Category: SD36

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 26, 2018

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Greetings!

The Legislature is back in session. As the 2018 session begins, I’m ready to continue working to improve Minnesotans’ quality of life.  I’m focused on creating an economy that works for everyone. Please stay in touch for updates on what’s happening at the Capitol, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions and input.

Legislative Budget and State Contracts

Last year — despite a budget surplus — the extreme right-wing group of Republicans currently leading the Legislature chose to prioritize the wealthy and corporations instead of delivering results for all Minnesotans. They under-invested in education, resulting in cuts, and passed large tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.  Governor Dayton vetoed the Legislature’s budget as he sought a better deal for Minnesotans.  Instead of returning to the negotiating table, Republican leaders spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars suing the Governor – and lost their case at the Minnesota Supreme Court. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 26, 2018”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: February 23, 2018

Hello Neighbors and friends.  Welcome to my first official newsletter of the biennium.

As you know, the second year of a biennium is historically reserved for a significant bonding bill and a supplemental budget. However, there is a small chance, given a positive February forecast, that we could have a supplemental spending budget this year as well.  If that is the case, then I would hope we would focus our efforts on the issues important to our district and the state such as assuring safety and supports to our elderly population as well as fixing the care coordination for people with disabilities. Too many times I am hearing from individuals, including my own family, that our managed health care programs are not providing the necessary patient supports that lead to positive outcomes from Hospital discharge.  Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: February 23, 2018”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: January 12, 2018

Welcome to 2018.  I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season connecting with family and friends and are following through on your new years resolutions. As we start the new year I want to continue to keep you posted on what is happening in St. Paul that affects our Senate District and State.  I also want to keep you posted and in the loop as to what is happening in our Senate District.  I have had and will be having constituent meetings regarding three areas of interest; Education, Health and Human Services, Energy/Public Utilities.  These advisory meetings were talked about in the last news letter and those that have shown an interest in them have been followed up with emails and invites.  If you want to be a part of these quarterly meetings, please contact my office and let us know at jhoffman@senate.mn As part of my committee assignments I am involved in two continuing discussions; 1. Long Term Care and 2., Home Care working group that looks at the workforce shortage of nurses in Minnesota. This affects the healthcare that our elderly, people with disabilities and vulnerable populations receive. I invite your input and direction as to getting to the solutions that benefit our neighbors who are affected in those areas. I also hope you take the survey at the bottom of this newsletter as I am asking for your input on important issue areas that the Senate will be tackling in the coming session. Thank you again for letting me be your Senator and happy new year!

Sincerely,

 

Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: January 12, 2018”

Rep. Melissa Hortmand (HD36B) Update: January 5, 2018

 

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I hope the Holiday Season has treated you well. I’ve enjoyed spending time with family and friends these past few weeks and look forward to seeing what 2018 has to offer.

News Laws on January 1st

While most laws go into effect in July and August after the legislative session, a few new laws went into effect on January 1st. Of the new laws that went into effect, one is especially important for those who are losing their hearing. Hearing loss associated with aging can lead to depression, dementia, hospitalizations and falls. A new law will allow home care providers to be trained on recognizing hearing loss and how to improve the lives of those with hearing loss. Minnesota will also now have new license plates honoring fallen officers. You can read about the handful of new laws here.

Tips on Saving Energy

A family can spend an awful lot of money on energy this time of year, particularly with recent subzero temperatures. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has put together “10 tips to save energy during the holidays.” While the Holidays are over, these tips can be useful anytime. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortmand (HD36B) Update: January 5, 2018”

Sen. John Hoffman Update: December 30, 2017

Dear Friends,
I hope you and your families have had a happy and safe holiday celebration. I am thankful we bring in a New Year and new legislative session.  The 2017 Legislative Session kicked off with the announcement that Minnesota had a $1.65 billion surplus. The structural balance of the state budget was something that remained at the top of my mind this session and throughout the days-long special session. Locally, our communities received Local Government Aid for the first time in years, the 610 Corridor is completed, and new businesses have moved to our area bringing well-paying jobs and improving our tax base.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 23, 2017

Dear Friends,

As the Christmas holiday quickly approaches, I’m reminded of this quote from Mary Ellen Chase – an important American literary scholar and graduate from the University of Minnesota: “Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. ”

It is my hope that all of you can spend Christmas with your loved ones, and that your home is filled with good food, laughter and love. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 23, 2017”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: December 4, 2017

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying the last few weeks of fall weather.

Minnesota Women’s Press

I am honored to have been featured in this month’s issue of the Minnesota Women’s Press as a “changemaker.” The Minnesota Women’s Press was founded in 1984 to tell stories in ways that create community and encourage change. Read my interview here: http://www.womenspress.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=233&ArticleID=5330 Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: December 4, 2017”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 1, 2017

Note: If you are using g-mail some of this email may be hidden. Look for the 3 dots to expand. 

Hello Neighbors and friends.  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Holiday and are getting ready for the winter season to begin. My thoughts are with you and your families as we enter into the New Year.  I hope you enjoy time with your family and friends. I want to share with you some features this month such as the upcoming MN budget forecast, Crescent Cove’s opening, highway 169 construction, providing shelter for veterans in Anoka, the healthcare reform committee meeting on MN-choices and childcare, and the Anoka Hennepin School Bonding Levy passing.  Also, I will be having three community advisory meetings in January preparing for the upcoming session highlighting: 1. Education, 2. Health and Human Services and 3. Energy.  Please contact my office at jhoffman@senate.mn and let me know if you would like to attend.  I will be following up with the dates once we secure them.  Thank you for letting me serve you and our great state.

Sincerely,

Senator John Hoffman Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 1, 2017”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: November 6, 2017

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Neighbors and friends,

I wanted to share with you that I’m part of an exciting effort this November. From Nov. 6th to Nov. 17th, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, a.k.a. COP23, is happening in Bonn, Germany. More than 195 countries will come together to discuss climate change policy and refine implementation strategies for the Paris Agreement. I will be attending the talks From Nov. 11th – Nov. 17th to represent Minnesota’s climate leadership in the state government sector. Our delegation includes representation from clean energy, elected officials, indigenous communities, youth, law, philanthropy, and more.

Through the Window Into COP23 program from Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, nine Minnesota leaders will attend the conference to learn how other countries, businesses, nonprofits, and state and local governments from around the world are taking action. We will bring back ideas and strategies to Minnesota, and we will share Minnesota’s success stories. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: November 6, 2017”