Category: SD36

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 29, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We are now halfway through the legislative session, and time is flying by at the Capitol. Here are a few updates from this week:

Putting a “cop on the beat” in the Student Loan Industry

Minnesota is currently experiencing a student loan crisis.  Student loan debt is now the second largest type of debt held in the United States, surpassing credit card debt (only mortgage debt is higher).  There are 775,000 Minnesotans holding student debt totaling $27.1 billion.

The student loan system is endlessly complex and every day we hear stories of how the student loan companies abuse and confuse Minnesotans.  That is why I authored House File 1424, which creates a Student Loan Advocate inside Minnesota’s Department of Commerce.  The role of the advocate is simple: to be on the side of Minnesota’s students and student loan borrowers.  To help them navigate the endless web of rules and forms that characterize our student loan system.  To answer their questions, and help them avoid small mistakes that have big consequences.  The Advocate will also police bad behavior by student loan companies and enforce a new “Borrower’s Bill of Rights” that the bill creates. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 29, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Senate Republican Budget Targets

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the budget targets released by Senate Republicans today:

“Senate Republicans are using a tried-and-true Republican gimmick of moving the goalposts to hide how much they’re shortchanging Minnesotans,” said Speaker Hortman. “Their budget won’t get Minnesota children the world-class schools they deserve. It will put affordable health care further out of reach for Minnesotans. And the Senate Republican budget won’t increase economic security for our families and give them the chance to succeed. As the House and Senate begin moving budget bills forward, House DFLers are committed to building a state that will work better for everyone.”

“Minnesota will be moving backwards under the Senate Republican budget,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The choices will be clear for Minnesotans: continue down the Republican path that prioritizes corporations, the wealthy, and health insurance companies; or the DFL budget that will make honest investments in the things Minnesotans value: affordable health care, great schools, safe & inclusive communities, and reliable roads, bridges, and transit. The House DFL is committed to responsible budgeting, correcting the destructive Republican budgets, and building a brighter future for all Minnesotans.”

Situation in the Minnesota Senate

Minnesota is the only state legislature in the country. Like the GOP controlled U.S. Senate, our Minnesota Senate Speaker is blocking bills from being heard.

Here are the issues that are being stonewalled (Sen. Gazelka is beginning to talk about allowing the gun safety bills to be heard):

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 22, 2019

WEEK Eleven Friday March 22

 Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Spring is here and next week will be the last before second deadlines for bills. I will have at least five being heard next week and more may be added. Below you’ll find the current list of my bills.

My Bills

There are two important things I want to bring before your eyes that happened this week. First, Thursday was World Down Syndrome Day. We celebrated all of our wonderful people who live, laugh and thrive no matter their chromosome count.

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Second, I feel we displayed unity across several fronts. There was a tragedy in New Zealand that affected people of all races and religions. It is in times like that we must come together and we did come together to mourn the lives that will be missed after a horrible act was committed. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 22, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been another busy week at the Capitol. Before we get to the updates, I encourage you to head over to my Facebook page and offer your opinion on our recent time change. If Minnesota did away with springing forward and falling back every year, which time should we stick with: standard time or daylight saving time? While you’re commenting, you can also check out a great letter from my new favorite constituent. You can find the post here.

Hands-free cell phone use while driving

Standing with Minnesotans who’ve lost loved ones in accidents caused by distracted drivers.

On Monday, the House passed the hands-free cell phone bill (HF 50). Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia have hands-free cell phone laws. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2019”

Minnesota House DFL to release framework for Minnesota Values Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators will announce committee targets and the framework for the Minnesota Values Budget at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 25th.

WHO: Speaker Melissa Hortman, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Majority Whip Liz Olson, Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Rep. Paul Marquart

WHAT: Press conference to announce targets and framework for the Minnesota Values Budget

WHERE: Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971; 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

WHEN: 1:00 PM, Monday, March 25, 2019

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 22, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Another busy week at the Capitol!  Here are a few highlights:

Working Towards a New River Crossing

One of my goals for this year is to make some meaningful progress on the longstanding need to build a new Mississippi River crossing between Ramsey and Dayton. Everyone in the northwest suburbs knows that a new river crossing is needed, but no progress has been made on this issue for almost 20 years.

This week, we took a big step forward. At my request, representatives from the cities of Champlin, Dayton, Ramsey, and Anoka, as well as Hennepin County, Anoka County, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation all sat around the same table to discuss the path forward. It’s going to be a long road, but I was encouraged that everyone agreed that it is time to have this conversation. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 22, 2019”

House DFL leaders to hold press conference before vote on bill addressing Minnesota’s opioid crisis

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – During this afternoon’s floor session, the Minnesota House is set to vote on HF 400, a bill authored by House Majority Whip Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) aimed at ending the state’s opioid crisis. Prior to the session, House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park) and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) will join Rep. Olson for a press conference at 1:30 p.m. at the State Capitol.

The legislation contains a comprehensive set of education, intervention, treatment and recovery strategies, including creation of an Opioid Stewardship Advisory Council. The bill holds pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the crisis through registration fees which will be deposited in an Opioid Stewardship Fund.

WHAT: Press conference previewing House consideration of HF 400, legislation to address Minnesota’s opioid crisis

WHO: Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), bill author and House Majority Whip; House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park); and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley)

WHEN: Monday, March 18, 2019, 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Press Conference Room B971, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul

 

House DFL set to take action to end Minnesota’s opioid crisis

Legislation funds comprehensive strategies; holds Big Pharma accountable

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House is prepared to vote Monday afternoon on HF 400, a bill authored by Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), the House Majority Whip, aimed at ending the state’s opioid crisis. The legislation has robust strategies for prevention, education, intervention, training, treatment and recovery.

“Minnesotans truly can’t wait any longer for leaders in this state to take meaningful action to address the terrible tragedies caused by this crisis,” Rep. Olson said. “The bill we’re set to pass today off the House floor looks at the issues around opioids in a holistic way, delivering resources to our communities to save lives. It also ensures long-overdue accountability for the drug makers who have profited off this crisis, and so-far have refused to be part of any solution.” Continue reading “House DFL set to take action to end Minnesota’s opioid crisis”