Category: SD36

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 11, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, Governor Walz called legislators to reconvene at the Capitol for a special session this Friday, June 12 at noon.

COVID-19 has upended everybody’s lives and my key focus for the special session will be delivering solutions that provide robust economic relief for our communities and businesses. It’s imperative we keep working to help those who are struggling to make their next rent or mortgage payment, students who depend on broadband access to connect to their schools and teachers, the smallest businesses that have been denied any financial assistance, and PCAs who continue to provide care to the most vulnerable during this pandemic. I am very hopeful that my bill to provide assistance to small businesses will pass very early in the session.

A jobs and local projects or “bonding” bill will also be important to help our economy recover and create sorely needed jobs. I’ll continue advocating for our community’s priorities to be included in a final bill, like a lane addition to Highway 10, rebuilding Mississippi Point Park, making critical repairs to Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and more. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 11, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 9, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

All of us are angry and saddened by the murder of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, and we are seeking answers about how we will move forward as a state from this point in history.

The peaceful demonstrations, spontaneous clean ups, food drives, fundraising campaigns, and works of art show exactly who we are as a community: neighbors caring for neighbors. We care about one another and we are going to help each other rebuild, and we’ll move forward together to create real systemic change.

The Legislature will convene for a Special Session starting on June 12th. Passing racial justice and police accountability legislation is a top priority of the Minnesota House of Representatives. This work has been led by our People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) legislators and community members. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 9, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 5, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Walz today announced Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues beginning Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Under Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan:

  • Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
  • Indoor social gatherings can take place with ten people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
  • Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums, may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 5, 2020”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: Mary 22, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Legislative Session has come to an end. Typically we have 120 days according to the constitution to get our work done for our great State. This year we lost 60 plus days due to the fact our priorities were taken over by this mean nasty Covid-19.  I was hopeful that we could all set aside our political differences and focus on whats right for me.  I have kept that promise and continued with my 85% plus bi partisan efforts on bills. Unfortunately despite it being a bonding year, politics got in the way of completing a bonding bill. Hope is not lost yet, as we will be having a special session and among the goals will be to complete a bonding bill if all sides can come to an agreement. This is important, as a robust bonding bill will address infrastructure challenges across the state while also providing jobs in a time of crisis.

The work is not done and depending on how things develop may continue throughout the year. As we open up the state more we will be constantly monitoring the data and results to gauge opening up further or implementing new safety measures. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: Mary 22, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: May 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The 2020 Legislative Session wrapped up earlier this week. Like nearly everything in our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic upended the session and completely changed our focus. We quickly shifted from an in-person Legislature to one that operates remotely and online while still being open to the public and input.

We enacted four pieces of COVID-19-related legislation with incredible bipartisan effort, and the work will continue.

Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day — a day for us to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the service of our country. While the pandemic keeps us physically apart, we can still remember our fallen heroes and pay our respects. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: May 22, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update; May 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature adjourned on Sunday at midnight. While we found a fair amount of bipartisan consensus on various pieces of legislation amid extraordinary circumstances of the COVID global pandemic, there is more work to be done.

I’d like to invite you to join me for a virtual town hall meeting, this Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. for an end-of-session update, and to ask questions. We’ll be using the platform Zoom, so you’re welcome to join us online or by phoning in. Here’s the information: Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update; May 19, 2020”

Minnesota House Leadership Statement on Transit Safety Provisions in the Transportation Policy Bill

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On May 14, the Minnesota House of Representatives tabled a transportation policy bill that included transit safety provisions. House Speaker Melissa Hortman, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, and Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL – Shakopee) released the following statements:

“Transit safety is important to Minnesotans, and we remain committed to addressing this issue,” said Speaker Hortman. “When we placed the bill on the calendar for today, we believed there was an agreement with Republicans on language to address this issue. We are continuing to work to reach an agreement so this provision will become law.”

“The Minnesota House fully intends to take up transit safety legislation,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “As we near the end of the Legislative Session, we are prioritizing areas where we can reach agreement with the Senate and get critical work done for Minnesotans — including transportation investments and transit safety.”

“This is the time to pass transit safety measures so that when the COVID pandemic ends, Minnesotans will come back to a transit system that is more safe and secure,” said Rep. Brad Tabke. “I remain hopeful we can reach a bipartisan agreement to pass legislation before the end of session to benefit both suburban and metro riders.”

 

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on extended peacetime emergency, new Stay Safe order

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Last night, Governor Walz announced a 30 day extension of the peacetime emergency and that he will allow his Stay at Home order to expire on May 18. The Stay at Home order is being replaced by a new order encouraging Minnesotans to stay close to home but allows for gatherings of friends and family of 10 people or less. Retail businesses will be allowed to resume at 50 percent capacity if they have a social distancing plan, but restaurants, bars, gyms, salons and other venues that attract large crowds will remain closed until June 1.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements: Continue reading “Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on extended peacetime emergency, new Stay Safe order”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: May 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family are continuing to stay safe and healthy as our state continues to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The Legislative Session will end by May 18th, and I’ll have an update on the end of session soon, but I wanted to let everyone know that the online absentee ballot request tool is now open!

The tool allows registered voters to request that their ballot be sent to them by mail for the August 11 statewide primary and/or the November 3 general election.

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Minnesotans, I strongly encourage voters to request an absentee ballot and vote safely from home. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: May 14, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Tonight, Governor Walz will address Minnesotans live at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the state’s next steps to address COVID-19. Tune in to the live stream on the governor’s YouTube Live page here.

Here’s more news from the State Capitol:

Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2020 Passes House

My legislation, which contains a variety of provisions related to energy savings and moving toward cleaner energy sources, passed in the House Monday on a 79-55 vote. More specifically, the bill would help move us toward innovative clean technologies in energy production, and establish criteria for utilities’ load management and efficient switching between fuel sources. This bill will save consumers money, create jobs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.  It is a win-win-win!  I was glad to see this measure move forward. You can read more about the bill from the nonpartisan office of House Public Information here. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 13, 2020”