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Monday, December 21, 2020 Dear Neighbors, I wanted to follow up with you on recent news related to student workers’ eligibility to earn unemployment benefits. As I’ve previously mentioned in past updates, since the onset of the pandemic, high school students were initially deemed ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits under state law. The Minnesota Court of Appeals disagreed, and recently ruled that the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, under the federal CARES Act, does in fact apply to student workers. Many of our students work hard and long hours to contribute to their family’s income, especially in our community. Unemployment benefits are now available for students whose employment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and payments are being made retroactively. Student workers are encouraged to apply at www.uimn.org before December 26. More information is available from Youthprise. Town Hall Reminder- Tonight!A friendly reminder to join us on tonight at 6:30 p.m. for a pre-session virtual town hall on Facebook. You can tune in here. Those who have confirmed joining us include Representative-Elect John Thompson, Metropolitan Council Member Chai Lee, Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, City Council Member Jane Prince and City Council Member Nelsie Yang. Please RSVP and submit questions ahead of time here. All are welcome! Keep in TouchPlease reach out anytime at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-4201 with thoughts, ideas, or questions. Let me know how I can help during these challenging times. Stay safe, Eastsiders. In solidarity, Jay Xiong State Representative
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Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Dear Neighbors, Late yesterday, the Minnesota Legislature approved a new economic assistance package designed to help small businesses and workers struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation includes direct financial assistance to the hardest hit businesses and helps protect economic security for workers by extending unemployment benefits. Key components of the assistance bill would:
COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution PlanAhead of the vaccine shipments to Minnesota, last week Governor Walz announced our state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. The goal is to quickly, equitably, and safely deliver the vaccine to anyone who wants one at no cost. The first to receive the vaccine in Minnesota will be health care workers and long-term care residents, who would then be followed by essential workers, seniors, and people with preexisting conditions that are more likely to become seriously ill with this virus. The arrival of the vaccine is incredibly good news, but we’re still a long way from it becoming available to all who want one. In the meantime, it’s important that we continue adhering to the public health guidelines that have kept our communities safe - social distancing, hand washing, wearing a mask, and getting tested when we feel sick. Upcoming Virtual Town HallOn Monday, December 21 at 6:30 p.m., District 67 state legislators will join forces with our city and county officials for a pre-session virtual town hall on Facebook. You can tune in here. Those who have confirmed joining us include Representative-Elect John Thompson, Metropolitan Council Member Chai Lee, Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, City Council Member Jane Prince and City Council Member Nelsie Yang. Please RSVP and submit questions ahead of time here. All are welcome! Keep in TouchPlease never hesitate to reach out at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn with your thoughts, ideas, or questions. Give me a call at 651-296-4201 or send an email if you need any help or I can be of any assistance. It’s an honor to serve our Eastside neighbors and families at the Legislature. Thank you. In solidarity, Jay Xiong State Representative Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you and yours well and staying safe. Here’s news from the State Capitol: State Economic OutlookMinnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced new economic projections this week that show Minnesota is well positioned to provide immediate economic aid to workers and small businesses. It’s clearer than ever that the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the structural inequities of our political and economic systems. Billionaires and corporations are getting richer, but working families are living paycheck to paycheck. We need to do better in Minnesota, which is why House DFLers and the governor proposed a ‘bridge’ economic relief package until we can get more urgently needed federal aid. Our proposal would:
I am cautiously optimistic House and Senate Republicans will join us in passing a robust and comprehensive relief package as soon as possible. The next special session is slated to begin December 14 or earlier if an agreement can be reached. Housing Assistance Available- Apply TodayThis week, Governor Walz highlighted efforts to support Minnesotans experiencing homelessness and ensure Minnesotans can afford to stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are encouraging Minnesotans who are behind on their rent, mortgage, or utility payments to apply for the Administration’s Housing Assistance Program by Monday, December 7, 2020. Additionally, Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program received more than $106 million in federal funding to help income-eligible Minnesotans pay their heating bills this winter. Minnesotans should submit an application to the local service provider in their area. To find your local service provider, call 800-657-3710 or visit the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage. Fresh Dinner Boxes AvailableA big thank you to the Sanneh Foundation, East Side Table and Southeast Community Organization for providing fresh dinner boxes to anyone who identifies as being low income. Each box contains about 10 pounds of fresh produce, meat, pantry staples and recipes for up to 12 people. Distribution will take place on every Wednesday afternoon in December. Please wear a mask when picking up. Food is available until it runs out. Unemployment InsuranceUnder the federal CARES Act, the federal government authorized (and paid for) 13 additional weeks in benefits for unemployed workers who exhaust their 26 weeks of state benefits. This is slated to expire at the end of the month, which is why it’s so important for us to take action on the state level immediately. Under Minnesota law, high school students, under most circumstances, are not able to receive standard benefits. I continue working to change that with my colleagues at the legislature. Please visit https://www.uimn.org/ to learn more about your options for unemployment insurance. Preventative Action for At-Risk Asian YouthCurrently, there are no funded culturally and linguistically appropriate programs for At-Risk Southeast Asian Youth of recently arrived refugee families in Minnesota. In Saint Paul, many Karen and Karenni youth who are at-risk reside predominately in Frogtown, North End, Payne-Phalen, Dayton’s Bluff, the Greater Eastside and Battle Creek neighborhoods. Do you have stories to share to help bring awareness to this important issue? Twelve St. Paul community members have teamed up with a variety of community organizations to mobilize and develop a program called AYO Asian Youth Outreach. You can learn more about how to get involved by emailing AYOminnesota@gmail.com. Keep in TouchPlease continue to contact me anytime to let me know how I can provide assistance at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn or at 651-296-4201. I’m grateful for the opportunity to answer questions and be a resource if you need help. Thank you for honor of serving our Eastside residents and families. In solidarity, Jay Xiong State Representative |
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