Category: SD36

Sen. John Hoffman Update: March 1, 2020

A Greeting and Update from Senator Hoffman

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Senate DFL urges caution when investing one-time money

Minnesota Management and Budget presented their February forecast this week, which estimates a $1.513 billion budgetary balance, all of which is one-time spending. This balance is $181 million more than the November 2019 forecast. Minnesota’s economic outlook is stable, but a slowdown remains in the forecast. The small budgetary improvement continues into the next biennium and the structural balance is improved, but budget challenges remain.

Most of this supplemental budgetary balance is not available for ongoing spending. While a positive budgetary balance is always good news, the small increase does not change the fact that future budget challenges remain, and we will not let poor budgeting decisions jeopardize Minnesota’s economic future. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman Update: March 1, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 28, 2020

Dear Deb,

We had a very busy week at the Minnesota House of Representatives, passing our first bills of the 2020 Legislative Session.

Protecting voter privacy in the presidential nominating primary

The Minnesota House DFL supports increased voter privacy in the presidential primary. That’s why we passed legislation recommended by Secretary of State Steve Simon that would address data and privacy concerns.

The reason this year’s process in Minnesota is run through a primary rather than precinct caucuses is because Minnesotans were very unhappy with the 2008 and 2016 straw poll process at precinct caucuses. Minnesotans asked the Legislature to take action to make the process more accessible.

Minnesotans have now asked the Legislature to take action to protect their privacy, but any change will require agreement with Senate Republicans. We hope they will join us to address Minnesotans’ concerns about privacy. You can learn more here.

Passing the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

insulin passage

Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford the lifesaving medications they need. On Wednesday, the Minnesota House DFL passed a proposal that provides emergency access to insulin, long-term affordability, and is ready to implement right now. We are waiting for Republicans to recognize that the pharmaceutical industry created and profits from this crisis, and it must participate in funding a solution. You can read more here.

Keeping Minnesotans safe from senseless gun violence

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Celebrating floor passage of gun violence prevention legislation with bill authors Rep. Dave Pinto (left) and Rep. Ruth Richardson (middle)

Minnesotans have been loud and clear that they want the legislature to take action to address senseless gun violence. The DFL-led House responded to this call to action again on Thursday, passing legislation for criminal background checks on all gun sales and extreme risk protection orders.

Despite overwhelming public support for these proposals, Senate Republicans have blocked them at every opportunity. Senate Republicans should listen to Minnesotans and join us in supporting and passing these measures so we can enact them into law. These measures are making a difference where they’ve been enacted — including in Republican-led states. You can learn more here.

As always, please contact me anytime with your input. I appreciate hearing from you! You can reach me at 651-296-4280 or rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn. You can also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page and following the Minnesota House DFL on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 28, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This week, the legislature received an updated state budget forecast from the Minnesota Management and Budget Agency, showing a positive one-time balance. The forecast shows challenges for Minnesota, because costs go up and our forecast doesn’t count them. As a result, significant budget deficits are inevitable in the future. These deficits undermine our ability to deliver a quality education, good roads, and health care for Minnesotans and is why it’s important for us to exercise caution, especially as federal uncertainty looms with foreign trade wars and the recent Coronavirus outbreak. I’ll continue to support legislative strategies that promote wise budgeting and responsible fiscal management.

Coronavirus Update

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to monitor the outbreak and share information with local health officials.

MDH has information on their website about their current efforts, which include: Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 28, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 20, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Thanks to those of you who were able to make it to our town halls last weekend. Attendance and participation was outstanding — we were at max capacity!

coon rapids town hall

brooklyn park town hall

We’re a little over a week into the 2020 Legislative Session. This email update takes a quick look at some of the top issues we’ll be discussing. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 20, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

At the State Capitol, 2019 was our main budget year, and 2020 is the year we will look at making investments in our capital infrastructure. This email update contains our last budget recap, looking at the budget bills signed into law in 2019. Today, we will take a closer look at the Public Safety and Judiciary Budget.

The 2020 Legislative Session started on February 11th — stay tuned for more information on the top issues that will likely be discussed at the State Capitol this year!

Public Safety & Judiciary Budget

Despite significant differences between the House and Senate, we worked together on a bipartisan compromise to fund our public safety and judiciary system. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 17, 2020”

Sen. Hoffman (SD36) Update: February 14, 2020

A greeting from Senator Hoffman, and welcome to the Session!

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Session Priorities

Bonding

      This year is a bonding year, and focusing on infrastructure for our community is a top priority. Bonding bills create well-paying jobs throughout the state and boost both the local and state economies. Some of the bonding projects I will be fighting for include: two projects for the North Hennepin Community College campus, improvements to Champlin’s Mississippi Point Park to make it more ADA accessible, the Rum River Dam project to serve as a barrier to invasive carp and protect the river’s watershed, $47 million in Trunk Highway bonds to construct additional lanes on U.S. Hwy. 10, $27 million in bonding to add a third lane to both directions on Hwy. 10, from Hanson Blvd. to Round Lake Blvd and finally the pedestrian overpass in Coon Rapids. Continue reading “Sen. Hoffman (SD36) Update: February 14, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature is back in session! As I returned to the House floor for the start of session, I was once again moved beyond words by the faith that my neighbors have placed in me. I work every day to be worthy of that trust.

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My colleagues and I didn’t waste any time hitting the ground running. On our first day of session, the House prioritized the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which passed yesterday out of the Commerce Committee, where I am vice-chair. Minnesotans deserve access to affordable insulin they rely on to survive. It’s unconscionable that pharmaceutical manufacturers are price-gouging people living with diabetes and I’ll keep fighting to make sure they are held accountable. I voted to advance the bill forward.

Town Hall Meetings and Survey

I hope you can join Speaker Hortman, Senator Hoffman, and me to share your input at one of our town hall meetings this weekend. Democracy works best when it’s accessible to our communities, which is why we are holding one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. Here are the details:

Saturday, February 15 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Anoka County Library, 11440 Crooked Lake Boulevard Northwest, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

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Sunday, February 16 at 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 West Broadway Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

hjkIf you haven’t had a chance to take my 2020 survey, please share your thoughts with me here.

Champlin’s Trout Ice Fishing Contest

I had a blast over the weekend as judge of the first ever Champlin Trout Ice Fishing Contest. A special thank you to Mayor Ryan Karasek for organizing such a great event. It was great talking with everyone, seeing the fish come in, and even watching kids play hockey (though it might have been even more fun to fish!). Congratulations to the winners!

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Stay in Touch

Please continue to reach out with ideas, suggestions, and questions. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome feedback. My phone number at the Capitol is 651-296-5513 and my email address is rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn. Follow me on Facebook for additional updates.

It’s an honor to represent our Champlin and Coon Rapids neighborhoods in St. Paul!

Sincerely,

Zack Stephenson
State Representative

Speaker Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 11, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This email update includes information on upcoming town halls and takes a closer look at the tax bill passed and signed into law in 2019.

Town Hall Meetings on February 15th and 16th

I’m hosting two town hall meetings with Rep. Zack Stephenson and Sen. John Hoffman on February 15th and 16th. Details are below. The Legislative Session starts today — so there is a lot to talk about! We hope you can join us for this early session discussion.

coon rapids town hall
Coon Rapids Town Hall
Saturday, February 15th, 10:00-11:30 am
Crooked Lake Library
11440 Crooked Lake Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 Continue reading “Speaker Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 11, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: January 28, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This week’s email update has information on early voting in the presidential primary, jobs available with the 2020 census, and takes a closer look at our State Government budget, which funds effective and efficient services for Minnesotans, including election security funding and support for our veterans.

Early Voting in the Presidential Primary

Minnesota’s presidential primary is March 3rd, but early voting is underway! If you’re in Coon Rapids, you can vote early during normal business hours at City Hall (11155 Robinson Dr NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433). Brooklyn Park residents can vote early at the Brooklyn Park Water Treatment Facility Conf. Room (5100 Edinbrook Ter N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443).

Make sure your voice is heard! You can learn more at the Secretary of State’s website. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: January 28, 2020”