Category: SD50

Tuesday at 11: News conference announcing new comprehensive plan to make prescription drugs affordable and accessible for Minnesotans

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday, March 26 at 11 a.m. in Capitol Room B971, DFL lawmakers and the parents of Alec Smith are announcing a new comprehensive plan to make prescription drugs affordable and accessible for all Minnesotans. Alec died in 2017 at age 26 because he could not afford to pay the $1,300 cost of his insulin prescription.

This is an opportunity for reporters to learn about DFL lawmakers’ new plan (scope extends beyond insulin), listen to Minnesotans talk about the plan’s impact on their lives, and ask questions.

Who:

  • Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt, Jr. (parents of Alec Smith)
  • Majority Leader Ryan Winkler
  • Rep. Michael Howard
  • Rep. Laurie Halverson
  • Rep. John Lesch
  • Rep. Kelly Morrison (physician)
  • Rep. Alice Mann (physician)
  • Rep. Hunter Cantrell
  • Rep. Kristin Bahner

When:  Tuesday, March 26 at 11 a.m.

Where:  Capitol Room B971

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 22, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We are now beyond the halfway point of the legislative session. Committees are wrapping up their work as we prepare to craft an equitable state budget that works for everyone.

Here’s an update from the Capitol:

Significant Bipartisan Measures Approved in House

This week, the House passed two significant bills related to public safety and health. HF 50, the ‘hands-free’ cell phone bill, was approved on a broad bipartisan vote. All Minnesotans deserve to be safe on the roads and with distracted driving fatalities on the rise, this was long overdue. We also had the opportunity to hold Big Pharma accountable for their contribution to opioid crisis sweeping across the nation. HF 400 funds addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services through a new Opioid Stewardship Fund, which would come from fees paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 22, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 14, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

This week sees the first committee deadline at the Legislature, meaning that bills must be heard by midnight this Friday in order to have a better chance of advancing through the legislative process.

There were some long nights and great opportunities to move forward several of the bills I am carrying this session. This update covers a few that were heard this week:

Peace Officer Excellence Task Force

The House Public Safety Committee heard my bill on establishing a Peace Officer Excellence Task Force this week. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 14, 2019”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 13, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It seems as though spring has finally arrived! With flood watches circulating the state as the temperatures rise, be sure to check in on road statuses before heading out. You can do so at the FEMA Flood Map Center’s website.

Here’s what we’ve been working on in St. Paul:

Hands-Free Update

The bill to ban handheld devices while driving has cleared all necessary committees and is headed to the House Floor for a full vote! As a co-sponsor of the bill, I’m looking forward to voting ‘green’ on this lifesaving measure. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 13, 2019”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 8, 2019

Week of March 4th – 8th

My First Appearance on Almanac

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In case you missed it, I was on TPT’s Almanac, At The Capitol this past Wednesday evening. It was a short segment featuring my high school yearbook, and I’m sure you will enjoy it. You can watch the video by clicking HERE.

As a bonus, my appearance on the Senate DFL’s podcast, Call of the Senate, is now online. I briefly mentioned it in last week’s newsletter, and you can listen in by clicking HERE.

Lots of Constituents at the Capitol

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Rev. Michael Byron from Pax Christi in Eden Prairie gave the opening prayer for floor session on Monday. We had a fun conversation beforehand about the short period of time when I worked at the church in my younger days. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 8, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 8, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We’re coming to the halfway point for this year’s legislative session. Here’s an update on what’s been going on at the State Capitol this week.

Insulin for All

Minnesotans from across the state rallied at the State Capitol against the immoral cost of insulin. They are making headway in this fight against Big Pharma by sharing powerful stories about the struggle to afford life-saving medication that has tripled in price in the last decade. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 8, 2019”

Industry fees could be used to offset some insulin costs

Minnesota State Capitol

Insulin producers could be asked to help fund access to the life-saving drug.

“According to some studies, one in four diabetics are rationing their insulin because they cannot afford it,” said Rep. Michael Howard (DFL-Richfield).

He sponsorsHF485 that would establish an insulin manufacturer’s registration fee to fund an insulin assistance program. That program would serve people who earn too much money to qualify for existing public programs, but not enough to afford the cost of insulin on their own.

View the complete March 5 article by Erin Martin on the Minnesota House of Representatives website here.

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 6, 2019


Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well. Our first legislative deadline to approve policy bills is already next week on Friday. This will help us narrow our focus and remain steadfast as we complete our work by adjournment on May 20. Here’s an update from St. Paul:

Legislation for Bloomington

I recently presented my bill that delivers public infrastructure improvements to Bloomington Central Station, located in the South Loop District. Improving this development will help our community build on economic growth, as the Blue Line LRT runs through Central Station to connect residents and Minnesotans to the 50-acre plot comprised of offices, residential units, retailers and a hotel.

Thank you to the Schane Rudlang of the City of Bloomington and Mark Fabel, of Development for McGough for testifying in support of the bill. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 6, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 1, 2019

It’s time.

Minnesotans spoke loud and clear in the last election about their desire to do something about our nation’s epidemic of senseless gun violence. Community leaders, neighbors, parents, survivors, and especially students, are raising their voices and demanding that we take action. This week, we took our first major step in the right direction. The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform committee voted in favor of HF 8 to require criminal background checks on gun sales and HF 9 to establish extreme risk protection orders. I was proud to vote yes for both bills.

HF 8 – Criminal background checks on all gun sales
Federal law only requires background checks on gun sales made by licensed firearm dealers. These laws prevent certain people with dangerous histories from buying guns, such as convicted felons, domestic abusers, and people with severe mental illnesses. However, current law does not require that unlicensed sellers run these checks – a loophole that allows millions of guns to change hands each year in the United States without background checks. HF 8 will close this loophole. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 1, 2019”

Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: February 28, 2019


February Budget Forecast

The Minnesota state budget is required by our constitution to be balanced. This means that in order for the legislature to pass a budget, we need an accurate picture of our budget balance, and how it’s predicted to change. On February 28th, MN Management and Budget Com- missioner Myron Frans, State Economist Dr. Laura Kalambokidis, and State Budget Director Britta Reitan presented the most up-to-date estimate of our budget, referred to as the Budget Forecast.

Budget forecasts are re- leased periodically, most recently in November, with another coming in April. In November, the budget forecast showed a surplus of approximately $1.544 billion. The February forecast shows a surplus of $1.052 billion, a change of approximately $492 million.

Part of this change is due to revenue collections being slightly under prior estimates, with the largest driver being the individual income tax. The change in the budget forecast is also due to expectations of slower economic growth. Continue reading “Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: February 28, 2019”