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.
Continue reading “Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: July 7, 2020”
Dear Neighbors,
Almost three years to the day, Alec Smith lost his life because he couldn’t afford his insulin. Now, the lifesaving law that bears his name has gone into effect, after a courageous fight from his parents Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt, and many others.
On the eve of Alec’s Law being implemented in Minnesota, we learned that Big Pharma is suing the state of Minnesota to stop it. This was an action that blindsided lawakers across the political spectrum, especially after numerous chances to give public testimony, and countless hours of negotiations. With this lawsuit, they attempt to take insulin away from people who cannot afford a drug they need to survive. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 2, 2020”
Dear Neighbors,
The June Special Session provided mixed results for Minnesota, with success in areas like small business relief, but much more to be desired in public safety reform. COVID-19 makes an additional special session in July highly likely, and as we work toward that I’m excited to share that additional funds should soon be coming to our community to help us weather this pandemic.
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 counties and cities. Under the formula, Bloomington would receive approximately $6.7 million. Once the Legislative Advisory Commission approves the plan, funds will be distributed on a rolling basis beginning this week. These funds were allocated along guidelines we created in the Minnesota House, and will go a long way in ensuring our local governments can continue to provide the services we need.
Assistance for Small Businesses
An early success from the special session was legislation I supported that would provide assistance to some of the smallest businesses in our community impacted by COVID-19. The bill created a $62.5 million fund with grants of up to $10,000. With a focus on businesses with 50 or fewer employees, these grants will provide Bloomington’s businesses with the assistance they need to weather these difficult times. To be eligible, the business must meet the following requirements: Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: July 1, 2020”
Dear Neighbors,
Last week the legislature met in special session. In the House we worked quickly to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as policing accountability reform in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
The House passed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020, informed by the shared experiences and expertise of groups that are too often left out of the conversation here at the State Capitol. With the spotlight on Minnesota, these were measures that would have made our state a leader in true, equitable justice. The main components were:
Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: June 23, 2020”
Dear Neighbors,
For the past week, the Minnesota Legislature has been in a special session. For what initially started as a session meant to address the impacts of COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd and subsequent unrest called us to also take serious action on reforming our public safety and criminal justice systems.
The current status of COVID-19 means that future special sessions are highly likely, but with nothing certain, my colleagues and I are using this time to champion meaningful legislation to ensure our communities and state can remain responsive and prosperous during and after this pandemic.
Assistance for Small Businesses
The first bill we passed during this special session was legislation delivering assistance to our state’s smallest businesses. The bill created a $62.5 million fund for small business grants, with a focus on businesses with 50 or fewer employees. With grants of up to $10,000, this is an incredibly important bill that will provide our local businesses with the assistance they need to weather these difficult times.To be eligible, the business must meet the following requirements: Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: June 19, 2020”
June 11, 2020
Dear Neighbor,
These last few weeks have been emotional and challenging. George Floyd’s killing, and the issues it has laid bare have tested us in ways that we are still coming to terms with. On Tuesday this week, I toured areas of Minneapolis affected by fires. I heard from area residents about the challenges they are facing moving forward, including the granddaughter of a business owner who told us of the sadness she feels seeing her family’s work destroyed. It is urgent for the legislature to find ways to assist with rebuilding these communities.
The continued difficulties of addressing COVID-19 have only added to that strain. We know these are difficult times, and I am committed to working on the tough issues that matter to our neighbors in Richfield and Bloomington, and across Minnesota. Continue reading “Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: June 11, 2020”
Dear Neighbors,
The murder of George Floyd is still incredibly fresh in our minds, especially as memorials continue throughout our state, and unrest across the nation takes up much of the evening news. While I applaud the decision to arrest and charge all involved officers, it doesn’t change the fact that George Floyd should be alive today. Earlier this week, I visited the memorial for George Floyd with my family – a truly emotional site that both depicts the compassion of the community and the solemn reminder that there is much work to be done for a more equitable and just Minnesota.
While justice in this case is imperative, so too is the need to reform a system that has led to the death of black and brown Minnesotans. To that end, my colleagues in the Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus recently announced measures for police and criminal justice reform, as well as our intent to make these issues a priority during a special session. You can watch their press conference, or read an overview of their proposals. These include measures to:
These proposals would build a better Minnesota, and I support them wholeheartedly. It’s highly likely that my colleagues and I will convene for a special session next week, and in addition to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and economic relief for Minnesotans, I will also be fighting for these measures.
For the latest news and updated information on the pandemic, please visit the state’s COVID-19 Dashboard. For those interested in assisting the communities impacted by the riots from the past week, the Star Tribune has compiled a comprehensive list of ways to help.
Please feel free to continue to reach out to me with any questions or comments you have on our accomplishments this session, or what the future holds. You can reach me at rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn or leave a voicemail at (651) 296-4218. You can also follow along on my Facebook Page. It’s an honor to represent you in the Minnesota House, and I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Andrew Carlson
State Representative
Dear Neighbors,
George Floyd should be alive today. Our communities are in pain and they deserve justice.
As I am sure you know by now, Derek Chauvin, the officer captured on video with his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck, has been fired from his position, arrested and charged with murder. Today, the three other officers complicit in the murder were charged as well.
These charges are a necessary step toward justice, but it must only be the beginning. Yesterday, I stood behind DFL members of the POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) Caucus to announce additional measures for police and criminal justice reform, as well as our intention to make these issues a priority during a likely special session this month. You can watch the press conference, or read an overview of our proposals. These include more than a dozen measures designed to rebuild community trust while dismantling the structural racism that contributed to the murder of George Floyd: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: June 3, 2020”
Dear Neighbors,
Sunday night, the 2020 Legislative Session adjourned. Though this usually marks the end of our work for the year, the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors make a special session in June highly likely.
When the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Minnesota, the Minnesota Legislature was able to produce a swift, bipartisan response to ensure that our public health infrastructure was prepared for the virus. The Legislature delivered funding for public health, resources for health care workers, aid for child care, housing and food security, small business assistance and more. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: May 22, 2020”
Dear Neighbors,
Late Sunday night, the 2020 Legislative Session adjourned. Though this usually marks the end of our work for the year, multiple factors, largest of which being the COVID-19 pandemic, make a special session in June highly likely.
The world changed in the middle of this session and so the legislature changed as well, working quickly to respond to the global pandemic and support Governor Walz in our work to save lives and keep our state safe. And despite a global pandemic, we passed Alec’s Law, first-in-the-nation legislation that compels Big Pharma to make insulin affordable when someone needs it most. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 19, 2020”
