Tag: Erin Koegel

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 15, 2020

Neighbors,

Governor Tim Walz today announced the temporary closure of Minnesota K-12 public schools to students from Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 27 for school administrators and teachers to make long-term plans for the continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will give school staff, teachers and administrators, with guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) time to accommodate planning.

The Minnesota House of Representatives is continuing to work with Governor Walz, the Minnesota Senate, and the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure our state is prepared to respond to COVID-19.

The Governor’s executive order takes these three important actions: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 15, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

News is evolving quickly on the COVID-19 virus. Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm are holding a news conference  at 1 p.m. today to announce mitigation strategies in response to COVID-19.

You can watch the news conference live at this link:

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/live/1

This week, the House and Senate acted quickly to help Minnesota prepare. We unanimously approved, and Gov. Walz signed into law,  bipartisan legislation for immediate funding to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) if the virus results in a major health crisis in Minnesota. Read the news release from Gov. Walz on the state response to the outbreak. Other information and resources can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 13, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Another week is ending and amid the legislative committees, floor sessions, meetings and other events, there has been an underlying uncertainty of how and when the COVID-19 virus will affect Minnesotans.

The virus is disrupting commerce and daily life around the world, and, although there are no confirmed cases in Minnesota as of this writing, it is seriously concerning to everyone. On Wednesday, The Health and Human Services Finance Division received a presentation from Minnesota Department of Health officials.

You can read the latest information here from the Minnesota Department of Health. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 6, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 28, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’ve concluded a very busy week at the Capitol. In addition to committee business and meetings, we also held two lengthy floor sessions. We’ll take a deep breath and get ready for next week!

Insulin Affordability

Wednesday night, the House passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, putting forward a strong plan that ensures Minnesotans with diabetes have emergency access to insulin and access to affordable insulin over the long term. In the 2019 legislative session, I voted with the House to pass this life-saving measure, but it was blocked in the Senate. Meanwhile, the cost of insulin continues to skyrocket, and more Minnesotans are in peril of losing their lives because they can’t afford or are rationing their insulin. I am hopeful that the Senate will pass this bill as soon as possible and help will be on the way. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 28, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 21, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The 2020 legislative session is off to a fast start. Committee hearings begin early in the morning and last into the evening. Since this is not a budget year, this session will be shorter, and the deadline schedule is very tight.

In committee this week, two of my bills received a hearing; HF 3092 directs Met Council to take a serious look at an arterial bus rapid transit line on the Central Avenue NE corridor which would take passengers from downtown along Central Ave and University Ave to the Northtown Transit Center. I also had a hearing for HF 3089 which funds a graduate medical education fellowship program for addiction medicine specialist. Through my work on the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Task Force, I have learned that there is a workforce shortage in the addiction and recovery field. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 21, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel Update (HD37A) Update: January 30, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope the new year is treating you well. I’ve spent the first weeks of 2020 connecting with residents and preparing for the legislative session, which begins on February 11. Senator Jerry Newton and I are holding a town hall meeting on Tuesday, February 4 to gather input and ideas before our work in St. Paul gets underway. I hope to see you there!

Koegel Town Hall 02.2020

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update (HD37A) Update: January 30, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: November 18, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re staying warm as winter approaches! Unfortunately, for many Minnesotans colder weather means struggling to afford heating bills. Families facing these challenges shouldn’t be stuck in the cold. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule, which went into effect last month, helps protect people from having their heat shut off when they need it most. Please make sure that your family, friends, and neighbors know about this program and remember to watch out for one another this winter.

Here’s a brief update on the work that I’ve been doing in our community and at the Legislature.

New Lights and Signals on University Avenue

Many residents, myself included, have seen or heard of the many crashes along University Avenue. For many months, I’ve worked with elected officials and state agencies to make this corridor safer and prevent more fatalities. I’m excited to report that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is now installing new lights and signals at several intersections! There’s more work to be done, but these safety improvements are a step in the right direction. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: November 18, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: September 6, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend! Labor Day reminds me of the workers who fought for many of the rights and freedoms that we have today, including collective bargaining rights, workplace safety laws, Social Security, and dignified working conditions. Thanks to the advocacy and persistence of workers, the Legislature made further progress this year. We passed the strongest wage theft and enforcement law in the country, expanded tax credits for working families, and secured training opportunities for Minnesotans who want to develop new skills or start their own business.

But there’s more work to be done. I’ll continue to stand with hard-working Minnesotans to defend the right to a safe workplace and the opportunity to make a living for themselves and their families.

House Committee Visits Blaine
On Wednesday, the House Capital Investment Committee visited Blaine to learn more about local infrastructure projects. I joined my colleagues on their tour of the National Sports Center to advocate for much-needed repairs and upgrades. The National Sports Center serves thousands of local families and welcomes nearly four million visitors each year, so the many fields, rinks, and facilities need frequent maintenance. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: September 6, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 14, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

After many months of hard work, my colleagues and I have finished passing a new two-year state budget! Our bipartisan budget makes strong investments in education, protects health care access, delivers targeted tax cuts, and supports working families. Here are some of the highlights:

Education

  • Secured annual two percent increases to per-student funding that will prevent teacher and staff layoffs, larger class sizes, and higher property taxes
  • Helped schools meet the needs of all students with new funding for special education services
  • Extended pre-K opportunities for 4,000 of our youngest learners

Health Care

  • Preserved access to affordable health care for 1.2 million Minnesotans
  • Approved a comprehensive plan to protect seniors and vulnerable adults that requires assisted living facilities to get licenses and strengthens protections for residents by creating enforceable safeguards
  • Addressed the opioid epidemic with new funding for treatment, prevention, and public safety provided by fees on the drug manufacturers and distributors who helped create this crisis and continue to profit from it
  • Increased accountability and transparency in drug pricing by getting tough on pharmaceutical middle men who drive up the cost of medication

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 14, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 17, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather we’ve had lately! It’s the final week of the 2019 legislative session, and I’m working hard to deliver a state budget that benefits our community and strengthens the entire state.

Now that the House and Senate have passed their entire budget, members of each chamber are meeting in conference committees to resolve differences between the two proposals. There’s a conference committee for every section of the budget, and five members from the House and five from the Senate serve on each one. It’s their responsibility to compare the two versions of the budget and compromise on a bill that will be sent back to both bodies for a vote.

Transportation Conference Committee
Minnesotans should be able to travel quickly and safely to work, school, the grocery store, and other locations. However, our roads, bridges, and transit are currently in need of significant repairs and improvements. I’m proud to be one of the members of the Transportation Conference Committee that’s finding solutions! Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 17, 2019”