Category: Minnesota Legislature

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: July 10, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope summer has been treating you well and that you’re staying cool! Rep. Ginny Klevorn and I are holding our first virtual town hall of the summer on Wednesday, July 15 from 7 – 8 p.m. We’ll be using Zoom, a free video conferencing software you can download here. You can join the meeting by clicking here when the event begins. To access the meeting by phone, call 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID (963 4697 7053) and password (444702) when prompted.

Acomb and Klevorn Town Hall Continue reading “Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: July 10, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: July 10, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Walz has called the Legislature back for a special session, beginning on Monday.

A top priority for me continues to be delivering a bipartisan jobs and local projects or “bonding” bill, that fixes crumbling or incomplete public infrastructure. Coon Rapids and Champlin are in need of many dire improvements to various local projects in our area, including an expansion of Mississippi Point Park, the Mississippi Crossings redevelopment, the Coon Rapids Recycling Center, and making critical road fixes to improve traffic on Highway 10. With the recent news of Anoka-Ramsey Community College preparing to reopen in the fall, now more than ever, they’ll need assistance repairing and expanding their lab and classroom spaces for the nursing department. This is another bonding project I’ve authored for our communities.

A special session requires a renewed commitment to work together to get the job done. Last year we balanced our state budget as one of the only divided state legislatures in the country. I am optimistic we can find common ground with the Senate to help the people of Minnesota in these challenging times of a global pandemic. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: July 10, 2020”

DFL Party Launches Digital Ad Campaign Targeting Senate GOP on Police Reform

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is announcing a digital ad campaign on Facebook and Instagram targeting key Republican Senators standing in the way of passing real police reform. The ads launched on Thursday and will run into next week.

The ad campaign is targeting Senators Dan Hall, Paul Anderson, Warren Limmer, Karin Housley, Jerry Relph, David Senjem, Carla Nelson, and Jason Rarick. Each ad directs a Senator’s constituents to a website encouraging them to call and write their Senator to demand real police reform.

Examples of DFL Party police reform digital ads: Continue reading “DFL Party Launches Digital Ad Campaign Targeting Senate GOP on Police Reform”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This Thursday, we’ll be conducting our first virtual town hall for our district. With COVID-19 continuing to impact our community, we wanted to provide an opportunity for you to receive an update from your state legislators and ask questions in a safe and responsible manner.

Virtual Town Hall Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 7, 2020”

Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: July 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This Thursday, we’ll be conducting our first virtual town hall for our district. With COVID-19 continuing to impact our community, we wanted to provide an opportunity for you to receive an update from your state legislators and ask questions in a safe and responsible manner.

Image Continue reading “Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: July 7, 2020”

Sen. Scott Jensen says he has ‘no regrets’ about his COVID-19 comments

Senate leader says he’s under investigation by state medical board for COVID remarks.

State Sen. Scott Jensen, a physician, said Monday he has “no regrets” over controversial comments he made about COVID-19 that have sparked a state review.

Jensen, a Republican from Chaska, said he believes complaints to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice that he was spreading misinformation and giving “reckless advice” about the coronavirus may be politically motivated.

The board declined to confirm any complaints or reviews underway, stating that such information is not subject to public disclosure. Continue reading.

State Sen. Scott Jensen says he’s being investigated by the state medical board for COVID-19 commentsState Sen. Scott Jensen says he’s being investigated by the state medical board for COVID-19 comments

Medical board reportedly looking into Jensen’s COVID-19 comments.

State Sen. Scott Jensen, a physician and Republican from Chaska, said Sunday that he is being investigated by the Minnesota State Board of Medical Practice for public statements he’s made about COVID-19.

Jensen criticized the state Department of Health in April for following federal guidance stipulating when doctors should characterize deaths as due to COVID-19. He said he feared that the death toll might be inflated if each state’s allocation of federal funds depended on the number of COVID-19 deaths.

His comments, made in a series of interviews with TV personalities from North Dakota to Fox News in New York, went viral. Some charged they fueled conspiracy theories and disinformation about the coronavirus. He told the Star Tribune in April that he felt his words were taken out of context. Continue reading.

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Calling all Edina high school students! My office is hosting a Student Bill Writing summer internship July 20th through August 24th. Last year’s group helped craft meaningful legislation that passed into law a short few weeks ago!

All meetings will be held remotely using the videoconferencing platform Zoom and a local Edina Graduate will be helping me lead this initiative. This opportunity will be a nonpartisan working group focused on public policy – all political affiliations are welcome.

We know a lot of internships have been postponed this year – but not this one! Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 6, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 2, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Almost three years to the day, Alec Smith lost his life because he couldn’t afford his insulin. Now, the lifesaving law that bears his name has gone into effect, after a courageous fight from his parents Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt, and many others.

Alec Smith

On the eve of Alec’s Law being implemented in Minnesota, we learned that Big Pharma is suing the state of Minnesota to stop it. This was an action that blindsided lawakers across the political spectrum, especially after numerous chances to give public testimony, and countless hours of negotiations. With this lawsuit, they attempt to take insulin away from people who cannot afford a drug they need to survive. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 2, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 1, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family are staying safe, healthy, and enjoying the summer. While it’s been encouraging to see COVID-19 hospitalizations dropping in Minnesota, we’re continuing to see increases in cases, and very concerning spikes in states across the country. Please continue to social distance and wear a mask when in public.

Stay Safe Banner

Minnesota has reached the milestone of a daily capacity of 20,000 tests. If you have symptoms, please get tested. Testing is critical to preventing and monitoring the spread of COVID-19. You can learn more and find testing locations here. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 1, 2020”