Tag: House District 37A

Dear Neighbors,

After many months of hard work, my colleagues and I have finished passing a new two-year state budget! Our bipartisan budget makes strong investments in education, protects health care access, delivers targeted tax cuts, and supports working families. Here are some of the highlights:

Education

• Secured annual two percent increases to per-student funding that will prevent teacher and staff layoffs, larger class sizes, and higher property taxes
• Helped schools meet the needs of all students with new funding for special education services
• Extended pre-K opportunities for 4,000 of our youngest learners

Health Care

• Preserved access to affordable health care for 1.2 million Minnesotans
• Approved a comprehensive plan to protect seniors and vulnerable adults that requires assisted living facilities to get licenses and strengthens protections for residents by creating enforceable safeguards
• Addressed the opioid epidemic with new funding for treatment, prevention, and public safety provided by fees on the drug manufacturers and distributors who helped create this crisis and continue to profit from it
• Increased accountability and transparency in drug pricing by getting tough on pharmaceutical middle men who drive up the cost of medication

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 14, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather we’ve had lately! It’s the final week of the 2019 legislative session, and I’m working hard to deliver a state budget that benefits our community and strengthens the entire state.

Now that the House and Senate have passed their entire budget, members of each chamber are meeting in conference committees to resolve differences between the two proposals. There’s a conference committee for every section of the budget, and five members from the House and five from the Senate serve on each one. It’s their responsibility to compare the two versions of the budget and compromise on a bill that will be sent back to both bodies for a vote.

Transportation Conference Committee
Minnesotans should be able to travel quickly and safely to work, school, the grocery store, and other locations. However, our roads, bridges, and transit are currently in need of significant repairs and improvements. I’m proud to be one of the members of the Transportation Conference Committee that’s finding solutions! Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: May 17, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

My House colleagues and I approved our first budget legislation last week! Here’s an update on the progress that we’ve made: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 30, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

As I reflect back on the past week, I’m amazed by the great work accomplished in the House! We passed legislation to address the opioid epidemic, make our road ways safer, and strengthen sexual harassment laws. There’s more hard work to do in the last two months of session, but I’m proud to be part of the House DFL and excited to see what’s next.

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
Last Monday the House passed a bill that would hold Big Pharma accountable for the opioid epidemic and get much-needed help to people who are struggling with addiction (HF 400). The opioid epidemic causes more deaths each year and has created a significant strain on Minnesota families and taxpayers. Opioid manufacturers and distributors have collected billions of dollars in profits without having to pay a dime to help solve the crisis they started. This legislation would provide $20 million for prevention, treatment, and recovery services by increasing fees paid by Big Pharma.

I talked about my family’s battle prior to the vote on HF 400. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 28, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I’ve spent a lot of time on the road recently as the Transportation Finance and Policy Division is hosting a series of field hearings. It can be difficult for people to travel to the Capitol, so the committee went directly to community members in St. Cloud, north Minneapolis, Savage, and Blaine. I appreciated the opportunity to listen and learn about local transportation challenges and look forward to hearing from folks in Mankato on Friday.

Transportation Field Hearings

I presented three bills during the public hearing at Blaine City Hall. The first (HF 1310) is a proposal for road safety improvements on Highway 47, also known as University Avenue. It also conducts an engineering evaluation of the roadway, which extends from Columbia Heights to Coon Rapids. Many residents, myself included, have seen or heard of the many incidents along this stretch. We must act to make University Avenue safer and prevent more fatalities.

I also introduced legislation (HF 1697) to put a full interchange at East River Road in Coon Rapids. I grew up in this area, so I’ve taken this stretch of road quite often, and I believe this project would be a great way to finish the Highway 610 corridor and make it more accessible.

Drivers should be paying attention all the time, but it’s particularly important in work zones where driving conditions can change. My final plan (HF 1408) would require drivers to follow the instructions of flaggers and use their cell phones in a hands-free mode in work zones, protecting vulnerable construction workers and drivers.

Thank you to the many community members who made it to the hearing. If you weren’t able to come, you can watch the entire event here.

Freedom to Drive
Minnesotans packed the hearing room and the overflow room last Thursday for the first public hearing of Driver’s Licenses for All (HF 1500). This would allow all Minnesotans to get a driver’s license without proving legal immigration status. When you’re driving on the road, your immigration status doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ve been trained, licensed, and insured.

Ensuring everyone has access to driver’s licenses would make our roads safer and grow the economy. I voted in favor of the bill with the majority of the Transportation Finance and Policy Division. Video of the public hearing is available here.

I always appreciate hearing from constituents, so please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Erin Koegel
State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

As we approach the end of the second month of the legislative session, I’m encouraged by many of the great proposals introduced so far. While there are many months of work ahead, we’ve begun making progress on several important issues. I have been very busy getting bills heard and passed through committees. You can keep track of the bills I am working on here.

Public Hearing for HF 281
Dan Buchholtz, the city administrator of Spring Lake Park, and Cathy Sorenson, the city clerk of Blaine, testified on behalf of one of my bills earlier this month. HF 281 would allow city council members to participate in council meetings via Skype if they are deployed for military services or have a medical condition that doesn’t allow them to be exposed to the public. Currently, local elected officials are not permitted to call in if they place the are calling from is not open to the public. The bill passed and is on its way to becoming law.

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: February 21, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

Clara and I were featured in a recent MPR article about legislators balancing work and family! Check it out here.

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Sincerely,

Erin Koegel
State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

Earlier this month I was sworn into the House of Representatives with my two favorite people by my side. I’m honored to be representing our community for a second term!

Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: January 25, 2019”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope summer has been treating you well. We all know summer in Minnesota is truly something special. No matter our differences, we come together to enjoy everything our state and community has to offer. I hope you can get out and enjoy some time with family and friends, and get to know our neighbors.

Night to Unite / National Night Out

Tuesday, August 7th, is Minnesota Night to Unite and National Night Out. These events are held the first Tuesday in August in neighborhoods across the country to celebrate a commitment to our safe communities. If you would like me to stop by an event in your neighborhood, please let me know and I will try to attend. I am hoping to get to as many neighborhood events as possible. So if you see me, please say hi and introduce yourself! Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: July 17, 2018”