Tag: Michael Nelson

Neighbors, 

Today is the final day of our special session, with the last of our budget bills being passed off the House floor. Early this morning, we passed our State Government, Elections, and Veterans Budget, which I was honored to carry in the House. Like all of our budget bills, it was the product of compromise, with some important provisions left behind, but it’s ultimately a great bill for Minnesotans. 

As our state bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, our compromise budget fully funds a responsive state government that’s able to meet this moment and assist in our recovery. The budget also protects access to our elections, enforces wage theft laws, and funds resources for the men and women that served our country. 

You can read nonpartisan summaries of all our budget bills and the process to pass them below, thanks to our House Public Information Services. All that’s missing is our Tax bill, which we’re currently debating:

• Higher Education
• Commerce, Climate and Energy
• Agriculture
• Transportation
• Housing
• Jobs and Labor
• Health and Human Services
• Legacy
• Bonding
• Environment and Natural Resources
• E-12 Education
• Public Safety and Judiciary
• State Government, Veterans, and Elections 

Neighbors, 

Today is the final day of our special session, with the last of our budget bills being passed off the House floor. Early this morning, we passed our State Government, Elections, and Veterans Budget, which I was honored to carry in the House. Like all of our budget bills, it was the product of compromise, with some important provisions left behind, but it’s ultimately a great bill for Minnesotans. 

As our state bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, our compromise budget fully funds a responsive state government that’s able to meet this moment and assist in our recovery. The budget also protects access to our elections, enforces wage theft laws, and funds resources for the men and women that served our country. 

You can read nonpartisan summaries of all our budget bills and the process to pass them below, thanks to our House Public Information Services. All that’s missing is our Tax bill, which we’re currently debating:

• Higher Education
• Commerce, Climate and Energy
• Agriculture
• Transportation
• Housing
• Jobs and Labor
• Health and Human Services
• Legacy
• Bonding
• Environment and Natural Resources
• E-12 Education
• Public Safety and Judiciary
• State Government, Veterans, and Elections 

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An Orderly End to the Peacetime Emergency

More Minnesotans are fully vaccinated, COVID-19 cases are down, and in St. Paul we recently reached a deal with the US Department of Agriculture to continue emergency food assistance, and passed an off-ramp to the eviction moratorium – all components that led to us being able to vote for a safe and orderly end to the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, which had been in place since last March.

Ending the peacetime emergency also ends Governor Waz’s executive orders, and it was in negotiations with the Senate and the Governor that we were able to put together this roadmap that ensured we weren’t just replacing this emergency with a different crisis when it ends. For example, the off-ramp we just passed to the eviction moratorium gives landlords and renters the time and resources they need to be made whole. If you or someone you know has been struggling with rent payments because of the pandemic, I highly encourage you to check out renthelpmn.org. 

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Stay Connected

With the end of today’s special session, we’re not scheduled to be back on the House floor until the 2022 legislative session. During the interim, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about the bills we passed this year, or ideas you may have for our community. You can contact me through email (rep.michael.nelson@house.mn) or phone (651-296-3751). I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend. 

Sincerely,  

Rep. Michael V. Nelson

Neighbors,

Though the regular legislative session adjourned last week, we’re still focused on finalizing our state budget. Before we adjourned, we were able to reach a bipartisan agreement on a budget framework, so now we’ll hammer out the details ahead of an anticipated June special session.

The good news is that the state is on the right path to ensure our students, families, workers, and small businesses get the investments they need to bounce back from the past year – thanks in part to the federal funds we received from the American Rescue Plan.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 28, 2021”

Neighbors, 

It has been a busy week for Minnesota, both in the national and global news, and in our efforts at the Minnesota Legislature. Not far from our community, we saw another tragic killing of a Black man by law enforcement when Daunte Wright was shot in Brooklyn Center, and earlier this week former officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty for the murder of George Floyd. 

In finding former officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts, the jury has helped move us toward justice in this instance, but there is more left to do to ensure all Minnesotans have access to the dignity and safety they deserve.  

As a community, we need to continue to call out racism in our systems, and as a legislator, I will continue to fight for public safety reforms and equity measures that protect and lift up everyone in our community, no matter what they look like or where they are from.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 22, 2021”

Neighbors, 

Since my recent update on the vaccine eligibility in our state, we already have an exciting change. Starting today, all Minnesotans age 16 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. While eligible, it’s still not the case that doses are readily available, and many locations are fully booked for appointments for the time being. An increased supply of vaccines is expected from the federal government in early April, so look for more opportunities to get your first dose in the coming weeks. 

At-risk Minnesotans are still being prioritized, so patience is key as we wait our turns.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 30, 2021”

Neighbors, 

I hope you’re all enjoying our February thaw. Days are getting brighter and optimism continues to grow as we receive a clearer picture for vaccine distribution in our state. This week, Minnesota announced a timeline of when Minnesotans could expect to receive the vaccine – based on components such as their age, occupation, and underlying medical conditions. The vaccine is expected to be available to all who want it by this summer. 

Regardless of when you’re eligible to receive the vaccine, you should sign up for Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector, which will help notify when and where you can get your first dose.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: September 26, 2021”

Dear Neighbors, 

This weekend is going to be a continuation of sub-zero temperatures, and with the cold weather I wanted to make sure our community was aware of the available resources for those struggling to pay their heating bill. The Energy Assistance Program helped over 118,00 households pay heating bills last year, and you’re still able to apply – though applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program serves households that earn less than $54,357 for a household of four or $28,266 for a household of one. If you’re eligible, you can apply for assistance with your service provider. You can call at 800-657-3710 or visit the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.

Additionally, Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) helps protect and reconnect your heat from October 15 through April 15. All electric and natural gas companies must offer CWR protection, with different types of payment plans available depending on your household income and which electric or natural gas company you have. You can find more information on how to take advantage of the CWR here.

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The Latest on the COVID-19 Vaccine

We’ve recently received some good news with President Biden announcing yesterday that the US is securing 600 million more vaccine doses. Add low rates of hospital admissions, an uptick in vaccination counts, and over 30 percent of Minnesotans 65 and older now vaccinated, and there are many reasons to be optimistic. We’re closer than ever to closing this dark chapter, but it’s still incredibly important to follow public health guidelines.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 12, 2021”

Neighbors, 

I hope you and yours are doing well. We’re one month down in the 2021 Legislative Session, and we’ve spent most of this month laying the groundwork for our legislative priorities. As chair of the State Government Finance and Elections Committee, one piece of legislation I’m proud to co-author is House File 9, which is part of the Democracy for the People Act.

Today, we finished the first committee stop for this legislation, which would strengthen and protect our democracy. Minnesotans hold free and fair elections in extremely high regard, as shown by our consistent leadership in statewide voter turnout. The Democracy for the People Act steps up during a critical time for our democracy and says that no matter your party, region, race, or age – our democracy needs to work for all Minnesotans.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: January 29, 2021”

Dear Neighbors, 

I want to start by thanking you for allowing me to be your voice in the Minnesota House of Representatives for an additional two years. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m confident we can meet this moment if we work together. COVID-19 continues to surge across the state, and in response there are new resources and measures being implemented that you can read about below:

Balancing COVID Restrictions with Economic Relief

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the state have called for a new round of measures to help curb the spread of this virus. Similar to what we had experienced earlier this year, bars, restaurants, and gyms are now closed, and many events are paused – but with these measures there must also be a counter of economic relief to assist our community. My colleagues and I in the House DFL are working with Governor Walz to put forward a proposal of economic relief for Minnesota’s businesses and workers, which you can read more about here. 

We’re moving to address these measures, and hope to be in session to work on them as soon as next week.

COVIDaware MN

Wishing You A Healthy Thanksgiving

Today’s holiday will look different for many of us, but I hope you and yours are still able to find a way to connect with loved ones and reflect on what you’re thankful for this year. Once we get back from the break, things will be moving quickly in our efforts to respond to the COVID surge and provide economic relief. To stay up to date, you can subscribe to these legislative updates here, and be sure to share these with others who may be interested. 

If you have any questions about our upcoming work in the Minnesota House, or our goals for the future, please feel free to contact me at (651) 296-3751 or rep.michael.nelson@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Michael V. Nelson

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our state. Though Minnesota is not currently experiencing the spike in cases and deaths that we’re seeing in other states, difficult decisions still remain to ensure that stays the case. A decision on schools for the upcoming fall semester is expected soon, and this week saw the beginning of our second special session of 2020, with COVID-19 being a primary issue.

In addition to the pandemic and its economic impact on our state, our work in the Minnesota Legislature includes crafting consensus legislation on a jobs and local projects bill (otherwise known as a bonding bill), as well as public safety accountability measures. You can follow along for the latest on our work on the House Public Information website. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: July 16, 2020”

Neighbors,

Last week, Governor Walz announced a plan that delivers $841 million in federal dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Minnesota’s counties and cities in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our local governments have been at the forefront of helping our communities weather this storm, and under this plan Brooklyn Park would receive $6.1 million dollars.

Another new announcement from the governor’s office was yesterday’s milestone marking over 500,000 COVID-19 tests. Our community continues to do an amazing job of working together to responsibly take on this virus, and the spike in cases across the nation compounds the need for continued public safety guidelines. As restrictions loosen in our state and we spend more time in public, Minnesota’s testing capacity is the best it has ever been. If you are in need of a COVID-19 test, you can find the nearest testing location here. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: June 30, 2020”