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):
Neighbors,
In 2017, more than 400 Minnesotans died of opioid overdoses. Last week, I voted in favor of legislation to hold Big Pharma accountable for their role in creating this crisis. Minnesotans shouldn’t have to foot the bill for the tragedy that these companies have inflicted on our communities. The legislation would support a wide range of addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment and recovery strategies – it passed by a 94-34 vote.
Big Pharma has collected billions in profits over the years and has not had to pay a dime to help Minnesotans get treatment or help law enforcement keep our communities safe. This is wrong, and it’s time they start contributing to the solution. Holding big corporations accountable is the right thing to do and I am proud to support this bill. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update; March 25, 2019”
Neighbors,
I hope you’re having a great week! There’s a lot happening at the Capitol these days – here’s a quick recap on the big developments.
Health care
Minnesotans have come forward to share powerful stories about the high – and rising – cost of Insulin and other pharmaceutical drugs. We need to hold big pharma accountable for prescription drug price-gouging. Last year 26-year-old Alec Smith died because he was forced to ration his monthly supply of insulin. After getting off his parents’ health insurance, he could no longer pay the $1,300. Minnesotans simply should not die because they can’t afford health care. The House DFL has a comprehensive plan to address the cost of insulin. It includes:
The Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act (HF 485) allows Minnesotans who are unable to afford their insulin to get their prescription filled in emergencies. It also authorizes pharmacies to fill a temporary supply of insulin for patients whose prescription is out-of-date. Reimbursements for pharmacies would be paid through a fee on Big Pharma insulin manufacturers. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 12, 2019”
Committees to consider bills impacting marijuana enforcement, CBD, medical cannabis programSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday afternoon, three committees in the Minnesota House are scheduled to hold public hearings on legislation impacting Minnesota’s cannabis policies. As part of the “Responsible on Cannabis Day” event, Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division, and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, are moving forward with a responsible approach to the issues of legalization, enforcement, and the state’s medical cannabis program.
“With as many moving parts as there are on the topic of cannabis, it’s extremely important for us to bring all Minnesotans to the table for a legitimate conversation on the issue,” said Rep. Mariani, chief author of HF 717, which would create a Cannabis Task Force to examine the potential legalization, taxation, and regulation of cannabis production, sale, and use. “Minnesotans have diverse viewpoints about this topic, as do legislators. While we take other steps like those in the bills we’re considering today, a task force will allow us to gather input from regular Minnesotans and affected stakeholders, and puts us on a clear path toward taking whichever steps on this issue are the most viable.”
“It’s clear that our state’s current approach to marijuana isn’t working, and harms Minnesotans in a number of ways,” said Rep. Moran. “From those who can’t access it to treat an illness, to those who have been caught up in the criminal justice system and the unjust racial disparities which come with enforcement, it’s time for Minnesota to move in a new direction, and the bills scheduled for hearings today will allow us to do that.” Continue reading “Lawmakers announce “Responsible on Cannabis” approach for key House public hearings”
Happy last day of the snowiest February on record. I’m looking forward to warmer temperatures and moving closer to passing legislation we’ve been working on at the Capitol.
Transportation Field Hearing
On Wednesday the Transportation Committee held a field hearing at North High School, my parents’ alma mater. We had a conversation with community members focused on Public Transit, an issue that’s important across the state, and one that members from both sides of the aisle can agree on. We heard testimony on two bills, one to prioritize bus upgrades in areas with poor air quality, and another that would provide free public transportation on Election Day. Both of these bills would provide greater accessibility to Minnesotans, as well as promoting public health and easier participation in our elections. You can watch the whole hearing here.
The field hearings are part of an initiative to give constituents more access to their legislators and the things happening in the State Government. We held a hearing in St. Cloud last week, and will be in Blaine tomorrow.
Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 28, 2019”
Neighbors,
On Tuesday, the Governor released his two-year budget proposal. His historic investments in infrastructure and transportation, education, and health care will strengthen our communities and increase economic prosperity for Minnesotans. While there are over a thousand Minnesota bridges and hundreds of miles of roads that are in poor condition, Minnesotans are losing money in gas, lost time, and car repairs. House DFLers and Governor Walz support common-sense investments to keep Minnesotans safe and ensure that nothing like the I-35W bridge collapse ever happens again.
All Minnesotans deserve access to high-quality, affordable health care. We will work to provide Minnesotans with an additional health care option and work to make affordable health care a reality in Minnesota.
The Governor also committed to making Minnesota the “Education State,” and reiterated his support for closing the funding gap in schools and making sure every child has a good teacher and access to the tools they need to compete in today’s economy. Continue reading “Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 21, 2019”
SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. Michael Nelson (DFL – Brooklyn Park) released the following statement after the Minnesota House of Representatives voted to appropriate federal funds under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Minnesota is increasingly more likely to see attacks on our election systems, and the legislation (H.F.14) would unlock $6.6 million in federal funding to support state efforts in securing election infrastructure against cyber threats.
“It’s no secret that our elections have been targeted by bad actors,” said Rep. Michael Nelson. “While Minnesota isn’t last on many lists, we are in fact the very last state to appropriate this money. It’s time for us to take seriously the threats against our democracy by passing the Help America Vote Act so Minnesotans can more easily participate in safe, secure elections.”
In March of 2018, the federal government appropriated $380 million in grants. Each state was allocated a share of the grant money. $6.6 million was designated for Minnesota. The grant is available in the state’s HAVA account, but the Secretary of State cannot use the funds unless they are directly appropriated by the Legislature.
The funds would go toward modernizing the statewide voter registration system, improving accessibility, training local election officials, and implementing security improvements for election systems.
Neighbors,
A number of bills I’ve introduced have started making their way through committees, and I’m hopeful they will be signed into law.
Help America Vote Act
I have been working with Secretary of State Steve Simon to pass the Help America Vote Act. Just yesterday I presented it to the Ways and Means committee. It was an easy ask: Minnesota wouldn’t have to pay anything to unlock $6.6 million in federal funds to upgrade our election system and improve our election security. Minnesota’s not last on very many lists, but we are in fact the very last state to unlock th is money. It’s just common sense, and I’m hopeful we will get this signed into law. More from the Star Tribune here.
Wage Theft
Each year, more than 39,000 workers face wage theft by their employers, collectively losing $12 million in lost wages. From workers who are encouraged to stay after they clock out to help clean up, to employers struggling with cash flow skipping paychecks altogether, this issue is far too common. This is why my colleagues and I are working to pass policies that support workers dealing with wage theft. Everyone deserves to be paid fairly for the work that they do.
On Wednesday, the first bill was heard on this issue. If the bill is passed, employers would face harsher penalties for not keeping detailed records on the pay of their employees that they are required to keep. Additionally, the bill would give the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry more authority in enforcing wage laws.
First Floor Vote
Minnesota has some of the worst disparities between black and white citizens for unemployment, income, incarceration and homeownership. The first bill we passed this session by floor vote addresses some of those disparities.
This bill seeks to address racist housing history in Minnesota. If the bill passes, it will allow homeowners to formally renounce restrictive home title rules that have been used to prevent minority communities from moving into residential neighborhoods. These “restrictive covenants” were legal until 1948, but the language still exists on many houses. The bill would allow homeowners to attach a formal document to their home title repudiating the racist language, but it would not remove the language from the title in order to allow for future research on the impacts of racist housing policies.
Check out the Star Tribune’s coverage of the topic here.
The Next President
Watching Senator Klobuchar announce her candidacy for President was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sen. Klobuchar, along with the thousands of Minnesotans (and some who flew from around the country) proved that Minnesotans are tough, and won’t let a little bad weather get in the way of progress.
You can always reach me by phone at (651) 296-3751, by email at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn, or by sending mail to my office: 585 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155.
Michael Nelson
State Representative
District 40A
Neighbors,
All of Minnesota will face dangerously cold temperatures over the next few days. Put your “Minnesota Values” into action and check in on senior citizens, vulnerable people, and at-risk adults. You can find more safety information here.
Shutdown Ends
I’m hopeful that we can quickly provide relief to the public servants who have been used as political pawns over the last 35 days. Anxiety is still high among federal workers and their families. These hard-working Americans have families, mortgages and medical bills — we don’t know yet the full extent of the effect this shutdown will have but this must never happen again.
Legislation
I’m proud to have introduced legislation last week that would establish a secure retirement program for Minnesota families. The program would use a public-private partnership model to help workers save for retirement. For millions of Americans, secure retirement is not attainable. While nearly half of working-age households have no more than $40,000 in savings, research shows that offering workers a way to save through their job increases their ability to save for retirement dramatically. If signed into law, this will save Minnesotans more than $124 million over 10 years in Medicaid savings alone.
This Week
On Wednesday at 8:00 am my Help America Vote Act will receive a public hearing in the State Government committee. This bill, H.F. 14, will allow Minnesota to transfer and appropriate federal dollars that we werealready given, to help secure our elections. That’s right, we just have to put these federal dollars to use. All 49 other states have appropriated and put this money into use. The bill will do the following things:
It’s time for Minnesota to take seriously the threats against our democracy and pass the Help America Vote Act.
Upcoming Event
Quick reminder: on February 2nd I am hosting a town hall with Rep. Samantha Vang and Senator Chris Eaton to hear from our community. All are welcome – I hope you’ll join us and share your thoughts on how I can better serve you. More information here.
What: Town Hall Meeting
Who: Representative Mike Nelson, Representative Samantha Vang and Senator Chris Eaton
When: February 2, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Brooklyn Center Community Center, Cohen Room, 6301 Single Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center
As always, You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-3751, by email at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn, or by sending mail to my office: 585 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155.
Michael Nelson
State Representative
District 40A
Dear Neighbors:
I wanted to check in as we wrap up week two of the 2019 legislative session. Beginning my ninth term as your state representative has been a great honor. We have a lot of work to do in these next couple of months to pass legislation to invest in education, make sure workers are protected on the job and expand the middle class.
Committee Assignments
I will continue working for you as chair of the State Government Finance Division committee. I will also serve on the following committees: Government Operations, Labor, Transportation Finance and Policy Division and Ways and Means.
Election Security
It’s no secret that our elections have been targeted by bad actors. That’s why I chief-authored the bipartisan Help America Vote Act to allow Minnesota to use $6.6 million in available federal funds to maintain our election integrity and security. Minnesota was the only state not to receive this money by last November’s election – we should have gotten this done last year and I’m committed to making sure this gets done quickly and early in this session. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: January 18, 2018”
