PLEASE NOTE: New Email and Phone Number

Dear Neighbors,

I hope 2022 has treated you all kindly; it seems to have gone by in a flash with so much going on around our state, country, and the world. While there have been struggles like every year I think there was a great deal of good that happened. Let us continue to stand up for one another and our community in 2023 aand beyond s we all fight to create a better world and better future. Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year!

Farewell Message and Thank You!
This will be my last update to you as your State Representative and I am extremely grateful to the people in House District 38A and 51A for providing me with this amazing opportunity. In my time as a legislator I have represented the absolute best community in the state of Minnesota. Every day our community fills me with pride and serving you all has been an honor of a lifetime.

Being a public servant can be quite difficult at times, whether it's having a piece of legislation you love fail to go through or having to face anger and hate. But knowing that I was playing a role in improving the lives of our neighbors made it all worthwhile. During my public service career, I strived to do my utmost for the needs of our community, to serve with dignity and compassion. I worked hard to present a positive reflection of where I live and of my community. While a part of me is a little disappointed that I won’t get to be there for you while the DFL has full control, I know my colleagues will do a great job lifting up our entire state.

Thank you all so much for this wonderful life experience. I hope to see you around the community, so don't be a stranger!

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by by phone at 651-296-3533 or by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn. 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 me on Facebook. It's an honor to represent our community.  Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Sandra Masin
State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

All of this snow is a great way to usher in the holiday season. No matter what holiday you celebrate I hope you get to spend it with loved ones and the people who make you happiest. I hope everyone has a joyful holiday season!

The holiday season can also be quite difficult for many. If you or someone you know is going through a tough time and needs help, be sure to reach out to a lifeline for help and support.

Next Session
The legislative session is just around the corner, it starts on January 3rd, 2023. There are going to be a lot of new legislators next year and with plenty of turnover in both parties, the House and Senate will look a lot different. With so many new folks and a slim DFL majority in the Senate it may be difficult to ensure every priority is accomplished. I remember when we last had the trifecta - a lot of what we hoped to accomplish didn't make it through due to conflict between the House and Senate. It seems that won't be as much of an issue, but I want folks to know that legislating involves compromise and we should temper our expectations slightly. In addition, the House has had many of its high ranking staff retire over the last couple of years. The most recent person who announced retirement plans has worked here for 36 years. Overall, this means a huge loss of institutional knowledge.

Also around the corner is the effective date of new laws, which'll take place on January 1st. Overall these laws won't change too much, but one around prenatal care may be of interest. Health plans will be required to cover:

• a comprehensive postnatal visit with a health care provider not more than three weeks from the date of delivery;
• any postnatal visits recommended by a health care provider between three and 11 weeks from the date of delivery; and
• a comprehensive postnatal visit with a health care provider 12 weeks from the date of delivery.

Energy Assistance Program Increased Benefits
The Department of Commerce recently announced an increase in the benefit available to Minnesota homeowners and renters facing heating emergencies this winter. The Energy Assistance Program more than doubled the maximum crisis benefit from $600 to $1,500, helping eligible homeowners and renters avoid the anxiety of a nearly empty fuel tank. Funding for the increase is part of a $1 billion federal resolution passed in September.

To request an Energy Assistance Program application or to find local service providers, visit this site or call 800-657-3710, option 1.

Protecting Water Resources
Protecting our water resources is critical, so I attended a conference on the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes sponsored by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus. The speakers shared experiences on work that is being done to improve water quality and these projects should be supported.

Given the importance of Lake Superior to our state, you might want to read a book that Lynne Heasly wrote, The Accidental Reef and other Ecological Odysseys in the Great Lakes.

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by by phone at 651-296-3533 or by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn. 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 me on Facebook. It's an honor to represent our community.  Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Sandra Masin
State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

All of this snow is a great way to usher in the holiday season. No matter what holiday you celebrate I hope you get to spend it with loved ones and the people who make you happiest. I hope everyone has a joyful holiday season!

The holiday season can also be quite difficult for many. If you or someone you know is going through a tough time and needs help, be sure to reach out to a lifeline for help and support.

Next Session
The legislative session is just around the corner, it starts on January 3rd, 2023. There are going to be a lot of new legislators next year and with plenty of turnover in both parties, the House and Senate will look a lot different. With so many new folks and a slim DFL majority in the Senate it may be difficult to ensure every priority is accomplished. I remember when we last had the trifecta - a lot of what we hoped to accomplish didn't make it through due to conflict between the House and Senate. It seems that won't be as much of an issue, but I want folks to know that legislating involves compromise and we should temper our expectations slightly. In addition, the House has had many of its high ranking staff retire over the last couple of years. The most recent person who announced retirement plans has worked here for 36 years. Overall, this means a huge loss of institutional knowledge.

Also around the corner is the beginning of new laws, which'll take place on January 1st. Overall these laws won't change too much, but one around prenatal care may be of interest. Health plans will be required to cover:

• a comprehensive postnatal visit with a health care provider not more than three weeks from the date of delivery;
• any postnatal visits recommended by a health care provider between three and 11 weeks from the date of delivery; and
• a comprehensive postnatal visit with a health care provider 12 weeks from the date of delivery.

Energy Assistance Program Increased Benefits
The Department of Commerce recently announced an increase in the benefit available to Minnesota homeowners and renters facing heating emergencies this winter. The Energy Assistance Program more than doubled the maximum crisis benefit from $600 to $1,500, helping eligible homeowners and renters avoid the anxiety of a nearly empty fuel tank. Funding for the increase is part of a $1 billion federal resolution passed in September.

To request an Energy Assistance Program application or to find local service providers, visit this site or call 800-657-3710, option 1.

Protecting Water Resources
Protecting our water resources is critical, so I attended a conference on the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes sponsored by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus. The speakers shared experiences on work that is being done to improve water quality and these projects should be supported.

Given the importance of Lake Superior to our state, you might want to read a book that Lynne Heasly wrote, The Accidental Reef and other Ecological Odysseys in the Great Lakes.

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by by phone at 651-296-3533 or by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn. 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 me on Facebook. It's an honor to represent our community.
Please stay in touch.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sandra Masin
State Representative
 
 

PLEASE JOIN US AT THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE IN EAGAN

We will parade in Eagan in the 4th of July Parade. See below the map of the parade. It is a little over 1 mile - so not strenuous - but TONS OF FUN!

We will gather at 8:30am at the staging area for our unit - this is important to help everyone get organized and ready to roll out! We are Parade Unit Number 14!!!

Our staging area is on Yankee Doodle Rd just east of Highway 13.

Wear your MASIN T-Shirts! BRING A WATER BOTTLE, A HAT and SUNGLASSES!

Please note that Eagan Police will close the roads into the parade route at 9:00am on July 4th!!!

PARKING: Yes, available... Park at Blue Cross parking lot. Access the parking lot WELL BEFORE 9:00am using Blackhawk Road to Blue Cross Road and go north to enter the parking lot, or from Yankee Doodle Road to Blue Cross Road and go south to enter the parking lot. The roads around the parking lot get VERY BUSY before the parade and you may get stuck in traffic...

The Parade starts rolling out at 10am sharp! Being a low number means we will be off and moving very close to 10am, o do not be late, please.

The Parade route goes from the staging area along Yankee Doodle road to Central Parkway, makes a left turn and proceeds for two short blocks to the former Argosy University parking lot (1515 Central Parkway) where the disassembly area is located. If someone will pick you up after the parade, the best location would be in that parking lot. See map below:

Click for a larger image

The Parade Committee reminds EVERYONE of the following:

• You MAY NOT throw candy from vehicles
• Any activities or demonstrations may NOT hold up the parade
• All units must remain in their designated line-up spots for the duration of the parade.

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you are enjoying this amazing weather we've had over the past couple of weeks. Be sure to stay cool and hydrated as we may reach record highs soon! At the Capitol, the Republican Senate Majority Leader has informed us that the Republican Senate Majority is unwilling to come back for a special session to finish our work. A lot of critical funding for things like schools, child care, and health care were left undone. This is not how we should govern, even in a divided government.

With the overturn of Roe vs. Wade now official, I renew my commitment to maintaining the right for women to choose. Everyone deserves bodily autonomy and the right to seek whatever healthcare they need, including abortion. The court's decision does not change the fact that Minnesota's constitution protects abortion rights under Doe v. Gomez, but we must remain vigilant as even court cases aren't set in stone.

Happy Pride!
It's a great time to renew our commitment to fighting for a more inclusive and accepting Minnesota. At the legislature, it can feel like much of our work is focused on defense, stopping misguided and hate-filled legislation from becoming law. However, we are also pushing for new measures to build a better state.

Our LGBTQ+ community makes Minnesota a better place to live, but we can and must do more to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy, protect access to healthcare, make the Equal Rights Act a reality, and ensure all Minnesotans have a seat at the table.



COVID Vaccinations for Children
COVID-19 vaccinations are now available for kids ages 6 months to 5 years. For too long, COVID-19 has kept children from doing the things they love. The best way to keep your child healthy and safe is to get them vaccinated. Getting your child vaccinated helps keep them in school, sports, childcare, and other activities. Children who have received all recommended COVID-19 shots, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, do not have to stay home (quarantine) if they are exposed to someone who has COVID-19. They also do not have to get tested as often. You can learn more and find vaccination locations here.



Frontline Worker Pay
The application process for the frontline worker bonus is now open. The Frontline Worker Pay application will be open June 8 through July 22, 2022. Eligible workers will have 45 days to apply for Frontline Worker Pay. Remember, you don't have to be first in line when the application opens. The application will be open for 45 days and the funds are not first come, first served. Visit frontline pay.mn.gov to see if you are eligible and to apply today!



Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by by phone at 651-296-3533 or by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community.
Please stay in touch.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sandra Masin
State Representative
 
 

We again enter an election season. This is an important part of the democratic process in our country. In Minnesota, there will be a PRIMARY ELECTION on August 9th, and the main ELECTION on November 8.

You can find the election calendar for 2022 here, on the website of the Secretary of State. Many other voting topics and information items available here.

Some dates to keep in mind as you prepare to do your civic duty and participate in the election process:


JUNE 24, 2022:     Early voting in the PRIMARY ELECTION by mail or in person begins. This allows registered voters to vote in advance of PRIMARY ELECTION day for various reasons. This early voting period lasts until August 8th, the day BEFORE the Primary Election.


JULY 19, 2022:     Register by JULY 19, 2022 to save yourself time at the polling place on PRIMARY ELECTION DAY if you intend to vote in person at your polling place.


AUGUST 9, 2022:     PRIMARY ELECTION DAY!


SEPTEMBER 23, 2022:     Early voting in the 2022 ELECTION by mail or in person begins. This allows voters to vote in advance of the ELECTION date for various reasons. This early voting lasts until November 7, 2022, the day BEFORE ELECTION DAY.


OCTOBER 18, 2022:     Register by OCTOBER 18, 2022 to save yourself time at the polling place on ELECTION DAY if you intend to vote in person at your polling place.


NOVEMBER 8, 2022:     ELECTION DAY!!



Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by by phone at 651-296-3533 or by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community.
Please stay in touch.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sandra Masin
State Representative
 
 

Dear Neighbors,

It has been a tough couple of weeks for many as we once again grieve lives lost to gun violence in our country. There are many emotions that surround trauma of this magnitude and it can sometimes seem hopeless as our country continues to be an outlier when it comes to tragic events like what happened in Uvalde and Buffalo in the past two weeks.

Any conversation about public safety must include addressing gun violence at all levels. Guns are now the leading cause of death for children in our country. We do not have to accept this as inevitable. No single policy can prevent all tragedies but policy changes at the federal, state and local levels can prevent harm and death from gun violence. I will continue to push for common sense laws which will help keep everyone safe in their communities.

End of Regular Legislative Session
We ended the 2022 Legislative Session and adjourned Monday as required by our state Constitution. There remains much work to be completed on Education, Public Safety, Transportation, Health, Human Services, Long Term Care, Child Care, Bonding, and a Tax bill. Unfortunately, the Senate Majority walked away from completing this important work. I am hopeful that a short special session can be called so we can pass the necessary bills to reinvest our historic budget surplus back into Minnesotans.

Despite this disappointing session end, several important bills were passed in time. Here is an article from Star Tribune detailing what got done.

On May 23, House members that will not be returning gave their goodbye. I always enjoy listening to these speeches. You can listen here. We are losing a huge number at the end of this year and not everyone is included in the program.

Frontline Worker Update
The Frontline Worker Pay Application system is anticipated to be open June 8 through July 22, 2022. Eligibility criteria for Frontline Worker Pay are set forth in the Frontline Worker Pay law. I encourage you to see if you are eligible at frontlinepay.mn.gov. If you are unsure if you are eligible, you should review the law and guidance and truthfully fill in and submit the application during the 45-day application period.

Additional COVID-19 Tests Available
Testing remains a vital piece of our work to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, the Biden administration announced a new round of free COVID-19 tests is available. Each order includes eight tests (four packages of two tests each). Sign up to receive the free tests from the USPS here. If you haven’t yet done so, it’s not too late to get your COVID-19 vaccine, or if you’re eligible, a booster shot. The vaccine is safe, effective (especially against serious illness and hospitalization), and free. Find a location to get your shot here.

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sandra Masin
State Representative
 
 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you will be able to get out and enjoy some upcoming beautiful weather, after the huge storms that have passed through here. Things have been quite busy in the legislature and I'm happy to share some updates with you.

Frontline Worker Pay and UI Insurance Agreement
House DFLers, Senate Republicans, and Governor Walz reached a bipartisan agreement to fully replenish the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund while also supporting frontline workers including health care workers, first responders, child care providers, food service and retail workers, and more with bonus checks.



With this compromise in law, the state of Minnesota is currently developing an online application system. Workers can sign up to receive updates at frontlinepay.mn.gov. We expect the system to be up and running in just a few weeks, and workers will have 45 days to apply once the application process opens. A full FAQ document, including eligibility information, is available here.

IMPROVING 911 EMERGENCY SERVICES
KARE11 featured a new tool available to Dakota County's 911 dispatchers. Operators now have the ability to route certain mental health calls directly to a County social worker. Not only does this provide more immediate and effective help to those experiencing a mental health issue, it prevents police officers from being pulled away from other public safety responsibilities. To see the KARE11 story, click here.

Compromise Omnibus Veterans and Military Affairs Bill Passes We passed our compromise veterans and military affairs supplemental budget bill with strong bipartisan support. This bill will take action to end veteran homelessness and provide assistance to veterans who need it. Our veterans provide us a priceless service and it is our duty as legislators to support them. This bill will now go to the Governor's desk where he will sign it so we can continue supporting our veterans.

Other Bills On Their Way to the Governor's Desk
We passed legislation to regulate structured settlements, providing more protections and making it harder to take advantage of Minnesotans. Often Minnesotans will only receive a fraction of the settlement they are entitled to, a problem the Star Tribune highlighted late last fall and this bill will change that. We also passed a bill to create an ombudsman for foster care to begin the process to improve our foster care programs. Children in our foster system are very vulnerable, and it's critical that we provide them with the protection and care they need for healthy and fulfilling lives.

Omnibus Bills
In my last update I went over some of the omnibus bills we passed on various subjects. We are now meeting with the Senate in conference committees to hash out the differences and meet somewhere in the middle. Before that though, here are the remainder of the House DFL bills which reflect our vision for the budget that serves all Minnesotans.

Health and Human Services
Our Health and Human Services bill is focused on delivering clear results for all, including lower healthcare/drug costs, expanding access, improving workforce conditions, and so much more.

This is also where our early childhood funds are housed. Our plan to invest in child care and early learning will put thousands of the youngest Minnesotans on the path to success. It will also help parents to work, employers to grow, and communities to thrive - now and long into the future. I'm very proud of my work on this bill and happy to see it move forward.



Taxes
Our tax bill will increase affordability for Minnesotans across the state. It's getting harder for Minnesotans to pay their rent and mortgage. Our bill will reduce Minnesotans' housing costs by making the biggest investment in property tax refunds and renter's credits in decades. Overall, families with young children, senior citizens living on fixed incomes, and people with student loan debt will benefit the most from the tax bill passed by the house. We need to help those regular Minnesotans who need it most, not the most wealthy who are doing just fine.



Climate
We need to take the climate crisis seriously, as one of the fastest warming states in the country, Minnesota is already experiencing impacts of climate change. Our climate and energy bill prioritizes clean energy, funds for weatherization, electrifications of our transportation sector, and investments in energy storage. The more we invest in climate action now, the more we will save in the future by reducing the negative impacts of climate change.



Workforce, Business Development, and Labor
Much of this session has been focused on making sure that the workers who helped make our economic recovery happen receive the aid they need,our labor bill lifts up workers and small businesses, particularly those in disadvantaged communities, and businesses owned by women, veterans, and people of color. This bill delivers Paid Family & Medical Leave and Earned Sick & Safe Time as well as resources like a Redevelopment Program to help local units of government improve blighted properties for development, and Small Business Recovery Grants for businesses that continue to be impacted by COVID, inflation, supply chain issues, and the workforce shortage.

Commerce
In the Commerce bill we take measures to help Minnesotans through the creation of a Student Loan Advocate who will improve borrower outcomes, new steps to prevent catalytic converter and automobile theft, and increasing funding to fight fraud which targets seniors. Kids deserve to have a childhood without being targeted by harmful big tech algorithms. This bill would also prohibit social media platforms from delivering harmful user-created content to people under the age of 18.

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sandra Masin
State Representative
 
 

Dear Neighbors,

This week is the end of our House deadlines where we have to pass bills through certain committees if we want them to have a chance of becoming law this year. In order to meet the final deadline, we have been really busy in our various committees hearing important budget bills. After this week the Legislature will be in recess for the next week as we prepare for the final stretch of session. I hope you all have the opportunity to celebrate the various religious holidays that are being observed over the month!

Here are some updates from the Capitol:

Reducing Costs
I've heard from many of you about how difficult it has been to make ends meet lately. My DFL colleagues and I have heard from you loud and clear and are focused on reducing costs for the average Minnesotan. Here is our plan to help you out:



Avian Influenza
There is a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spreading through bird populations across the nation. Most confirmed cases of HPAI have been in backyard flocks. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a reportable disease. If your flock has sudden, high death rates or many birds with signs of HPAI, contact your veterinarian or the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, at 651-296-2942, right away. Learn more here.



New COVID-19 Testing Approach
Minnesota households are now eligible to receive two test kits (for a total of four tests) per home through the mail at mn.gov/covid19. Minnesota has secured 500,000 test kits (for a total of 1 million at-home tests) and the program will be available until all the test kits are ordered.

Through the federal government, Minnesotans can order free rapid at-home tests at CovidTests.gov. Food banks, local public health agencies, community groups, and other community health organizations may also have free tests available. Due to actions taken by the Biden Administration, costs for over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests are now required to be covered by health insurance plans.

With the lessons we've learned over the last two years, Minnesota is well-positioned to respond effectively if case counts tick upward again. While we all hope to avoid another wave, testing continues to be important for preventing the spread of the virus. Getting a test is still recommended if you:

• have symptoms of the virus
• have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
• are returning from international or domestic travel
• attended a high-risk event
• work in a setting that has regular, close contact with many people.

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sandra Masin
State Representative
 
 

Dear Neighbors,

This was "First Deadline" week and all bills have to clear their relevant committee stops in either the House or the Senate by the end of today or it becomes significantly more difficult for them to move forward this session. So we have all been very busy in committee working to pass important legislation. Here are some of my bills that I've worked on in the last couple of weeks.

• HF4441 modifies the open meeting participation conditions from nonpublic locations. This allows local officials to meet remotely to maintain their safety. This is a simple and important change to our open meeting law. Watch here.
  


• HF4110 requires health record retention for physicians who perform eye surgery. This is a straightforward bill to ensure important medical records are kept in case any complications arise from eye surgery.
  


• I am also continuing to chair the House Local Government committee and we have been very busy working to move bills forward!
  

Public Safety Innovation
This week, we proposed $150 million of new investment into data-driven, immediate crime prevention methods. We have worked with mayors, police chiefs, and other community leaders to develop this legislative package, delivering resources to urgently address the real problems communities across the state are facing. Republicans want to just throw money and harsher sentences at crime. We know that their approach doesn't work, and we're following data and academic research. We're investing in law enforcement, but we're also investing in prevention services, social workers, and accountability measures to increase community trust.



House Preventive Health Committee Discusses PFAS Ban
Last week, the House Preventative Health Committee heard a bill to regulate use of the harmful PFAS chemicals in cookware, cosmetics, skiing equipment, and children's products. The health outcomes when PFAS gets into our bodies are terrifying, especially when we consider the effects on our children.

PFAS contamination is affecting communities and costing taxpayers money now. We can and should be a leader in preventing further human exposure and environmental contamination by banning the use of PFAS in these products.

You can read more about this issue here. You can find a video of the hearing here.

Standing with Ukraine
The past few weeks have been full of harrowing images from Ukraine as Russia continues their violent invasion. In what has been a conflict of ever-growing atrocities, my heart goes out to the Ukrainian people, including the 17,000 Ukrainian-Americans who call Minnesota home. In a unanimous vote, the House voted to divest Minnesota's state pension fund from Russia and codify Governor Walz's Executive Order barring the state from contracting with Russian companies. Prior to the invasion of Ukraine, the estimated worth of Minnesota's state pension fund investments in Russia was approximately $53 million. The legislation will also sanction Belarus for its complicity in the Russian invasion.

Representative Hornstein shared comments regarding his mother, a Holocaust survivor, as well +9595 survivors in Ukraine. I felt this was especially poignant.

Passing this bill is the right thing to do, and in joining numerous other democracies in a similar action, Minnesota is standing with Ukraine and adding to the international pressure that will hopefully soon lead to peace.

You can read more about this legislation here.



Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.
 
Sincerely,
 
Sandra Masin
State Representative
 
 

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislative Session has settled into a fairly straightforward routine as we continue to push legislation through the committee process ahead of the bill deadlines beginning in late March and early April. Stay tuned in the next few weeks as things begin to speed up!

Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month! I am proud to continue to honor the legacy of so many trailblazers who led the way before me, and I will continue to fight to make the future a better place for all women!

I had the privilege of serving with Neva Walker when I first came to the House. I was impressed with her ability and stamina to carry many controversial bills. She really carried a heavy burden and she did it well.

Here are some of the bills we are working on to improve the lives of women across the state:

• #EndPeriodPovertyMN (HF 2750)


• Conversion Therapy Ban (HF 2156)


• ERA MN (HF 406)


• Homeless youth bill, including a study on pregnancy (HF 3661)


• Uterine Fibroid Study (HF 2918)


• Breast Cancer Testing (HF 2414)


• WomenVenture Childcare (HF 2352)

Drought Relief
Last week, the House approved a package of legislation that will help livestock farmers, specialty crop producers, and communities harmed by 2021's historic drought. The funding is targeted to small operations unable to access federal crop insurance, and includes measures ensuring equity in the grant process. Additionally, the legislation helps communities recover from the drought by providing grants to local and tribal governments to replace trees and seedlings killed during the drought and to improve water management. Click here for coverage from MPR.

Hometown Heroes Update
Last week, the House passed a bill to update the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program. Our firefighters face alarmingly high incidences of cancer, cardiac issues, and emotional trauma. The new program, which lawmakers enacted last year, provides firefighters access to education, prevention, and care to address cardiac conditions, emotional trauma or cancer diagnoses. The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program is the most comprehensive in the nation of its kind, and provides firefighters with free access to emotional trauma resources, up-to-$20,000 from critical illness insurance policies, and ongoing health and wellness training.

Prior to the program's enactment, Minnesota was ranked 45th out of 50 states when it comes to investing in the fire service. I was proud to support this initiative for the heroes in our communities who make incredible sacrifices to keep us safe.

Naloxone Locator
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, drug overdoses have continued to be a major concern. In 2020, a record 678 Minnesotans tragically died as a result of an opioid overdose. Naloxone (a.k.a. Narcan) is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose.

To help save lives, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has launched a new Naloxone Finder at knowthedangers.org. The map will display pharmacies, naloxone access points, and syringe service programs with naloxone typically available in a designated area. The tool also provides contact information, an address, and other guidance so a person can confirm with the site whether it currently has naloxone available.

An opioid overdose requires immediate medical attention. Please call 911 immediately if you or someone you know exhibits any of the symptoms. In 2014 the Legislature enacted Steve's Law, which is a Good Samaritan law providing immunity protections to people who call 911 and/or administer naloxone in response to a suspected or known drug overdose.

Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
There has been a lot of debate at the Capitol around how best to refill the UI Trust Fund. The House DFL's UI Trust Fund proposal would prevent a 16% tax increase on Minnesota employers, strengthen the Unemployment Insurance program for everyone, and expand eligibility to hourly school workers like bus drivers and cafeteria staff. The main difference between our proposal and the Senate Republican proposal is that ours prioritizes workers, while theirs prioritizes large corporations. For instance under the Senate proposal Walmart would get a $7,890,500 tax cut. These are funds that should go to Minnesotans, not an immensely profitable global corporation.

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Sandra Masin
State Representative
 

Rep. Masin was interviewed on the program Access to Democracy on Friday 4 March. You can watch it by clicking on the image below, YouTube here.

Dear Neighbors,

We're now in the middle of the fourth week of the legislative session, which will end in mid-May. On Monday, we will receive an updated forecast of the state budget, giving us the final details that we will need to make fiscal decisions for the rest of the session. Here is an update from the Capitol.

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.

Transportation Safety
The House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee recently held two informational hearings to learn more about and how to address the growing problems associated with traffic and pedestrian safety. The committee received expert testimony from the State Patrol and the Minnesota Department of Traffic Safety showing that despite fewer cars being on the road last year, Minnesota still saw 498 deaths in traffic related crashes. 58 of those were pedestrian related fatalities, which averages more than one death a week. Speed was cited as a key contributor, but also, the lack of access to strong and safe pedestrian infrastructure. The StarTribune covered the hearings, and you can read more about various proposals on the table to address the surge in fatalities and injuries, here.

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.





Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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 me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Sandra Masin
State Representative
 

About Sandra Masin

A mother of three grown children, with more than twenty years of engagement in local politics and community events, Sandra is well known to many. If you haven't yet met Sandra, click here to find out more...

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