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: Mike Nelson
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: February 28, 2019
Neighbors,
Happy last day of the snowiest February on record. I’m looking forward to warmer temperatures and moving closer to passing legislation we’ve been working on at the Capitol.
Transportation Field Hearing
On Wednesday the Transportation Committee held a field hearing at North High School, my parents’ alma mater. We had a conversation with community members focused on Public Transit, an issue that’s important across the state, and one that members from both sides of the aisle can agree on. We heard testimony on two bills, one to prioritize bus upgrades in areas with poor air quality, and another that would provide free public transportation on Election Day. Both of these bills would provide greater accessibility to Minnesotans, as well as promoting public health and easier participation in our elections. You can watch the whole hearing here.
The field hearings are part of an initiative to give constituents more access to their legislators and the things happening in the State Government. We held a hearing in St. Cloud last week, and will be in Blaine tomorrow.
Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 28, 2019”
Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 21, 2019
Neighbors,
On Tuesday, the Governor released his two-year budget proposal. His historic investments in infrastructure and transportation, education, and health care will strengthen our communities and increase economic prosperity for Minnesotans. While there are over a thousand Minnesota bridges and hundreds of miles of roads that are in poor condition, Minnesotans are losing money in gas, lost time, and car repairs. House DFLers and Governor Walz support common-sense investments to keep Minnesotans safe and ensure that nothing like the I-35W bridge collapse ever happens again.
All Minnesotans deserve access to high-quality, affordable health care. We will work to provide Minnesotans with an additional health care option and work to make affordable health care a reality in Minnesota.
The Governor also committed to making Minnesota the “Education State,” and reiterated his support for closing the funding gap in schools and making sure every child has a good teacher and access to the tools they need to compete in today’s economy. Continue reading “Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 21, 2019”
Minnesota House Approves Help America Vote Act Funding
SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. Michael Nelson (DFL – Brooklyn Park) released the following statement after the Minnesota House of Representatives voted to appropriate federal funds under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Minnesota is increasingly more likely to see attacks on our election systems, and the legislation (H.F.14) would unlock $6.6 million in federal funding to support state efforts in securing election infrastructure against cyber threats.
“It’s no secret that our elections have been targeted by bad actors,” said Rep. Michael Nelson. “While Minnesota isn’t last on many lists, we are in fact the very last state to appropriate this money. It’s time for us to take seriously the threats against our democracy by passing the Help America Vote Act so Minnesotans can more easily participate in safe, secure elections.”
In March of 2018, the federal government appropriated $380 million in grants. Each state was allocated a share of the grant money. $6.6 million was designated for Minnesota. The grant is available in the state’s HAVA account, but the Secretary of State cannot use the funds unless they are directly appropriated by the Legislature.
The funds would go toward modernizing the statewide voter registration system, improving accessibility, training local election officials, and implementing security improvements for election systems.
Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 12, 2019
Neighbors,
A number of bills I’ve introduced have started making their way through committees, and I’m hopeful they will be signed into law.
Help America Vote Act
I have been working with Secretary of State Steve Simon to pass the Help America Vote Act. Just yesterday I presented it to the Ways and Means committee. It was an easy ask: Minnesota wouldn’t have to pay anything to unlock $6.6 million in federal funds to upgrade our election system and improve our election security. Minnesota’s not last on very many lists, but we are in fact the very last state to unlock th is money. It’s just common sense, and I’m hopeful we will get this signed into law. More from the Star Tribune here.
Wage Theft
Each year, more than 39,000 workers face wage theft by their employers, collectively losing $12 million in lost wages. From workers who are encouraged to stay after they clock out to help clean up, to employers struggling with cash flow skipping paychecks altogether, this issue is far too common. This is why my colleagues and I are working to pass policies that support workers dealing with wage theft. Everyone deserves to be paid fairly for the work that they do.
On Wednesday, the first bill was heard on this issue. If the bill is passed, employers would face harsher penalties for not keeping detailed records on the pay of their employees that they are required to keep. Additionally, the bill would give the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry more authority in enforcing wage laws.
First Floor Vote
Minnesota has some of the worst disparities between black and white citizens for unemployment, income, incarceration and homeownership. The first bill we passed this session by floor vote addresses some of those disparities.
This bill seeks to address racist housing history in Minnesota. If the bill passes, it will allow homeowners to formally renounce restrictive home title rules that have been used to prevent minority communities from moving into residential neighborhoods. These “restrictive covenants” were legal until 1948, but the language still exists on many houses. The bill would allow homeowners to attach a formal document to their home title repudiating the racist language, but it would not remove the language from the title in order to allow for future research on the impacts of racist housing policies.
Check out the Star Tribune’s coverage of the topic here.
The Next President
Watching Senator Klobuchar announce her candidacy for President was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sen. Klobuchar, along with the thousands of Minnesotans (and some who flew from around the country) proved that Minnesotans are tough, and won’t let a little bad weather get in the way of progress.
You can always reach me by phone at (651) 296-3751, by email at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn, or by sending mail to my office: 585 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155.
Michael Nelson
State Representative
District 40A
Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: January 28, 2019
Neighbors,
All of Minnesota will face dangerously cold temperatures over the next few days. Put your “Minnesota Values” into action and check in on senior citizens, vulnerable people, and at-risk adults. You can find more safety information here.
Shutdown Ends
I’m hopeful that we can quickly provide relief to the public servants who have been used as political pawns over the last 35 days. Anxiety is still high among federal workers and their families. These hard-working Americans have families, mortgages and medical bills — we don’t know yet the full extent of the effect this shutdown will have but this must never happen again.
Legislation
I’m proud to have introduced legislation last week that would establish a secure retirement program for Minnesota families. The program would use a public-private partnership model to help workers save for retirement. For millions of Americans, secure retirement is not attainable. While nearly half of working-age households have no more than $40,000 in savings, research shows that offering workers a way to save through their job increases their ability to save for retirement dramatically. If signed into law, this will save Minnesotans more than $124 million over 10 years in Medicaid savings alone.
This Week
On Wednesday at 8:00 am my Help America Vote Act will receive a public hearing in the State Government committee. This bill, H.F. 14, will allow Minnesota to transfer and appropriate federal dollars that we werealready given, to help secure our elections. That’s right, we just have to put these federal dollars to use. All 49 other states have appropriated and put this money into use. The bill will do the following things:
- Modernize our statewide voter registration system
- Improve accessibility
- Prepare training materials and training for local election officials
- Implement security improvements for elections systems
- Fund other activities to improve the security of elections
It’s time for Minnesota to take seriously the threats against our democracy and pass the Help America Vote Act.
Upcoming Event
Quick reminder: on February 2nd I am hosting a town hall with Rep. Samantha Vang and Senator Chris Eaton to hear from our community. All are welcome – I hope you’ll join us and share your thoughts on how I can better serve you. More information here.
What: Town Hall Meeting
Who: Representative Mike Nelson, Representative Samantha Vang and Senator Chris Eaton
When: February 2, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Brooklyn Center Community Center, Cohen Room, 6301 Single Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center
As always, You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-3751, by email at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn, or by sending mail to my office: 585 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155.
Michael Nelson
State Representative
District 40A
Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: January 18, 2018
Dear Neighbors:
I wanted to check in as we wrap up week two of the 2019 legislative session. Beginning my ninth term as your state representative has been a great honor. We have a lot of work to do in these next couple of months to pass legislation to invest in education, make sure workers are protected on the job and expand the middle class.
Committee Assignments
I will continue working for you as chair of the State Government Finance Division committee. I will also serve on the following committees: Government Operations, Labor, Transportation Finance and Policy Division and Ways and Means.
Election Security
It’s no secret that our elections have been targeted by bad actors. That’s why I chief-authored the bipartisan Help America Vote Act to allow Minnesota to use $6.6 million in available federal funds to maintain our election integrity and security. Minnesota was the only state not to receive this money by last November’s election – we should have gotten this done last year and I’m committed to making sure this gets done quickly and early in this session. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: January 18, 2018”
Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: July 19, 2018
Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – 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 hello and introduce yourself! Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: July 19, 2018”
Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 24, 2018
Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update
Dear neighbors,
The legislative session ended Sunday night at midnight. This is one of the most mismanaged legislative sessions I’ve witnessed. Republicans in the Legislature put themselves, corporations, and the wealthy ahead of Minnesotans and failed to act on the issues most important to Minnesota families. Over the last few months Governor Dayton warned Republican lawmakers which proposals he would not sign into law, but Republicans ignored him. Today, Governor Dayton followed through on his word and vetoed the Republican spending bill and a Republican tax bill that gave permanent tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations, but very little to working families.
I know Minnesotans expect us to make Minnesota work better for everyone. We all care deeply about our state and want to see one another succeed. The good news is that I was able to collaborate with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to pass important bills for our area. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 24, 2018”