Minnesota Legislature 53 , CD3 DFL

POCI Caucus Celebrates Historic Diversity of House Committee Chairs

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the Minnesota House DFL announced the committee structure and chair assignments for the 2021-2022 biennium. With 7 of the 30 committee chairs being members of the Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, this will be the most diverse set of committee chairs in the history of the Minnesota House of Representatives. To mark this historic committee structure, the POCI Caucus released the following statement:

“We are extremely happy that the House DFL is continuing to move in the direction of progress with these historic appointments. This is an incredibly important step in acknowledging that representation matters and supports our ongoing efforts to address systemic racism and the disenfranchisement of People of Color at the Capitol.

“The events over the last year have proven that the status quo is no longer tenable, and our systems must be redesigned to address persistent and unacceptable racial disparities. By empowering voices of Color throughout the committee structure we can draw on our extensive expertise and diverse lived experiences to inform policy that works for all Minnesotans. We are now better equipped than ever to center and amplify historically silenced and marginalized people.”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on November Economic Forecast

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Minnesota Management and Budget released the November Economic Forecast, showing a projected $641 million surplus in the current biennium and a $1.273 billion shortfall in the FY 22-23 biennium. The forecast includes inflation on the revenue side and excludes it on the spending side in several key areas. Inflation is estimated to be $1.3 billion in the next biennium, which could roughly double the budget shortfall. Minnesota currently has $350 million in the state’s cash flow account and $2.377 billion in the budget reserves.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“This is positive news, but we have a long way to go to fully recover from COVID-19,” said Speaker Hortman. “We need to invest in the areas that will help Minnesotans make it through this crisis and thrive after it, including protecting their health and economic security. This forecast allows us to provide some assistance to those struggling the most during this difficult time, and then focus on rebuilding Minnesota’s economy in the 2021 Legislative Session. House DFLers are committed to building a Minnesota that works better for everyone.”

“Today’s forecast is further evidence that Minnesota has the resources to invest in our people and provide economic opportunity for everyone. We only need the will to act,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We need to focus our efforts to help working families, small businesses, and Minnesotans hit the hardest by this pandemic — not corporations, the wealthy, and well-connected who are still doing very well. The relief bill that we presented last week puts working families first, strengthening unemployment insurance and providing support for small businesses. The question now is whether the Republican Senate majority agrees.”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: December 1, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced committee structure and chairs who lead on various issues such as housing, public safety, health and human services, etc. I’m pleased to share I’ve been appointed to serve as chair of the House Commerce Committee for the next legislative session. Between helping small businesses survive COVID-19, driving down the price of prescription drugs, and protecting Minnesota’s consumers, we’ll have our work cut out for us.

Over the last two years, the House Commerce Committee advanced the legislation that established the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin program, which ensures access to insulin for diabetics who can’t afford it. The Committee also fought for net neutrality (which I authored), to end predatory lending by putting an interest rate cap on payday loans, and to protect access to health care.

Full committee membership will be announced later this month.

Rep. Rena Moran to Chair House Ways and Means Committee

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced the appointment of Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul) as the next chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Moran expressed gratitude for the opportunity to chair the committee, which has broad jurisdiction over state budget matters.

“I’m deeply honored to enter this next step of my time in the Legislature, and thank Speaker Hortman for the tremendous opportunity,” Rep. Moran said. “My goal in chairing this committee will be to ensure our state budget is a true reflection of our values, and recognizes what Minnesotans need to get through this crisis of COVID-19 and racial injustices. It’s no secret people all over the state are going through challenges as a result of both. No matter how difficult the job will be, I’m looking forward to the work ahead to help Minnesotans emerge stronger.”

Upon receiving the gavel when the Legislature convenes in January, Rep. Moran will become the first person of color to chair the committee as well as the first African American woman.

Rep. Lee to chair House Capital Investment Committee Next Legislative Session

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA– Today, House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced the appointment of Rep. Fue Lee (DFL – Minneapolis) as the incoming chair of the House Capital Investment Committee for the upcoming legislative session. The committee is charged with developing legislation investing in public infrastructure improvements across the state.

“I’m grateful to Speaker Hortman for this opportunity to step into this new role and continue our work to deliver critical investments in infrastructure across our state,” Rep. Lee said. “Capital Investment bills are about more than numbers on a spreadsheet, or even the bricks and mortar; they are about strengthening communities. Through our work in this committee, we can help Minnesota emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic challenges by investing in our public infrastructure, creating good-paying job opportunities, and keeping a focus on equity and inclusion.”

Capital Investment bills – or bonding bills – fund improvements of public assets including higher education institutions, wastewater treatment plants, roads and bridges, transit, parks, trails, municipal buildings, and opportunities for economic growth within communities. The committee customarily tours the state to vet proposed projects. During the fall of 2019, the panel traveled more than 3,200 miles and visited 230 sites of potential projects.

Biden calls for nation to unite in COVID-19 fight in Thanksgiving address

President-elect Joe Biden called for Americans to unite ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday as coronavirus cases surge.

“I know the country has grown weary of the fight, but we need to remember, we’re at war with a virus, not with one another. Not with each other,” Biden said in his Thanksgiving address from Wilmington, Del., on Wednesday.

Biden described the U.S. as “a nation not of adversaries but of neighbors,” calling on Americans to love each other. Continue reading.

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: November 26, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I want to start by thanking you for allowing me to be your voice in the Minnesota House of Representatives for an additional two years. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m confident we can meet this moment if we work together. COVID-19 continues to surge across the state, and in response there are new resources and measures being implemented that you can read about below:

Balancing COVID Restrictions with Economic Relief

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the state have called for a new round of measures to help curb the spread of this virus. Similar to what we had experienced earlier this year, bars, restaurants, and gyms are now closed, and many events are paused – but with these measures there must also be a counter of economic relief to assist our community. My colleagues and I in the House DFL are working with Governor Walz to put forward a proposal of economic relief for Minnesota’s businesses and workers, which you can read more about here.

We’re moving to address these measures, and hope to be in session to work on them as soon as next week.

COVIDaware MN

Wishing You A Healthy Thanksgiving

Today’s holiday will look different for many of us, but I hope you and yours are still able to find a way to connect with loved ones and reflect on what you’re thankful for this year. Once we get back from the break, things will be moving quickly in our efforts to respond to the COVID surge and provide economic relief. To stay up to date, you can subscribe to these legislative updates here, and be sure to share these with others who may be interested.

If you have any questions about our upcoming work in the Minnesota House, or our goals for the future, please feel free to contact me at (651) 296-3751 or rep.michael.nelson@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Rep. Michael V. Nelson

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: November 25, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

There is so much I am grateful for this holiday season. I have a loving wife, a daughter who consistently amazes me and makes me a proud father everyday, and thanks to you I get to be your state Senator.

I want to pause and thank you for this past year representing you in the Minnesota Senate. It is a privilege and I never take it for granted. Your input is invaluable and while we won’t always be in full agreement on all issues, we can always agree we have much to be thankful for in being able to call Minnesota home.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: November 25, 2020

Neighbors,

As the pandemic erupts, many of our small business owners, workers and families are struggling. Tuesday morning, Gov. Walz and House legislative leaders announced an aid package to assist our neighbors and friends who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. We are working to reach a compromise bill to pass in an upcoming special session, possibly as soon as next week.

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: November 24, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well and staying healthy. Here’s an update from the Capitol:

Support for Businesses, Workers, and Families

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for our small businesses and the Minnesotans whose livelihoods depend on them, and we’re committed to supporting them as they do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. This morning, Governor Walz announced a COVID-19 economic relief package to keep businesses afloat, support workers, and help families keep food on the table. I look forward to working with the Walz Administration and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver this much-needed relief.

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