Category: SD40

New Minnesota legislators get crash course in the Capitol and its ways

From left, new DFL Reps.-elect Samantha Vang of Brooklyn Center, Kaohly Her of St. Paul, Hodan Hassan of Minneapolis and Aisha Gomez of Minneapolis got together for a photo Wednesday before their freshman orientation in the House chamber at the State Capitol. Credit: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune

Incoming legislators get lessons in history, decorum and how things are done.

A new class of state lawmakers filed into the ornate House chamber Wednesday afternoon for a presentation on decorum, some posing for selfies before taking a seat behind desks that do not yet bear their names.

The 39 new members of the Minnesota House — some of whom are returning after a term or two out of office — are in the middle of a crash course on how the Legislature works. The large freshman class will constitute more than a quarter of all state House members, and 45 percent of Democrats, when the Legislature convenes Jan. 8.

“We’re learning the nuts and bolts — how to create a bill and get it through committees, and just the detail-y things of what it will mean to be a legislator,” said Rep.-elect Kelly Morrison of Deephaven, one of the many new Democrats who ousted a Republican incumbent and helped put the DFL in control of the House.

View the complete November 28 article by Jessie Van Berkel on The Star Tribune website here.

Strong suburban showing puts DFL in control of House

The DFL will control the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 2019-20 biennium.

Winning a number of key races in the Twin Cities suburbs, the DFL picked up 18 seats in Tuesday’s elections and will hold a 75-59 advantage when the House convenes Jan. 8, 2019.

Much of the change occurred in the Twin Cities suburbs, especially near and just off the Interstate 494-694 corridor, where DFL candidates beat incumbent Republicans in places like Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Plymouth, Rosemount, Stillwater and Woodbury.

Three races were within 250 votes: Rep.-elect Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-Eden Prairie) beat Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) by 241 votes with 20,577 votes cast; Rep.-elect Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven) beat Rep. Cindy Pugh (R-Chanhassen) by 216 votes with 23,372 cast; and Rep.-elect Shelly Christensen (DFL-Stillwater) beat Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R-Stillwater) by 137 votes in a race where 22,630 votes were cast.

View the complete November 7 article by Mike Cook on the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services’ website here.

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: July 19, 2018

 

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – 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 hello and introduce yourself!  Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: July 19, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 24, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear neighbors,

The legislative session ended Sunday night at midnight. This is one of the most mismanaged legislative sessions I’ve witnessed. Republicans in the Legislature put themselves, corporations, and the wealthy ahead of Minnesotans and failed to act on the issues most important to Minnesota families. Over the last few months Governor Dayton warned Republican lawmakers which proposals he would not sign into law, but Republicans ignored him. Today, Governor Dayton followed through on his word and vetoed the Republican spending bill and a Republican tax bill that gave permanent tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations, but very little to working families.

I know Minnesotans expect us to make Minnesota work better for everyone. We all care deeply about our state and want to see one another succeed. The good news is that I was able to collaborate with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to pass important bills for our area. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 24, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 17, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

There are only a few days left in the legislative session before we must adjourn. I know we have a lot ahead of us if legislators are going to complete the work Minnesotans expect.

Yesterday, House Republicans blocked a proposal to ban cell phone use while driving a vehicle, unless the driver is using a hands-free device. We’ve all heard tragic stories about families losing loved ones because of a distracted driver on their cell phone. This was a bipartisan proposal that 80% of Minnesotans support. However, every Republican House member present voted to block the proposal- it was shameful. If you want to help stop distracted driving, consider calling Speaker Kurt Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and tell them to vote for this bill.

Here is their contact information: Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 17, 2018”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: May 12, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (40B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The legislative session is entering its final days. We must adjourn on or before Monday, May 21 but the constitution dictates we can only pass bills until midnight on Sunday night, May 20. Here’s an update from the Capitol.

Where Things Stand

Currently, joint House/Senate conference committees are considering the omnibus finance bill, with each area of the state budget included), as well as the tax bill. To little avail, Governor Dayton has repeatedly urged Republicans in the House and Senate majorities to work with him on the issues on which we can find common ground, like protecting seniors and vulnerable adults from abuse, ending the state’s opioid crisis, shoring up state pensions and making schools safer. The Dayton Administration has sent Republican leaders 270 pages of input and concerns about legislation being considered without much of a response. Continue reading “Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: May 12, 2018”

Rep. Mike V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 4, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We have just over 2 weeks left in the legislative session and I am getting concerned that we are headed to another chaotic end of session push.  This week the House debated and voted on measures related to taxes, health and human services, transportation, public safety, jobs, agriculture and the environment. My biggest concern is the work we do here reflects and supports the values of the people in our community. Unfortunately, a lot of what the Republicans are proposing doesn’t follow that guideline.

All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to be safe, healthy, and successful. But these policies fail on all three of those counts. At every turn, Republicans put corporations ahead of working people and divide and distract Minnesotans instead of prioritizing the issues that will build a better future for everyone. Continue reading “Rep. Mike V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 4, 2018”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: May 5, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (40B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We’re entering the final two weeks of the 2018 legislative session. In the past week or so, the Minnesota House has passed the majority’s major budget bills, as well as their tax bill. Each area of the state budget has been rolled into just four bills: 1) health and human services and transportation, 2) E-12 education and higher education, public safety (which got to stand on its own), and finally, 4) jobs and energy, agriculture, environment and natural resources, and state government finance.

I wanted to give you an update on the status of each of these: Continue reading “Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: May 5, 2018”