On January 5, I had the distinct honor and privilege to take the oath of office and be sworn in to serve the great people of Senate District 43 for another term. This year looked different, but my commitment and dedication to upholding this oath and to serving the people remains the same! I am honored, humbled, and tremendously excited to once again serve as your state senator, and to continue to advocate on your behalf as we work through the challenges facing our state and communities. We face unprecedented times for our state, for our students and teachers, and for each of us as we navigate the challenges before us. There is much work to do this year, and I stand ready to work with my colleagues in the Senate and the House to get it done.

Senate colleagues and I sent this letter to President Trump

To President Donald J Trump:

On January 6, 2021, demonstrators in Washington, D.C., vandalized public buildings, endangered the lives of lawmakers, staff, and the general public, and jeopardized the peaceful transfer of Presidential power.

The U.S. constitution made the right to free speech the very first amendment in our Bill of Rights, but the behavior at the U.S. Capitol was a violent assault on our democracy that should be condemned and rejected by every American.

All lawmakers have a duty at the Federal, State, and Local level to uphold their oath of office to protect our constitution, democracy, and the safety of our communities. We are grateful for the Capitol Police officers who are working to keep members, staff, and the Capitol safe and hope for the safety of those at risk.

The peaceful transfer of power has been a foundation and hallmark of our democracy including presidential elections.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Legislature began its 2021 session on Tuesday. My committee assignments include E-12 Education Finance and Policy (lead Democrat), Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy, Local Government and Capital Investment. I continue to serve as one of our state’s appointees to the Education Commission of States, https://www.ecs.org/ Additionally, I’m a member of the Subcommittee on Minnesota Water Policy, https://www.lcc.leg.mn/smwp/ .

Here are my priorities:

1. Attack COVID-19: navigate through pandemic, partner with each level of government and private sector to address impact; listen, learn and lead.

2. Balanced Budget: adopt a balanced, two-year budget as required by Minnesota’s Constitution; improve legislative transparency, openness and public participation; abolish the use of large, multi-subject omnibus “garbage” bills.

3. Education Opportunity: fair and stable funding, close opportunity gaps, safe schools, encourage innovation and various career path options (trades, higher ed, vocational, military service). Students are our future.

4. Equality, Eradicating Racism: support equality and opportunity for all, work together to end racism and discrimination at all levels recognizing that equality and justice are crucial to our democracy and future.

5. Health Care Access: quality, affordable medical and dental care, acute and long-term care, mental health services, health promotion and prescription drugs. Your health is your wealth.

6. Protect Environment: support conservation of natural resources, several initiatives addressing water policy, pollution reduction, climate change education and action, energy efficient transportation. Continue momentum and progress from last year’s phase out of TCE (trichloroethylene), address any further recommendations from the White Bear Area Neighborhood Concerned Citizens Group.

7. Redistricting reform: legislative district boundaries are redrawn every 10 years following the census count. Support independent commission to do this to maximize voter representation and fairness, and prevent gerrymandering.

Thankfully, the Legislature passed a significant bonding bill several weeks ago. Projects included anticipated completion of Lake Links Trail, Century College improvements and more. The next bonding bill will likely be in 2022, but one could potentially emerge this session given the positive impact on jobs and the economy.

Restrictions Lifted

Today, COVID is spreading more slowly across Minnesota than two months ago. Recognizing our progress – but understanding we need to remain cautious – the governor is adjusting the dials and opening more activities and sectors of the economy.

Here are the changes:

Bars and restaurants can open at 50 % capacity, with a maximum of 150 people. Parties of no more than six people must remain six feet from each other; bar seating is open to parties of two; reservations are required; and establishments must close by 10 p.m.

Gyms and pools are capped at 25% with maximum capacity of 150. Machines and people should stay 9 feet apart. Classes increase to 25 people. Everyone must be masked.

Outdoor events and entertainment continue at 25% capacity, but maximum capacity increases to 250 people. Social distancing is required.

Indoor events and entertainment – like bowling alleys, movie theaters, and museums – may open at 25%, or no more than 150 people. Masks required. No food service after 10 p.m.

Youth and adult organized sports have resumed practice as of Jan. 4 and games resume Jan. 14 with spectators. Inter-region tournaments and out of state play are discouraged.

Wedding receptions and other private parties may resume with limits. If food and drink are served then, like other social gatherings, they are limited to two households or 10 people indoors and 3 households or 15 people outdoors. If there is no food or drink, they are covered by indoor event venue guidelines. Any related ceremony – like a wedding or funeral – is guided by rules for places of worship.

Places of worship remain open at 50% capacity but without an overall maximum capacity.

We need each Minnesotan to help protect our progress. We all have to make good decisions every day about our own risk, our risk to others, and the simple things we can do to slow the spread of the virus. This individual responsibility will be a huge factor in how the next weeks and months play out.

Welcome to Christina Volkers, the new city administrator for the City of Oakdale! Met up with her and Oakdale City Council Member Kevin Zabel at the groundbreaking for the addition to Skyview Middle School. Thanks for your interest in our schools!

Thank you to everyone at Second Harvest Heartland! The work you are doing to serve people with food insecurity is vitally important!

National Popular Vote Bill to Be Introduced

I will introduce legislation Monday adding Minnesota to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would guarantee Minnesota’s electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote.

This is a common sense measure that would ensure the winner of the presidential election is the one selected by the American people, not an outdated relic of the 19th century. Our elections shouldn’t hinge on the outcome of a handful of states, but instead rely on the overall will of the people throughout our country. This is a measure that would ensure people’s votes are respected, not disenfranchised.

States that are members of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact pledge their states’ electoral votes to the presidential and vice presidential candidates who win the national popular vote as opposed to the popular vote in their particular state.

The compact will not take effect until enough states enact the compact that represent a majority of the total electoral votes nationwide. Currently, 15 states and the District of Columbia, totaling 196 electoral votes have enacted the compact, and only 74 more electoral votes are necessary to be committed to the compact for it to take effect.

In the past 20 years, two presidential candidates have lost the popular vote while winning the presidency, most recently in 2016. With the activation of the National Popular Vote Compact, more voters would be engaged, creating a more equitable system for electing the United States President.

January 8, 2021

Upcoming Events:

What: Our Town Hall scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 9, is cancelled due to the passing of Rep. Fischer’s mom, Lorraine.

Where: It will be re-scheduled.

Lorraine Fischer, mother of Rep. Peter Fischer, passed away on Dec. 30 at the age of 90. Lorraine was very active in Maplewood civic affairs for decades. A leader in the League of Women Voters, she organized candidate forums and advocated for voter rights and transparency. She skillfully chaired the local planning commission, plus provided dedicated service on housing and human rights’ groups. My thoughts and prayers for her and the Fischer family. Details of her obituary can be found at legacy.com/us/obituaries

Lorraine Fischer

Congratulations to Chief Steve Lukin, who has retired from the Maplewood Fire Department after 43 years! Steve was the heart of the department. His career spanned the evolution of the department from independent volunteer firehouses to a single department of 30 full-time firefighters. He is exceptionally proud of the East Metro Public Safety Training Center in Maplewood. I was honored to help make that center a reality through my work at the Legislature. Thanks for your service, Steve!

Click here to view my interview with Steve:

https://youtu.be/rrMUlAR5xuk

Don Craighead, a technology entrepreneur who was a top donor to Century College and its students, passed away on Dec. 18 at age 86. Don loved helping students! He helped develop the Fab Lab at Century and delighted in supporting students who aspired to become engineers. Don was a tireless connector who found joy in helping others. We will miss him.

I enjoyed meeting with North St. Paul Mayor, Terry Furlong, who was at his first day of work in his new career (commercial lending) at Premier Bank, Maplewood. Pictured between us is Don Regan, the bank’s founder and board chair, who passed away last fall, but his spirit continues to shine!

Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Hears COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan is an immense undertaking that has required thoughtful planning and coordination.

The state has already distributed nearly 300,000 doses of vaccine to provider sites across the state, and over 80,000 Minnesotans have received a vaccination. This is a huge accomplishment seeing as though there wasn’t even an approved vaccine one month ago. But we know there is a long way to go as shipments from the federal government remain limited, which restricts our ability to get vaccines to everyone who wants one.

The Aging and Long-Term Care committee heard an update from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) this week on COVID-19 testing and immunization for Minnesota’s aging populations. Older adults living in congregate settings, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, are at increased risk during this pandemic due to the threats of COVID-19. Spikes in community spread throughout the state have forced many facilities to halt their visiting policies, adding more emotional strain on these residents. This is why state and federal guidance puts long-term care residents in the first priority group to receive vaccines, along with many of the state’s health care workers.

Immunizations of Minnesota’s most vulnerable have already begun. Some nursing homes and assisted living facilities are participating in a federal pharmacy partnership program which has encountered issues during rollout, though others are using local pharmacies and public health departments coordinated by MDH, which can move doses faster. As we continue to receive more shipments of vaccine from the federal government, Minnesota will move to immunize adults aged 75 and older, with those aged 65 and older following afterward. More information on the timeline for vaccine rollout in those groups will be available in the coming weeks as we get a better idea of how much vaccine we can expect to receive from the federal government.

We want COVID-19 vaccines to be administered as quickly and as safely as possible so we can all return to a more normal life. States across the nation are struggling with limited vaccine supply, so we must be patient as we make sure those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19 and those most at risk for serious illness have access to the immunizations they need until more is available for the general public.

How Bright Ideas Become Law

This is a time when bright ideas that can become law are brought forward.

For example, a law to make workplaces safer at hospitals originated with concerned nurses. Local school leaders have met with me to talk about fair funding for schools, smarter testing, early childhood education, and academic achievement.

Residents who wanted to preserve a historic farm in Maplewood had a proposal that resulted in the beautiful Bruentrup Heritage Farm restoration. Firefighter leaders had an idea that eventually became the fire training center in Maplewood, serving all of the East Metro.

From parks and trails to consumer protection and public safety issues like body cameras – all have been brought to me and other area legislators by people living in our communities.

A bill that becomes law starts with a bright idea. A person then brings the idea to a member of the Legislature. The ideas are discussed in committees of the Senate and House. Before a bill can be processed through either the House of Representatives or the Senate, it must first be given its first formal reading. The first reading occurs when the bill is introduced, given a file number and assigned to a committee for study.

Committee members will discuss the pros and cons. After a bill is reported out of its final committee, it is given a second reading and placed before the entire Senate or House body for discussion and consideration.

Once a bill is placed on ‘General Orders’ senators will get a copy of the bill and are given at least 24 hours to learn more about the bill before they are asked to vote. After senators are given time to consider the bill, it is read and a roll-call vote is taken. Thirty-four votes are needed to pass most bills in the Senate.

If a bill passes in the Senate, it’s sent over to the House of Representatives where it goes through a very similar process. If the House passes an identical bill to the Senate it’s then sent on to the Governor. If the House passes an altered version of the bill, a conference committee is assembled which is composed of half senators and half representatives to work out a compromise that both sides can agree on. Once the Governor sees a bill that has passed both bodies, the whole bill can be signed.

If the Governor signs the bill, the bill becomes law.

Our job as legislators is to listen to our constituents and take action when called upon. Young people continue to raise their voices against climate change, and it is vital that we listen to them and prioritize climate action.

Students are our future. Every child, regardless of race or zip code, deserves a high-quality education that gives them the opportunity to succeed. Once again, supporting public education will be my top priority. I will do all I can to increase per-pupil funding so that the school districts in our area (North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi and Roseville) continue to thrive.

Gov. Walz, a former teacher, likes to say that putting a child on a bus to a good elementary school can prevent us from putting them on a bus to prison in later life.

I know Minnesotans are careful about how money is spent, and they never expect something for nothing. I believe that investing in our schools, our health and our communities will be the best thing we can do for our next generation.

I look forward to having productive conversations with my colleagues and, most importantly, with the people of Minnesota. I want to work in a bi-partisan way to pass responsible legislation.

The wonderful trails in the Oakdale Nature Center are nicely plowed for hiking and dog-walking. Thanks city workers!

Get in touch

Sen. Chuck Wiger
(651) 296-6820

Cell (651) 770-0283

Rep. Peter Fischer (43A)
(651) 296-5363

Rep. Leon Lillie (43B)
(651) 296-1237

Governor Tim Walz
(651) 201-3400