Low Income Housing, Voter Privacy & Registration, and COVID-19 (Coronovirus)

More Low Income Housing

Olmsted County HRA (Housing and Redevelopment Authority) contributed to First Homes’ purchase of Center Street Village Apartments.  As a member of the HRA Board, I supported the Olmsted’s partnering with the Coalition for Rochester Area Housing, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, First Homes Rochester Area Foundation and many donors.  Through this partnership, the HRA will preserve work force housing and low-income housing close to downtown.  The ribbon cutting for the purchase of these apartments was on February 24.

 

Voter Privacy and Election Day Voter Registration

In the current presidential primary, voters must declare a political party.  Olmsted County Board communicated with our Legislators that the use of voter lists should be restricted to protect voter privacy and voters should have the option to be excluded from the list.

Additionally, the Olmsted County Board communicated its opposition to restricting voter registration; the current system of same day voter registration should be maintained.

I supported both of these positions.  I believe it is very important that voter privacy be maintained and that everyone who is eligible should have every opportunity to register and vote.

 

COVID-19 (Coronovirus)

Please remember, as of February 25, there are no cases of coronovirus in Minnesota; however the outbreaks of COVID-19 in Europe and Asia, has heightened the concern for being prepared for an outbreak in the U.S.    Olmsted County works with other health care providers in Rochester to be prepared for health emergencies.  Olmsted has a long-standing preparedness team that meets regularly to be prepared.  In addition, Olmsted County Public Health is actively working with the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that travelers returning from places where there are outbreaks are being screened for infection during their return travel.  According to Olmsted County Public Health, the chance of contracting the virus (in Minnesota) at this time, is low; however, Public Health continues to monitor the virus.

Here is the website for Olmsted County’s Public Health information on the COVID-19 virus:  https://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/OCPHS/Pages/Wuhan-Coronavirus.aspx

Here is the website for the Center for Disease Control:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html