Category: SD33

Rep. Phillips demands changes to small business relief programs

As Congress returns to Washington to vote on hundreds of billions of dollars in additional funding, Rep. Phillips is standing up for Minnesota small business owners

WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration (SBA) today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) urged the agencies to make changes to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so that they will better serve the Minnesota job-creators in most need of relief.

Demand for these programs quickly outpaced funding provided by the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act and CARES Act. While congressional leaders have reached an agreement to inject new funding into the relief programs, cumbersome and short-sighted rules will still leave many Minnesota small businesses unable to qualify for or use them.

“I am hopeful that by adding the voices of the thousands of my constituents represented here to the millions crying out around the country, we will be better able to come together to make the EIDL and PPP programs work better for more small businesses and self-employed individuals,” the letter reads. “Together, they are the backbone of our economy, and when it is safe to do so, we will need them to be ready and open for business. In the meantime, I ask you to do whatever is in your power to help those who need it.” Continue reading “Rep. Phillips demands changes to small business relief programs”

Trumpists Urging People to Leave Their Homes to Own the Libs

There is a growing resistance on the right that threatens to add additional stress to a political system already nearing the breaking point.

A protest movement is taking hold targeting states that have extended social-distancing rules, closed schools, and restricted access to large religious gatherings. And it’s being fed by loyalists and political allies of President Donald Trump.

At issue are seemingly contradictory directives from Trump—who said on Tuesday that his team was in the process of drafting new guidelines that would allow some states to bring critical industries back to work, possibly this month—and public health officials and many governors, who have urged people to stay home as the number of coronavirus-related deaths continue to rise.

The tension has prompted Republican lawmakers and supporters of the president to publicly call for Americans to defy their local orders, claiming they infringe on constitutional rights. On Monday, Richard Grenell, acting director of the Office of National Intelligence and the U.S. ambassador to Germany, posted a photo of the Bill of Rights on Instagram with a title “Signed Permission Slip to Leave Your House.” Below the post, in the caption, Grenell wrote, “Love this!” A reporter tweeted the post after its publishing saying, “Seems the top US intelligence chief ADNI ⁦@RichardGrenell⁩ isn’t a fan of the stay at home orders.” Grenell responded, “‘Seems’ Grenell is a fan of the Constitution to me.” Continue reading.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD33) Update: March 31, 2020

Event Announcement:  Tele-Town Hall

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On Thursday April 2, 2020 Sen. Jim Abeler and I will be hosting a tele-townhall to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on Minnesota’s disability services. Our discussion will begin at 10:00 AM. Details on how to view or participate will come in a later email.

We ourselves will be broadcasting from the Anoka County Government Center. As the building is closed to the public, we will have to rely on virtual technologies for people to participate.

The townhall will focus on concerns brought to us by disability service providers, including  Day Training & Habilitation, employment services, adult day services, and non-emergency medical transportation service providers. Our discussion is not limited to these topics, so please alert us if you have other concerns about disability services we should discuss. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD33) Update: March 31, 2020”

There is no new Trump

Washington Post logoIf you think you’ve been hearing a different President Trump this week — more accepting of the reality of the coronavirus pandemic — don’t be fooled. The new Trump is the same as the old Trump. He can’t help it. He’s incapable of taking responsibility for his role in this crisis — and thus incapable of leading us out of it.

After weeks of denial and deflection, a seemingly chastened Trump on Monday conceded that the virus was, in fact, “not under control,” and was, indeed, “a very bad one.” What caused the switch in tone? Who knows? Perhaps it was the largest one-day point drop in the Dow Jones in history on Monday. Perhaps it was a study the White House received saying that 2.2 million Americans could die. Perhaps it was that Trump’s beloved Mar-a-Lago is getting a coronavirus-necessitated deep cleaning.

But the sudden shift can’t conceal the fact that Trump has shown himself to be wholly inept at dealing with the pandemic. It doesn’t change the fact that he puts himself first, always. It doesn’t alter the fact that, as he once told top aides, he thinks of “each presidential day as an episode in a television show in which he vanquishes rivals.” It doesn’t dissolve Trump’s compulsion to lie, even when truth would serve him best. It doesn’t diminish his incompetence, ignorance or propensity for administrative chaos. Continue reading.

Trump sends Netanyahu birthday letter calling him “one of my closest allies”

Axios logoPresident Trump sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday congratulating him on his 70th birthday and calling him “one of my closest allies,” shortly after Netanyahu announced he had failed to form a government for the second time in six months.

Why it matters: The warm contents of the letter stand in stark contrast to the cold shoulder Trump gave Netanyahu after the Israeli election, when he said the U.S. has relations “with Israel,” and not with Netanyahu. Trump and Netanyahu haven’t spoken on the phone in five weeks. Their last phone call was three days before the Sept. 17 elections, when Trump tweeted that he discussed with Netanyahu the possibility of a U.S.-Israel defense treaty.

  • Trump wrote in the letter: “There has never been a more productive time in the Israeli-American partnership and I know there are many more victories to come. You are one of my closest allies. I look forward to the continued success we will have working together.”
  • The president added in a handwritten comment beside his signature: “You are great!”

View the complete October 22 article by Barak David from Israel’s Channel 13 news on the Axios website here.

China Wants More Talks Before Signing Trade Deal With Trump

China wants to hold more talks this month to hammer out the details of the “phase one” trade deal touted by Donald Trump before Xi Jinping agrees to sign it, according to people familiar with the matter.

Beijing may send a delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He, China’s top negotiator, to finalize a written deal that could be signed by the presidents at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next month in Chile, one of the people said. Another person said China also wants Trump to scrap a planned tariff hike in December in addition to the hike scheduled for this week, something the administration hasn’t yet endorsed. The people asked not to be named discussing the private negotiations.

The S&P 500 Index was little changed, Europe’s Stoxx 600 fell and the yen rose as investors grew pessimistic on the handshake deal. The yuan pared much of its earlier gains offshore.

View the complete October 14 article on the Bloomberg News website here.

Counterpoint: Legislators should make insulin policy, not give medical advice

People who live with diabetes should consult carefully with their physician, and we should find a way to make it affordable.

The Minnesota Legislature is having a serious debate about how to bring down the soaring cost of prescription drugs. Lifesaving drugs have become inaccessible to many because of their high cost. Insulin is a particularly egregious example, tragically brought into focus by the death of Alec Smith, a young man who died because he had to ration the insulin he could no longer afford. We are working to find a way to prevent another unnecessary tragedy by ensuring that people who live with diabetes have access to the insulin they need to survive.

As legislators, we should not dispense medical advice. Rep. Jeremy Munson, R-Lake Crystal, inserted himself (“Over-the-counter insulin is a viable option,” Oct. 4) into the patient-physician relationship by recommending that insulin-dependent diabetics use a $25 insulin option from Walmart.

As the only physicians in the Minnesota House, we feel compelled to respond.

View the complete October 8 commentary by Reps. Alice Mann and Kelly Morrison here.

AUDIO: Lewis Team Launches Senate Bid With Sexist Rant On Smith: ‘An Empty-Headed Pile of Nothing’

Jason Lewis has long history of sexist comments, including lamenting he can no longer call women “sluts”

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, DFL Chairman Ken Martin is calling on Trump’s hand-picked U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis to condemn the unhinged, sexist rant his campaign advisor went on moments before Lewis launched his campaign.

Yesterday, State Sen. Dave Osmek – a Lewis campaign advisor and self-described “kitchen cabinet” member – launched a barrage of sexist attacks against U.S. Senator Tina Smith, calling her “an empty-headed pile of nothing.” The comments took place on Thursday morning’s Up and at ‘Em podcast. He also disparaged Sen. Smith as “oily” and “scummy.”

Click here to listen to the Jason Lewis’ team’s sexist rant (beginning at 10:37).

“It’s no surprise that Jason Lewis’ team is beginning their campaign with sexist attacks on women given his own lengthy history of misogynistic comments,” said DFL Chair Ken Martin. “I’m calling on Jason Lewis to condemn these remarks, but I’m not holding my breath given that he once referred to women who care about contraceptive coverage as ‘without a brain.’  Jason Lewis should show women the respect they deserve.”The comments from Jason Lewis’ team come as no surprise. Lewis himself has long history of misogynistic and sexist comments. He has lamented that he can no longer call women “sluts” anymore, he has mocked victims of sexual misconduct, and he has referred to “young single women” who care about contraceptive coverage as “without a brain.”

Transcript Fact Check: In the 2018 special election, Sen. Smith and her opponent debated over and over and over again.

Transcript – Up and at ‘Em podcast, 8/22/19

OSMEK [00:10:37]: [Jason Lewis is] going to be making an announcement. It’s probably the worst kept secret in the world. I’ve been meeting with him a few times. I’m on his kitchen cabinet, you may say. He’s going to announce that he’s going to be running on the ballot in 2020.

…
OSMEK [00:14:15]: Now, Tina Smith is as oily and scummy as you can possibly get. She wouldn’t have, if I remember correctly, it wasn’t too long ago, she wouldn’t get into debates with Karin Housley. Of all people, Karin Housley. God love her, she’s one of my colleagues in the senate. But Tina Smith wouldn’t debate. Why? She can’t debate. She’s an empty-headed pile of nothing and Jason’s going to chop her to little pieces.

HOST: Here’s the thing with Karin Housley, her forecheck isn’t quite as good as her husband’s.

OSMEK: You are correct. [laughter] If there’s one thing her husband has is that she’s –  he’s better in the corners. She might be better with a slap-shot but he’s –

HOST 2: I don’t know. She’s pretty good neutral zone, trap, you know, turnover, speed.

OSMEK: I’m really looking forward to it. He’s going to go around all of Minnesota. I’m going to be helping along the way.

Q&A with Rep. Kelly Morrison: Legislative debrief

Lakeshore Weekly logoDEEPHAVEN — State Rep. Kelly Morrison, DFL-Deephaven, is serving her first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 33B

Lakeshore Weekly News contacted Morrison to ask her a few questions about the legislative session, which ended May 25 after a special session.

How was it serving in a divided legislature?

Serving in a divided legislature was a challenge, but it is not an uncommon scenario in Minnesota. It has become more unusual around the country, but we seem to seek it out here. We live in a purple district where Democrats and Republicans live next door to each other, so we are used to interacting with people who might not agree with us and learning from each other. I worked hard to reach across the aisle and am proud to have authored many bipartisan bills. At the end of the session, both sides made compromises so that we could craft a budget that works for Minnesota. When each side comes away with both a couple of wins as well as some disappointments, it probably means that we did something right!

View the complete June 20 article by Frances Stevenson on The Lakeshore Weekly website here.

Physician lawmakers Sen. Scott Jensen and Rep. Kelly Morrison talk health care

Having physicians crafting health care legislation is unusual and closely watched.

Four physicians served in this session of the Minnesota Legislature, including two area legislators. Sen. Scott Jensen (R-Chaska) represents Senate District 47 and is a family doctor. Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-Deephaven) represents House District 33B and is an obstetrician.

The other physician legislators are Sen. Matt Kline, a Democrat representing Senate District 52, and House District 56B Democratic Rep. Alice Mann.

View the complete June 19 article by Lara Bockenstedt on The Chaska Herald website here.