Tag: House District 44B

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: February 8, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Today marks the end of my first month as your representative! It’s an honor to serve as your voice at the Capitol. Here’s an update on the work that I’ve been doing.

At the Capitol
We had our first official floor vote on H.F. 51 this week! This legislation would allow homeowners to formally renounce restrictive covenants on their home titles. In the past, these covenants were used to prevent minority communities from moving into residential neighborhoods. While restrictive covenants are no longer legal, the language often remains on documents. The bill would permit homeowners to repudiate the racist language while preserving the title for future study of racist housing policies. We voted unanimously in favor of the bill, which gives me hope for more bipartisan legislation to come. Continue reading “Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: February 8, 2019”

Q&A with Rep. Patty Acomb: Her priorities as a first-term legislator

Minnetonka, Minnesota — Rep. Patty Acomb, D-Minnetonka, is serving her first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 44B.

Lakeshore Weekly News contacted Acomb to ask her a few questions about the legislative session, which began Jan. 8.

What are three of your goals this session?

As a new member, some key goals I have for early this session include:

  • Learning as much as I can about the state agencies, the issues, and potential legislation that are important to our community, so that I can be an effective representative. I am serving on four committees, including State Government Finance, Environment and Natural Resources Policy, Energy and Climate Finance and Policy, and Health and Human Services Finance.
  • Building relationships with my follow legislators — I am only one of 201 representatives and senators in the state Legislature, and will need to develop collaborative and bipartisan coalitions to address issues successfully.
  • And finally, I want to hear from constituents about their ideas, concerns, and feedback on what the state should be doing. Hearing from you allows me to be a better representative. I am also planning some town halls in my district, with the first one in early February.

View the complete January 28 article by Melissa Turtinen on The Lakeshore Weekly website here.

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: January 29, 2019

 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope that you are staying warm and safe! Please remember to check in on senior citizens, vulnerable adults, and others who are especially at risk this week with the extreme cold.

At the Capitol
It’s starting to feel like I’m settling into a routine here at the Capitol. My days are filled with community hearings and meetings with constituents and organizations. I’ve also been catching up on the many emails and phone calls that I’ve received from constituents. Please continue to reach out!

Though it’s still early in the session, dozens of bills are being introduced at each House floor session. I introduced my own first bill last week! This proposal—House File 333—provides a sales tax exemption for the construction materials to be used for the new public safety facility in the city of Minnetonka. This combined with funding from the city will allow for improved police and fire protection in our community. You can read more about it here. Continue reading “Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: January 29, 2019”

Election Endorsement District 44B: Patty Acomb

Legislators with prior service in nonpartisan local government are often strong performers at the State Capitol. That’s the experience that three-term Minnetonka City Council member Patty Acomb would bring if she’s elected to an open Minnetonka seat. She gets our nod over Republican Gary Porterto succeed retiring DFL Rep. Jon Applebaum.

DFLer Acomb, 53, is knowledgeable not only about the many ways state and local governments interact, but also about natural resource management, environmental protection and the coming clean energy revolution. Her career included staff positions at the state Department of Natural Resources and Hennepin County Environmental Services; she has also worked on energy policy for the National League of Cities. As a breast cancer survivor, she also has a keen interest in health care policy.

Her candidacy was motivated by dismay over the Parkland, Fla., high school shooting. Acomb’s family owns guns and enjoys hunting. She aims to strike a balance between protection of recreational use of firearms and prevention of mass shootings.

View the complete October 30 endorsement on the Star Tribune here.

Rep. Jon Applebaum (HD44B) Update: March 2, 2018

Rep. Jon Applebaum (44B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

The 2018 legislative session kicked off last week. We have a busy agenda ahead of us that seems to be constantly growing. This session, we will look to pass a robust public works infrastructure bill, address consequences of the recently passed federal tax bill, take action to end the opioid epidemic, and other pressing topics. With the session constitutionally required to wrap up by May 21, the session will likely be fast paced. Please find below an update from the Capitol.

Working to save you money

President Trump’s federal tax legislation is causing numerous headaches for Minnesotans and for many of them, resulting in more money out of their pockets. Not only did it tip the scales even further to benefit the wealthy and big corporations, longstanding credits and deductions Minnesotans have counted on to ensure an even playing field have disappeared. Continue reading “Rep. Jon Applebaum (HD44B) Update: March 2, 2018”

Rep. Jon Applebaum will not seek reelection to the Minnesota House in 2018

Rep. Jon Applebaum, HD44B

On February 16, 2018, Representative Jon Applebaum announced that he will not seek reelection to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018.

“It has been an honor to serve my hometown district, all of my constituents and the people of Minnesota for the past four years,” Rep. Applebaum said. “Thank you to my constituents for electing me as their representative. Thank you to my colleagues and the staff at the legislature for all the work they do. And thank you to my family, friends, supporters and volunteers, who helped in all my campaigns. Your support has meant the world to me. Continue reading “Rep. Jon Applebaum will not seek reelection to the Minnesota House in 2018”

Rep. Jon Applebaum (HD44B) Update: December 8, 2017

Rep. Jon Applebaum (44B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I’d like to start off by hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, with good times surrounded by family, friends and plenty of food.  I also wanted to share some very exciting personal news: my wife Kate and I are expecting our first child this April.  Since I work for you, I thought you may like to know!

As for updates from the State Capitol:

Budget Forecast

Earlier this week Minnesota Management and Budget announced the November Economic Forecast, which provides a preliminary financial outlook for the next legislative session. Unfortunately, the news wasn’t good, with a projected budget deficit standing at $302 million, when taking into account legislative funding not yet appropriated. As things stand now, this could balloon to $586 million in just over a year and a half. Continue reading “Rep. Jon Applebaum (HD44B) Update: December 8, 2017”

Rep. Jon Applebaum Update: May 3, 2017

 

Rep. Jon Applebaum (44B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

There are just under three weeks left in the legislative session before our constitutionally required date of adjournment, May 22. This is a pivotal stage of the session that will determine whether or not we will finish on time and produce results that improve opportunities for all Minnesotans. For my part, I’m committed to passing a state budget that prioritizes the things that make our state such a wonderful place to live: world class schools, quality health care, jobs that support families and a transportation system we can depend upon. Indeed, the state budget represents a clear question of priorities, and I believe that given our $1.65 billion budget surplus, we should be able to collaborate on compromises we can all be proud of. Continue reading “Rep. Jon Applebaum Update: May 3, 2017”