Category: SD49

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: November 10, 2020


Dear Neighbors,

Updates Return

With the campaign season ending we can return to our regular email updates covering everything happening at the Legislature and around Minnesota. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful community for returning me to the Legislature. I plan to continue to serve you diligently over these next two years.

New Covid-19 Rules as Virus Reaches Record Levels

Unfortunately, Covid is spreading at record levels throughout the country, including here in Minnesota where we are approaching our capacity to manage the virus. Governor Walz has announced a number of new actions designed to reign in the virus. First, Governor Walz announced the addition of more than a dozen new testing locations opening across the state over the next two weeks. All of the new testing sites will continue to offer free, “no barrier” COVID-19 testing. Testing will be free and available to anyone who wants to be tested whether they have symptoms or not, and it will not require insurance. These sites will be open at least through the end of the year with logistical aid provided by the National Guard. It is critical that we test as much as possible so we can trace how the virus is spreading and implement the necessary isolation.For more information on how and where to receive a COVID-19 test, visit mn.gov/covid19/.

Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: November 10, 2020”

QAnon on the ballot: Six GOP-endorsed Minnesota candidates back conspiracy theory

The theory includes false claims that Satanists and pedophiles run the government and that COVID-19 is part of a plot to steal the election. 

At least a half-dozen Minnesota Republicans running for state legislative seats in November have promoted the sprawling, false QAnon conspiracy that claims Satanists and pedophiles run the government and that COVID-19 is part of a plot to steal the election.

Once a fringe fiction, QAnon is quickly seeping into mainstream Republican politics as scores of GOP candidates across the country express support for it. Among them are six candidates endorsed by the Minnesota Republican Party for state House and Senate seats from the Iron Range to the metro suburbs.

In some cases, Minnesota candidates have used official social media pages for their campaigns to post slogans in support of QAnon, which the FBI has warned is a conspiracy theory that could inspire domestic terrorism or violence. Some posts include references to a “Great Awakening” or “The Storm,” a prophesied reckoning in which elected officials, journalists and other members of “the Deep State” are rounded up for imprisonment or execution. Continue reading.

ICYMI: Six GOP-endorsed Minnesota candidates back conspiracy theory

New reporting from the Star Tribune has revealed the extent to which the QAnon conspiracy theory has permeated the Republican Party of Minnesota. At least six Minnesota Republican Party-endorsed candidates have professed belief in the deranged conspiracy cult.

The Star Tribune: QAnon on the ballot: Six GOP-endorsed Minnesota candidates back conspiracy theory

By Stephen Montemayor

At least a half-dozen Minnesota Republicans running for state legislative seats in November have promoted the sprawling QAnon conspiracy theory that includes false claims that Satanists and pedophiles run the government and that COVID-19 is part of a plot to steal the election.

Once dismissed as a fringe movement, QAnon is quickly seeping into mainstream Republican politics as scores of GOP candidates across the country express support for its ideas. Among them are six candidates endorsed by the Minnesota Republican Party for state House and Senate seats from the Iron Range to the metro suburbs.

Continue reading “ICYMI: Six GOP-endorsed Minnesota candidates back conspiracy theory”

Rep. Heather Edelson Appointed to New Select Committee on Racial Justice; First Meeting Tomorrow at 1:00 PM

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Representative Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina), vice-chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division, has been appointed to a new Select Committee on Racial Justice. The first meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22 at 1pm. Live video will be available at www.house.mn/live/1.

The agenda features a presentation called “What is racism?” led by Camara Phyllis Jones, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., followed by a presentation about maternal-child health mortality and morbidity led by Rachel Hardeman, Ph.D., M.P.H. A list of select committee members is available here. 

What:  New Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice meets for the first time
When: Tuesday, September 22 at 1:00 pm

Who: 

  • Rep. Heather Edelson, Select committee members 
  • Camara Phyllis Jones, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. 
  • Rachel Hardeman, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Watch:  Minnesota House website at www.house.mn/live/1 or Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo 

Suburban Senate, City Leaders to Hold Voting Kickoff in Support of Biden-Harris and DFL Majorities

EDINA, MINNESOTA —  ​As Joe Biden and Donald Trump make their way to Minnesota for the start of early voting, suburban legislators and leaders are holding an early voting kickoff to show support for the Biden-Harris ticket and a DFL House and Senate Majority in the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs.

The suburbs will decide this election, and high turnout for Democrats in suburbs across the metro could secure the election for Joe Biden, hold the State House, and flip the State Senate if the momentum continues.

“This is election is the most important of our time. The neighbors and voters I’m talking to in the suburbs are fed up with the lack of leadership from the White House, and the inaction coming from our current state senate majority,” said Senator ​Melisa Lopez Franzen​, DFL-SD49.

Continue reading “Suburban Senate, City Leaders to Hold Voting Kickoff in Support of Biden-Harris and DFL Majorities”

Minnesota House Announces Membership of New Select Committee on Racial Justice, Schedules First Public Meeting for Sept. 22

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – House Speaker Melissa Hortman today announced the membership of the new House Select Committee on Racial Justice and scheduled its first public meeting for September 22. The committee is responsible for examining disparities Minnesotans of color face regarding health, public safety, education, employment, housing and other areas.

Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL – Mendota Heights) and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul) will co-chair the committee. Rep. Lisa Demuth (R – Cold Spring) will serve as vice chair. 

“Minnesota can never truly prosper as a state if it doesn’t guarantee equitable opportunities to every resident, regardless of their race,” said Rep. Richardson. “The House’s new select committee is long overdue and it represents a commitment to bring about meaningful change.”

“I’m proud we have this forum in the Minnesota House to dive deeply into the impacts Black, Indigenous and People of Color still face in our state, which affect their health, safety, and overall wellbeing,” said Rep. Moran. “While racism’s harm to public health isn’t new, this year’s events have shined a light on the problem and it’s a pivotal time to tackle the crisis head-on.”

In July, the House approved a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in Minnesota, noting more than 100 studies have linked racism to worse health outcomes, while Black and Indigenous communities experience the highest death rates. Additionally, several medical organizations including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association have recognized that racism is a social determinant for health, with a profound impact across an individual’s lifespan, along with other long-standing, unaddressed disparities and socioeconomic inequities as a result of systemic racism.

“I’m grateful to Reps. Richardson and Moran for co-chairing this important Select Committee, and to Rep. Demuth for serving as Vice Chair. I look forward to the committee’s recommendations,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We have to dismantle the structural racism inherent in our own institution and address our state’s inexcusable racial inequities.”

“It’s clear that racial disparities are entrenched in our communities and run deep to the foundations that shape policing, education, housing, employment, health, and more,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “The House needs to examine itself and address racism for what it is — an economic and public health crisis.” 

Other members include Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL – Roseville), Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL – Edina), Rep. Kaohly Her (DFL – Saint Paul), Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL – Spring Lake Park), Rep. Sandy Layman (R – Cohasset), Rep. Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Anne Neu (R – North Branch), Rep. Steve Sandell (DFL – Woodbury), and Rep. Dean Urdahl (R – Grove City).

The first hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 1:30 p.m.

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: August 12, 2020

Friends and Neighbors, 

We were recently informed by acting Minnesota Senate Information Technology Director, Robert Ludden, of a problem related to the webform filter in conjunction with our Senate email address. The Senate website was hacked on June 2nd, so the webforms that our office uses had to be taken down. In turn SIS tried to replicate the process of emails transferring into our Senate emails. However, they were not able to get a notification system created that would alert the member or staff when these emails came in.

Because of this, I apologize as I may have missed an important email that you sent my office. I want to continue hearing from you. You can now send emails directly to sen.melisa.franzen@senate.mn, or you can reach me by phone at my cell 612-968-4566. 

Thank you for your continued support and patience.

Sincerely,

Melisa

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD50B) Update: July 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Special Session

On Monday, the House and Senate convened in a special session called by Governor Walz. The governor has extended the current peacetime emergency so he can continue to access the state’s toolbox to take quick, decisive action to protect Minnesotans through the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, the House voted to uphold the governor’s emergency powers for another 30 days. We can’t get complacent now after all of our sacrifice and hard work; we have seen that states that reduce precautions too quickly suffer from a major spike in cases.

This special session is an opportunity to finish important work for the people of Minnesota. After George Floyd’s killing, Minnesotans are still demanding improvements to public safety so everyone, in every community, can have confidence in law enforcement. We will continue working to enact strong police accountability measures like the ones the House approved in the last special session. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD50B) Update: July 15, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Calling all Edina high school students! My office is hosting a Student Bill Writing summer internship July 20th through August 24th. Last year’s group helped craft meaningful legislation that passed into law a short few weeks ago!

All meetings will be held remotely using the videoconferencing platform Zoom and a local Edina Graduate will be helping me lead this initiative. This opportunity will be a nonpartisan working group focused on public policy – all political affiliations are welcome.

We know a lot of internships have been postponed this year – but not this one! Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: July 6, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 29, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you and your family well.

As July approaches, several new laws go into effect on the first of the month, including the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act and the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. You can read more about the other new laws that will begin on July 1 by clicking on the link above.

Governor Walz Releases Federal CARES Funding

Last week, Governor Walz announced a plan to deliver $841 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to Minnesota’s cities, counties, and towns. Under the formula, our community of Edina will receive approximately $3.95 million. Once the Legislative Advisory Commission approves the plan, funds will be distributed on a rolling basis beginning this week. Local cities and governments have been working hard to keep all of us safe since the onset of COVID-19, and these funds will go a long way to help provide necessary and basic services our residents rely on. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 29, 2020”