Category: SD50

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 20, 2018

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Our work at the Capitol continues to ramp up with less than five weeks to go; final omnibus bills are coming together and the final deadline to pass most bills with fiscal impacts is set for tonight at midnight. The Property Tax Division will be reviewing its final, large report today, which will then be rolled into the final tax bill. Here is an update on what is happening at the Capitol:

Omnibus Finance Bills Move Forward

Now that the House Majority has announced their supplemental budget targets and begun moving these bills, it’s clear that they’re not interested in investing in the things Minnesotans value like expanding quality early childhood education, keeping college tuition down, making healthcare more accessible and affordable, keeping seniors safe and secure in retirement, and ensuring every Minnesotan has an opportunity to provide a better future for their family. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 20, 2018”

Sen. Melisa Franzen Update (SD49): April 20, 2018

Volume 4, Issue 8

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

With just four weeks left in the 2018 legislative session, this week finally brought a handful of bills to the floor. Unfortunately, the bills had nothing to do with the major work left this session. In the nine weeks since session began, only three bills have been sent to the Governor’s desk.

There are only four weeks left and no tax conformity bill has been presented by the Senate majority. Tax conformity is important this year. By running down the time on even releasing their bill, majority leadership is gambling on passage. If the Legislature does nothing, taxes will go up for most Minnesotans. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update (SD49): April 20, 2018”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 13, 2018

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

With 5 weeks remaining until adjournment on May 21, the pace has picked up at the Capitol. We returned to work on Monday and had a busy week.  Here’s an update from Saint Paul:

Governor Dayton’s Letter to Republican Majorities

On Monday, the Governor sent a letter to the Senate Majority Leader and the House Speaker to request bills be sent to his desk that have garnered bipartisan commitments since we began the legislative session. These bills relate to protecting the elderly and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect, ensuring the safety of our school children and educators, addressing the opioid crisis, and stabilizing pensions of Minnesota workers. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 13, 2018”

Rep. Linda Slocum (HD50A) Update: April 12, 2018

Rep. Linda Slocum (50A) – Legislative Update

Dear Friends,

Now that the Legislature is back from the Easter/Passover break, we’re getting started on a full plate of issues to address before adjourning May 21. Here are some updates from the Capitol:

Letter to the Leaders

On Monday, Gov. Dayton sent a letter to legislative
leaders, calling on them to prioritize issues where compromise is within reach over the next couple weeks. These issues include protecting elderly and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect, ensuring the safety of our schoolchildren, and tackling the opioid crisis. Continue reading “Rep. Linda Slocum (HD50A) Update: April 12, 2018”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 6, 2018

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

For those who celebrate Easter or Passover, I hope you had a memorable holiday. I was grateful to spend time with my family.


Although we are still on our recess, I wanted to take a moment to provide you with a mid-session update. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 6, 2018”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 29, 2018

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The legislature is just about to start its Passover/Easter recess. I am looking forward to spending this time in our community and I hope you are able to find time with friends and family over the coming days. Here are a few updates from the Capitol.

State Contracts Finally Approved
After a long delay, contracts were ratified for 30,000 state workers and were signed by Governor Dayton. These contracts were negotiated and approved last year, but held up for almost six month by Republican leadership. After months of waiting, nothing was changed and the contracts were approved, but Minnesota families were forced to anxiously wait. No family should ever have their livelihood threatened in such a way. It’s nice to see that we’re finally doing right by the people who plow our roads, inspect our bridges, protect our environment, monitor health emergencies, and respond when our state is in crisis. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 29, 2018”

Rep. Linda Slocum (HD50A) Update: March 29, 2018

Rep. Linda Slocum (50A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We are at the first set of major deadlines at the Capitol. There is still a lot of work to do and I will continue fighting for income fairness, improved benefits, expanded education opportunities, and to make affordable health care a reality for all Minnesotans.

State Contracts Finally Approved
Contracts were ratified for 30,000 state workers and signed by Governor Dayton after months of delay. These contracts were negotiated and approved last year, but held up by Republicans. No family should ever have their livelihood threatened in such a way. It’s nice to see that we’re finally doing right by the people who plow our roads, keep our water clean, monitor health emergencies, inspect bridges and respond when our state is in crisis. Continue reading “Rep. Linda Slocum (HD50A) Update: March 29, 2018”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 23, 2018

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday was the first in a series of deadlines to help legislators focus their efforts before session ends. A special thanks to all the legislative and agency staffers for their hard work during this busy time of year. Your commitment to public service and contributions to the great state of Minnesota are much appreciated.

Gun Violence Prevention Measures Halted

After weeks of sustained protests, calls and emails in the wake of the Parkland, Florida shooting, any progress on stopping senseless gun violence has ended for this year. Hopes were high last week when a bipartisan group of Senators introduced two bills: one for criminal background checks on all gun purchases and most transfers, and a second that would combat straw purchases by requiring gun owners to report missing or stolen guns. Senate Republican leadership said they have no intention of hearing those bills. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: March 23, 2018”