Category: SD37

Sen. Jerry Newton Update: October 1, 2018

For Safer Schools, We Need More Than Metal Detectors

It is my pleasure to welcome all K-12 students in the Anoka-Hennepin, Spring Lake Park, and Centennial public school districts back to the classroom. Back-to-school season is a fresh opportunity to set new goals, make new friends, and celebrate new academic and extracurricular achievements. All of those things, however, are not possible if Minnesota’s youth do not feel safe as they sit in class.

In response to mass shootings that occurred just months ago at high schools in Texas and Florida, students in Minnesota organized peaceful demonstrations at our State Capitol, held one-on-one meetings with legislators, and attracted significant media attention. I encourage them to remain engaged in the political process and help legislators shape next session’s school safety budget and related public policies.

This year’s legislative session resulted in a $25 million appropriation for grants that school districts can tap to finance security improvements to their facilities, such as installing bulletproof glass or special building entry systems. When the grant application period began on August 29, the Minnesota Department of Education received more than $250 million in requests. You do the math. Continue reading “Sen. Jerry Newton Update: October 1, 2018”

Sen. Jerry Newton Update: August 29, 2018:

Minnesota Needs All-of-the-Above Strategy to Address Addiction

State lawmakers this year invested significant time into addressing rampant opioid addiction, but according to a new report from the Center for Rural Policy and Development, Minnesota is facing an “addiction crisis” that is larger in scope than any single drug. The report, published June 2018, says that meth is a growing cause for concern, especially in Greater Minnesota.

In response to soaring meth use in the early 2000s, the Legislature restricted consumers’ ability to purchase cold and allergy medicine containing an ingredient called pseudoephedrine. Around the same time, the United States Congress passed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act to regulate retail sales of products, including pseudoephedrine, used to manufacture illegal drugs. As a result, meth use declined for years. However, meth smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border is fueling a major comeback in recent years. Continue reading “Sen. Jerry Newton Update: August 29, 2018:”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: July 17, 2018

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope summer has been treating you well. We all know summer in Minnesota is truly something special. No matter our differences, we come together to enjoy everything our state and community has to offer. I hope you can get out and enjoy some time with family and friends, and get to know our neighbors.

Night to Unite / National Night Out

Tuesday, August 7th, is Minnesota Night to Unite and National Night Out. These events are held the first Tuesday in August in neighborhoods across the country to celebrate a commitment to our safe communities. If you would like me to stop by an event in your neighborhood, please let me know and I will try to attend. I am hoping to get to as many neighborhood events as possible. So if you see me, please say hi and introduce yourself! Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: July 17, 2018”

Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: June 4, 2018

 

2018 Legislative Session Biggest Disappointment in Recent Memory

When the 2018 legislative session concluded at midnight on Sunday, May 20, I felt heartbroken for everyone who was counting on the Legislature to give them a helping hand. State lawmakers had three months to listen to Minnesotans, turn their ideas into action, and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

In the end, a lot of good ideas died as a result of partisan politics and special interest lobbying. It was perhaps the biggest disappointment I’ve witnessed in my quarter century of public service. To that end, I believe it is important to talk about what happened in hopes of avoiding the same mistakes next year. Continue reading “Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: June 4, 2018”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 17, 2018

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The 2018 legislative session is constitutionally required to adjourn on Monday and we still have a few large items to finish, including major supplemental finance bills and resolutions for tax conformity and bonding
bills. Here are the latest updates from the Capitol:

Bonding Bill

I’m supportive of public infrastructure legislation because it creates jobs and gives Minnesotans the best bang for their buck when it comes to major construction projects. Unfortunately, the bonding bill brought to the floor by the majority was less than half of Gov. Dayton’s proposal, leaving far too many projects around our state unfunded and too many jobs unfilled. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 17, 2018”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 10, 2018

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

As we prepare for the final full week of session, we’re
waiting for conference committees to finish their work on the major omnibus finance bills while we debate and vote on other legislation on the House floor. Here are some of the latest updates from the Capitol:

REAL ID Update

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Minnesota will be considered compliant with the federal REAL ID law as long as we’re capable of taking applications for a REAL ID by October 1, 2018, meaning current licenses or ID cards will be sufficient for federal purposes like boarding an airplane or entering military installations until 2020. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 10, 2018”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 3, 2018

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

This week at the Capitol, we’ve been hearing and voting on omnibus finance bills and tax conformity legislation. I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making so far, but I’m hoping to see a robust jobs bill come before the House soon as well. Here are the latest updates from St. Paul:

Tax Conformity

On Monday, the House passed a bill designed to modify the state tax code after changes at the federal level last year. This is a good step as it will prevent filing from becoming increasingly complicated next year while also delivering cuts to many Minnesotans. I’m committed to upholding our values as a community: fairness, opportunity for all, responsible investments in our future. While the bill included some modest tax cuts for families, it was weighted too heavily in favor of large corporations. We must remain committed to ensuring our economy works for everyone, regardless of income. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 3, 2018”

Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: April 27, 2018

Week In Review

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Legislature faces a May 21st constitutional deadline to complete its work, meaning only 3 weeks remain to have public discussion on a wide range of proposals that will impact nearly every Minnesotan in one form or another.

Yesterday the Senate passed a supplemental budget on a vote of 34-31.  There are some good things in this bill, but I ultimately voted against it.  This bill weakens collective bargaining rights, tells teachers what they can and can’t say in their classrooms, and cuts funding from crucial services. The Legislature has a lot of work to do to help build the state all Minnesotans deserve. Continue reading “Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: April 27, 2018”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 26, 2018

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We have fewer than four weeks left in the legislative
session and will be hearing omnibus finance bills and a tax conformity bill in the coming days. Here’s the latest from the Capitol:

MnDOT Commitment

Last week, Rep. Connie Bernardy and I authored an amendment directing the Minnesota Department of Transportation to conduct a safety study on Hwy. 47. While the amendment was blocked, MnDOT did agree to look into possible safety improvements along the corridor. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 26, 2018”