, these assertions and statements do not reflect policy disagreements but bear on the foundations of the electoral process through which this country’s leaders are chosen.”

The school initially asked Stefanik to step aside, according to Elmendorf. When the New York lawmaker declined, the school removed her. Stefanik was among the 147 House Republicans who voted against certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Continue reading.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: January 15, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

With the second week of session behind us the work is already moving swiftly. Bills are being printed and dropped and critical discussions about the budget are being prepared. Due to the inability to get bills jacketed and sent over in person, we had to develop new and innovative ways to get our jacketed bills over to the other chamber. There is already a massive influx of the bill requests and the the added new process makes it somewhat of a challenge. Never the less, the legislative session will only ramp up from here and it is full speed ahead!

Today is my daughter Hope’s birthday. Happy Birthday Hope, you continue to educate this dad and I love you so much. Happy Birthday.

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I would also like to acknowledge that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this coming Monday. This is a day of reflection as we consider the service and sacrifice of a man that showed us what it is to dream of excellence and solidarity, and as a country he unified us in many ways. It is also a day to reflect on how far we still have to go to create a just  world for all. Thank you for your service and reminding all of us that we can and should dream for inclusion and justice for all. Here is to you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

And thank you all for the honor of serving as your State Senator. Please reach out if you have any ideas and thoughts to share, all of my offices contact information is at the bottom of the page. I can only represent you at my best when you have reached out to let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

John

Meetings for the Year

We will be starting the year in a hybrid legislative format, meaning that some Senators will continue to work remotely while others will be in-person at the Capitol. Most Monday through Thursdays, I will be at the Capitol and you’ll see me on the Senate Floor. 

Committees this year will start this year with all members on Zoom. As vaccine distribution increases, and cases of COVID-19 wane, we will enter a hybrid model of committee attendance. Due to the unpredictable nature of the virus, we do not have a rigid timeline when this will happen but will update you as we are informed of changes. You can watch committees and floor online by clicking HERE.

With threats of armed protest, the Senate encourages Minnesotans to avoid the Capitol

Following the assault on the U.S. Capitol, reports have surfaced of the potential of white nationalist and far-right groups instigating violence at state capitols throughout the country — including at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, over the next few days through the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden.

While the State Capitol Complex will be secure and under the protection of the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota National Guard, the Senate DFL is encouraging Minnesotans to avoid the state capitol and counter protesting in the proximity of these potentially dangerous gatherings until the threat has passed.

The reports of planned demonstrations by supremacists, militia members, and other extremists right here in Minnesota should concern each and every Minnesotan — and present a real and credible danger to the community and public. The first priority must be the safety of Minnesotans and each other. We are thankful for the fast response of our State Patrol in keeping our Capitol safe. We are discouraging people and groups from planning any counter protests that may be targeted by these groups over the next week.  Stay home and stay safe. 

Health and Human Services

The Senate Human Services Reform Committee heard a presentation this week on our state’s Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). This program serves some of our lowest-income families with children. Parents are expected to work, and the state provides cash and food assistance to help families meet their basic needs. About 27,000 families and 55,000 children in Minnesota rely on temporary help from MFIP while they seek financial stability through employment. Families participating have had very little access to COVID-19 relief as they are not eligible for unemployment insurance and many did not receive the federal government’s COVID-19 stimulus relief checks.

HIGHER EDUCATION 

Regent candidate recommendations announced
This week the Regent Candidacy Council recommended 12 candidates to fill four open spots on the University Board of Regents. The Board of Regents fulfills a critical role with the University of Minnesota as it helps govern, sets budgets, and works with the administration to achieve all aspects of the University’s mission. 

Four seats are open for appointment every two years, for a six-year term. The board seats to be filled this year are from Minnesota’s 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th Congressional Districts. The Senate Higher Education Committee announced the candidates moving forward to the Legislature are:

• CD1: Val Aarsvold, Ruth Johnson and Randy Simonson (incumbent).
• CD4: Daryl Alkire, James Farnsworth and Karen Schanfield.
• CD6: David Hoang, Michael Hsu (incumbent) and Kodi Verhalen
• CD7: Doug Huebsch, Lucas Sjostrom and Michael Yost

These recommendations will go to the House and Senate Higher Education Committees, which will recommend candidates to the full Legislature in a joint session. The recommendations to the full House and Senate are due by February 28. The House and Senate of the Legislature will then have a joint session where the Legislatures will vote on the final Regents.

Department of Corrections responds to COVID-19

The Senate Judiciary Committee met this week to hear from the Department of Corrections about their pandemic response. Incarcerated populations have seen a higher impact from this virus because of the nature of the congregated living facilities and the coming and going of prison staff, so the Department’s response has been critical in keeping all Minnesotans safe.

The department looked at COVID-19 release programs, including work release and conditional medical release, to reduce the state’s prison population. Reducing the population in the state’s prison system allowed for greater social distancing and reduced the number of individuals that might come in contact with an individual with COVID. All those released were considered low-risk and received supervision in their communities.

Mitigation and response plans are also in place for individuals that contract COVID-19 or come in close contact with a contagious person. Department staff is being screened before each shift for COVID-19 symptoms before entering any of the facilities, district field offices, and the central office.

All medical co-pays for incarcerated individuals have been waived to encourage reporting of symptoms, and there are plans for medical isolation and non-punitive quarantine for incarcerated individuals that have had close contact with an infectious person.

However, the corrections system is a congregate living situation and COVID-19 is easily spread. This is why Minnesota’s Department of Health has allocated around 400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to treat the state’s highest-risk individuals in incarceration as part of the COVID management plan.

Over half of the roughly 7,000 individuals incarcerated in the state’s prison system have contracted COVID-19, and nine individuals have died. It is important that while supplies are limited vaccinations reach those facing the highest risks of contracting COVID-19 or facing severe illness as a result of contracting it. This includes Minnesota’s incarcerated individuals, many of whom are high-risk.

More information about COVID-19 in the state’s corrections system can be found on the department’s dashboard here.

Thank you!

It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit. You must schedule with our office to arrange an appointment before any arrival, and we also do Zoom meetings! So reach out and tell me what matters to you or schedule an appointment so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn or by phone at 651-296-4154. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2235 in the Minnesota Senate Building

Sincerely,

Senator John Hoffman

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn

Coronavirus updates: U.S. sets single-day death record, and new variants emerge

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NOTE: This article is provided free to read by The Washington Post.

The United States reported more than 4,200 deaths Tuesday, bringing the nation’s total to more than 381,000 deaths since the onset of the pandemic, according to Washington Post data.

The single-day death total, which is a record, and peak levels of new infections and hospitalizations are grim milestones for a country still reeling from the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week.

President Trump has announced sweeping changes to coronavirus vaccine rollouts, quickly making all vaccine supplies accessible, encouraging states to provide shots to residents 65 and older and cautioning states with slow vaccine rollouts that they could lose some of their supply to faster-moving states. Continue reading.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: January 15, 2021


Neighbors,

This legislative session we will work on action to support Minnesotans and protect their economic security during the pandemic. Committees are meeting and we’ve heard from agencies about their work and how they partner with the Legislature.

For each committee, the focus has been on updating the pandemic response including the hopeful news on the roll-out of vaccinations.

In the Early Childhood committee, which I service as vice-chair, we learned about the importance of continuing grants to childcare providers to assist in keeping them open in difficult times.

Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: January 15, 2021”

Trump’s Job Approval Hits Unprecedented Low as Majority of Voters Say He Should Resign

37% approve, 60% disapprove of Trump’s job performance

Few events during Donald Trump’s presidency have drastically moved public perceptions about his job performance. But last week’s riots on Capitol Hill — incited by Trump’s attacks on the democratic process — have led to significant decline in sentiment about the outgoing leader as more voters join calls from lawmakers for his impeachment.

According to Morning Consult Political Intelligence tracking conducted Jan. 8-10, 37 percent of voters approve of Trump’s job performance, down 5 percentage points since polling conducted Jan. 3-5 before the Jan. 6 acts of insurrection prompted by Congress’ meeting to count the Electoral College votes and seal the deal on President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. The share who disapproved of Trump increased 5 points, to 60 percent, over the same time period.

Trump’s approval and disapproval ratings are record lows and highs, respectively, in Political Intelligence tracking among registered voters. Continue reading.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 15, 2021

January 15, 2021

Adjusting the Dials of Our COVID Emergency Response


Governor Walz made an announcement last week about the easing of COVID-19 restrictions that have been in place over the past two months. Due to the slowing of new positive COVID-19 cases after a peak in November, the governor has made the decision to re-open specific sectors of the state economy. Among the dials we adjusted was the one for indoor dining. Bars and restaurants can now be open indoors at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 150 people. Parties must be no larger than 6 people, with six feet distance from other parties; bar seating is open to parties of two; reservations are required; and establishments must close dine-in service by 10 p.m. The rest of the guidelines can be found by clicking HERE.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: January 15, 2021”

The president as pariah: Trump faces a torrent of retribution over his role in the U.S. Capitol siege

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He has been banned on social media, shunned by foreign leaders, impeached (again) in the House, threatened with censure by Republicans, deserted by Cabinet members, turned on by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), canceled by his hometown of New York City, dropped by the PGA golf tour and snubbed by New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick.

And that’s just in the past few days for President Trump, who after ruling Washington for nearly four years through a mix of bullying, intimidation, patronage and a sense that his willingness to spread falsehoods and misinformation would have no consequences is suddenly facing a torrent of retribution from those who long excused his behavior or were too scared or powerless to confront it.

The fallout on Trump for his role in riling up thousands of supporters in a speech ahead of their deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol last week has intensified quickly — leaving the world’s most powerful leader as a pariah in many quarters, more isolated than ever. Continue reading.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s call to action distorted in debate

WASHINGTON — The House impeachment debate on Wednesday heard a distorted account of President Donald Trump’s remarks to his supporters a week ago when he exhorted them to “fight like hell” before they swarmed the Capitol.

REP. GUY RESCHENTHALER, R-Pa.: “At his rally, President Trump urged attendees to, quote, unquote, peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. There was no mention of violence, let alone calls to action.”

THE FACTS: Trump’s speech was a call to action — a call to fight and save the country.

“Our country has had enough,” he told those who went on to stage the violent siege of the Capitol. Continue reading.

Exclusive: Large bitcoin payments to right-wing activists a month before Capitol riot linked to foreign account

WASHINGTON — On Dec. 8, someone made a simultaneous transfer of 28.15 bitcoins — worth more than $500,000 at the time — to 22 different virtual wallets, most of them belonging to prominent right-wing organizations and personalities.

Now cryptocurrency researchers believe they have identified who made the transfer, and suspect it was intended to bolster those far-right causes. U.S. law enforcement is investigating whether the donations were linked to the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.

While the motivation is difficult to prove, the transfer came just a month before the violent riot in the Capitol, which took place after President Trump invited supporters to “walk down Pennsylvania Avenue” and “take back our country.”