Kaela Berg Banner
*Dear Neighbors,*
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 [ [link removed] ].
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.
*New Laws*
As a quick recap to a historic session [ [link removed] ], 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:
* July 1st [ [link removed] ]
* August 1st [ [link removed] ]
*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 [ [link removed] ].
*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 [ [link removed] ] and finalized the new state seal. [ [link removed] ] You can find critiques of the remaining options here [ [link removed] ], and Fair Vote conducted a ranked choice vote [ [link removed] ] for fun to see where folks stand on these designs. The new emblems will become official on Minnesota Statehood Day on May 11.
State Flag Finalists
*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 [ [link removed] ] or using the QR code below.
2023 MVP Survey QR Code
*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 [ [link removed] ] 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 [ [link removed] ].
Stay in Touch
If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you?d like to share, please don?t hesitate to reach out. Email me at
[email protected] or call (651) 296-5387. For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven?t already, here [ [link removed] ], and you can also ?like? and follow my official State Representative Facebook page [ [link removed] ].
Sincerely,
Kaela Berg
State Representative
To unsubscribe, visit the?Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. If you have questions or experience technical difficulties with this subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].
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