SD36 5 , CD3 DFL

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: September 26, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It has been a long week. I have had four bills I authored receive individual hearings. I also share with you as I write with a sense of frustration yet filled with hope because we are Minnesota and we must rise above the challenges that confront us.

Our budget is healthier than expected which provides us real opportunity to fix the issues many of us see in the Governor’s Budget. More than that, I see places where we can fix the Governor’s cuts by putting back money he shifted from People with Disabilities and put it back where it belongs.

Additionally, we have an opportunity to fix our broken employment system for People with Disabilities. Over the last year and a half our office has investigated our scattered system in regards to Connect 700, a program meant to be a supportive and honest opportunity for People with Disabilities to engage in the state workforce. We have interviewed over a dozen experts, attracted the attention of our federal Department of Labor and the talents of Bobby Silverstein (author in congress of bills such as the ADA) to assist us, and interviewed countless individuals who are victims of this programs failed processes.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 26, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the milder temperatures.

Twice each year, near the end of November and February, Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB) produces an economic budget ‘forecast’ for current and future bienniums. The announcement today shows there is no longer an anticipated shortfall; the projected positive balance is due to higher revenue forecast, lower state spending, and an increased balance for the current fiscal year.

It’s important to note that this is a projection; Minnesota’s forecast does not take into consideration future rates of inflation. Now more than ever, it’s going to be important we make sure we’re protecting prudent investments that put us on a strong road to recovery post-pandemic. I’ll have this in mind as we work on a bipartisan level to balance our state’s budget.

House Commerce Committee Discusses Price Gouging Legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the House Commerce Committee discussed a consumer protection measure that would prohibit price gouging of essential goods and services during a national or local emergency. The legislation, authored by House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee Chair Zack Stephenson (DFL- Coon Rapids), would protect Minnesotans from exorbitant pricing of basic necessities, and enact a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per transaction on bad actors engaging in price gouging.

“A catastrophe or natural disaster isn’t the time for profiteering,” said Rep. Stephenson. “Minnesotans deserve to be protected from people who would try to turn our darkest hours in to opportunities to enrich themselves. While most businesses in Minnesota would never engage in this despicable behavior, those that would, should be held accountable.”

The bill received testimony of support from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the Minnesota Retailers Association.

“Protecting Minnesota consumers from being taken advantage of by predatory pricing practices in the middle of public health crises, weather disasters, and other emergencies is fundamental to helping all Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity and respect,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “We should be proactive and ensure we have protections in place for Minnesotans before the next natural disaster or public health emergency strikes and leaves consumers at the mercy of price gouging.”

More information, including supporting materials, is available on the committee’s webpage. Video recording of today’s hearing will be made available on the House Public Information YouTube channel.

Minnesota lawmakers propose ‘bill of rights’ for student borrowers, licensing requirement for loan providers

Legislation would give commerce commissioner oversight authority.

Seeking to address a student debt crisis totaling nearly $2 trillion nationally, a bipartisan pair of Minnesota lawmakers want to enshrine protections for borrowers into state law.

Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, and Sen. Zach Duckworth, R-Lakeville, unveiled a “Student Borrowers Bill of Rights” on Monday that would require student loan servicers operating in Minnesota to be licensed through the Department of Commerce. The measure would give the commerce commissioner power to suspend or revoke the licenses of servicers that mislead borrowers or misrepresent payments.

“There’s a confusing labyrinth of repayment plans, forbearance options, refinancing opportunities,” Stephenson said. “If a borrower makes even the slightest misstep, they can watch their debt balloon out of control and see themselves suddenly become ineligible for forgiveness programs that they may have planned their entire education around.” Continue reading.

Minnesota Lawmakers Announce Bipartisan Student Borrowers Bill of Rights Legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, a pair of bipartisan legislators announced efforts to provide important new protections for Minnesotans struggling with student debt. The Student Borrowers Bill of Rights legislation, authored by Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) and Sen. Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville), would require licensure of student loan servicers, and establishes a variety of financial guardrails student loan servicers must follow to enhance consumer protections for student loan borrowers.

“Minnesota law is stunningly inadequate at protecting student borrowers from even the most basic bad behavior by the private companies that service their debt,” said Rep. Stephenson. “Our state’s students deserve transparency and less red tape, and our bill is designed to help ensure they aren’t misled or maltreated by student loan servicers.”

“Protecting young people from predatory lending and ensuring they have accurate information about their financing options is critical to their financial wellbeing and ability to fund their education,” said Senator Duckworth. “Folks shouldn’t be taken advantage of and their best interest should be at the forefront of any advice or guidance they receive related to student loans. Accepting a loan is serious and so is the commitment to repay it – equally serious is the commitment to ensuring the terms and servicing of that loan are fair and conducted in good faith.”

According to the Federal Reserve, the total amount of student loan debt has surpassed credit card debt to become the second largest class of debt in the U.S., with students owing a stunning $1.7 trillion dollars nationally. Sarah Rother, a media specialist and social studies teacher at a Chaska middle school, shared personal testimony regarding the ongoing financial challenges her student loan debt continues to present for her family.

“I don’t want my daughter to associate financial stress and worry with a college degree,” said Ms. Rother. “Children should see education as a gateway to their future, not as shackles of insurmountable debt.”

Destiny Belmont, a school psychologist with the Benton-Stearns School District, also shared her experience with her student loan servicer changing her required payments multiple times over the course of ten years.

“Loan servicers are taking advantage of Minnesotans, many who like myself are going into education, health care and other public services,” said Ms. Belmont. “It’s time to regulate student loan servicers and represent the interest of borrowers, not corporations.”

The Student Borrowers Bill of Rights legislation will be introduced during today’s House floor session. The measure has been scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, February 23, in theHouse Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee at 3:00 p.m. The hearing will be livestreamed on House Public Information’s HTV1.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: February 19, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week brought another round of hearings and discoveries. In Health and Human Services Reform we’ve moved closer to assisting counties in efficiency and flexibility while having some serious discussions about healthcare and accessibility for our most vulnerable populations. We also have further vaccine updates.

There are more details in this newsletter, but know the work continues at an increasing pace. We are only a few weeks away from first bill deadlines so its a rush to properly evaluate good legislation and make sure it gets where it needs to go.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 19, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a nice week. With the cold snap lifting, I hope you have a chance to enjoy some milder temps this weekend.

Here’s an update from the Capitol:

New COVID-19 Caonnector

A new tool is available to help Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine Connector will let you know when you’re eligible to receive a vaccine, connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment, and notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area. Signing up for the Vaccine Connector is free and easy, and you don’t need insurance or identification. You can sign up and learn more here. People unable to sign up online can have family or friends help them sign up online, or call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: February 12, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As our polar vortex intensifies so does our legislative session. We are now cutting deep into the Governor’s budget while trying to form our own as well as addressing key system issues from programs being developed.

I will continue to ensure we protect our vital services and any investment made is important and thoughtful with measurable results. We must protect those neighbors and friends who rely on services; our aging and people with disabilities populations and businesses while ensuring vaccines reach those who need it most to preserve lives.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: February 12, 2012

Dear Neighbors,

As of today, 617,896 Minnesotans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 189,902 completing the series.

The Minnesota Department of Health indicated that Minnesota received almost 84,000 doses of the vaccine from the federal government this week. These will be divided up between our health care systems (39,800 doses), the Community Vaccination Program (7,000 doses), education and child care workers (10,000 doses), pharmacy partners (4,200 doses), local public health to finish Phase 1a (nearly 15,000 doses), tribal nations (3,000 doses), and the Department of Human Services for group homes (5,000 doses). More information is available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: February 6, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the end of week 5 in the 2021 session. At this point bills are flying and many if not all committees are in full swing. The budget still poses some issues in what the Governor has proposed and we will be working to create a Senate Budget that we believe will reflect Minnesota.

It has been a busy and sad week. Friends have passed and issues have been raised but we move forward and address what we can. I hope this finds you and your families safe and staying warm, as winter comes back in full force the upcoming week. Please reach out if you have any ideas or need to connect on an issue.

John

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New COVID-19 Caonnector

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