Tag: Andrew Carlson

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The legislative session started this week and our to-do list is growing by the minute. Hearing about your concerns and what would help your family is critical to how I work to shape policies at the Capitol. My biggest concern is that our community not only succeeds, but thrives. That is why I am always fighting so every student has access to quality education, people can find jobs that provide fair pay, and seniors have a secure retirement. But I’d appreciate hearing from you, please send me an email or call and let me know what is important to you. I am here to listen and represent you. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: February 23, 2018”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and were able to take time with friends and family. This year I reconnected with loved ones and reflected about the values that are important to our community and what makes Minnesota such a special place to live and work.

I’m thankful for everything that our great state has to offer, but I am also looking toward the work that is still unfinished. Minnesotans need a pay raise, because too many people are working two or three jobs and are still struggling to make ends meet. Families are being forced to choose between a paycheck and caring for a loved one. Too many teachers are forced to spend their own earnings on supplies for their classrooms. The skilled professionals that care for Minnesota’s aging population and our most vulnerable citizens are underpaid and many can’t afford to continue their important work. College costs continue to rise, and more and more it looks like the pursuit of additional education and career training is out of reach for too many. It is clear we have a lot of unfinished business to ensure that all families have a fair chance at success. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: December 1, 2017”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear neighbors,

It was great to have the opportunity to chat with folks who stopped by the House of Representatives booth at the State Fair. A special thanks to everyone from Bloomington who stopped by while I was volunteering to say hello and fill out a survey. Each year at the State Fair, the nonpartisan House Public Information Service Office conducts the informal, unscientific poll with various topics that come up at the legislature. This year 7,122 people participated in the poll. To view the results click here.

What do you think of the results?

Sincerely,

Andrew Carlson

State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

Last week I welcomed the First Battalion, First Marines Vietnam Veterans – 1st of the 1st – at their national reunion held this year at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bloomington. I was honored to speak to them and their families. It was a good reminder that it is never too late to welcome a veteran home.

Tomorrow I am going to be at the Minnesota House of Representatives booth at the State Fair from 10 a.m. until noon.  Please stop by if you have any questions for me or if you just want to chat.

The arrival of the State Fair also means that the start of a new school year is just around the corner.  While students in Bloomington start next Tuesday, countless Minnesotans, including teachers, parents, support staff, administrators and others have already started and are set to hit the ground running – helping our young people learn skills, gain valuable life experiences, and reach academic success. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: August 29, 2017”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbor,

In spite of a $1.65 billion surplus, the 2017 Minnesota legislature went into overtime. Governor Dayton called legislators into Special Session on Tuesday after reaching an agreement on the framework to complete the state budget. Unfortunately, the Republican majority took several days to cross the finish line.

When the regular legislative session ended at midnight Monday, 70% of the major budget bills were unresolved including education, health and human services, and state government finance. A proposed package of tax legislation also stalled, as did a bonding bill to address infrastructure needs statewide. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson Update: May 26, 2017”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update
Neighbors,

Only a few days remain in the 2017 legislative session and a budget solution seems elusive. Legislative leaders decided to move forward with their own budget targets without including Governor Dayton. This is the same approach that the legislature took two years that led to a very chaotic end of session.

I support Governor Dayton and his push to fully fund E-12 and higher education, and prevent cutting regulations that protect our land, water and air. These are cuts that will harm many of the things Minnesotans value.  The choice is not a difficult one – move Minnesotans forward or hold back our state. I will advocate for Minnesota values as we move this session to the finish line and work to prevent a special session. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson Update: May 19, 2017”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We are quickly approaching the legislative session adjournment deadline of May 22. Legislative leaders and Governor Dayton are engaged in budget talks, working on a compromise to end the 2017 session on time. Here is an update from the Capitol.

Legislative leaders decided to abandon budget negotiationswith Governor Dayton and send him budget bills which are filled with provisions the Governor considers dead on arrival.  He even went so far as to warn legislative leaders that he was going to veto every bill, but they insist on sending him the bills and wasting valuable negotiating time. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson Update: May 11, 2017”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

 

Dear neighbors,

Last Friday, the House and Senate Republican majorities set joint budget targets. These targets are an important step in final budget negotiations between the House, Senate, and Governor over the next 3 weeks. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the state has a budget surplus, their targets underfund E-12 and higher education, which would lead to cuts in the classroom and rising tuition. These cuts make way for massive spending in the tax bill, which gives tax cuts for corporations and the rich. We are working with Governor Dayton to achieve full and equitable funding for our schools, and to make investments in areas that keep Minnesota’s economy strong into the future.

The Republican transit plan also cuts funding for bus service and light rail which will harm Minnesotans who rely on transit for school, work, and daily life – now and in the future. Their plan includes a 10% cut to bus service, halts Southwest Light Rail, and prevents future investments and planning for transit improvements around the state. The transit cuts in the Republican budget will seriously affect our ability to move forward. Instead of working together to use our surplus wisely and lift up the economy of our entire state, Republicans are making it clear that they want to punish the economies of our major cities and Minnesota as a whole. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson Update: May 5, 2017”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update

 

Dear Neighbors,

We have fewer than four weeks left in the legislative session before our constitutional adjournment on May 22. We’re spending less time on the House Floor and in committee to allow time for conference committees to meet and iron out differences between House and Senate proposals. Here is an update:

Building and infrastructure bill

Tuesday, I supported my House DFL colleagues pushing for passage of a bonding bill. Bonding invests in needed infrastructure improvements throughout Minnesota. These projects include things like repair and replacement of crumbling bridges, upgrade of wastewater treatment facilities, and rail safety improvements. Last year, House Republicans introduced a failed bonding proposal at the last minute, putting these projects on hold and costing Minnesotans millions. It has been several years since a large bonding bill was passed, and as interest rates rise, the costs of these projects does too. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson Update: April 28, 2017”

Rep. Andrew Carlson (50B) – Legislative Update
Dear neighbors and friends,

The Easter and Passover break has concluded and we returned to St. Paul on Tuesday to begin wrapping up the 2017 legislative session. Here is an update:

Five weeks to go

We have a full agenda ahead as we complete the budget process before the constitutional adjournment deadline of May 22. Most finance bills have been passed and either are in conference committee or will be shortly. House and Senate conferees were appointed by the Speaker of the House to compare the different versions of each finance bill. Governor Dayton will also be very involved in the process as we seek to reach agreement on the final budget. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson Update: April 21, 2017”