Tag: HD50B

Dear Neighbors,

For the past week, the Minnesota Legislature has been in a special session. For what initially started as a session meant to address the impacts of COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd and subsequent unrest called us to also take serious action on reforming our public safety and criminal justice systems.

The current status of COVID-19 means that future special sessions are highly likely, but with nothing certain, my colleagues and I are using this time to champion meaningful legislation to ensure our communities and state can remain responsive and prosperous during and after this pandemic.

Assistance for Small Businesses

The first bill we passed during this special session was legislation delivering assistance to our state’s smallest businesses. The bill created a $62.5 million fund for small business grants, with a focus on businesses with 50 or fewer employees. With grants of up to $10,000, this is an incredibly important bill that will provide our local businesses with the assistance they need to weather these difficult times.To be eligible, the business must meet the following requirements: Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: June 19, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

The murder of George Floyd is still incredibly fresh in our minds, especially as memorials continue throughout our state, and unrest across the nation takes up much of the evening news. While I applaud the decision to arrest and charge all involved officers, it doesn’t change the fact that George Floyd should be alive today. Earlier this week, I visited the memorial for George Floyd with my family – a truly emotional site that both depicts the compassion of the community and the solemn reminder that there is much work to be done for a more equitable and just Minnesota.

While justice in this case is imperative, so too is the need to reform a system that has led to the death of black and brown Minnesotans. To that end, my colleagues in the Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus recently announced measures for police and criminal justice reform, as well as our intent to make these issues a priority during a special session. You can watch their press conference, or read an overview of their proposals. These include measures to:

• Reform the investigation and prosecution process of officer-involved deaths and wrongful actions
• Increase police accountability and transparency
• Raise standards of conduct and support officer excellence
• Partner officers with the communities they serve
• Repair and build community trust and create community-centered public safety

These proposals would build a better Minnesota, and I support them wholeheartedly. It’s highly likely that my colleagues and I will convene for a special session next week, and in addition to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and economic relief for Minnesotans, I will also be fighting for these measures.

Stay Connected

For the latest news and updated information on the pandemic, please visit the state’s COVID-19 Dashboard. For those interested in assisting the communities impacted by the riots from the past week, the Star Tribune has compiled a comprehensive list of ways to help.

Please feel free to continue to reach out to me with any questions or comments you have on our accomplishments this session, or what the future holds. You can reach me at rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn or leave a voicemail at (651) 296-4218. You can also follow along on my Facebook Page. It’s an honor to represent you in the Minnesota House, and I appreciate your input.

Sincerely,

Andrew Carlson
State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

Sunday night, the 2020 Legislative Session adjourned. Though this usually marks the end of our work for the year, the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors make a special session in June highly likely.

When the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Minnesota, the Minnesota Legislature was able to produce a swift, bipartisan response to ensure that our public health infrastructure was prepared for the virus. The Legislature delivered funding for public health, resources for health care workers, aid for child care, housing and food security, small business assistance and more. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: May 22, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe as we continue to grapple with COVID-19 and its impact on our community. In the Minnesota Legislature, we are moving quickly toward our constitutional adjournment date of May 18, which will be the last day of the normal legislative session for the year. Before we’re done, my colleagues and I in the Minnesota House are determined to ensure Minnesotans have the tools and resources necessary to properly weather this pandemic and the economic insecurities it brings.

To that end, we’ve spent this week on the House floor passing legislation that puts Minnesotans first. We prioritized economic relief, safe and secure elections, and support for our schools’ hourly workers. You can read more about these bills below: Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: May 9, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Early this afternoon, the Minnesota House approved an important bill that will provide economic security for people working on the front lines if they get sick. The Minnesota Senate also approved the bill today, and Governor Walz plans to sign it into law when it reaches his desk.

Today’s email will take a closer look at how the bill specifically helps our health care workers and first responders, including nurses, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers. Please contact my office with questions or comments about the bill. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 7, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

On March 26, the Legislature approved a new package of economic aid for small businesses, workers, childcare providers, and other Minnesotans who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Walz signed the bill into law today. The federal government has just approved a sweeping economic stimulus, and we will soon learn what it means for Minnesota.

These are the first steps in what will need to be a long-term, comprehensive plan to help Minnesotans. This is an unprecedented public health crisis that will have an unpredictable and lasting impact on our state. Please continue to care for each other, treat each other with kindness, and do your part to follow public health guidelines.

My office is a resource that is available to help you navigate public agencies that are providing financial support. If you call my office at 651-296-4218 please be prepared to leave a voicemail message and include your full contact information (House staff are tele-commuting in order to comply with public health guidelines). You can also send an email to rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn. Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD48B) Update: March 29, 2020”