Tag: Erin Koegel

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The 2018 legislative session is underway and there are numerous issues I’ll be focusing on in the next few months.

Transportation: A High Priority

I am committed to making safety improvements for drivers, pedestrians, and transit users along University Ave. (Hwy 47) along with ensuring we’re doing all we can to improve congestion on Hwy 65.

Number of Uninsured Minnesotans Increasing

Our state economy is strong, but the number of Minnesotans without health insurance has increased. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 22, 2018”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

With one month of 2018 already in the books, I hope you and your family are doing well. Currently, the Twin Cities area is in the global spotlight with the Super Bowl and all of the related activities presenting a unique chance to show what we have to offer as a region. Here is an update from the Capitol.

Coon Rapids road closure

Due to a structural deficiency in the land bridge, westbound lanes of Main St. between Coon Creek and Coon Creek Blvd in Coon Rapids are currently closed. Engineers determined that while there is no imminent danger of collapse, closure of the westbound lanes was necessary in the interest of public safety and repair work will begin immediately. An area on the north side of the bridge is currently being excavated to give engineers access to the underside of the bridge slab. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD47A) Update: January 31, 2018”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

A World of Good Wishes. One of the real joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you the very best for the new year. In spending time with loved ones, there are many opportunities to create special memories full of joy. Soon, 2018 will be upon us, and this time of year also provides an opportunity for both reflection, and to look ahead to what’s around the corner. Here is an update from the State Capitol.

Minnesota: Best Run State

I was pleased to hear that USA Today recently ranked Minnesota the “Best Run State in the Nation.” While bragging can be considered “unMinnesotan,” we have a lot to be proud of with this accolade. The study “highlights Minnesota’s strong fiscal management, low unemployment and poverty rates, above-average median household income, and strong credit rating.” Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: December 21, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family have a terrific Thanksgiving to look forward to. This is a time we can gather to share a meal and celebrate with loved ones. As your state representative, this gives me an opportunity to reflect on the values that are important to our community and what makes Minnesota such a special place to live.

We live in a wonderful state with plenty to be thankful for, but let’s also look toward the work left to do. We must strive to increase incomes, because too many people are working two or three jobs and are still struggling to make ends meet. Many families have to choose between a paycheck and caring for a loved one because they don’t have paid leave. Too many teachers are forced to spend money out of their own pockets on supplies for their classrooms. The heroes who provide services to people with disabilities, seniors, and other vulnerable Minnesotans are underpaid and many can’t afford to continue their important work. College and job training remains out of reach for many due to soaring costs. It is clear we have a lot of unfinished business to ensure that all families have a fair shot at prosperity, but I’m confident that by working together, we can solve these challenges for our state. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: November 22, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Each November 11, we observe the sacrifices made by members of our military with the commemoration of Veterans Day, and this year is no exception. They leave their families behind to head into uncertain, often dangerous situations to defend our freedoms and keep us safe here at home. Their families must also grapple with this uncertainty. These brave men and women volunteer out of a spirit of service and commitment to country.

As we thank the men and women who have served, we must recognize the challenges that many veterans face upon returning home. Whether regarding housing, employment, or health care, there are often roadblocks in the way of returning to normalcy. There are resources available for them from several different organizations: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: November 9, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family continue to enjoy summer as it flies by us. This weekend, the highly anticipated Grand Opening of the Minnesota State Capitol will take place in St. Paul. Over the course of the three day celebration – from Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 13 – there will be something for everyone. The agenda includes musical performances, a Kid Zone, Capitol tours, discussion panels, a Prince dance party, a craft beer tasting, and fireworks. Nearly all the events are absolutely free to attend.

Following a four-year restoration, the Capitol reopened to the public earlier this year, and the work is stunning. Art was restored with breathtaking detail, repairs were made to the marble exterior and the Quadriga (golden horses on the roof), accessibility has been improved to allow all Minnesotans to enjoy the building, many public spaces were expanded, and safety, energy, and technology upgrades were added. Our State Capitol is truly “the People’s House” and the wonderful work to restore it to its former glory deserves to be celebrated. I hope you can attend the festivities this weekend. More information, including a full schedule of events can be found online here. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: August 9, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We continue to see and feel the impact of this weekend’s powerful storms in our community. Homes have gone without power, trees have been toppled, and property has been severely damaged due to the wind, hail, and rain. I suspect the images of enormous amounts of hail accumulating on our streets will remain memorable for quite some time.

Now, many are moving forward with assessments of the damage and looking ahead to repairs. In order to minimize the headaches this event has presented, the Minnesota Department of Commerce has some helpful tips for those affected by the storm: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: June 12, 2017, Storm Damage Tips”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We are in the middle of a special legislative session to finish up the state budget which began at 12:01 a.m. Monday night. Work was supposed to be finished by 7 a.m. yesterday, but some major legislation took a long time to be drafted. In fact, the proposed Health and Human Services bill was only finished this afternoon. This special session follows the Monday midnight deadline by when the regular legislative session was constitutionally required to end.

While we’re considering budget bills to fund important investments in our schools, health care, transportation and other values we all have a responsibility to take care of, some troubling measures are moving forward as well. Some of these are quite detrimental to working families. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: May 25, 2017”