Mid-Summer Report
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope our Minnesota summer has treated everyone wonderfully. I have been fortunate to share in so many memories this summer as people around the state share their time with me. It has been a joy to meet new people and spend time with old friends.
New laws are taking effect, more events are on the way and as always there is more work to be done. I look forward to collaborating with everyone to continue making Minnesota an even better place for all of us.
Sincerely,
John
Laws Taking Effect
Marital Rape Exemption: July 1st those who commit this horrific crime in wedlock can finally be appropriately charged for this crime. I was co-author on this bill working in a bi-partisan manner to ensure justice could be dealt as it always should have.
Hands Free: Starting August 1st, use of cell phones while driving will be limited to hands free, or voice activated control. There are various options, from not using a phone to blue tooth syncing with your vehicle and even utilizing an ear piece. Emergency phone calls will still be permitted but overall this will be the time of transition in how driving and phones interact to reduce deaths by distracted driving.
Wage Theft: On average each year 40,000 wage theft complaints are pursued each year in Minnesota. Starting August 1st criminal penalties will increase to a felony for wage theft and now Minnesota has among the toughest wage theft prevention laws in the country.
Opioids: Opioid Manufactuers now pay fees as of July 1st that will fund a council aimed at responding to the opioid epidemic. Now as a state we can work on mitigating this epidemic and helping people who get caught by the worst effects.
Broadband: As of July 1st 40 million dollars is being invested to increase broadband access to rural areas of the state that are under-served. This will help equalize technology access for all Minnesotans which is important in our increasingly technology dependent world.
As the former Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, I was proud to be a co-author of SF 901 which allowed me to serve on the Energy Conference Committee in 2013. We came together with the House and their Energy bill HF 956 to pass the legislation allowing cities such as Brooklyn Park to move to 100% sustainable energy through solar power!
Outside the Family Enhancement Center with other legislators who helped pass the $100,000 grant to expand children’s mental health services.
Speaker Hortman, Representative Stephenson and myself at the Coon Rapids 4th of July Parade. It was a fun evening and I had the best company!
Supporting our local police and the Crime Prevention Fund.
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.So come on down, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154 or just stop by. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2231 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
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Honored to be standing with the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota and Liberia’s Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Bhofal Chambers.
Myself, Speaker Hortman and Speaker Chambers.
Working on Lightrail planning with Mayor Lunde of Brooklyn Park. Lets get our publican transportation where we need it for our northern cities.
With the Governor, Lt. Governor and the African Coalition celebrating Diversity!
Spending an evening with ARC Minnesota and their clients, sharing their stories and all they have overcome!
Standing in Solidarity supporting Democratic Reforms in Ethiopia. I am deeply humbled to have been invited to speak at their rally.
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)
651.201.6684 | pestmanagement/eab/eabbiocontrol
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/