Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are in the final stretch. All of the Senate Omnibus bills have been voted on and left the floor for conference committee. Conference committees are where the house and senate will come together to negotiate over each set of bills by topic (Transportation, Health and Human Services, Taxes etc.). These will be going on for the next week at least and potentially longer.
Once these bills leave conference committee they have to return to the floors of the house and senate to be approved before the Governor can sign them. We must have them all ready to go before May 17th as that is the day according to our constitution that session ends. Also, since this is a budget year, meaning all State agencies get their 2 year budgets in order, we must get them funded or we face potential shut downs. We all need to work together to assure we do the work entrusted to us and that our work gets done and done on time.
With less than a month to go everyone will be burning the candle at both ends to ensure the work of the people of Minnesota is completed. Keep in touch these final weeks and I’ll keep you all updated as we go.
Sincerely,
John
Senator Hoffman statement on passage of omnibus human services reform budget bill
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Senate passed SF 383, the omnibus human services reform budget bill on a bipartisan vote of 47-20. The bill includes an increase for PCA and other home care rates, new grants focused on self-advocacy and inclusion for people with disabilities, and several provisions to support family child care providers. The bill also includes support for substance use disorder programs, mental health services, and increased flexibility for service delivery. Take a look at the path of this bill and all the actions including the final vote. Notice that the authors of SF 383 are three Senators you all would recognize. Seriously, it has been a joy for me to be able to work with Senator Jim Abeler and Senator Jerry Newton on many important bills including infrastructure highway bills for our area. The three of us have a public service history going back to my days on the Anoka Hennepin School Board and count those two as trusted friends. Check the Link Here
In response, as ranking DFL-lead on the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee I released the following statement:
“This is a strong bill that moves us forward in delivering better and stronger support services for the 20% of Minnesotans living with disabilities, invests in those folks who are providing these services, and helps those who are in need of assistance as they work through addiction. While no bill is perfect, this is the right approach in delivering on our commitment to the hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans who need assistance from the state in living lives of dignity. I’m proud to see bipartisan support for the policies and priorities in this bill and look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate in the conference committee process to move it forward.”
REAL ID UPDATE
In a recent announcement from the Federal Government, the deadline to obtain a REAL ID has been extended by an additional 18 months to May 3, 2023. This will help relieve some of the pressure on our local Driver and Vehicle Services offices, which have been overwhelmed with requests to renew expired driver’s licenses, vehicle registration tabs, and give Minnesotans more time to obtain this updated form of identification.
Beginning May 3, 2023, Minnesotans will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities. An enhanced driver’s license or ID card, passport or passport card are acceptable substitutes. Simple vehicle tab renewals can be handled online in just a few minutes at the DVS website, so take advantage of that option if you can’t get an in-person appointment.
Thank You!
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit. You must schedule with our office to arrange an appointment before any arrival, and we also do Zoom meetings! So reach out and tell me what matters to you or schedule an appointment so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn or by phone at 651-296-4154. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2235 in the Minnesota Senate Building.
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP Loans)
This week in the Senate tax bill there was a provision to conform with federal law to ensure Paycheck Protection Loans are tax exempt at the state level, much as they are exempt from federal taxes. This was an effort to not only conform but to assist our businesses before their filing deadline all across the state, big and small alike.
The Senate previously passed a bill to accomplish this but the House never took it up, so this is another method to pass it by moving the omnibus bill forward into conference committee where the House and Senate will have to discuss it. I voted yes on this bill and yes to our small business owners and individuals who need a little help. Also, in the Tax Bill were federal conformity to the tax code also knows as 179. Again, I voted yes as this will help those small businesses move forward.
Vaccine Appointments Available
The State Fair Community Vaccination Site has appointments available! The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has reduced barriers for this site by opening a hotline to schedule appointments directly (833-431-2053). MDH has ensured an ADA accessible drive through option. A free Metro Transit pass is also available to every registrant. This week, they are also beginning to open community sites with the federal doses, where up to 1,000 doses a day of our allocation will be administered. These sites are being finalized and will be located at community centers, churches, schools, and more.
You can find more information here. We’re incredibly close to putting this pandemic behind us, and we will get there sooner by vaccinating more Minnesotans. Please share this information with those who may need it.
HOUSING
Website to help those struggling to pay rent due to COVID-19 launched in Minnesota
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (RentHelpMN.org) is now live for renters who owe back rent and past-due utilities. This document helps those renters looking to see if they qualify or not. Additionally, there is a landlord checklist for any landlords who have renters behind on their rent.
Homeowners currently do not have assistance through this website, but help is on the way; sign up for updates regarding the availability of mortgage assistance, please click here.
Feel free to call 211 if you have any questions and trained operators are available to answer any of your questions.
Assistance is also available for Minnesotans who are behind on heating bills. The state’s Energy Assistance Program can help people with utility payments, disconnections or fuel deliveries, and repairing or replacing heating systems. You can find more information on the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website.
Local News
How Do Communities Decide Where To Plant Trees?
Today is Arbor Day, a day when people all over Minnesota and the US will plant new trees in their communities. Take a look at this local story exploring how people decide where to plant trees here in the North Metro!
‘We did it!’: Minnesota exults at census win at NY’s expense
Minnesota’s high census response rate has allowed us to hang on to all our seats in Congress! If just 26 fewer Minnesotans filled out the census, we would’ve lost a seat, instead, it’s New York who’s down one. Thanks to our state’s strong tradition of citizen participation in government, we will maintain full representation in Congress!
Information and Resources
State Government
Governor
651.201.3400 | http://mn.gov/governor
Attorney General
651.296.3353 | www.ag.state.mn.us
Representative Melissa Hortman (36B)
651.296.4280
Representative Zack Stephenson (36A)
651.296.5513
Driver’s Licenses
651.297.3298 | drivers-license-information.aspx
MN Energy Assistance Program
800.657.3710
https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp
Election Information
651.215.1440 | https://www.sos.state.mn.us/
Emerald Ash Borer Prevention
and Detection
(MN Dept. of Agriculture)
pestmanagement/eab/eabbiocontrol
651.201.6684
Local Government
City of Champlin 763.421.8100
City of Brooklyn Park 763.424.8000
City of Coon Rapids 763.755.2880
Anoka County 763.421.4760
Federal Government
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
612.727.5220 | https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/
U.S. Senator Tina Smith
202.224-5641 | https://www.smith.senate.gov/HomePage
U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips (3rd CD)
202.225.2871 | https://phillips.house.gov/