Category: SD50

Bipartisan Coalition of State Legislators Introduce Pledge to Curb the Spread of COVID-19

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, a bipartisan group of legislators from the Minnesota House of Representatives announced the Minnesota Pledge to Defeat COVID-19, a social media push to emphasize that the basic steps we can take to help curb the spread of COVID-19 have no partisan affiliation. Ahead of the holiday season, and with Minnesota experiencing a surge in cases, these legislators are asking all Minnesotans to share this message and commit to taking the necessary precautions. 

“We’re entering a critical moment in the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota, and how we choose to respond will have a direct impact on our family, friends, and neighbors,” said Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL – Deephaven), who is also a practicing physician. “The situation is dire, and our public health professionals and healthcare workers are begging us to follow the basic guidelines of COVID prevention because they’ve seen first-hand the consequences of this virus as cases surge. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to sign the Minnesota Pledge to Defeat COVID-19.  We all have a role to play in slowing the spread.”

Using the hashtag #TakeThePledgeMN, the pledge asks Minnesotans to double down on their efforts to wear a face mask, maintain social distancing, stay home if sick or exposed to COVID-19, limit the size of gatherings, and to be kind to one another. 

Continue reading “Bipartisan Coalition of State Legislators Introduce Pledge to Curb the Spread of COVID-19”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: November 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and yours are staying safe and healthy as Minnesota experiences its most dangerous days yet in the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in cases and deaths have taken place across the midwest, and indeed the country, with many states reverting to the measures we saw last spring. Though the promising news of effective vaccinesgives us hope, the facts are that we still have months to go before they could be distributed in a best-case scenario, and until then measures must be taken to ensure our community stays healthy. 

New COVID-19 Restrictions

Yesterday, following the guidance of the state’s top public health officials, Governor Walz announced the return of familiar measures:

Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: November 19, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: November 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,  

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Over the past few weeks, Minnesota has seen some of its worst days yet in the COVID-19 pandemic, and though the promising news of effective vaccines gives us hope, it’s likely that darker days lie ahead.

Much of Minnesota’s success in combating this virus is depended on what additional resources we’ll be able to receive from the federal government, and to that end I drafted a letter along with my DFL colleagues in the Minnesota House calling on President Trump and Senate Majority Leader McConnell to return to the work of delivering sorely-needed economic relief. We need every level of government to work together to fight this pandemic and help Minnesotans and our small businesses weather these economic storms. You can read that letter here.  

New COVID-19 Measures

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced new measures in Minnesota’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, or rather, we returned to some of the familiar restrictions from last spring. Starting Friday at 11:59 p.m., bars and restaurants will only be open through take-out options, gyms and entertainment venues will close, and we’ll be putting a pause on youth sports.  

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: November 19, 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. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone that joined us and asked questions during our first virtual town hall. If you weren’t able to join us, you can still watch it here. The July Special Session began this week, our second of the year, with many of the same priorities in place. My colleagues and I in the House DFL continue to work on legislation that addresses COVID-19 and its economic impact, invests in a robust jobs and local projects (or “bonding”) bill, and produces police accountability measures that make Minnesota a safe and inclusive state for all. Committees continue to meet this week, and the current plan is that we’ll convene on the House floor on Monday, July 20, to pass legislation. You can always stay up to date one the latest schedules and information on the House Public Information website.

Vote By Mail

Minnesotans regularly lead the nation in voter turnout, and we want to continue that trend by protecting the integrity and safety of our elections. This year, we passed legislation investing in improving accessibility and modernizing election security to prevent interference, and with the uncertain future of COVID-19, we also passed measures to ensure the health and safety of election officials and in-person voters.You can register to vote early by mail here. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 16, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD50A) Update: July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through July! I hope you and your family have been staying safe and healthy. All of our individual choices have a great impact on our collective community and I’m grateful for our city’s mask requirement in indoor public spaces.

Special Session Update

The second special session of the year is underway. Legislators gaveled in on Monday to begin another round of negotiations and compromise on additional COVID-19 relief measures, criminal and racial justice reform and police accountability, and a jobs and local projects or “bonding” bill. I am pleased to share the Edina Public Safety training facility upgrade has been included in an agreed upon bonding bill with the Senate Majority. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD50A) Update: July 16, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This Monday, we started the second legislative special session of the year, meeting again to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the virus and its economic impact are the chief reasons for Governor Walz calling the legislature back, we’re also using this time to continue advocating for common sense police accountability measures and a jobs and local projects (or “bonding”) bill. You may recall during the previous special session, the Republican-led Senate chose to end the session before we reached an agreement. I am hoping that cooler heads can prevail and we can reach consensus on these vitally important issues in the coming days.

The work continues, with the current plan being that we’ll return to the House floor on Monday, July 20th, to pass legislation. Here’s an update on the latest from St. Paul: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 16, 2020”

Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: July 16, 2020

July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’ve had some time to enjoy summer! Although we aren’t able to do many things that we normally would, there are still opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weather. I’d encourage you to visit our many state parks and recreation areas and historic sites. Personally, I’m a fan of the Nine Mile Creek Trail in Bloomington (pictured below).

I am continuing to work on the issues that I’ve been hearing about from our neighbors, including police accountability and criminal justice reform, a bonding bill, and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges we face as a result. I am committed to working on the tough issues that matter to our neighbors in Richfield and Bloomington, and across Minnesota.

Image Continue reading “Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: July 16, 2020”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This Thursday, we’ll be conducting our first virtual town hall for our district. With COVID-19 continuing to impact our community, we wanted to provide an opportunity for you to receive an update from your state legislators and ask questions in a safe and responsible manner.

Virtual Town Hall Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 7, 2020”