Tag: House District 36A

Dear Neighbors,

While the regular legislative session has concluded, our work continues. House and Senate majorities, in partnership with the governor reached a bipartisan agreement on a budget framework last week, and now our work is focused on crafting the finer details of the budget. Our current timeline has us working towards a special session in early or mid-June. 

The good news is we can build a budget that will ensure all Minnesotans can recover from the hardships of the past year, thanks in part to the federal funds we received from the American Rescue Plan.

Working groups made up of House and Senate members are continuing to meet to complete their portions of the budget. I continue to lead negotiations with the Senate on the Commerce/Energy portion of the state budget. I look forward to updating you on the specifics of our budget soon.  

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 27, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Budget negotiations in the Legislature are ongoing. With less than three days until adjournment, we’re working hard in the House to wrap up major bills and find compromise with the Senate on various provisions in each major area of the state budget. Direction for the use of the federal COVID relief funds are also coming into play as the House, Senate, and Governor work on final budget ‘targets’ or framework. While we are constitutionally required to adjourn on May 17, conference committees will continue to work on reconciling their differences so that we can get a state budget set before July 1.

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Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2021

The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the bipartisan legislation I authored on a vote of 88-46 to improve energy efficiency and cost savings opportunities across the state. The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2021 updates the conservation and improvement program (CIP) statutes providing utilities with flexibility to meet energy savings goals instead of conservation spending goals. The new focus on outcomes, instead of spending, will allow utilities to pursue more effective energy savings opportunities.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 15, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Hospitals are seeing fewer admissions and vaccination progress has pushed forward. Vaccines held COVID-19 variants at bay, avoiding having them overwhelm our state. With rates trending downward, the governor shared the following updated guidancebeginning today:

Step one takes place at noon on May 7. It includes initial steps to relax some restrictions, primarily in outdoor settings.

• Removes limits for outdoor dining, events, and other get-togethers, and ends the mask requirement outdoors except at large venues with over 500 people.
  
• Eliminates the state-established mandatory closing time for bars, restaurants, and food and beverage service at other places of public accommodation.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 7, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

At the Legislature, we’re buttoning up budget bills and conference committees have begun to meet. These committees are comprised of five House members and five Senate members to reconcile differences within each major area of the budget; Taxes, Education, Transportation, etc. I am pleased to report that the Speaker has named me House Chair of the Commerce, Climate, and Energy Conference Committee. In that role, I will be the principal negotiator for the House in the area of the budget for the Department of Commerce, as well as the policy provisions in the budget relating to commerce and consumer protection.  I will also be deeply involved in the negotiations related to climate change and energy.

Late Monday, the Minnesota House passed its Health and Human Services Budget aimed at building a better health system for Minnesotans after the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget strengthens our public health systems, addresses health inequities, makes prescription drugs more affordable, and expands coverage for low-income Minnesotans. The bill also includes needed investments in affordable childcare for Minnesota families. I’m most pleased that the budget bill includes compensation raises for Personal Care Assistants. You can read more about the legislation here. 

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 30, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

We’ve spent the past week in the House vetting components of our complete state budget proposal on the House floor, with the next step being negotiations with the Senate. So far, we’ve passed budgets for the following areas:

• State Government, Elections, and Veterans
• Transportation
• Housing
• Labor, Industry, Workforce, and Business Development
• Legacy Amendment
• Early Learning and K-12 Education
• Higher Education
• Energy and Commerce

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 23, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

My thoughts and condolences are with our Brooklyn Center neighbors, Katie and Aubrey Wright, who are mourning the loss of their child, Daunte Wright. His tragic death underscores the need to renew our efforts as lawmakers, community leaders, parents, and neighbors, to improve public safety for all.

As you may recall, the Legislature passed several bipartisan public safety reform measures last summer, with law enforcement stakeholders at the table. Some of the measures we passed with the Republican-led Minnesota Senate include a tougher standard for when police can use deadly force, a ban on “warrior training” and choke holds, a duty to intercede, and expanded Autism training. I’m committed to continuing this work in partnership with our Coon Rapids and Champlin residents and our local PDs and State Patrol. Balancing the state budget and ensuring safe communities for all are my top priorities in these final weeks of the session.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Udate: April 17, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Since we’ve returned from our customary weeklong break to observe Easter and Passover, we’ve been vetting and advancing our House budget bills through committees. The budget contains investments to address Minnesotans’ difficulties now, and aims to help people thrive once the pandemic is over.

This session, I’ve had the extremely rewarding job to chair the House Commerce Committee. Our committee has completed work assembling the new Commerce budget bill with various, significant consumer protection provisions. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:

• Addresses catalytic converter theft problem
• Protects Minnesotans from predatory pay day lending practices
• Creates a Student Borrower’s Bill of Rights
• Protects Minnesotans from price gouging essential goods during times of emergency
• Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to help drive down prices
• Protects children from toys with harmful levels of toxins like lead

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 9, 2021”

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Walz announced today that starting Tuesday, Minnesotans 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. The final eligibility expansion comes as the federal government has promised an increased supply of vaccine by April. By expanding eligibility to all Minnesotans, providers across the state will have the flexibility they need to fill appointments and support the state’s most critical goal: to get as many Minnesotans vaccinated as quickly as possible to end this pandemic.

All Minnesotans who have not received a vaccine should sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to get updates on vaccine opportunities and be entered into the random selection process for the state’s Community Vaccination Program sites. Minnesotans can also contact their healthcare provider, local pharmacy or use the Vaccine Locator Map to search for vaccine providers in their area.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 26, 2021”