Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As our polar vortex intensifies so does our legislative session. We are now cutting deep into the Governor’s budget while trying to form our own as well as addressing key system issues from programs being developed.
I will continue to ensure we protect our vital services and any investment made is important and thoughtful with measurable results. We must protect those neighbors and friends who rely on services; our aging and people with disabilities populations and businesses while ensuring vaccines reach those who need it most to preserve lives.
There was also a new Executive Order taking effect Saturday regarding certain venues, and that information is in this ENews as well.
Stay warm, safe, and in touch.
John
Highlighting Black history: Dr. B. Robert Lewis
Dr. B. Robert Lewis took office in 1973 as the first African American Senator to serve in the Minnesota State Senate. He would go on to serve for six years, from 1973 to 1979. Dr. Lewis had moved to St. Louis Park in 1962 where he worked as a veterinarian before being elected to represent what was then district 41 in the Senate. His special legislative concerns included health, welfare, corrections, education, and finance.
While serving in the Senate, he was chair of the Finance Subcommittee on Health, Welfare and Corrections. He co-authored the Family Planning Act of 1978, which provided medical services regardless of income. This legislation continues to be built upon, including work done on it as recently as 2020. Dr. Lewis also sponsored legislation to aid victims of family violence, and authored bills to continue the funding for statewide programs to help battered women and their families. There are two battered women’s shelters named after him located in Eagan and Hastings. Dr. Lewis is also known for his work in welfare and corrections as he helped create a psychiatric service for prison inmates.
The Minnesota Public Health Association on September 4, 1980 created the B. Robert Lewis Award. This award was created to honor “an elected official who has distinguished themselves in aggressive pursuit to establish and maintain health as a human right and to secure optimal community and personal health” and Dr. Lewis’ legacy. The Senate Continues to look to Dr. Lewis and his legacy to guide us as we work to help all Minnesotans.
Bipartisan group of legislators calls for removal of growler cap
A bipartisan group of legislators from both the Minnesota House and Minnesota Senate held a press conference to promote the removal of the “growler cap” that imposes restrictions on certain Minnesota breweries. Under current Minnesota law, breweries that produce more than 20,000 barrels of beer per year are prohibited from selling directly to customers. Currently, 5 Minnesota breweries exceed that cap, with an additional 2 breweries fast approaching that limit. The legislation, which would remove the growler cap, was introduced this week and referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee.
The growler cap was enacted to protect liquor distributers and retailers by preventing large breweries from self-distributing their products. While all Minnesota breweries rely on the distribution and retail system, proponents of removing the growler cap argue the current system impedes growth for Minnesota businesses and forces unnecessary decisions that may result in cutting employees or significant revenue losses when successful breweries reach the current growler cap.
Proponents of removing the growler cap also believe that the current system disadvantages Minnesota brewing companies from competing with national rivals that produce craft beers at much larger scales, as they are forced to go without a valuable revenue stream. In addition, the growler cap was designed to protect small businesses, but none of the 5 companies currently exceeding the cap are larger than 75 employees.
Breweries and the hospitality sector at large have seen some of the deepest financial impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Proponents believe removing the growler cap will modernize liquor laws to better encourage the growing craft brewing industry in Minnesota and provide businesses a new source of revenue at a time that it is greatly needed. Others have raised concerns in this bill as to how that product gets delivered while enhancing and protecting those who now provide distribution of product. Stay tuned. (SF 874)
Updated legislation introduced to prevent catalytic converter theft
A press conference was held this week to present the Legislature with a bill to address the theft of catalytic converters.
Catalytic converters are part of a vehicle’s exhaust emission control system and contain several valuable metals used as filters. Converters are being removed from vehicles and sold as scrap for the valuable metals inside them. Converters can be sold for around $300 but can cost up to $3,000 to replace. Converters do not have identifying mark which allows them to be traced to the car it was stolen from, making it impossible to prove that a converter has been stolen.
The bill prohibits anyone other than licensed scrap metal dealers from buying used converters and prohibits scrap dealers from buying catalytic converters from anyone other than a bona fide auto repair or auto recycling business. Scrap dealers are prohibited from paying cash for used converters in the proposal, which also makes it illegal for an individual to possess a used converter unattached to a vehicle unless the owner has documentation of legitimate removal and ownership. This proposal allows law enforcement to seize stolen converters, empowers victims of theft to work with law enforcement to recover the stolen property, and ensures individuals possessing converters may only sell the property if they possess the proper documentation to prove authorized possession.
The bill has strong bipartisan support and is expected to be heard in the House in the coming days.
Legislators will fight for it to be heard in the Senate as we continue to look for ways to improve public safety and protect Minnesotans. (SF 890)
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.
This week we held a press conference and hearing about the Governor’s budget cutting all funding for Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injury Research. Below is a video of part of that event and the importance of this valuable work.
Over six years this research has carried us further in understanding spinal injuries and how to recover from them in significant ways. Measurable levels of function has been restored to some of those who have benefited from this research. Other grants have helped supplement their budget because of how effective the program has been, and students have had the opportunity to be a part of this cutting edge research. Spinal Stimulation Devices have been donated to this program based off the research that are incredibly expensive devices, all donated in the name of progress. The base funding for this program guarantees it can continue and it is imperative we continue to support a program that attracts such talent and attention while promoting education and health.
Waiver Reimagined
I have been reporting to you our analysis of waiver reimagined, our Department of Human Services(DHS) attempt at restructuring our waiver system for our elderly and people with disabilities. We have had concerns about their budgeting model favoring corporate foster care among other issues.
This Thursday not only were those issues highlighted by some of our testifiers, we are learning that phase one of waiver reimagined (Which has taken effect, DHS needs us to approve phase 2, budget) has cut certain services from individuals. In the example given, three women lost their access to an overnight Personal Care Assistant to ensure they are on hand for medical emergencies. This is a problem.
We were informed and thus under the impression that Waiver Reimagined opened up service options and made them easier to obtain, and we are learning it is anything but easy with more options. Chair Abeler raised the question on whether an outside contract was utilized in the development of this program and through strong relationships I happened to know exactly who they contracted with, Human Services Research Institute(HSRI). When I inquired the DHS staff on that point they acknowledged they were exactly who they contracted with.
HSRI has a history of offering savings to government potentially at the expense of quality, fair and accessible service for our most vulnerable populations to the rest of their community. We will be speaking with HSRI and investigating further to ensure we do not take steps backwards, but forwards in creating an accessible Minnesota for all Minnesotans.
New Executive Order
Executive Order 21-07, effective Saturday, February 13 at noon, in order to further reopen Minnesota’s economy safely, including:
- Increasing the “not to exceed” capacity in restaurants to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 50 percent
- Increasing indoor entertainment “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent
- Increasing private events and celebrations “not to exceed” capacity to 50, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent
- Increasing gym and pool “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving maximum capacity at 25 percent, and reducing distancing requirement to 6 feet.
- Allowing restaurants to stay open until 11 p.m.
SD 36 In The News
Old JCPenney to have space for 5 tenants in Coon Rapids – Old Coon Rapids JCPenney to be refurbished with room for 5 new tenants
Champlin’s second annual ice trout fishing contest sells out in three days – Champlin ice trout fishing contest pushed to February 20th, sells out quickly
The list: More than 60 Minnesota athletes, including 3 from Champlin Park, expected to sign with colleges – 3 Champlin Park students signed to play football at college, joining a list of over 60 student athletes from Minnesota
A unique pandemic-designed Taco Bell could be coming to Brooklyn Park – A Taco Bell franchise owner has applied to build a location in Brooklyn Park “so different that it has never been constructed anywhere before,” submitting a design created specifically for the pandemic-era restaurant industry, with changes including massively increased drive-thru and pick-up capabilities.
Youth Soccer Training Facility Considered in Brooklyn Park – Pure Vida Elite Training, a soccer training center, was recommended for approval by the Brooklyn Park Planning Commission.Brooklyn Park Joins Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program – Brooklyn Park has become one of “about 140 other cities and tribal nations across the state in implementing the GreenStep Cities Sustainability Program.”