Category: SD40

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD50A) Update: April 27, 2018

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

Neighbors,

There are fewer than four weeks remaining in the 2018 legislative session and a full list of crucial items to pass remains. Here is an update from the Capitol:

Transportation Constitutional Amendment

Republicans are gearing up to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would channel money from auto parts sales directly to construction of roads and bridges. While that sounds reasonable at first glance, it actually puts our budget as a whole in peril by taking money from the general fund. Diverting general fund money to roads creates a large hole in our budget, shortchanging E-12, higher education, local roads, police and firefighters. As the session heads toward adjournment, I hope cooler heads will prevail and we’ll be able to fund our schools, local communities and our roads responsibly. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD50A) Update: April 27, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 20, 2018

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

Dear Neighbors,

We now have about four weeks left in the 2018 legislative session. It’s been a busy time at the Capitol and today is the third and final committee deadline, where most finance bills must be passed out of their respective committees. We have many late nights ahead of us. Still unresolved are the taxes bill, bonding bill, House action on pensions, and any movement on opioid abuse and elder neglect.

Fighting for Clean Water Protections

On Monday, the Minnesota House passed a Republican-authored bill 69 to 57 to prohibit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) from implementing proposed rules for nitrogen fertilizer use. These rules, authorized under 1989’s Groundwater Protection Act, would protect Minnesota’s water resources by minimizing nitrate pollution. Far too many Minnesotans are facing unsafe drinking water, so it’s of vital importance that in areas highly susceptible to pollution there are a few ground rules for how and when to apply fertilizers. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 20, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 13, 2018

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

Dear Neighbors,

We have returned from our Easter/Passover break and the pace is steady as we inch toward the May 21 adjournment date. Here is an update from the Capitol:

State Employee Contracts and Pensions

Before our break, the Legislature passed and Governor Dayton signed the public employee contracts. The contracts were negotiated in 2017 and it’s time they were ratified by the legislature.

The Senate has approved a pension bill, providing a $6 billion reduction in current and future costs by lowering state, school district, county, and city liabilities, but the bill languishes in the House. Approval of this pension bill is critical to our state and to the financial future of 500,000 dedicated former state employees. I will push for the pension bill to receive the same overwhelming support as it did in the Senate, where it passed 66-0. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 13, 2018”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: April 13, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (40B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

This week the Legislature returned from the Easter/Passover recess with just about six weeks remaining in the session. Earlier this week, Governor Dayton sent legislative leaders a letter outlining his vision for a successful end of session. He hopes we can quickly work together on our shared goals, such as ending the opioid crisis, enhancing protections for seniors, and stabilizing our pensions. This would then give us plenty of time for issues which may be more contentious, such as taxes and bonding bills.

Budget Targets Released

Last night, the Ways and Means Committee approved the House Majority’s budget targets for each topic area. These set parameters for how much is available to either invest in or cut for the rest of the session. Next week, we will see comprehensive budget bills emerge for each area of the budget. These will then need to be reconciled with the Senate, and Governor Dayton will weigh in with his priorities as well. Continue reading “Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: April 13, 2018”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: April 2, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (40B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you for the honor of serving our community at the Minnesota State Capitol. We’re about halfway through the legislative session and there is significant work yet to finish. Passing a public infrastructure bill, addressing federal tax legislation, ensuring safety for seniors, and taking steps to end the opioid epidemic all remain outstanding. I will continue working to prioritize a better future for all Minnesotans through investments in education, healthcare access, and other things we value that make our state great for everyone.

Please continue to reach out with your feedback and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance.

Debra Continue reading “Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: April 2, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 23, 2018

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

Dear neighbors,

House Republicans continue their attack on working families and their right to organize. A new proposal would stop public sector workers from voluntarily contributing to their union’s political advocacy work through their paychecks with voluntary deductions.

House Republicans have one goal: give more power to the super-rich and their corporate donors. This not-so-hidden attack on working families will only make it harder for working Minnesotans to join together for higher incomes and better benefits. DFLers value hard work, fair pay, and the right to organize. Workers joining together to organize allows them to fight for higher wages, safer working conditions, and a path to retire with dignity. This effort is the Republicans’ most recent attempt to put corporations and the wealthy ahead of working families. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 23, 2018”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: March 23, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (40B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Welcome to spring! It is an extremely busy time at the Capitol. The first deadline for policy bills to get through committee was yesterday. The second policy deadline is next Thursday. After the spring break attention in committees will shift to the state budget and tax matters. Here’s this week’s Capitol Update.

Employee contracts still not approved

We’re wrapping up the fifth week of the legislative session and our state workers still have not had their union contracts approved. This means the pay and benefits for the 30,000 hardworking Minnesotans who provide critical services for us are still in limbo. The Minnesota Senate is poised to take a vote on their approval next week. Hopefully the House can follow soon behind. Continue reading “Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: March 23, 2018”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: March 16, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (40B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

It’s an incredibly busy time at the Legislature with full, lengthy agendas. The first deadline for bills to pass through committees is already next Thursday. Here’s an update from the State Capitol.

State of the State

Gov. Mark Dayton delivered his eighth and final State of the State Address Wednesday night. His speech outlined the legacy he’s built during his 7-plus years in office of investments in the values we all care about and returning fiscal stability to state government. He entered office with a $6.2 billion deficit and $2 billion owed to our schools that had been borrowed to balance the budget. It’s pretty remarkable how far Minnesota has come under his leadership since then. Not only did the schools get paid back, we’ve made historic investments in education at all levels. Our economy continues to perform strongly with the lowest unemployment we’ve had in 17 years. Continue reading “Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: March 16, 2018”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: March 9, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (40B) – Legislative Update

 

Dear Neighbors,

 

The State Capitol continued to be busy with activity this week. It’s great to visit with community members, like these representatives of the North Metro Mayors Association.

Here is my legislative update for the week. Continue reading “Rep. Debra Hilstrom (HD40B) Update: March 9, 2018”

Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 8, 2018

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

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to all of you that came to the town hall last month. It is always helpful hearing what is important to you before the legislative session starts. It’s been another busy week at the Capitol. Here are a few things items I wanted to you to see:

School Safety and Gun Violence
As with all the recent mass shootings, there’s a point where you reach road blocks and momentum toward change seems to end. After last week’s disappointment where Republicans stopped common sense gun safety proposals including background checks, it seemed like maybe we were reaching that point. Fortunately, we’ve seen the pressure for action mounting. Continue reading “Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 8, 2018”