Category: SD50

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature continues to work on a bipartisan basis with Governor Walz and the people of Minnesota to address the economic hardship created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a brief update about major events that happened over the past week.

House and Senate pass legislation allowing takeout wine and beer

Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation to allow takeout sales of beer and wine from bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bars and restaurants with liquor licenses can sell up to 72 ounces – the equivalent of one six-pack – of beer, cider or hard seltzer and up to 750 milliliters of wine – the equivalent of one bottle – with food orders upon the bill’s enactment. The alcoholic beverages must be sold in their original, unopened containers. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 17, 2020”

Rep. Phillips Releases Hopeful “Many Voices One Message” Video

Minnesota elected officials, celebrities, and citizens unite during the COVID-19 pandemic

MINNETONKA, MN – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) released an uplifting mobile video featuring a bipartisan group of Minnesota elected officials, celebrities, and citizens. In the “Many Voices One Message” video, familiar faces unite around a message of hope and gratitude, and urge Minnesotans to stay home and stick together as uncertainty around next steps in the COVID-19 pandemic looms.

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CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND SHARE ON FACEBOOK
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON TWITTER

Participants in order of appearance:

  • U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips
  • U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar
  • Joy Marsh Stephens
  • Hennepin Co. Sheriff David Hutchinson
  • Shanti Shah
  • Chen Zhou
  • James Denton
  • Andrew Zimmern
  • U.S. Rep. Angie Craig
  • State Sen. Paul Anderson
  • Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde
  • Ava
  • Bella
  • Allina Health Vice President of Medical Affairs, Dr. Ryan Else
  • Nelima Sitati Munene
  • State Rep. Zack Stephenson
  • Bloomington City Councilwoman Jenna Carter
  • State Sen. Melisa Franzen
  • Mo
  • State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski
  • State Rep. Kelly Morrison
  • Nausheena Hussain

House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Senate Republicans held a virtual press conference on a housing proposal that includes some housing assistance paired with language that would weaken Governor Walz’s Executive Order on prohibiting evictions during the peacetime emergency. Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Housing leaders released the following statements:

“I support a bill that prioritizes the needed $100 million in housing assistance,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Republicans in the Senate are seeking to speed up and expand the number of cases where evictions are allowed, and the Minnesota House DFL opposes those proposed policy changes.”

“The priority of Governor Walz and the Minnesota House is to ensure Minnesotans can stay safe at home and afford to keep the roof over their heads. That is why we support moving forward quickly to pass $100 million in housing assistance for Minnesota homeowners, renters, and landlords,” said Rep. Alice Hausman. “Housing advocates and landlords alike agree that funding at this level is necessary and there is no reason we shouldn’t proceed.” Continue reading “House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance”

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

April 16th, 2020

Dear Neighbor,

As our state and nation continue to grapple with COVID-19 and its effects on our lives and our economy, I want to make sure that you are able to connect with me if you need assistance or have questions or comments on what is happening within state government.  I also wanted to update you on the work that the legislature did this week.

Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed H.F. 3100, the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, following an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives, and Governor Walz signed it yesterday.  H.F. 3100 represents more than a year of work with families, advocates, legislators, pharmaceutical companies, and many others.  I’m proud to have been a co-author of the bill – named for a Richfield constituent who sadly lost his life due to insulin rationing.

H.F. 3100 does a number of things to help prevent insulin rationing.  It ensures that Minnesotans who are running low on insulin, uninsured, and unable to afford out-of-pocket costs of $75 or more, will be able to get a 30-day supply for no more than $35.  It also requires insulin manufacturers to provide patient assistance programs for qualifying families.  H.F. 3100 is not a perfect bill, and there is still much work to be done on insulin affordability generally, but it will save lives and make a big difference for Minnesotans.  And by ensuring that manufacturers are part of the solution, it recognizes, and begins to hold them accountable for, the affordability crisis they were central in creating. Continue reading “Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: April 16, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 10, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Together, we continue to take action to slow the spread of COVID-19. The vast majority of us are continuing to stay at home in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the numbers tell us what we’re doing is working.  

There are still those that are going into work, sometimes in exposed and vulnerable conditions. Minnesota’s frontline responders, the health care and public safety workers that continue to protect our communities, were the focus of the most recent bill signed into law this week.

An agreement was reached by the leaders of both parties in the Minnesota House and Senate, and Governor Walz, on delivering workers’ compensation benefits to our health care and public safety workers in the event that they contract COVID-19. These are the Minnesotans that have our backs every day, and now we can have theirs by ensuring they can focus on getting healthy instead of worrying about their next paycheck. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 10, 2020”

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

Dear Neighbors,

Early this afternoon, the Minnesota House approved an important bill that will provide economic security for people working on the front lines if they get sick. The Minnesota Senate also approved the bill today, and Governor Walz plans to sign it into law when it reaches his desk.

Today’s email will take a closer look at how the bill specifically helps our health care workers and first responders, including nurses, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers. Please contact my office with questions or comments about the bill. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 7, 2020”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature is reconvening at noon on Tuesday, April 7 to pass a bill to ensure health care workers and first responders on the front lines fighting this public health crisis are eligible for workers’ compensation in the unfortunate event that they contract COVID-19. You can watch live video of the vote at www.house.mn/live/1.

Our first responders and health care professionals are putting their health and safety in jeopardy every day, and I am very pleased an agreement was reached that will give them and their families a safety net. Moving this bill across the finish line is a big victory for Minnesota’s firefighters, police officers, nurses, EMS personnel, health care professionals, and home health care workers.

For tomorrow’s update, I’ll explain the bill in greater detail and let you know specifically how first responders and health care workers will benefit. Click here to read a copy of the bill.  

Sincerely,

Andrew Carlson
State Representative

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 3, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re continuing to stay healthy, stay home, and stay active. Some snow showers today, but it looks like there might be some great moments this weekend for you to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Just be sure to implement the recommended social distancing measures.

Today, Governor Walz gave a data-driven update on the status of COVID-19 and Minnesota’s response. This is a transparent presentation on where we currently are, and what remains to be done. There’s a lot of hope to be shared, but the governor also doesn’t hold back on the tough times ahead. You can watch his address here.

Governor Walz also announced a new website focused on consolidating the vast amount of data and resources relating to COVID-19. For the latest data, best practices, updates on our work, and FAQs, you can check out https://mn.gov/covid19/. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 3, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50B) Update: April 2, 2020

Rep. Howard
Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone is staying healthy and staying home. I know it hasn’t been easy, but it’s something we’re all working through together. With distance learning officially starting this week, I know some households in our community are now working around their entire family conducting their normal day from makeshift offices in their living rooms and kitchens.

We’re all adapting, and our work in the legislature is no different.

Yesterday I took part in a virtual town hall on the need for renter’s assistance in Minnesota. As we continue to ask people to stay home, more than 250,000 Minnesotans and facing unemployment and an uncertain financial future. We need to make sure renters can pay their rent and landlords can pay their mortgage. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50B) Update: April 2, 2020”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

On March 26, the Legislature approved a new package of economic aid for small businesses, workers, childcare providers, and other Minnesotans who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Walz signed the bill into law today. The federal government has just approved a sweeping economic stimulus, and we will soon learn what it means for Minnesota.

These are the first steps in what will need to be a long-term, comprehensive plan to help Minnesotans. This is an unprecedented public health crisis that will have an unpredictable and lasting impact on our state. Please continue to care for each other, treat each other with kindness, and do your part to follow public health guidelines.

My office is a resource that is available to help you navigate public agencies that are providing financial support. If you call my office at 651-296-4218 please be prepared to leave a voicemail message and include your full contact information (House staff are tele-commuting in order to comply with public health guidelines). You can also send an email to rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2020”