Tag: Erin Koegel

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 9, 2019

Dear neighbors,

In the House, my colleagues and I began announcing the major components of the state budget this week. I’m particularly excited by the new transportation and jobs budgets!

Fixing Our Roads, Bridges, and Transit
All Minnesotans know that the start of spring is also the beginning of pothole season. Our infrastructure is crumbling, and the average motorist pays $350 for vehicle repairs every year due to poor road conditions. On their most recent infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Minnesota’s roads a “D+.” Bridges received a “C,” and transit was awarded a “C-.”

Our transportation budget makes honest investments to fix our roads, bridges, and transit. It would address public safety hazards, improve access to transit, and ensure our transportation system serves every Minnesotan. A fact sheet with more information is available here. You can also watch the announcement here. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 9, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 28, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

As I reflect back on the past week, I’m amazed by the great work accomplished in the House! We passed legislation to address the opioid epidemic, make our road ways safer, and strengthen sexual harassment laws. There’s more hard work to do in the last two months of session, but I’m proud to be part of the House DFL and excited to see what’s next.

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
Last Monday the House passed a bill that would hold Big Pharma accountable for the opioid epidemic and get much-needed help to people who are struggling with addiction (HF 400). The opioid epidemic causes more deaths each year and has created a significant strain on Minnesota families and taxpayers. Opioid manufacturers and distributors have collected billions of dollars in profits without having to pay a dime to help solve the crisis they started. This legislation would provide $20 million for prevention, treatment, and recovery services by increasing fees paid by Big Pharma.

I talked about my family’s battle prior to the vote on HF 400. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 28, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 19, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

This week I’ll be highlighting some legislation that the House has passed recently, including one of my bills! I’ll also be sharing details for some of the plans that I’ve introduced.

Open Meeting Law Bill
The House voted nearly unanimously in favor of my open meeting bill (HF 281), legislation that allows people to participate in city council meetings via Skype or other tools if they are serving in the military or if they are directed by a doctor not to be exposed to the public. Currently, folks aren’t permitted to call into a meeting with Skype or other tools if the place that they are calling from is not open to the public.

Equal Rights Amendment
All Minnesotans deserve equal rights under our Constitution. The House recently approved Equal Rights Amendment (HF 13), which states “equality under the law shall not be abridged or denied on account of gender.” If the proposal is approved by the Senate, Minnesotans will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to adopt the ERA in 2020. I was proud to cast my vote for gender equality as we recognize Women’s History Month.

Veterans Suicide Awareness
Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to end their own lives than civilians. Last Monday, the House passed a proposal to designate the first Saturday of each October as Veteran Suicide Awareness Day (HF 586). Bringing public awareness to this issue is just the first step. I’m committed to working with veterans and their families to provide better mental health resources to those who serve our country.

National Sports Center Funding
Thousands of Minnesotans use the National Sports Center in Blaine for a range of activities. The National Sports Center is the world’s largest amateur sports facility and welcomes nearly four million visitors each year. The facility has hosted world-class athletes, but also serves thousands of local families and Minnesotans. Maintaining the fields, rinks, golf course, and other buildings for all visitors to enjoy requires a great deal of work. I’ve introduced legislation to invest in a new maintenance building for the National Sports Center (HF 2118), as well as asset preservation legislation to ensure that the National Sports Center can make much needed repairs (HF 2484).

Blaine Public Safety Facility
I recently introduced a plan to bring a greater Twin Cities public safety training facility to Blaine (HF 773). This facility would bring jobs to the area and make our communities safer. The bill has received a public hearing. Stay tuned for updates as it goes through the legislative process.

I always appreciate hearing from constituents, so please feel free to share your questions or opinions.

Sincerely,

Erin Koegel
State Representative

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

Dear Neighbors,

I’ve spent a lot of time on the road recently as the Transportation Finance and Policy Division is hosting a series of field hearings. It can be difficult for people to travel to the Capitol, so the committee went directly to community members in St. Cloud, north Minneapolis, Savage, and Blaine. I appreciated the opportunity to listen and learn about local transportation challenges and look forward to hearing from folks in Mankato on Friday.

Transportation Field Hearings

I presented three bills during the public hearing at Blaine City Hall. The first (HF 1310) is a proposal for road safety improvements on Highway 47, also known as University Avenue. It also conducts an engineering evaluation of the roadway, which extends from Columbia Heights to Coon Rapids. Many residents, myself included, have seen or heard of the many incidents along this stretch. We must act to make University Avenue safer and prevent more fatalities.

I also introduced legislation (HF 1697) to put a full interchange at East River Road in Coon Rapids. I grew up in this area, so I’ve taken this stretch of road quite often, and I believe this project would be a great way to finish the Highway 610 corridor and make it more accessible.

Drivers should be paying attention all the time, but it’s particularly important in work zones where driving conditions can change. My final plan (HF 1408) would require drivers to follow the instructions of flaggers and use their cell phones in a hands-free mode in work zones, protecting vulnerable construction workers and drivers.

Thank you to the many community members who made it to the hearing. If you weren’t able to come, you can watch the entire event here.

Freedom to Drive
Minnesotans packed the hearing room and the overflow room last Thursday for the first public hearing of Driver’s Licenses for All (HF 1500). This would allow all Minnesotans to get a driver’s license without proving legal immigration status. When you’re driving on the road, your immigration status doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ve been trained, licensed, and insured.

Ensuring everyone has access to driver’s licenses would make our roads safer and grow the economy. I voted in favor of the bill with the majority of the Transportation Finance and Policy Division. Video of the public hearing is available here.

I always appreciate hearing from constituents, so please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Erin Koegel
State Representative

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 21, 2019

 

Dear Neighbors,

As we approach the end of the second month of the legislative session, I’m encouraged by many of the great proposals introduced so far. While there are many months of work ahead, we’ve begun making progress on several important issues. I have been very busy getting bills heard and passed through committees. You can keep track of the bills I am working on here.

Public Hearing for HF 281
Dan Buchholtz, the city administrator of Spring Lake Park, and Cathy Sorenson, the city clerk of Blaine, testified on behalf of one of my bills earlier this month. HF 281 would allow city council members to participate in council meetings via Skype if they are deployed for military services or have a medical condition that doesn’t allow them to be exposed to the public. Currently, local elected officials are not permitted to call in if they place the are calling from is not open to the public. The bill passed and is on its way to becoming law.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 21, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: January 25, 2019

 

Dear Neighbors,

Earlier this month I was sworn into the House of Representatives with my two favorite people by my side. I’m honored to be representing our community for a second term!

Committee Hearings Begin
The past few weeks have been filled with constituent, advocate, and committee hearings. I am Vice Chair of the Labor Committee and will also be serving on Government Operations, Jobs and Economic Development Finance, and Transportation Finance and Policy. For more details on these committees and a full hearing schedule, click here.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: January 25, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: July 17, 2018

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope summer has been treating you well. We all know summer in Minnesota is truly something special. No matter our differences, we come together to enjoy everything our state and community has to offer. I hope you can get out and enjoy some time with family and friends, and get to know our neighbors.

Night to Unite / National Night Out

Tuesday, August 7th, is Minnesota Night to Unite and National Night Out. These events are held the first Tuesday in August in neighborhoods across the country to celebrate a commitment to our safe communities. If you would like me to stop by an event in your neighborhood, please let me know and I will try to attend. I am hoping to get to as many neighborhood events as possible. So if you see me, please say hi and introduce yourself! Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: July 17, 2018”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 17, 2018

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The 2018 legislative session is constitutionally required to adjourn on Monday and we still have a few large items to finish, including major supplemental finance bills and resolutions for tax conformity and bonding
bills. Here are the latest updates from the Capitol:

Bonding Bill

I’m supportive of public infrastructure legislation because it creates jobs and gives Minnesotans the best bang for their buck when it comes to major construction projects. Unfortunately, the bonding bill brought to the floor by the majority was less than half of Gov. Dayton’s proposal, leaving far too many projects around our state unfunded and too many jobs unfilled. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 17, 2018”