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Insight News

December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021

Vol. 48 No. 50• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

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Page 2 •December December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021 • Insight News

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WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE

Insight News December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021

Vol. 48 No. 50• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

LSE Architects selected to design Saint Paul Public Library transformations

photo/Uche Iroegbo

MPD Chief Medaria Arradondo takes a knee June 9, 2020, before the African American Professional Firefighters Association during the funeral of George Floyd. Arradondo announced he will retire in January 2022 after 32 years with the MPD.

Arradondo exits Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced last week, via a press conference, that he will not seek a third term as head of the MPD. He will retire next month.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey later in the week announced that MPD veteran, Deputy Chief Amelia Huffman will be interim Chief.

“First and foremost I want to give my immense thanks to the sworn and civilian members of the MPD for their dedicated service.

They have served under the most challenging times I our recent history,” said Arradondo.

He also thanked Frey for his support and leadership.

“It has been such an honor and humbling privilege to be your public servant for the past 32 years and the past 4.5 as your chief. Thank you to the elders

for wisdom, your guidance, your prayers, your honest feedback and your invaluable history lessons,” he said.

Arradondo said that he has seen and heard Minneapolis’ young people over the years. “You must continue to be at the table and leading discussions on how we as city can build bridges and create real sustainable progress between Minneapolis Police Department and our young people,” he said.

“After 32 years, I believe that now is the right time to allow for new leadership, new perspective, new focus and new hope to lead the department forward in collaboration with our communities. I am confident that MPD has the leadership in place to advance this critically important work,” Arradondo said.

A fifth-generation

Minnesota resident, Arradondo joined the MPD in 1989 as a patrol officer in North Minneapolis’ Fourth Precinct and worked his way up through the police ranks until he was named the inspector for the First Precinct. In 2007, he and four other African-American officers sued the department alleging discrimination in promotions, pay, and discipline.

The lawsuit was settled by the city for $740,000, and in December 2012 Arradondo was promoted to head of the Internal Affairs Unit responsible for investigation of allegations of officer misconduct.

Arradondo was a Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief before being nominated as Minneapolis’s new Chief of Police by then Minneapolis Mayor Betsey Hodges.

CBS Minnesota

Chief Medaria Arradondo

Budget surplus could mean closer look at paid family and medical leave Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan last week hosted a roundtable discussion with Minnesota workers, parents, and business leaders to hear firsthand about the importance of paid family and medical leave for Minnesota workers. Roundtable attendees included: Reverend Vanessa Bradby, pastor at New Spirit United Church of Christ in Savage; Sheila Crabbe, former Educational Support Professional in the Minneapolis Public Schools; Kate Davenport, co-president of Eureka Recycling; Sarah Piepenberg, co-owner of Vinaigrette, Minneapolis; and Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian, pediatrician at Hennepin Healthcare.

“Our state’s historic surplus gives us an opportunity to lower costs for Minnesotans, invest in the middle class, and lend a hand to those who haven’t recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “We are committed to hearing directly from Minnesotans about their priorities – including the need to make it easier for Minnesota workers to take time off to care for a child or sick family member. This is one bold step we can take to get workers and businesses back to better.”

“Taking time off to bond with a new baby, recover from illness, or care for a loved

Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) last week selected as the architecture and design partner for the next phase of its facilities transformation process, which includes a vision to invest in three libraries across Saint Paul: Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview libraries.

“The selection of LSE as design partner is an exciting step in SPPL’s efforts to secure support and resources to transform these three wellloved, well-used, and wellworn locations into hubs of community, learning, and connection,” said Catherine Penkert, director of SPPL. “They bring immense skills and experience to the table as we co-create a vision for library spaces that meets the needs of the community now and for future generations.”

In August 2021, SPPL released a request for proposals to select a design partner to develop communityinformed designs for its three priority libraries: Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview. This phase will include community engagement, schematic designs, cost estimates, and 75% completed construction documents. LSE was selected through a competitive process in which a number of local and national architecture and design firms with library experience applied.

“LSE stood out for its record of designing beautiful, functional community spaces that stand the test of time, for the way they walk the talk with racial and social equity, and for their creative, dynamic approach to community engagement.” said Penkert. “We are thrilled to work with a firm whose focus aligns so closely with SPPL’s goals and approach to its work.”

Community engagement and schematic

finance-commerce.com/

Kenya McKnight-Ahad MN.gov

Governor Tim Walz

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan

one who is sick is not optional.

But for far too many Minnesota families, that time off comes at the risk of losing a paycheck or losing a job,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has only exposed and exacerbated existing disparities, providing paid family and medical leave is essential to building a more equitable Minnesota economy.”

“Right now, some of the most important investments we can make are in our workforce,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “Providing a structure for Minnesota workers to take time off to welcome a new family member or a care for one that is sick without risk of penalty or losing their job is imperative to providing the support our workers deserve.

When we come together on big issues like this – that’s when our businesses, communities and Minnesota workers thrive.”

“Paid family and medical leave is a pivotal strategy to improve the lives of children and support families, communities and business. It provides peace of mind and economic security to new parents – like myself – and the opportunity to bond with a new baby, bonds that forever impact the brain development of our next generation. Paid leave allows for breastfeeding and early investments in a child’s life that are tied to better outcomes,” said Erin Bailey, Executive Director of the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet. “Further, it is a critical equity strategy, and ensuring this opportunity for lower income families and children provides

News

Millions of Americans struggle to pay their water bills – here’s how a national water aid program could work

PAGE 5

MinnPost

DEED Commissioner Steve Grove an equal opportunity for birthing parents to participate and stay in the workforce, which is essential during a national worker shortage.”

“As a faith leader and a mother, I support paid family and medical leave as a way we can care for our neighbors, and ourselves,” said Reverend Vanessa Bradby. “It is just, and it is kind, and that is what we are called to be in the world.”

“When I experienced a personal health crisis, I was not able to receive adequate time to recover, as a result was not able to continue with my job at that time. My story isn’t unique,” said Sheila Crabbe, former Educational Support Professional in the Minneapolis Public Schools. “If Minnesota is a place that values

PAID LEAVE 5

supporthclib.org/

Mohammed Lawal design begin

work is slated to in January 2022.

“We are excited for this opportunity to work with the Saint Paul Public Library on these significant projects,” said Mohammed Lawal, FAIA, principal and CEO of LSE. “With Saint Paul residents’ imminent needs and future uses in mind, our design vision will focus on creating dynamic, inclusive, equitable and beautiful places in this rapidly-changing world.”

About LSE Architects LSE is a Minneapolisbased, Black-owned firm that integrates equity into their business model, from their ownership and leadership representation to investments in career pathway apprenticeships to bringing on women and BIPOC-owned consulting partners to creating environments that reflect the culture of the communities in which they reside.

LSE’s current and past projects include the Midway YMCA; North High School in Minneapolis; Minnesota JCC; Oxboro, historic Sumner, and Webber libraries in Hennepin County; and the renovations of Sun Ray and Highland Park libraries in Saint Paul in 2015.

LSE ARCHITECTS 4

Al McFarlane

Bee Marketplace returns

Black Women’s Wealth Alliance (BWWA) is presenting its 2nd virtual BEE MARKETPLACE, opening December 15th and running through the end of January, 2022.

“It’s all about funding and purchasing gifts and services created by our own community entrepreneurs . . . about using our pretty impressive Black buying power . . . assuming responsibility and being accountable for making ourselves and the future for generations to come more meaningful despite the damage inflicted by the pandemic, and racial conflict and division,” says Kenya McKnightAhad, BWWA president and CEO. “Over 25 Black female vendors will be displaying their products via Zoom during this holiday season.

Insight Editor Al McFarlane said the McFarlane Media platforms intend to bring significant awareness about

Black women entrepreneurs, to support their world class products and services. “Our goal is to normalize our people spending money with our people, shaking off the ingrained negative perceptions some of us carry about ourselves that often is created and maintained by media and institutions that don’t want us to discover our value.” McFarlane said. “I am challenging everyone in our community to buy first, and buy as much as possible from Bee Marketplace businesses.

Let’s show ourselves how we build wealth!”

The BEE virtual) Marketplace, sponsored by the Black Women’s Wealth Alliance, and lead sponsor, Bremer Bank, offers a unique one-stop shopping experience during this holiday season.

McFarlane Media adn Wells Fargo Bank are supporting sponsors.

BEEMARKET@ bwwa-us.com

I2H

Omicron Variant: What you need to know

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Insight News • December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021 • Page 3

Together with small businesses, we’re helping bring hope to the streets.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of every community. They make our neighborhoods vibrant places to live, work, and raise families. Here are just a few ways Wells Fargo is giving hope a hand: • ÄàÝä×Ò×ÜÕ ÜÝÜÞàÝùâá å×âÖ àÝãÕÖÚç rb`^ Û×ÚÚ×ÝÜ âÖàÝãÕÖ Ýãà ÃÞÓÜ ÔÝà ¶ãá×ÜÓáá ºãÜÒ âÝ ÖÓÚÞ small businesses • ¼ÓÚÞ×ÜÕ ÜÓÏàÚç `f` ^^^ áÛÏÚÚ Ðãá×ÜÓááÓá ÙÓÓÞ _ e Û×ÚÚ×ÝÜ ÞÓÝÞÚÓ Ïâ åÝàÙ âÖàÝãÕÖ ÄÏçÑÖÓÑÙ Protection Program (PPP) funding* • Pitching in to help beautify local business districts in cities nationwide • Working together with more than 3 million small businesses to help them get back to thriving Join us in bringing hope to the streets by shopping local. Learn more at wellsfargo.com/impact.

* PPP data from Program inception in 2020 through 06/09/2021. \ `^`_ ËÓÚÚá ºÏàÕÝ ¶ÏÜÙ Â µ µÚÚ à×ÕÖâá àÓáÓàäÓÒ ½¼µ#e__`g^b

Page 4 •December December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021 • Insight News

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Commentary/Opinion

Congressional antitrust focus draws much-needed attention from federal privacy legislation

By Lawrence Wright It is no secret that lawmakers in Washington are intent on taking action on technology policy.

We’ve heard considerable noise this year from lawmakers looking to overhaul the government’s approach to regulating the technology industry, most recently culminating in an antitrust bill spear-headed by our Senator Amy Klobuchar that was unveiled this week.

This legislation would not only break critical online platforms and have real consequences for minority-owned small business owners who rely on digital tools, but it has lawmakers barking up the wrong tree.

If policy leaders in Washington are truly interested in getting something done on a tech-related policy issue, they

need to turn their attention to enacting a federal privacy framework. Are you more concerned about the protection of your personal data, or with the structure of companies that deliver some of the most cutting-edge and time-saving consumer tools?

Recent data from a survey conducted by the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) reinforces the obvious answer to that question.

When it comes to technology issues, voters are vastly more concerned with how their data is handled than they are interested in seeing the tools they use every day broken as a result of dismantled tech companies and over-regulation.

Rightfully so. In an increasingly digitalized, global, and data-driven world, the protection of personal

and business data should be paramount. Consumers and small businesses across Minnesota each generate billions of data points through their online activity. Ensuring

the level of importance that data security has in our daily lives.

While individual companies have made commitments and internal policy updates over the years, universal consumer

...lawmakers barking up the wrong tree that this personal information remains safe and secure is essential.

It is crucial that the policy framework surrounding these privacy issues matches

and small business protections outlined by the federal government are needed.

The patchwork of state legislation popping up across the country is not only

insufficient but invites a thicket of mis-matching regulations for business owners to manage – particularly for businesses who operate across state lines which, today, is nearly every business.

Of course, if Congress is to move forward with federal legislation on privacy, it’s imperative that they get it right. As we’ve seen with the aforementioned state legislative proposals, and even regulations put in place in Europe, privacy legislation can be incredibly costly. Particularly policies that include a private right of action provision, which have proven to result in overly burdensome costs on businesses.

At its core, a federal privacy framework must be focused on demanding responsible data collection, transparency, and security.

Policymaking must center

around the need for companies to take responsibility for the consumer and business data that they manage. And transparency will of course be key – consumers should be notified and made wholly aware of not only the data that is being collected, but how that data is being used. But again, this can – and must – be done in a way that limits costs on businesses.

Inviting a flood of civil suits through a private right of action provision must be avoided.

The antitrust hawks of today are riding high on the belief that they are protecting consumers. If they are truly consumer advocates, they would turn their attention toward federal privacy legislation – these are the technology policy issues that impact consumers on a daily, hourly, and minute-byminute basis.

Can states handle the influx of federal funds for expanding broadband?

By Brian Whitacre Professor and Neustadt Chair, Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University and

By Christina Biedny Ph.D. student in Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University The federal government is pouring billions of dollars into expanding broadband internet access. But it’s at the state level where the financial rubber meets the fiber-optic road.

History suggests some states are ahead of the game while others will have to play catch-up.

The recently signed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes significant funding to expand broadband access, to help households pay for their monthly broadband connections and to help people learn how to productively use those connections.

This legislation represents Congress’ first formal recognition of the essential nature of high-speed internet.

Historically, broadband funding has been distributed from federal entities like the Federal Communications Commission or U.S. Department of Agriculture directly to internet providers. The Government Accountability Office, which monitors and audits

government operations, has been critical of these efforts.

This time, however, states are at the center of the funding that is coming down the pipeline. The US$42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, known as BEAD, requires each state to generate a five-year action plan laying out how it will use the funds, including a process for prioritizing locations that are classified as “unserved” or “underserved.”

Similarly, the $2.7 billion Digital Equity Act requires each state to establish an organization responsible for developing a digital equity plan, which will help to disburse subgrants. Digital equity means ensuring that every community has adequate access to the technologies and skills needed to fully participate in society.

From newbies to wily veterans Not all states are equally positioned to handle the funds that will flow down from the federal government. Some states have operated formal broadband offices for years, and many have extensive experience running their own broadband grant programs. In others there are multiple agencies with jurisdiction over broadband, so even deciding who will develop the action plan may be challenging.

Some states have built detailed broadband maps

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that move beyond the highly criticized FCC versions, and clearly depict areas without access. Others were early adopters of “digital inclusion” efforts and have an established base of nonprofits and public entities that have already been successful at this type of work.

In short, states have varying track records when it comes to broadband projects.

Rolling out billions of dollars of funding will be a challenge for states without a history of evaluating applications – or those that are brand-new to the quickly growing field of digital equity.

Why each state gets $100 million The largest portion of the forthcoming broadband funding is the BEAD program focused on the provision of new broadband infrastructure.

Each state will be awarded an initial amount of $100 million, with the remainder of the $42.5 billion allocated based on the percentage of unserved locations across states. The states are then responsible for disbursing these funds as subgrants.

Unserved locations can include agricultural and business sites, not just households.

So, while it might seem unfair that Vermont, with fewer than 50,000 people classified as unserved, receives the same initial allocation as Texas, with over 1.2 million people unserved, this investment is less than 15% of the total BEAD funding. The $100 million should also provide an incentive for states to establish their five-

LSE Architects From 2 About the team LSE’s lead architect on the project will be Lawal, who was recently named a fellow by the American Institute of Architects, and Principal Director of Public Studio and Project Manager Jennifer AndersonTuttle, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP. LSE will engage eight other firms to contribute

year action plans and to set up offices capable of awarding grants within their borders.

The task of setting up a process to handle grant applications and assess which ones should be funded is not trivial. Recent research has defined a competitive grant program as a key component of state broadband policy, including the establishment of evaluation criteria.

States with existing broadband offices and grant programs will be well positioned to hit the ground running. States that to date don’t have broadband offices are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming.

The District of Columbia also does not have a broadband office. These governments will need to put considerable time and effort into establishing ground rules and recruiting and educating employees to handle the grant evaluation process.

The law also adds several points related to grant awards that will be new for most states, regardless of how long their broadband office has been in place. One prevents states from excluding cooperatives, local governments, nonprofits and public utilities when considering who is eligible for the broadband funds.

The second requires grant awardees to establish a low-cost service option, leaving to this project. Among them, Tricia Heuring, a local educator, public art curator, and cultural organizer, will lead community engagement.

The community engagement in library design will build upon existing community learning and listening efforts

by SPPL, including youthled youth engagement efforts currently underway through a partnership with Right Track+ and the Youth Leadership Initiative to ensure youth voice informs library design.

The team will

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Expanding access to broadband internet in rural communities has long been a challenge. the definition of “low-cost” up to the state. Similar state-level efforts have not fared well in the past, and there is likely to be opposition from awardees about price and eligibility.

Digital equity While federal programs to address broadband infrastructure have been around for a while, the focus on digital equity is new. Here, again, some states are at an advantage.

California has had a program emphasizing digital literacy, accessibility and broadband adoption, with grant programs in each, for over 10 years. Maine and North Carolina were also early to set up digital inclusion efforts, and Washington dedicated $7.5 million in state funding before the passage of the infrastructure act.

Most other states are newcomers to the topic, although there are resources to also work with local artists who will serve as consultants and advocates for the public art throughout the process as well as a historic consultant. Additional consultants will ensure project designs maximize opportunities to achieve the City of Saint Paul’s sustainability and climate action plan goals.

About SPPL’s vision to transform libraries SPPL is co-creating with community a vision for its library spaces. Community input shaped SPPL’s Strategic

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help them get started.

State policies – and experience – matter A growing body of evidence suggests that statelevel broadband policies matter.

Case studies of successful state programs show a range of promising practices, including stakeholder engagement and program evaluation.

The pending broadband funds will build on many of these practices – for states that had the foresight to have them up and running. Other states will be at a disadvantage from the outset. We believe that these differences are likely to play an important role in the success of the overall program.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Direction, which includes a goal to invest in spaces that are safe, inviting, affirming, and comfortable for people of all cultures, abilities, and communities.

Using the Strategic Direction as a springboard, SPPL further engaged with the community to create a Facilities Direction that steers its capital vision for library buildings. The vision to transform libraries in Saint Paul includes three library buildings that have not been renovated in more than 30 years, Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview, as well as improvements to technology and play and learn spaces in all library buildings in Saint Paul.

To learn more about SPPL’s vision to transform libraries and/or join the email list to learn about forthcoming community engagement opportunities, visit sppl.org/ facilities-direction.

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Insight News • December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021 • Page 5

Millions of Americans struggle to pay their water bills – here’s how a national water aid program could work

By Joseph Cook Associate Professor of Economic Sciences, Washington State University Running water and indoor plumbing are so central to modern life that most Americans take them from granted. But these services aren’t free, and millions struggle to afford them. A 2019 survey found that U.S. households in the bottom fifth of the economy spent 12.4% of their disposable income on water and sewer services. News reports suggest that for low-income households, this burden has increased during the pandemic.

Since 1981, the federal government has helped low-income households with their energy costs through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. But there had not been a national water aid program until Congress created a temporary LowIncome Household Water Assistance Program as part of the COVID-19 response. Now the House-passed Build Back Better Act includes US$225 million for grants to states and tribes to help reduce the cost of water services for low-income households.

As an economist specializing in environmental and natural resource issues, I’m encouraged to see this idea gaining support. But I also know from analyzing efforts at the local level that these programs may be ineffective if they aren’t well designed. I believe the U.S. can learn lessons from Chile, which has run an effective national water assistance program for 30 years.

Flaws in US local aid programs

Paid Leave From 2 working people, every worker deserves the freedom to care for themselves and the people they love without having to sacrifice their economic security.”

“The inclusion of paid family and medical leave is a win for small businesses and an opportunity to build back better with equity,” said Sarah Piepenberg, co-owner of Vinaigrette. “Paid leave is one of the most widely supported policies and can unite the country and boost the economy.”

“In those joyful weeks after a baby is born, we have a short, critical window to help

I have studied water and sewer customer assistance programs around the world and developed a database of examples run by U.S. utilities in cities including Seattle, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Although there are hundreds of these programs, three major problems undercut their effectiveness.

First, because utilities have to fund their assistance programs from their own budgets, they typically charge “non-poor” customers higher rates and use those payments to subsidize low-income customers. State regulations often forbid this, forcing utilities in those states to rely on voluntary donation programs to fund assistance.

Second, in areas with high poverty, too many customers need help and there are not enough non-poor customers to foot the bill.

Third, smaller and less well-funded utilities often do not have administrative capacity or expertise to design and implement their own customer assistance programs.

These challenges have spurred politicians and policy experts to call for a federal program – a step that the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Drinking Water Advisory Council recommended back in 2003.

Chile sets it at 15 cubic meters per month – about 4,000 gallons.

Eligible customers apply to their city government every three years. Once enrolled, they immediately see reductions in their bills, based on their poverty levels, for that first 15 cubic meters of water use. Each month, the water utility bills the city for subsidies it has provided to poor customers.

If households use more than 15 cubic meters of water per month, they pay unsubsidized prices for whatever they use above that level. This gives everyone an incentive to fix leaky pipes and appliances and conserve water. Regulators who set water prices are not involved in running the subsidy system or determining subsidy levels.

In the late 1990s, Chile launched a major expansion of its sewage treatment plants. Water utilities raised their rates by 34% to 142% between 1998 and 2015 to pay for this initiative. Because these rate increases outpaced growth in income, subsidies grew by 54% over the same time period. The takeaway: Chile found a way to pay for water and sewer investment while still protecting the poor.

Program managers would need to collect information on utility water and sewer pricing structures, put it in a database and couple it with census data to estimate the number of eligible households in each state.

To estimate what a program like Chile’s might cost here, my team at Washington State University compiled a database of water and sewer rates as of December 2019. We included all U.S. cities with populations over 100,000, at least two cities per state, and made assumptions about rates for smaller cities and towns.

We estimate that a program covering the full cost of 4,500 gallons of water per month for households at or below the poverty line would cost approximately $11.2 billion annually if 70% of eligible households participate. In total, we estimate that 11.8 million households would receive an average subsidy of $67 per month.

Our project website includes a calculator tool to estimate the annual federal cost based on different assumptions about eligibility, participation, the “essential” water quantity and the percentage discount on water bills.

Learning from Chile’s experience Agencies such as the World Bank often cite Chile’s water aid program as a model. Here’s how it works: The program aims to ensure that households don’t pay more than 3% of their income for receiving a quantity of water to meet their essential needs.

There is no consensus among experts on what this “lifeline” quantity of water should be, but

How a US water aid program might work If the U.S. creates a national water aid program, key questions will include who is eligible and how much water is an “essential” quantity for households. The EPA estimates that an average U.S. household uses approximately 9,000 gallons per month, but one-third of this is for gardens and lawns.

Reliable national data on U.S. household water usage is nearly nonexistent, and there is no estimate of how much water low-income households use.

Another approach: Add money to SNAP payments Public policy scholar Manny Teodoro has suggested another way to deliver water aid: topping up support that people receive to buy healthy food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. This idea builds on a well-known program with a long track record. Low-income households would not have to file new paperwork to receive benefits. Delivering water aid this way could help renters, whose

forge connections and bonds between families and babies, which are the most important contributor to baby brain development and the incredible things they will do,” said Dr. Krishnan Subrahmania. “In those scary situations when children are ill, children need time with their family to help heal, and we as pediatricians need families present to advocate for them, to communicate with them, and help them heal. Paid family and medical leave offers this time.”

DFL members of the state House and Senate shared support for Minnesota workers and families and renewed their call for investing in Minnesotans with paid family and medical leave.

“It is time for us to make sure no Minnesotan has

to choose between staying home to care for a loved one or going to work to make ends meet,” said Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen, DFLEdina. “We have an historic opportunity to dramatically improve the lives of working families across the state with paid family and medical leave, and we are committed to working with the House and Governor Walz to get it done.”

“Nothing makes the need for paid family and medical leave more clear than the last two years - two years of heartache and headache for people who had to choose between caring for a sick loved one or finding work in the midst of a public health emergency,” said Senator Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury, the lead Senate author of paid family and medical leave proposals

since 2015. “We now have the opportunity to finally make this a reality, and we cannot let working families down. Let’s get this done.”

“Ensuring access to paid family and medical leave is essential to building a more equitable Minnesota,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson, DFL-

iStock via Getty Images

Water: an increasingly expensive necessity. water costs often are rolled into their rent, and rural residents who use well water and have to pay for water treatment and maintenance costs out of pocket.

It would place less of an administrative burden on the large number of small U.S. water systems serving fewer than 500 people. And it could be quickly implemented by adding water providers as approved vendors for electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card payments.

Eligibility for SNAP is set at 138% of the poverty line, and an estimated 84% of eligible households participate. With these parameters, we estimate that a program covering 100% of the cost of 4,500 gallons of water per month would cost $17 billion annually. The main weakness of this approach is that water and sewer rates vary across the country, so it risks providing too much or too little assistance to low-income households depending on where they live.

Getting water prices right for everyone Access to a safe and affordable water supply and sewer services is codified in the U.N.‘s Human Right to Water and Sanitation. The U.S. is a wealthy country, and my research group’s estimates show that the cost of a tarMendota Heights, chief author of the Paid Family Leave bill in the Minnesota House, and chair of the House Education Policy Committee. “The pandemic isn’t over and we’re still seeing widening opportunity gaps across the state, negatively impacting Minnesota’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color

geted program to help the poor pay their bills is reasonable.

Without federal funding, poor and marginalized households will continue to fall behind on their bills and experience the indignity and health risks of having their water turned off.

At the same time, the U.S. needs to make major investments in its water and sewer infrastructure and manage the effects of drought and climate change. Economists broadly agree that water should be more expensive in many places to give local governments and ratepayers incentive to conserve and plan for a waterscarce future. I believe Chile’s experience shows how a national program can preserve this signal while directing most of its water sector subsidies toward protecting the poor.

Research Assistant Nick Kraabel assisted in estimating the nationwide costs discussed in this article.

Joseph Cook has received funding to support research on customer affordability programs from the US Millennium Challenge Corporation.

The opinions in this article do not represent views of MCC. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. families. We must meet this critical moment to invest in our BIPOC communities with PFML not only to provide economic security, but better outcomes to build a more prosperous state where all have an opportunity to thrive.”

Page 6 •December December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021 • Insight News

Insight 2 Health

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Emergence of Omicron

Omicron Variant: What you need to know On November 24, 2021, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.529, was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). This new variant was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana and on November 14, 2021 in South Africa.

On November 26, 2021, WHO named the B.1.1.529 Omicron and classified it as a Variant of Concern (VOC). On November 30, 2021, the United States designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern, and on December 1, 2021 the first confirmed U.S. case of Omicron was identified.

CDC has been collaborating with global public health and industry partners to learn about Omicron, as we continue to monitor its course.

CDC has been using genomic surveillance throughout the course of the pandemic to track variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and inform public health practice. We don’t yet know how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, or how well available vaccines and medications work against it.

Despite the increased attention of Omicron, Delta continues to be the main variant circulating in the United States.

Where has Omicron been Detected in the United States CDC is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron. This map shows the states that have detected at least one case of COVID-19 illness caused by the Omicron variant. Omicron will be included in variant surveillance data on CDC’s COVID Data

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Tracker when it can be reliably estimated at a low frequency.

What We Know about Omicron Infection and Spread  How easily does Omicron spread? The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original SARSCoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown.

CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.  Will Omicron cause more severe illness? More data are needed to know if Omicron infections, and

especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants.  Will vaccines work against Omicron? Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the

importance of vaccination and boosters.  Will treatments work against Omicron? Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work. Based on the changed genetic make-up of Omicron, some treatments are likely to remain effective while others may be less effective.

We have the Tools to Fight Omicron Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. COVID-19 vaccines

are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Scientists are currently investigating Omicron, including how protected fully vaccinated people will be against infection, hospitalization, and death. CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 years and older should get a booster shot at least two months after their initial J&J/ Janssen vaccine or six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

Masks offer

protection against all variants. CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.

CDC provides advice about masks for people who want to learn more about what type of mask is right for them depending on their circumstances.

Tests can tell you if you are currently infected with COVID-19.

Two types of tests are used to test for current infection: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests.

NAAT and antigen tests can only tell you if you have a current infection. Individuals can use the COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to help determine what kind of test to seek. Additional tests would be needed to determine if your infection was caused by Omicron.

Visit your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.

Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.

If your self-test has a positive result, stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and call your healthcare provider.

If you have any questions about your self-test result, call your healthcare provider or public health department.

Until we know more about the risk of Omicron, it is important to use all tools available to protect yourself and others.

(Source: CDC) Support Minneapolis Health Department

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Insight News • December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021 • Page 7

COMMENTARY:

Build back better balances Joe Biden’s 3-legged stool

By Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC), House Majority Whip Last year, Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats promised voters that if given the chance we would do the things necessary to combat COVID-19, rebuild America’s families and their communities, and restore faith in the promise of America. I often say that we can be no more or less than what our experiences allow us to be. When I see or hear the word “faith,” my experiences of growing up in a parsonage cause me to reflect upon one of my favorite passages of scripture, Hebrew 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.”

The efficacy of that scripture is reflected in the first ten months of Joe Biden’s presidency.

The 1st Leg In March, Democrats passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) without a single Republican vote. In addition to making sure we had enough vaccines and getting them out quickly and equitably, the ARP scaled up testing and tracing and addressed the shortages of personal protective equipment.

The ARP expanded the Child Tax Credit, which lifted nearly half of America’s children living in poverty out of poverty, and the Earned Income Tax Credit; the House-passed Build Back Better legislation will extend these expanded tax credits through 2022. The American Rescue Plan lowered health insurance premiums for many in the Affordable Care Act marketplace and provided resources to state and local communities to reopen schools and lower health care costs.

The ARP provided rescue checks of up to $1400 per

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individual, housing assistance to keep people in their homes or apartments and nutrition assistance for 40 million Americans.

The 2nd Leg On November 15th President Biden signed a second consequential piece of legislation, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (BIF). Despite receiving only 19 Republican votes in the Senate and 13 in the House, all States, and territories – red and blue alike – will benefit from Biden’s vision for infrastructure assistance. For the 173,000 miles of highway and 45,000 bridges in poor condition nationwide, $110 billion will be invested in repairing and replacing this critical infrastructure. Another $55 billion is coming to improve our states’ water and wastewater infrastructure.

Public transportation will be improved with $39 billion, airports will receive $25 billion for upgrades, and our ports and railroads will receive another $17 billion and $66 billion respectively. There is $7.5 billion to expand the electric vehicle charging network.

The infrastructure package also addresses climate change. Last year, the United States experienced 22 extreme weather events, costing nearly $100 billion collectively. There are funds in the bill to mitigate flood and storm damage and build resilient communities.

I have said, and honestly believe, that the inclusion of $65 million commitment for broadband— reflecting many of the provisions of my and Senator Klobuchar’s Accessible and Affordable Internet for All legislation alone makes the BIF worthy of passage.

COVID-19 exposed the vast digital divide that plagues families and communities all over America. That divide

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I am especially pleased the Build Back Better Act includes $9 billion to support minority-serving higher education institutions. These funds will improve the research capacity and research and development infrastructure at these institutions, as well as strengthen their academic, administrative, and fiscal capacity. impacts the ability to work, attend school, or to receive efficient and effective health care services. The House Rural Broadband Task Force, which I established and currently chair, worked to ensure this significant investment in high-speed broadband.

The 3rd Leg Last Friday the House passed, and sent to the Senate, Build Back Better (BBB) legislation I have referred to as the 3rd leg of a 3-legged stool, that balances President Biden’s rescue efforts, and brings balance to the lives of millions of Americans. My priorities in this bill include the 2.2 million Americans who are without healthcare because they live in the 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid.

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upon the $2.6 billion HBCUs received from the American Rescue Plan to address the impacts of the pandemic on under-resourced institutions.

A lot of lip-service has been paid to meeting America’s challenges over the past several years. America is a great country. We are challenged, however, to make its greatness accessible and affordable for all Americans. My faith teaches that we will be judged by our deeds not our words. I am proud of these substantive deeds President Biden and this Democratic Congress are getting accomplished for the American people. There is clear evidence that more needs to be done but I have faith that this President and this Congress are not done yet.

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clean energy and climate. It will help cut greenhouse pollution and will reduce consumer energy costs, create hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs, and advance environmental justice for vulnerable communities. Families will also benefit from $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization for their homes, which will improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.

I am especially pleased the Build Back Better Act includes $9 billion to support minority-serving higher education institutions.

These funds will improve the research capacity and research and development infrastructure at these institutions, as well as strengthen their academic, administrative, and fiscal capacity. These funds build

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If enacted, this legislation will provide subsidies for these lowincome residents falling into the coverage gap in the nonexpansion states enabling them to purchase coverage on the ACA Marketplace at no cost.

Another priority of mine is addressing the dearth of affordable housing that currently exists. The BBB invests $151 billion toward our nation’s affordable housing infrastructure including funding to rehabilitate millions of affordable housing units, bring sustainable homeownership within reach for millions of first-generation homebuyers, eliminate the nation’s flood insurance program debt, and provide other critical investments in vulnerable communities across the country.

BBB also includes a $555 billion investment in

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Page 8 •December December 13, 2021 - December 19, 2021 • Insight News

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