Tag: HD50A

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50B) Update: April 2, 2020

Rep. Howard
Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone is staying healthy and staying home. I know it hasn’t been easy, but it’s something we’re all working through together. With distance learning officially starting this week, I know some households in our community are now working around their entire family conducting their normal day from makeshift offices in their living rooms and kitchens.

We’re all adapting, and our work in the legislature is no different.

Yesterday I took part in a virtual town hall on the need for renter’s assistance in Minnesota. As we continue to ask people to stay home, more than 250,000 Minnesotans and facing unemployment and an uncertain financial future. We need to make sure renters can pay their rent and landlords can pay their mortgage. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50B) Update: April 2, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 27, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, the Minnesota Legislature convened to pass a package of legislation to address the health and economic security that Minnesotans deserve during this public health crisis. Here is a summary of some of those provisions:

  • Grants to support child care providers who are struggling to stay open while providing essential care for children, especially for families of health care workers.
  • Hunger relief funding to address food bank, food shelf, and transportation needs during the pandemic.
  • Homelessness prevention funding, such as emergency services grants and resources to protect the health of our homeless and the staff working to address their safety.
  • Grants and loans to support our struggling small businesses with 250 employees or less.
  • Extensions to renew expired drivers licenses and other permits that cannot be updated during the Governor’s “Stay at Home” order.
  • Creation of a COVID-19 fund that gives Governor Walz  and our state agencies the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most to respond to this pandemic.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 27, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 25, 2020

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 25, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Today’s news surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic brought the heavy update of 235 confirmed cases in Minnesota, and the first death as a result of the virus in the state, which occured over the weekend.

This morning, Governor Walz self-quarantined after coming in contact with COVID-19, and Sen. Klobuchar’s husband has tested positive for the virus. While both Governor Walz and Sen. Klobuchar do not have symptoms, their experiences, and the growing list of stories we hear about daily, emphasize the need to take COVID-19 and the measures to curb the spread seriously. The best thing many of us can do is simply stay home.

StayHomeMN Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 23, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 20, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As thing continues to change rapidly, be mindful of sources of information, especially if it’s an email, phone call, or letter offering something that seems too good to be true. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has resources available for identifying and reporting scams, which you can find here.

I also wanted to share (again) a very useful compilation of numbers and links to help answer various pandemic-related questions.

MN House Proposals

How we do our work at the Minnesota Legislature has drastically changed, but the work still remains. My colleagues and I are working on a number of measures, including: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 20, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

In the midst of the COVID-19 global epidemic, our efforts at the State Capitol continue to focus on ways to prepare for and address the virus. Our most recent work has largely been on ensuring Minnesota’s public health system is properly funded, and while that will always be a priority, we need to start seriously thinking about the other ways this pandemic is impacting the lives of Minnesotans.

One piece of legislation I’m working on would place a statewide moratorium on evictions while also providing emergency housing assistance to thousands of Minnesotans who may face housing instability during epidemic.

Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans may face housing instability by the end of this month, threatening their own security, wellbeing and the health of the public. Some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable, people with disabilities and seniors, are at risk. It is vital that we respond proactively to this looming housing crisis to ensure all Minnesotans can stay in their homes, stay safe, and in turn, help keep all of us safe. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 19, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 18, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’ve experienced many changes in quick succession in just the last few days, to say nothing of the past week. I know these are challenging and uncertain times, but the way our community has joined together to weather this storm has been an immense source of pride and hope.

We’ve been working around the clock at the State Capitol to make sure Minnesota remains responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic. New laws and orders from Governor Walz are positioning Minnesota to remain strong, both during and after this virus.

The latest from St. Paul: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 18, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

These next few weeks or months will be trying times for many of us, but by following the advice of our health professionals and through responsive action, we will get through this together. Our state government is taking action to slow the spread of COVID-19 and each and every one of us can do our part in this collective effort to save lives.

Here are a few updates: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 16, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Much of our efforts this week have gone towards ensuring Minnesota is properly responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are evolving quickly. I want to give you an update on our work at the legislature, as well as information from Minnesota’s Department of Health about ways we can all work together to prevent the spread of the virus and keep our communities safe.

Today, Governor Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency, emphasizing the need to deploy community mitigation strategies (canceling large events, avoiding crowds and travel, keeping substantial space between you and others). These recommendations don’t mean that healthy Minnesotans should bar themselves from leaving their home, rather that practical measures should be taken to prevent the contraction and spread of COVID-19. Most importantly, the Minnesota Department of Health is recommending that if you are sick, to please stay home.

Governor Walz also recommended a series of legislative proposals to better prepare our health care system and provide relief to the Minnesotans that need it, which you can view here. My colleagues and I will be reviewing these and other proposals to help Minnesotans weather this epidemic. Some recent legislation proposed by the Minnesota House include: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 13, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 2, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Last week was another busy week at the Minnesota Legislature as we passed our first four bills of session off the House floor. I’m happy to say the very first bill we passed was the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.

Insulin Advocates

Nicole Smith-Holt and more than a dozen insulin advocates watched the debate from the House Gallery, and their presence was felt by everyone in the chamber. I am so proud to be working with this committed and courageous group of fierce advocates fighting for a future where everyone has access to affordable insulin when they need it. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 2, 2020”