Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 8, 2021


Dear Neighbors,

Last week was the beginning of Black History Month, a month where we focus on the history of Black Americans so that we can better understand the events of today. It is clear that while we have come far in our fight for equity and justice for all, we have not come nearly far enough. This pandemic has also revealed the continued disparities throughout our state, for instance the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that an estimated one in two Black workers in Minnesota have applied for unemployment since mid-March compared with one in four white workers. For an illuminating look at the disparities in our state I encourage you to read the House Select Committee on Racial Justice’s report on racial justice in MN, here. I was honored to be selected to serve on the Select Committee. I also encourage you to read the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus’ statement on Black History Month.

Paid sick and safe

No one should have to choose between caring for themselves or a loved one and a paycheck. That’s why the House introduced a new bill to expand Earned Sick and Safe Time. The bill aims to provide an important short-term benefit to workers by allowing them to accrue sick time based on the number of hours that they work. The impossible choice between a paycheck and taking time off to care for a sick child is a real problem in Minnesota, especially for low-wage workers and those in the service industry. This requirement has several key additional benefits, including healthier workplaces and schools, greater support for caregivers, and reduced health care costs. I will continue to support this critical legislation.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 8, 2021”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: January 21, 2021


Dear Neighbors,

During President Biden’s inauguration there were several calls for unity and healing, and as the only divided state government in the nation I believe this is a worthy goal for us. We can disagree on policy but I hope we can all agree that we want to do all we can to make Minnesota a better place to live for everyone. If we have a different perspective on an issue, we should be able to talk it through without questioning each other’s motives and heart. I hope this moment indicates that we have truly turned a corner and have entered a new political era of mutual respect and courtesy.

Vaccine Pilot Program Launches

This week, Minnesota announced an important next step in the process of delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to certain priority groups. A pilot program will establish new vaccination sites throughout the state, and individuals who are 65 years or older, as well as school staff and child care workers (who have been notified by their employer that they’re eligible), will now be able to make appointments to receive the vaccine. If you are a school staff member or child care worker you will schedule an appointment through your employer.

If you fall into these groups, initial appointments are now full as they were extremely limited. You can book appointments online here, or by phone at 612-426-7230 or toll free at 833-431-2053. New appointments won’t be available until Tuesday, January 26 at 12 pm. If you encounter additional problems or need help navigating this process, please contact me.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: January 21, 2021”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: December 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

House Passes New Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package

Yesterday, we met for our 7th special session of the year to pass an assistance package that will help our most vulnerable neighbors, and local businesses stay afloat during this ongoing crisis. The DFL led the way in designing this package and had to fight hard for this aid, particularly the unemployment aid extension. True to our bipartisan nature we managed to find a path that works for both sides of the aisle while also being a victory for our entire state.Here are a few of the key pieces of the Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package:

  1. Extend Unemployment Benefits: Provides up to 13 additional weeks in unemployment benefits for MN workers who have exhausted all federal and state benefits. There are an estimated 100,000 MN workers who could qualify for this extension, showing how needed this extension is.
  2. Business Assistance Grants: Provides $216.5 million from the General Fund in grants to restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and many other entities directly affected by the executive orders and the pandemic. It is estimated that these grants will be able to assist over 6,000 businesses that have been hurt by Covid-19.
  3. Certain Fees Waived for Hospitality Industry: This is another straight-forward practical action we can take to help ease the financial burden our local businesses are facing. While this is a smaller portion of the total relief, it should go a long way towards helping these vulnerable businesses.
Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: December 15, 2020”

Bipartisan Coalition of State Legislators Introduce Pledge to Curb the Spread of COVID-19

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, a bipartisan group of legislators from the Minnesota House of Representatives announced the Minnesota Pledge to Defeat COVID-19, a social media push to emphasize that the basic steps we can take to help curb the spread of COVID-19 have no partisan affiliation. Ahead of the holiday season, and with Minnesota experiencing a surge in cases, these legislators are asking all Minnesotans to share this message and commit to taking the necessary precautions. 

“We’re entering a critical moment in the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota, and how we choose to respond will have a direct impact on our family, friends, and neighbors,” said Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL – Deephaven), who is also a practicing physician. “The situation is dire, and our public health professionals and healthcare workers are begging us to follow the basic guidelines of COVID prevention because they’ve seen first-hand the consequences of this virus as cases surge. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to sign the Minnesota Pledge to Defeat COVID-19.  We all have a role to play in slowing the spread.”

Using the hashtag #TakeThePledgeMN, the pledge asks Minnesotans to double down on their efforts to wear a face mask, maintain social distancing, stay home if sick or exposed to COVID-19, limit the size of gatherings, and to be kind to one another. 

Continue reading “Bipartisan Coalition of State Legislators Introduce Pledge to Curb the Spread of COVID-19”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: November 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Updates Return

With the campaign season over, we can return to our regular email updates covering everything happening at the Legislature and around Minnesota. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful community for returning me to the Legislature. I plan to continue to serve you diligently over these next two years.

New Covid-19 Rules as Virus Reaches Record Levels

Unfortunately, Covid is spreading at record levels throughout the country, including here in Minnesota where we have reached our capacity to manage the virus. Governor Walz has announced a number of new actions designed to reign in the virus.

Yesterday, he announced the following safety restrictions:

  • Restaurants will be take-out only for the next 4 weeks
  • Gyms and fitness centers will also close for 4 weeks
  • Theaters, movie theater, bowling alleys, museums, and arcades will all be closed
  • Wedding receptions, celebrations and private parties are put on hold as well
  • Limit all social gatherings with people outside of your household
  • All youth sports are on pause, there have been too many cases connected to sports for them to continue safely
  • Avoid travelling across state lines

If you can, please continue to get takeout from your favorite local restaurants; they are going to need our help more than ever. Personally I plan to support CR’s and Ole Piper! Torg and Invictus have curbside pickup as well. No one wants to see increased restrictions; we are all fatigued by the ongoing fight against COVID-19, but these restrictions are necessary to help curb the spread of this virus and save lives. We aren’t at a point where we can return to normal. These restrictions are a direct result of Minnesotans returning to too many pre-covid activities without taking the proper preventative measures. I understand that this is difficult, but we must remain vigilant when it comes to managing this virus. For everyone’s sake, please continue to limit gatherings, wear masks, and social distance.

It is increasingly clear that Minnesota needs federal assistance. We need immediate action on a new COVID-19 relief package, and an extension on flexibility to utilize resources allocated to state and local governments in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Our state and local governments can’t combat this devastating virus alone, we must come together as a nation to fight for one another.

Pausing for COVID

Actions Taken to Increase Testing and Provide Financial Relief

Last Week, Governor Walz announced the addition of more than a dozen new testing locations opening across the state over the next two weeks. All of the new testing sites will continue to offer free, “no barrier” COVID-19 testing. Testing will be free and available to anyone who wants to be tested whether they have symptoms or not, and it will not require insurance. These sites will be open at least through the end of the year with logistical aid provided by the National Guard. It is critical that we test as much as possible so we can trace how the virus is spreading and implement the necessary isolation.For more information on how and where to receive a COVID-19 test, visit mn.gov/covid19/. An updated list of community testing sites is available here.

Lastly, Governor Walz announced $10 million in Small Business Relief Grants to support businesses that are struggling as they do their part to combat the spread of COVID-19. This funding will support an additional 1,000 businesses that have applied for the grant program.  

Beds

Keep in Touch:

You can contact me at rep.erin.koegel@house.mn or (651) 296-5369. I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Erin Koegel
State Representative

Minnesota House Announces Membership of New Select Committee on Racial Justice, Schedules First Public Meeting for Sept. 22

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – House Speaker Melissa Hortman today announced the membership of the new House Select Committee on Racial Justice and scheduled its first public meeting for September 22. The committee is responsible for examining disparities Minnesotans of color face regarding health, public safety, education, employment, housing and other areas.

Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL – Mendota Heights) and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul) will co-chair the committee. Rep. Lisa Demuth (R – Cold Spring) will serve as vice chair. 

“Minnesota can never truly prosper as a state if it doesn’t guarantee equitable opportunities to every resident, regardless of their race,” said Rep. Richardson. “The House’s new select committee is long overdue and it represents a commitment to bring about meaningful change.”

“I’m proud we have this forum in the Minnesota House to dive deeply into the impacts Black, Indigenous and People of Color still face in our state, which affect their health, safety, and overall wellbeing,” said Rep. Moran. “While racism’s harm to public health isn’t new, this year’s events have shined a light on the problem and it’s a pivotal time to tackle the crisis head-on.”

In July, the House approved a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in Minnesota, noting more than 100 studies have linked racism to worse health outcomes, while Black and Indigenous communities experience the highest death rates. Additionally, several medical organizations including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association have recognized that racism is a social determinant for health, with a profound impact across an individual’s lifespan, along with other long-standing, unaddressed disparities and socioeconomic inequities as a result of systemic racism.

“I’m grateful to Reps. Richardson and Moran for co-chairing this important Select Committee, and to Rep. Demuth for serving as Vice Chair. I look forward to the committee’s recommendations,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We have to dismantle the structural racism inherent in our own institution and address our state’s inexcusable racial inequities.”

“It’s clear that racial disparities are entrenched in our communities and run deep to the foundations that shape policing, education, housing, employment, health, and more,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “The House needs to examine itself and address racism for what it is — an economic and public health crisis.” 

Other members include Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL – Roseville), Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL – Edina), Rep. Kaohly Her (DFL – Saint Paul), Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL – Spring Lake Park), Rep. Sandy Layman (R – Cohasset), Rep. Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Anne Neu (R – North Branch), Rep. Steve Sandell (DFL – Woodbury), and Rep. Dean Urdahl (R – Grove City).

The first hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 1:30 p.m.

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: July 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Special Session

On Monday, the House and Senate convened in a special session called by Governor Walz. The governor has extended the current peacetime emergency so he can continue to access the state’s toolbox to take quick, decisive action to protect Minnesotans through the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, the House voted to uphold the governor’s emergency powers for another 30 days. We can’t get complacent now after all of our sacrifice and hard work; we have seen that states that reduce precautions too quickly suffer from a major spike in cases.

This special session is an opportunity to finish important work for the people of Minnesota. After George Floyd’s killing, Minnesotans are still demanding improvements to public safety so everyone, in every community, can have confidence in law enforcement. We will continue working to enact strong police accountability measures like the ones the House approved in the last special session. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: July 15, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota Legislature went into a special session on June 12, 2020 with the hopes of passing some much needed legislation. The House DFL, and the POCI caucus in particular worked incredibly hard, day in, day out, to craft and pass legislation our state desperately needs. Even though the Senate Republicans decided to pack up and go home, I am committed to coming back for future special sessions to pass these critical bills. Here is what we were working on before this special session ended.

Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020

The House DFL recognizes that we need massive systemic reform if we are to ever have a public safety system that makes all Minneostans safer. Our Republican colleagues refused to join us in calling for these changes and are unwilling to listen to our perspective. We have laid the groundwork and can envision the Minnesota that we need, and it is a fight we will continue, but this may be a problem that will have to wait until November to be solved. Here is the full list of reforms the House hoped to pass: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 22, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We are rapidly approaching the end of session and while we have already passed many important bills, we still have a lot of work to do. We have had a lot of bipartisan success, but there is still a very wide gap when it comes to providing the resources Minnesotans need during this crisis. Here is some of what we’ve accomplished in the final stretch of the session.

COVID-19 Economic Security Act

Last week, the House voted to pass the COVID-19 Economic Security Act. Here are some of the primary provisions of this critical bill, including:

  • $100 million in assistance for Minnesota renters, homeowners, and landlords. In addition to support for rent and mortgages, qualified applicants can receive help paying utility bills and property taxes;
  • 15% temporary pay increase for Minnesota’s personal care assistants (PCA), who are serving Minnesotans with disabilities, our seniors, and other vulnerable populations. In addition to the increase, PCAs can now be paid for 310 hours of services per month, up from 275;
  • $15 million in a new Distance Learning Broadband Access Grant Program to provide students with the equipment necessary to access learning materials on the internet and reimburse school districts for costs to provide broadband access;
  • $55 million to the Small Business Emergency Loan Program at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), including specific funds for our smallest businesses and minority-owned businesses.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 13, 2020”

House HHS Finance Division receives long-term care update, approves COVID-19 supplemental MFIP payments

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Health and Human Services Finance Division held a remote hearing today where Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm delivered an update to lawmakers on efforts to address COVID-19 in the state’s long-term care facilities. Commissioner Malcolm highlighted the department’s communication with facilities and provider organizations, efforts to investigate outbreaks and provide surveillance, and guidelines for residents, health care personnel, and other staff.

“Many of the people who have contracted COVID-19 are living and working in long-term care facilities,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), the division chair. “The Department of Health is directing resources and assistance to those facilities and working hard to protect vulnerable elders. However, the disease can be quickly transmitted elsewhere in the community as well. I’m thankful for Commissioner Malcolm’s leadership and for her department’s hard work to control the pandemic.”

Commissioner Malcolm’s full presentation to the panel can be accessed here.

The division also approved legislation authored by Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL – Eagan) to provide a one-time supplemental Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) payment of up to $500 per household to help protect family economic security during the COVID-19 pandemic. MFIP helps families with children meet their basic needs while helping parents move to financial stability through work.

“All Minnesotans deserve economic security during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who are least likely to have it are being hit hardest by this public health crisis,” said Rep. Halverson. “Using available federal funding to boost payments will help thousands of Minnesotans and their families make ends meet and continue moving towards financial stability.”

Finally, the committee approved HF 4601, authored by Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL – Spring Lake Park) which directs grant awards under the state’s Opiate Epidemic Response Fund.

Video of the hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube Channel and supporting documents can be accessed on the division webpage.