Category: SD37

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

News is evolving quickly on the COVID-19 virus. Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm are holding a news conference  at 1 p.m. today to announce mitigation strategies in response to COVID-19.

You can watch the news conference live at this link:

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/live/1

This week, the House and Senate acted quickly to help Minnesota prepare. We unanimously approved, and Gov. Walz signed into law,  bipartisan legislation for immediate funding to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) if the virus results in a major health crisis in Minnesota. Read the news release from Gov. Walz on the state response to the outbreak. Other information and resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 13, 2020”

Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: March 6, 2020

Minneapolis Veterans Home Tour

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Last week I had the privilege to tour the Minneapolis Veterans Home. The tour focused on the urgent need to rehabilitate building 6, which would provide up to 39 new spaces for Minnesota’s veterans in need of a home.

Approximately 800 Minnesota veterans are on a waiting list to get into The Minneapolis Veterans Home. The total request of $13.5 million would rehabilitate the building, creating a dormitory including 39 rooms for veterans. If the state funding were secured, an additional $27 million in federal funds could be unlocked to make other repairs and modernize the building. While the proposal was not included in the Governor’s initial bonding bill, I will continue to advocate for its inclusion either through bonding or general fund dollars. Continue reading “Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: March 6, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Another week is ending and amid the legislative committees, floor sessions, meetings and other events, there has been an underlying uncertainty of how and when the COVID-19 virus will affect Minnesotans.

The virus is disrupting commerce and daily life around the world, and, although there are no confirmed cases in Minnesota as of this writing, it is seriously concerning to everyone. On Wednesday, The Health and Human Services Finance Division received a presentation from Minnesota Department of Health officials.

You can read the latest information here from the Minnesota Department of Health. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 6, 2020”

Senator Newton Tours Minneapolis Veterans Home

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Senator Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids), DFL lead on the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee, toured the Minneapolis Veterans Home Friday. The tour focused on the urgent need to rehabilitate building 6, which would provide up to 39 new spaces for Minnesota’s veterans in need of a home.

“One of our most important responsibilities and obligations that we need to honor is taking care of our veterans and making sure they have a place to live and be supported,” said Senator Newton. “Too many veterans are on a waiting list for stable housing while at the same time we have a building sitting vacant. With some one-time funding, we could rehabilitate this building and give dozens of veterans a community to live in with access to the services and care they need and have earned.”

Currently, approximately 800 Minnesota veterans are on a waiting list to get into The Minneapolis Veterans Home. The total request of $13.5 million would rehabilitate the building, creating a dormitory including 39 rooms for veterans. If the state funding were secured, an additional $27 million in federal funds could be unlocked to make other repairs and modernize the building. While the proposal was not included in the Governor’s initial bonding bill, Senator Newton will continue to advocate for its inclusion either through bonding or general fund dollars.

“The Twin Cities area has the largest population of veterans seeking admittance to a veteran’s home, and we cannot forget where the greatest need is and how we can best serve the most significant number of veterans,” said Senator Newton.

Senator Newton was joined on the tour by Representative Rob Ecklund (DFL-International Falls), Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke, and Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Administrator Thomas Paul. 

About Senator Jerry Newton

Jerry Newton is a state senator who represents Blaine, Coon Rapids, and Spring Lake Park. He is the Ranking Member of the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee and a member of the following committees: Family Care and Aging; and Higher Education Finance and Policy. Sen. Newton is also a member of the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission and the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. A high-resolution photo of Sen. Newton is available for download here.

 

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 28, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’ve concluded a very busy week at the Capitol. In addition to committee business and meetings, we also held two lengthy floor sessions. We’ll take a deep breath and get ready for next week!

Insulin Affordability

Wednesday night, the House passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, putting forward a strong plan that ensures Minnesotans with diabetes have emergency access to insulin and access to affordable insulin over the long term. In the 2019 legislative session, I voted with the House to pass this life-saving measure, but it was blocked in the Senate. Meanwhile, the cost of insulin continues to skyrocket, and more Minnesotans are in peril of losing their lives because they can’t afford or are rationing their insulin. I am hopeful that the Senate will pass this bill as soon as possible and help will be on the way. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 28, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 21, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The 2020 legislative session is off to a fast start. Committee hearings begin early in the morning and last into the evening. Since this is not a budget year, this session will be shorter, and the deadline schedule is very tight.

In committee this week, two of my bills received a hearing; HF 3092 directs Met Council to take a serious look at an arterial bus rapid transit line on the Central Avenue NE corridor which would take passengers from downtown along Central Ave and University Ave to the Northtown Transit Center. I also had a hearing for HF 3089 which funds a graduate medical education fellowship program for addiction medicine specialist. Through my work on the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Task Force, I have learned that there is a workforce shortage in the addiction and recovery field. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 21, 2020”

Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37): Back to Work for the 2020 Legislative Session

The 2020 Legislative Session began on Tuesday, February 11, and the Capitol is once again full as we get back to work. We have a lot to do before our adjournment on May 18, and we do not have time to waste. I wanted to give you a brief preview of what we can expect this year, as well as my priorities for the upcoming session.

The major focus for this year is on passing a capital investment bill, or more commonly called bonding bill. This bill would invest in state assets and infrastructure. Approximately $5 billion in requests have been made from communities, state agencies and colleges and universities for this state funding. I have introduced several bonding requests for our area, including repairs for Anoka-Ramsey Community College, safety improvements for Highways 10, 47, and 65, upgrades at the National Sports Center, creating an emergency operations center in Blaine, building a Police and Fire training facility, and funding for the Mighty Ducks Grant Program to replace coolant systems for ice rinks throughout the state.

I’m also carrying the bonding requests for two projects in Blaine that will help Minnesota’s first responders. The first is funding for a Greater Twin Cities Regional Public Safety Training Facility, that will provide state of the art training opportunity for police and firefighters. The second is a new State Emergency Operations Center, which can serve as a centralized location for responding to emergency and disaster situations in the state. Continue reading “Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37): Back to Work for the 2020 Legislative Session”

Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: February 14, 2020

Friends and Neighbors,

The 2020 Legislative Session has now begun. My colleagues and I came back to the Capitol on Tuesday, and we have a lot of work to do over the next few months. Our May 18 adjournment will be here before we know it, and there are several priorities that we are focusing on.

The major focus for this year is on passing a capital investment bill, or more commonly called bonding bill. I have introduced several bonding requests for our area including repairs for Anoka-Ramsey Community College, safety improvements for Highways 10, 47, and 65, upgrades at the National Sports Center, and funding for the Mighty Ducks Grant Program to replace coolant systems for ice rinks throughout the state.

I’m also carrying the bonding requests for two projects in Blaine that will help Minnesota’s first responders. The first is funding for a Greater Twin Cities Regional Public Safety Training Facility that will provide a state of the art training opportunity for police and firefighters. The second is a new State Emergency Operations Center which can serve as a centralized location for responding to emergency and disaster situations.

In addition to the bonding bill, we will also have discussions on hot button issues. With a divided legislature, the views in the DFL-controlled House and GOP-controlled Senate are quite different, and compromise may be difficult. I am hopeful we can finally take real action on insulin affordability and access, so thousands of diabetic Minnesotans can afford their lifesaving medication.

Most importantly, I want to hear from you on the issues that you care about and what you think we should be focused on this year.  Please contact me to share your questions, comments, and ideas on any issue. Get in touch by phone at 651-296-2556 or by email at sen.jerry.newton@senate.mn.

Thank you and have a great weekend,

 

Jerry Newton

State Senator

District 37

Rep. Erin Koegel Update: February 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The 2020 legislative session convened this week and I’m excited to be back at Capitol continuing my work for the district.

Tuesday was a day to get settled in and welcome a new member. Last November, our dear colleague, Rep. Diane Loeffler, passed away. Last week, Sydney Jordan was elected to replace Diane and represent the east side of Minneapolis. She was sworn-in on the first day of session.

My daughter Clara and I caught up with University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel at the Capitol as she greeted legislators the first day of session.

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Committee Assignments

I continue to serve on the Government Operations Committee, Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division, Transportation Finance and Policy Division and as vice-chair of the Labor Committee.

Podcast with Gov. Walz

The second season of the Minnesota Values Podcast (MVP) kicked off this week with Gov. Tim Walz as the featured guest. Listen to my colleagues, Rep. Liz Olson and Rep. Jamie Long, talk to the governor about the 2020 legislative session.

House of Representatives

Committee schedules, bill tracking, floor sessions and other relevant information can be found on the House of Representatives website. This is a great resource to keep track of all legislative business during session and the interim.

I also recommend taking a tour of the fully restored Capitol building, one of the most beautiful structures in Minnesota. Make a day out of visiting the Capitol and sitting in on a committee hearing or floor session.

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During session, you can contact me at rep.erin.koegel@house.mn or (651) 296-5369.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature.

Sincerely,

Erin Koegel

State Representative

Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: January 31, 2020

Friends and Neighbors,

Representative Koegel and I are holding a town hall meeting on Tuesday, February 4th (6:30 PM) at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School.  Please feel free to stop by and share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. I deeply value your input in order to most effectively represent you.  Hope to see you all there!

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If you have any questions or wish to unsubscribe from this Newsletter please feel free to contact my office at 651-296-2556 or by email at sen.jerry.newton@senate.mn.

Thank you and have a great weekend,

 

Jerry Newton

State Senator

District 37