Neighbors,
I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season and staying warm. I wish you all happy holidays, and I hope the New Year brings you peace, joy, and success in your resolutions!
Tag: House District 40A
Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: November 8, 2019
Neighbors,
It’s hard to believe it’s already November – I hope you’re fully adjusted to the time change.
Remember that there are resources available if you, family or friends are struggling with the heating bill. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) helps protect Minnesotans from having their heat shut off between October 15 and April 15. You can find more information about it here.
Youth Vaping
We’re only beginning to understand the dangers of vaping, but it’s clearly not the cleaner, safer quit-smoking device we thought it was. Athletes are having trouble breathing during workouts, students are having trouble concentrating, and educators are spending time during class monitoring for kids sneaking hits of nicotine.
Last week, my House DFL colleagues announced a comprehensive plan to combat Big Tobacco’s youth targeting.
Here are some highlights of the plan:
- By raising the legal age to purchase tobacco age to 21, we will limit youth targeting.
- We will reduce youth access by stopping all internet sales of tobacco, e-cigarette, and vaping products.
- By prohibiting sales of all flavored tobacco products in our state, we will reduce the appeal of tobacco products for vulnerable populations.
- We will support prevention efforts with a dedicated office to combat the immense pressure of the tobacco industry with effective counter-marketing.
- Finally, we will fight to ensure that every Minnesotan has access to quit-smoking resources to help them break free from addiction. We’ll promote the state’s quitting program and remove barriers that prevent Medicaid patients and others from accessing quit-smoking medications and therapy.
Youth nicotine addiction isn’t just affecting families – it is touching health clinics, schools, and communities in every corner of Minnesota. This is about protecting our kids, and it’s time to take bold action to hold Big Tobacco accountable.
Open Enrollment – Happening Now!
Open enrollment (which ends on Dec. 23) is your chance to change health care plans or enroll in a new plan that’s best for you and your family. The MNsure marketplace is the only place where you can qualify for financial help in the form of monthly tax credits. Go to MNsure.org to compare plans and get covered!
A Plan for Robo Calls
Robo-calls are disruptive and cause people to not want to pick up the phone when it rings. In fact, Minnesotans on average have received more than 58 robo-calls so far this year. My colleagues introduced a plan to crack down on the calls to protect Minnesotans from the predatory scams, and I look forward to supporting the bill during the 2020 legislative session. You can read more about the plan from MPR here or watch the WCCO clip here.
Let me know if you have any questions or feedback! I always enjoy hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Rep. Michael Nelson
Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: October 8, 2019
Neighbors,
I wanted to let you know about a few opportunities to weigh in on some important issues facing our state, and give a quick update on our mini-session in the Winona area!
Minnesota Values Project
The Minnesota Values Project is an ongoing partnership between Minnesotans and elected officials. We’re working together to create a shared vision for the future of our state, and your input is an important part of this process! You can let us know what’s important to you, your community, and Minnesota by taking a quick survey here.
Join a Statewide Conversation about Historic Fort Snelling
Historic Fort Snelling, a 23-acre site located along the Mississippi River, has had many names over the years. The Minnesota Historical Society is asking Minnesotans to weigh in on what it should be called. You can share your opinions by taking a survey or attending one of the upcoming public meetings. More information about the survey and public meetings is available here. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: October 8, 2019”
Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: September 18, 2019
Neighbors,
I hope you had a wonderful summer and are having a smooth transitioning to fall and back to school schedules!
I wanted to touch base on several events the House DFL is putting together this month.
The cost of insulin and prescription drugs
We are holding a series of Community Conversations outside of the Capitol to address the soaring cost of insulin and prescription drugs. The meetings, in Burnsville, Richfield, St. Cloud, and Shorewood, are an opportunity for Minnesotans to share personal stories, learn about solutions under discussion at the Legislature, and put pressure on Big Pharma to end price gouging. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: September 18, 2019”
Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: June 4, 2019
Neighbors,
On May 25th, we completed our state budget. Though we won’t return until February 11th, I look forward to working with our community year-round to make our state a better place to live.By working across the aisle and building positive relationships with our Republican Senators, I proudly sent the long-awaited $6.6 million in Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding to the Governor’s desk. In the State Government bill, we also passed provisions to keep voters’ political party private when voting in primaries without their neighbors, bosses, and strangers knowing their political preference. We fully supported the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ funding requests to take care of the needs of those who have served our country.
Below is a brief overview of a few of the major budget areas we passed. If you want to read in further detail, full summaries of all the budget bills we passed are available here.
Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: June 4, 2019”
Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 13, 2019
An update is available in Hmong here, Somali here, and Spanish here.
Neighbors,
Members from the House and Senate have continued to meet in conference committees that are dedicated to reconciling differences between sections of our House and Senate state budgets.
In some cases, the differences are pretty big. As Chair of the State Government committee, I’ve led our negotiations and asked the Senate to appropriate the full $6.6 million given to Minnesota by the federal government to keep our elections safe from outside interference. Without giving a reason why, the Senate has continued to stubbornly refuse appropriating the money, even though all 49 other states have. With a week left of the legislative session, it’s important that the Senate gets serious about protecting and securing our elections. You can always follow along by watching here.
We’re also far apart on education funding. These graphs are a comparison of House and Senate education budgets for the school districts in our community. Our budget was inspired by the teachers, students, parents, and administrators who have spoken out at the legislature about the need for more school funding to make sure that all Minnesota students have access to a great education.
Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 13, 2019”
TODAY: State Government Committee to hold public hearing this afternoon
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Co-Chair Michael Nelson (DFL – Brooklyn Park) will hold a joint House/Senate State Government Conference Committee this afternoon at 3pm to discuss policy and fiscal proposals in the State Government budget.
WHAT: Meeting of the House/Senate Conference Committee on the State Government budget, HF 1935
WHO: Rep. Michael Nelson (DFL – Brooklyn Park), committee members
WHERE: Room G-23, Capitol
WHEN: 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 14
The House budget appropriates the full $6.6 million allocated by the Federal Government to improve Minnesota’s election security, accessibility, cybersecurity, and to modernize the statewide voter registration system. The Senate does not allocate any of the Federal money, leaving it on the table. Minnesota has four years to allocate and use the funds, a portion of which would be used on projects that could take four years to complete.
Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 30, 2019
A Capitol update is available in Hmong here.
Neighbors,
Since we returned from Easter/Passover break we’ve been working on major components of our state budget, carefully reviewing each provision to improve access to affordable health care, great schools, and safe roads. Here’s an overview.
Health Care
We approved the Health and Human Services budget late Thursday night. Health care costs and accessibility is something that has been on the top of the minds of many people in our community. This budget strengthens health care for all Minnesotans by lowering the cost of care, making drug prices more affordable by holding Big Pharma accountable and addressing health disparities.
The House DFL’s HHS budget increases funding for Minnesota’s only program that serves low-income families with children and pregnant women (Minnesota Family Investment Program) for the first time in 33 years. It invests in cultural competency for mental health services, increases funding for child protection in our tribal communities, and includes grants to improve child development outcomes for people of color.
Education
Our E-12 budget invests in every student in every public school across the state. We know that our kids start learning long before kindergarten — and that Minnesota suffers from one of the largest achievement gaps in the country. We’re investing in our youngest learners to make sure every child gets off to a great start.
Jobs & Energy
Last week, the House passed the Jobs and Energy budget (HF 2208). It includes access to paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time for all Minnesotans, tougher protections for the 39,000 Minnesotans who report wage theft every year, and a pathway to adopt 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050.
Taxes
Minnesotans deserve a tax system that’s fair and provides the resources our state needs to succeed. The House DFL tax bill gets us there by leveling the playing field for working families, farmers, senior citizens, and small businesses. It holds corporations accountable for using tax loopholes and offshore tax havens to get out of paying their share while they take home record profits. WCCO has coverage of House Democrats’ tax bill here.
Transportation
Last night we approved a transportation budget that makes responsible investments to fix our state’s roads, bridges, and transit. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.”
The House DFL Majority’s transportation budget prioritizes better access to transit for Minnesotans who need to get to work, school, and to just live their lives.
Today we’ll be going over the budget bill I put together as chair of the State Government Committee, and you can follow along by watching here.
Please reach out if there’s anything I can do for you. Have a great week.
Sincerely,
Rep. Michael V. Nelson
Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 17, 2019
A Capitol update is available in Hmong here, Somali here, and Spanish here.
Neighbors,
This week we are on a legislative break, a time for House and Senate members to spend time in our districts with constituents as we observe Easter/Passover. Here’s an update on the progress we’ve made in the legislative session so far.
Committees have been meeting to put together our budgets. As chair of the State Government committee, I put together a budget that will make our elections more secure and accessible, and ensure a complete and accurate census count. Minnesota consistently leads the nation in voter participation and we stand on a long history of ensuring every Minnesotan is included and counted. Our proposal reflects a continued commitment to uphold those values.
Our Republican-led Senate, however, has other plans. I have continued discussing with them the need to allocate the full amount of money the Federal government gave us to secure our elections. They agreed in the beginning of session that this was important, and are now using it as a bargaining chip.
Investing in Education
The House education plan, released last week, would increase revenue from corporations to lower taxes for families and individuals while also increasing investments in education. Three quarters of the new revenue will go toward E-12 education, with the remaining fourth going toward freezing tuition for Minnesota students for two years.
Minnesotans have been telling the Legislature for years that the state’s commitment to our schools has not kept pace with inflation, leading to layoffs and local referendums for property taxpayers to fund just the basics. By targeting corporate tax havens and making sure big corporations pay their fair share, the investments in our schools that Minnesotans want are possible.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is on the rise – it’s a factor in one in four crashes and contributes to 59 deaths and 223 serious injuries annually in Minnesota. Democrats and Republicans worked together last week to pass a bill to increase drivers’ safety. There are a lot of distractions out on the roads, and our cell phones are a constant cause of accidents and distraction.
I proudly voted for this bill that will make our roads safer by requiring Minnesotans to put down their phones and focus on the road – and on Friday the Governor signed the hands-free bill into law.
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As always, please reach out if there’s anything I can do for you. Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Rep. Michael V. Nelson
Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 5, 2019
Neighbors,
On Wednesday, Governor Tim Walz delivered his first State of the State address. He laid out his vision for our state by using real stories about the struggles and strengths of Minnesotans. He emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation between the two parties, and the House and the Senate, to focus on serving Minnesotans.
Help America Vote Act Update
I hope that bipartisan spirit carries over to the Help America Vote Act negotiations. Secretary of State Steve Simon and I have continued to fight for full funding in order to secure our elections, though Republicans have been hesitant to agree, or even show up to our negotiations. This is an issue that has historically had broad bipartisan support, clearly demonstrated by the fact that every single other state has begun using money allocated from the Federal Government.
You can learn more from a recent KARE11 segment here.
Minnesota Values Budget
Budgets are more than just spreadsheets and numbers — they’re a reflection of our values and morals. The Minnesota Values Budget invests in a state that works better all of us. It is based on the fact that Minnesotans care about their neighbors and want to see them succeed just as much as they do their own families.
Learn more by reading MPR’s coverage here.
Continue reading “Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 5, 2019”