Tag: Erin Koegel

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature convened a special session on June 14 and we have been hard at work in final negotiations crafting bipartisan budget bills that will fund our state for the next two years. Details on the overall budget agreement and where the Legislature currently is in the process can be found here.

Current Status of Budget Bills

We’ve reached bipartisan compromise on most budget areas. Here are the bills we have passed thus far.

• Higher Education: Makes investments to ensure students can recover from the unprecedented challenges they’ve faced over the past year. It will help ensure young people have the ability to thrive as they move forward in the post-pandemic workforce.
• Agriculture: Invests in emerging farmer outreach, urban and youth agriculture, the Farm-to-School initiative, Good Food Access, and funding for environmentally-friendly production practices and conservation techniques.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 25, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Our regular session came to an end last month, however, our work for the year is far from over as we approach a special session set for next week. House and Senate leaders and Governor Walz have reached a budget agreement that we are using as guidelines in our conference committee negotiations. We have reached agreements on our Energy/Commerce, Taxes, Higher Ed, Agriculture, and Legacy Finance budgets. Some of the more contentious bills like E-12 Education and Public Safety still have a ways to go however. Details on the overall budget agreement and what the special session will look like can be found here.

DFL Releases Eviction Off-Ramp

It is critical that we prevent a massive housing crisis as we begin to return to normal. The House DFL has a common sense plan to give everyone the time they need to catch up on their rent and mortgage. Watch our press conference to learn more about our plan. If you are behind on housing payments, apply for aid here.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 11, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Our regular session came to an end Monday, however, our work for the year is far from over and we are headed towards a special session. Before the regular session ended leadership reached a major agreement on budget targets for this year. This will set the guardrails for the rest of our negotiations for the year. With these targets we have the opportunity to make significant investments throughout the state that will benefit families, students, workers, and our local businesses. We will continue to meet and negotiate in conference committees to iron out the more difficult policy details. Details on the overall budget agreement and what the special session will look like can be found here.

Cannabis  Legalization

Last week we passed HF 600, a bill which legalizes and regulates adult-use cannabis in Minnesota, while expunging records of people convicted for nonviolent offenses involving cannabis.

I am proud of the bill we passed. It has come to fruition after years of hard work and careful planning. I know that by ending the prohibition on adult-use cannabis Minnesota will be able to heal the harm caused by prohibition. This bill takes into consideration the injustice caused by prohibition while ensuring that legalization will protect the health and safety of all Minnesotans.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 21, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Overall, the biggest responsibility for lawmakers this session is to enact a new two-year state budget. The House has approved all of our budget bills off the floor, all of which were put together with the goal of helping workers, small businesses, students, and families all emerge from the challenges of the past year with the ability to succeed and thrive. Here are each of the bills we’ve passed:

• State Government, Elections, and Veterans
• Transportation
• Housing
• Labor, Industry, Workforce, and Business Development
• Legacy Amendment
• Early Learning and K-12 Education
• Higher Education
• Energy and Commerce
• Environment and Natural Resources 
• Taxes
• Agriculture
• Public Safety, Judiciary, and Civil Law
• Health and Human Services

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 7, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

These last two weeks we have again been forced to confront our state’s issues around systemic racism and injustice for Black, Brown and Indigenous Minnesotans. I am grateful that Derek Chauvin was held accountable for his murderous actions, but just a week earlier we saw the tragic killing of Daunte Wright. We clearly have significant work to do so that Black lives are valued and all Minnesotans are safe in their communities. I encourage you to read the People of color and Indigenous Caucuses statements on the killing of Daunte Wright here, and on the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin here. 

Budget Bills Passed

We are entering the final weeks of session so we are passing our comprehensive budget bills (also called omnibus bills) on each legislative topic. These will form the base of our negotiations as work to craft a budget that works for all Minnesotans. This means we are staying up late on the House floor debating the final amendments before we pass the bills. We have passed most of the omnibus bills for the session and only have a couple left. Here are some highlights:

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 23, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the most pressing issues we are working on at the Capitol. If you have not done so already, please complete this survey to help me understand where you feel I should focus my efforts for the rest of session.

Vaccine Update

Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced the expansion of vaccine eligibility for people 16 years of age and older starting March 30th. The announcement is in response to the increased supply of vaccines by the federal government to arrive in April. This is fantastic news and a clear sign that we are entering the final stretch of fighting this vaccine. Read more about this development here.

If you haven’t yet, sign up for the state’s Vaccine Connector to get connected with opportunities once you’re eligible

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 26, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the most pressing issues we are working on at the Capitol. If you have not done so already, please complete this survey to help me understand where you feel I should focus my efforts for the rest of session.

AAPI Violence

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in violence against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), immigrants, and international citizens. Over the past month in particular, there has been a rise of anti-AAPI violence, and these violent acts have culminated in the horrific murders in Atlanta, Georgia, which included six AAPI women. We must all stand up and confront hate when we see it, I stand with our AAPI communities and will work to ensure that they feel safe wherever they are. Please watch my colleague Rep. Tou Xiong’s speech on this tragedy, and the Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucuses statement on the issue.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 19, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

As session progresses I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the most pressing issues we are working on at the Capitol. Please complete this survey to help me understand where you feel I should focus my efforts for the rest of session.

Several of my bills are continuing to move through the process. One of particular note, HF 648, had a hearing in the State Government committee this week This bill would stop health plans from limiting the amount of screenings and tests for opioids. We shouldn’t force those in recovery and their loved ones to bear the costs of these tests.

Virtual Town Hall

Sen. Jerry Newton and I are holding a virtual town hall on Tuesday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. We hope you’ll join us to discuss your ideas and priorities for the legislative session. The town hall will be held on Zoom. If you would like to participate in the Zoom portion, click here to RSVP and to submit a question.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 5, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Sen. Jerry Newton and I are holding a virtual town hall on Tuesday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. We hope you’ll join us to discuss your ideas and priorities for the legislative session. The town hall will be held on Zoom, if you would like to participate in the Zoom portion, click here to RSVP and to submit a question.

Vaccine Connector

Yesterday, the state of Minnesota launched a new tool to help let Minnesotans know when they are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We have all been eager to receive a vaccine as soon as possible, and luckily there are reasons to be optimistic that distribution will greatly accelerate soon. In the meantime, the new Vaccine Connector will alert Minnesotans when they are eligible, connect you to resources to schedule an appointment, and notify you about vaccine opportunities near you. Learn more and sign up here. Assistance is also available over the phone at 833-431-2053.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 19, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Last week was the beginning of Black History Month, a month where we focus on the history of Black Americans so that we can better understand the events of today. It is clear that while we have come far in our fight for equity and justice for all, we have not come nearly far enough. This pandemic has also revealed the continued disparities throughout our state, for instance the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that an estimated one in two Black workers in Minnesota have applied for unemployment since mid-March compared with one in four white workers. For an illuminating look at the disparities in our state I encourage you to read the House Select Committee on Racial Justice’s report on racial justice in MN, here. I was honored to be selected to serve on the Select Committee. I also encourage you to read the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus’ statement on Black History Month.

Paid sick and safe

No one should have to choose between caring for themselves or a loved one and a paycheck. That’s why the House introduced a new bill to expand Earned Sick and Safe Time. The bill aims to provide an important short-term benefit to workers by allowing them to accrue sick time based on the number of hours that they work. The impossible choice between a paycheck and taking time off to care for a sick child is a real problem in Minnesota, especially for low-wage workers and those in the service industry. This requirement has several key additional benefits, including healthier workplaces and schools, greater support for caregivers, and reduced health care costs. I will continue to support this critical legislation.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 8, 2021”