Tag: HD50A

Statement from Rep. Howard on the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – This morning, Minnesotans learned that despite bipartisan support in the House and Senate for the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act, Senate Republicans refused to include the provision in the omnibus health and human services omnibus bill. Senator Benson blamed its omission on a clerical error. Nevertheless, Senate Republican Leadership refused to re-open negotiations to reach an agreement. Rep. Michael Howard (DFL-Richfield), author of Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act released the following statement:

“Alec Smith should have been celebrating his 28th birthday this week, but he died rationing his insulin because he couldn’t afford it. We have a responsibility as legislators to do everything in our power to make sure this never happens again. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans have shirked that responsibility and killed the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act this session.

“This is devastating news for Alec’s parents, Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt, who have been fighting tirelessly to ensure no one suffers the same fate as their son, and to the thousands of Minnesotans who struggle to afford the insulin they need to survive. It is all the more devastating because there is no compelling reason why we shouldn’t have taken action and passed this bill.

“Senate Republicans passed a version of Alec’s Bill on a vote of 65-0 and the House had offered to accept a position substantially similar. Senate Republicans owe Minnesotans an explanation for why they would go out of their way to stop such an important, life-saving bill that had broad, bipartisan support.

 

“Minnesotans will not accept what is indefensible. We aren’t going anywhere. We will only get louder. We will only get stronger. And we won’t stop until every Minnesotan has access to the insulin they need to survive.”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 21, 2019

Neighbors,

We’ve demonstrated this week that a divided state legislature, with a lot of discussion and compromise, can get things done to move the needle forward for Minnesotans. We agreed on a state budget, and passed measures to invest in higher education, stop the opioid epidemic, and prevent elder abuse.

I am working to finalize the State Government budget, and have the Senate Majority Leader’s word that the Senate will finally approve the $6.6 million in Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding given to Minnesota by the federal government to secure our elections from outside interference.

While we’re still finalizing the details of some of our bills, we have a lot to be proud of. 

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 21, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 17, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

There are only a few days left in the legislative session before our constitutional deadline of May 20th. As I write this, Governor Walz, Speaker Hortman, and Senate Majority Leader Gazelka continue to meet to discuss our state budget and work to reach consensus.

This time of session can be frustrating for Minnesotans because political gamesmanship can take the focus away from where it should be – the decisions that will make a difference in the lives of others.

We are continuing to fight for a budget that invests in the things that Minnesotans care about – improving education, increasing access to affordable health care, and making our communities more inclusive and safe. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 17, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 3, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

This week the DFL House completed our initial budget work by passing our remaining finance bills off the House floor. This sets the stage for the final weeks of session, where we hope to reach an agreement with Governor Walz and the Minnesota Senate on a budget that will strengthen our communities and improve the lives of Minnesotans.

Minnesota Values Budget

I am proud to support the Minnesota Values Budget that House DFL Majority has passed off the House floor. We are investing in the priorities that all Minnesotans value: affordable health care, world-class schools, safe communities, and economic security for everyone. And we are doing so with an honest, responsible budget that doesn’t rely on gimmicks or budget tricks that would throw us back into deficits. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 3, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 26, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We had a long week at the Minnesota House as my colleagues and I debated, amended, and ultimately passed components of our Minnesota Values Budget off the House Floor. This will likely be the case next week as well, as we engage in the work to balance our state budget. I am proud of the bold budget we are moving forward with and believe it will help improve lives and strengthen communities.

Here are some highlights of the budget bills we’ve passed this week.

E-12 Education

All of our students deserve access to a world-class education, and to that end, we are making historic investments in education from cradle-to-career. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 26, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 12, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota House just finished its floor session today, and we will be off next week for the Easter and Passover break. When we return, the legislature will begin taking up budget bills on the House floor and debating some of the most important priorities of the session. To that end, I would be grateful if you would take a moment to complete my brief legislative survey. I would love to learn more about your values and priorities as we enter this important phase of the legislative session.

You can fill out my legislative survey online here, and a Spanish language version here.

77th Street Underpass Included in House Bonding Bill 

We had exciting news for Richfield and our entire south metro region this week when my bill to fund the last phase of our 77th Street/Cedar Underpass was included in the House Capital Investment Bill. A major thank you to Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez and local leaders that came to the Capitol to testify on this important project. With this funding we could break ground soon on an important investment for our region and state. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 12, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 5, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota House is hard at work preparing our state budget. I want to give you an update on some of our priorities, as well as other key bills moving through the legislature.

Public Safety and Transformative Criminal Justice Reform 

It has been a privilege to serve on the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform committee, and this week we finalized our omnibus bill. We passed a transformational bill that takes our charge to focus on criminal justice reform to heart, including:

  • Police Excellence Task Force, which I authored to improve public trust and accountability with law enforcement
  • Significant probation reform and limiting cash bail
  • Restoration of voting rights to those that have served their time
  • Creation of a sexual assault working group to address systemic gender-based violence
  • Real action to address gun violence, including background checks on gun sales and extreme risk protection orders

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 5, 2019”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 29, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We’re a little over halfway through the legislative session, and our work in committees is starting to produce smart, impactful legislation, with some bills already passing on the House floor. Here’s an update on some of the recent events at the State Capitol:

Making Prescription Drugs Affordable and Accessible

This week, we stood with Minnesotans impacted by the high cost of prescription drugs to acknowledge our responsibility to stand up to the powerful interests driving up costs. Nearly one in four adults in the U.S. struggle to afford prescription drugs, forcing some patients to make impossible choices. Our Minnesota House DFL plan to address this issue will make prescription drugs more affordable by holding Big Pharma accountable. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 29, 2019”

Tuesday at 11: News conference announcing new comprehensive plan to make prescription drugs affordable and accessible for Minnesotans

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday, March 26 at 11 a.m. in Capitol Room B971, DFL lawmakers and the parents of Alec Smith are announcing a new comprehensive plan to make prescription drugs affordable and accessible for all Minnesotans. Alec died in 2017 at age 26 because he could not afford to pay the $1,300 cost of his insulin prescription.

This is an opportunity for reporters to learn about DFL lawmakers’ new plan (scope extends beyond insulin), listen to Minnesotans talk about the plan’s impact on their lives, and ask questions.

Who:

  • Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt, Jr. (parents of Alec Smith)
  • Majority Leader Ryan Winkler
  • Rep. Michael Howard
  • Rep. Laurie Halverson
  • Rep. John Lesch
  • Rep. Kelly Morrison (physician)
  • Rep. Alice Mann (physician)
  • Rep. Hunter Cantrell
  • Rep. Kristin Bahner

When:  Tuesday, March 26 at 11 a.m.

Where:  Capitol Room B971

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 14, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

This week sees the first committee deadline at the Legislature, meaning that bills must be heard by midnight this Friday in order to have a better chance of advancing through the legislative process.

There were some long nights and great opportunities to move forward several of the bills I am carrying this session. This update covers a few that were heard this week:

Peace Officer Excellence Task Force

The House Public Safety Committee heard my bill on establishing a Peace Officer Excellence Task Force this week. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 14, 2019”