Tag: House District 50A

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 2, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Last week was another busy week at the Minnesota Legislature as we passed our first four bills of session off the House floor. I’m happy to say the very first bill we passed was the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.

Insulin Advocates

Nicole Smith-Holt and more than a dozen insulin advocates watched the debate from the House Gallery, and their presence was felt by everyone in the chamber. I am so proud to be working with this committed and courageous group of fierce advocates fighting for a future where everyone has access to affordable insulin when they need it. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 2, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: February 21, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Our second week of the 2020 legislative session started out strong when I joined my fellow members of the House Climate Action Caucus on Monday to announce our “can-do” proposals for addressing the climate crisis. The Climate Action Caucus spent the last few months holding informational hearings on various policy areas and how they intersect with climate change solutions. This is an issue championed by our state’s young leaders, the ones who climate change will impact the most, and it’s through their advocacy that we brought these bold new ideas forward this week.

Climate Presser

You can stay connected to our work in the Climate Action Caucus by subscribing to updates here, and you can learn more about our proposals here.

A Home Run for Housing

I had the opportunity to chair the Housing Finance and Policy Division this week while Rep. Alice Hausman presented her bill, which I am proud to co-sponsor, that would authorize an investment of $500 million in housing. This is an innovative bill that would fund everything from emergency shelters, the construction of new housing, and $100 million for the improvement of existing public housing.

Every year it seems like we do a tiny bit more for housing in Minnesota, raising that bar little by little. It’s not often in committee that I get to make a “Bomba Sqaud” reference, but I think we need to follow the example of the Minnesota Twins and set a new home run record when it comes to establishing a continued sustained investment in affordable housing, and $500+ million is what’s needed. You can watch my remarks on my Facebook page here.

Award

Thank you to Homes for All for honoring me with their Housing Champion Award. Homes for All does a fantastic job advocating for statewide housing stability for all Minnesotans, and they’re great partners in our work in the Housing Division.

Fast-Tracking Insulin Affordability

It’s been a bit of a marathon these first two weeks as the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act has moved quickly through the legislative process. After seven committee hearings in seven days, the Minnesota House is poised to yet again pass a bill that ensures no Minnesotan loses their life because they can’t afford their insulin. I am so grateful for the Minnesotans with diabetes who have testified before these committees, sharing their personal stories and struggles to afford insulin. Guided by their voices, we must continue moving urgently to pass Alec’s Bill. Schedules are fluid at the Minnesota Legislature, but we expect to pass this bill in the House as early as next week. I’ll be sure to update you on any changes.

Sincerely,

 

Michael Howard

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: February 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota Legislature is back in session, and this week we hit the ground running. While much of last session was focused on setting Minnesota’s state budget, this year we’ll be investing in infrastructure and community projects throughout the state, working on new policy initiatives, and doubling down on important bills left over from the previous legislative session like the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. This is a shorter legislative session than last year, with no shortage of work to get done. Here’s a highlight of some of the important bills from this week:

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act

Every Minnesota child should have the same opportunity for a bright and promising future, but that’s sadly not the case. Our state suffers from one of the largest opportunity gaps in the nation, with many families in our community struggling to afford quality child care or ensure access to quality pre-K education for their kids.

That’s why I am proud to support the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act, which provides $500 million for early learning and child care. Specifically, I am working to ensure this bill includes support for our Family, Friend and Neighbor child care networks like La RED Latina de Educación Temprana MN, who are doing innovative work to ensure all kids have access to quality child care. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: February 14, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: February 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’re ramping up to the start of the 2020 Legislative Session, leading to a busy few weeks here at the State Capitol. Here’s a quick update on what we’ve been working on as we prepare for the return to St. Paul:

The State of Insulin Affordability

Last week, I joined Governor Walz, DFL legislators, and a group of tireless advocates to once again call on Republicans in the Minnesota Senate to pass the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. We spent the legislative interim working to find common ground wherever possible, and though DFL legislators moved our position in the spirit of compromise, Republican leadership remained committed to passing the cost for an emergency insulin program on to Minnesotans. Big Pharma has tripled the cost of insulin in the last ten years, not because of the Minnesota taxpayer, but because of greed. We’re simply asking that insulin manufacturers financially contribute to the solution for the crisis they created and profited from. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: February 7, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: January 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope the start to 2020 is treating you well. In just three short weeks we’ll be back in St. Paul for the legislative session, but before that I invite you to join me and my local legislative colleagues as we hold a 2020 Legislative Preview hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Bloomington Public Schools Advocacy Council.

I’ll be joined by Sen. Melissa Wiklund, Rep. Andrew Carlson, and Rep. Steve Elkins as we answer your questions on the upcoming session. The event is Tuesday, January 28, from 7-8:30pm at Bloomington Fire Station #1, 10 W 95th St, Bloomington, MN 55420. I hope to see you there!

2020 Census

In March and April of this year, the U.S. Census Bureau will be sending information to every home in the state on how to be properly counted in the 2020 Census. The census provides critical data that directly impacts our community’s representation and support, with billions of dollars in federal funding going to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. It’s important that you and your household are accurately counted. You can click here to download a fact sheet with more information, or here to watch a short video.Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau needs to fill thousands of temporary positions to conduct the census, including in our community. These positions are crucial to an effective census, and provide flexible hours as well as competitive wages. You can find more information on census jobs here. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: January 23, 2020”

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD29) Update: January 23, 2020

January 23, 2020

Please join us for a District 49 Town Hall and 2020 Legislative Preview!

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For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/584898522324136/

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For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2716310651783564/

Rep. Michael Howard Update: December 6, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

As we prepare ourselves for the 2020 Legislative Session, this week, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released their latest budget and economic forecast, which we’ll use as a guide for our work next session.

Our state budget forecast projected a $1.3 billion surplus. Our state’s fiscal stability is good news, but there is reason for caution and no reason for complacency. The projected surplus is not the same as “money in the bank.” It doesn’t account for inflation and could change. And the reality is far too many Minnesotans are struggling to get by. Health care, housing, and child care costs continue to place a heavy burden on Minnesota and our state’s racial disparities are unacceptable. Our focus must remain on the kinds of investments that will create economic security for all.

Republicans are already trying to use today’s surplus to push their agenda for giveaways to the corporations and ultra-wealthy. Of course, if the state faced a deficit they would be pushing this same, tired, trickle-down agenda that has never yielded positive results – at least not for the vast majority of Minnesotans. We must reject it and move forward with a bold agenda to solve our housing crisis, address the high cost of health care and prescription drugs, and eliminate racial disparities. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard Update: December 6, 2019”

Rep. Howard calls for reform to promote excellence in policing

House DFL logoRecent ruling underscores need for Police Officer Task Force

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – With the recent ruling that a former Minneapolis police officer can be reinstated after he was fired for kicking and severely injuring a man that was handcuffed, Rep. Howard (DFL – Richfield) renewed his call for reform to promote excellence in policing. This ruling is the latest example of an officer who was fired for a serious breach of the public trust being reinstated. Howard is calling for passage of legislation he authored last session to create a Peace Officer Excellence Task Force to bring a diverse group of stakeholders together to study this issue and provide recommendations to the Legislature to repair a broken system.

“Police officers that seriously betray the public trust should face serious consequences, but current systems in place reveal a broken process that is fracturing the trust that Minnesotans have in law enforcement,” said Howard. “The vast majority of police officers serve our communities with dignity and respect, and many departments are taking important steps to strengthen trust with their community. The excellent work of Minnesota’s public safety officers is threatened by a broken system, and it’s necessary that we all come together to make changes.”

Rep. Howard introduced the task force legislation in response to an incident in which a Richfield police officer was reinstated by an arbitrator after being fired for striking a Somali youth and then failing to report it. That case was taken to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which stated “No doubt many observers would find this officer’s actions disturbing,” but found the state statutes and city contracts provided no alternative remedy but to uphold the decision of the arbitrator. Continue reading “Rep. Howard calls for reform to promote excellence in policing”

Statement from Rep. Howard in Support of Congresswoman Omar’s Housing Plan

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Rep. Michael Howard (DFL, Richfield), vice chair of the Minnesota House Housing Finance and Policy Division, released the following statement in support of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s “Homes for All Act” announced today:

“We need bold solutions if we are to meet the crisis facing Minnesota families who cannot afford their homes, and Congresswoman Omar’s plan is the kind of bold thinking we need at all levels of government,” said Rep. Howard. “Every Minnesotan should have access to housing stability. This aspirational goal is within reach, but only if we take an all-hands-on-deck approach to our housing crisis and take urgent action across the continuum of housing. That means solutions to eliminating student homelessness, building new homes, preserving existing affordable housing, creating accessible housing and empowering renters. We can do this.”

The “Homes for All Act” would establish a permanent federal funding stream for making homes more affordable, while also lifting the federal prohibition on funding new public housing projects. Over the next decade, Congresswoman Omar’s plan would invest $1 trillion in affordable housing projects, including the creation of 12 million new housing units.

In Minnesota alone, more than a quarter of Minnesotans pay more than they can afford on their housing. In addition, Wilder Research released a study earlier this year showing a 10% increase in those experiencing homelessness over the last three years, many of them children.

Rep. Howard said he looks forward to the 2020 session and efforts to make housing affordability solutions a key priority.