Greetings District 10! Here are a few details regarding the Minnesota Senate this week…we continue to be busy with committee work, debating and passing legislation.
Senate File 1 – Re-Opening Businesses Passes Minnesota Senate
Minnesota is a year out from the first Emergency Executive Orders, cases & hospitalizations are down and vaccines are being distributed – it’s time to unwind the Executive Orders that have left the Governor in charge of too many crucial decisions. The Minnesota Senate passed SF1 yesterday, which gives small and local businesses the freedom to open their doors. This is an important step towards eliminating one-size-fits all mandates – these closures have created much economic turmoil for businesses owners. Small businesses are a vital part of our economy and community, we can’t place state-imposed limitations on everyone.
Senate File 1: Allows businesses closed due to an Executive Order to fully reopen, and also addresses the Governor’s unilateral power to shut down businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill will allow businesses to fully operate, with no capacity limitations, provided they develop a COVID-19 safety plan and make a good faith effort to maintain a safe and healthy workplace and business operation. The COVID-19 safety plan will need to provide site-specific best practices for the business including, but not limited to, health and wellness; social distancing; cleaning, sanitation, and protection; and operations and communications for employees and members of the pubic. The intent is return the decision-making process to individual businesses owners who have a much better grasp of what their unique businesses need to operate safely.
My Concerns with Minnesota Department of Health Data Collection: “We shouldn’t be asking our seniors their sexual and gender preferences”
This week, the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Committee convened to discuss concerns over the Minnesota Vaccine Connector website, and the lack of transparency regarding the Governor’s decision-making process for vaccine distribution. After being invited to multiple committee hearings, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm was present for discussion.
“What I’m trying to figure out is why do you need to know the gender and sexual preferences of seniors to give them a vaccine? I’ve consistently asked MDH to look at this from a senior’s viewpoint, and it’s obvious from this new vaccine connector that this isn’t happening. This whole process has devolved into chaos, yet MDH and the Governor continue to expect our seniors to keep up. It’s ridiculous.”
It was announced yesterday that vaccination efforts will be broadened to include more groups, although only 42% of Minnesota seniors have received the first dose of the vaccine, with under 15% being fully vaccinated with both doses. AARP also sent a letter to the Governor expressing a desire for improvements to the statewide COVID vaccination plan. Highlighted concerns from AARP members included in the letter are issues with scheduling vaccination, a clear lack of direction on where to turn for appointments and answers, transportation barriers, and lack of clarity throughout the entirety of the process.
“The bottom line is that these questions are unnecessary and none of these questions have anything to do with seniors. I want Commissioner Malcolm to stop dancing around these questions and start looking at this from the lens of a senior. These questions have no place on a vaccine sign up page and they should be gone.”
Commissioner Jan Malcolm was unable to commit to the Minnesota Department of Health altering the vaccine questionnaire, nor would she confirm that seniors would be prioritized before expanding vaccination efforts to other groups.
Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in Greater Minnesota
The Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on Wednesday heard three bills that provide funding to expand broadband access in underserved and unserved areas of Minnesota through the Border-to-Border Broadband Program. In Greater Minnesota, there are still too many communities that don’t have access to high-speed internet, but we are making important progress every year.
The Border to Border Broadband Fund targets the development of permanent broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. Minnesota contains large areas of land that fall into those categories, which shows that this infrastructure is a critical need in our state.
Standing Ovation Award
Last week, as chair of the Senate Legacy Committee, I was recognized as the recipient for the prestigious “Standing Ovation” award presented by the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts for supporting the arts through the Legacy Amendment.
“Senator Carrie Ruud received the Standing Ovation award from Minnesota Citizens for the Arts for her extraordinary work in support of the nonprofit arts at the Minnesota legislature, said Sheila Smith, Executive Director of the MCA. “It was awarded at the opening online rally of Arts Action Week which was held virtually due to COVID-19. Senator Ruud is one of three legislators to receive the Standing Ovation award from Minnesota Citizens for the Arts in their 45+ year history, acknowledging how exceptional she is.”
Thank you for the Zoom visits at the Capitol – Minnesota Corn Grower’s, Local Physical Therapists, Central Lakes College Faculty, Local School Superintendents, Brainerd Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Inter-County Association, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Beer Wholesalers, Greater Minnesota Parks &Trails Commission/Organizations
Staying in Touch
If you’re looking to hear more from the Capitol, please like me on Facebook.
As always please feel free to contact my office with any questions you might have. My office can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4913 or at sen.carrie.ruud@senate.mn.
Talk to you soon!
Carrie Ruud