Tag: Mike Nelson

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 17, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

There are only a few days left in the legislative session before we must adjourn. I know we have a lot ahead of us if legislators are going to complete the work Minnesotans expect.

Yesterday, House Republicans blocked a proposal to ban cell phone use while driving a vehicle, unless the driver is using a hands-free device. We’ve all heard tragic stories about families losing loved ones because of a distracted driver on their cell phone. This was a bipartisan proposal that 80% of Minnesotans support. However, every Republican House member present voted to block the proposal- it was shameful. If you want to help stop distracted driving, consider calling Speaker Kurt Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and tell them to vote for this bill.

Here is their contact information: Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 17, 2018”

Rep. Mike V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 4, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We have just over 2 weeks left in the legislative session and I am getting concerned that we are headed to another chaotic end of session push.  This week the House debated and voted on measures related to taxes, health and human services, transportation, public safety, jobs, agriculture and the environment. My biggest concern is the work we do here reflects and supports the values of the people in our community. Unfortunately, a lot of what the Republicans are proposing doesn’t follow that guideline.

All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to be safe, healthy, and successful. But these policies fail on all three of those counts. At every turn, Republicans put corporations ahead of working people and divide and distract Minnesotans instead of prioritizing the issues that will build a better future for everyone. Continue reading “Rep. Mike V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: May 4, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD50A) Update: April 27, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Neighbors,

There are fewer than four weeks remaining in the 2018 legislative session and a full list of crucial items to pass remains. Here is an update from the Capitol:

Transportation Constitutional Amendment

Republicans are gearing up to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would channel money from auto parts sales directly to construction of roads and bridges. While that sounds reasonable at first glance, it actually puts our budget as a whole in peril by taking money from the general fund. Diverting general fund money to roads creates a large hole in our budget, shortchanging E-12, higher education, local roads, police and firefighters. As the session heads toward adjournment, I hope cooler heads will prevail and we’ll be able to fund our schools, local communities and our roads responsibly. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD50A) Update: April 27, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 20, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We now have about four weeks left in the 2018 legislative session. It’s been a busy time at the Capitol and today is the third and final committee deadline, where most finance bills must be passed out of their respective committees. We have many late nights ahead of us. Still unresolved are the taxes bill, bonding bill, House action on pensions, and any movement on opioid abuse and elder neglect.

Fighting for Clean Water Protections

On Monday, the Minnesota House passed a Republican-authored bill 69 to 57 to prohibit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) from implementing proposed rules for nitrogen fertilizer use. These rules, authorized under 1989’s Groundwater Protection Act, would protect Minnesota’s water resources by minimizing nitrate pollution. Far too many Minnesotans are facing unsafe drinking water, so it’s of vital importance that in areas highly susceptible to pollution there are a few ground rules for how and when to apply fertilizers. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 20, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 13, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We have returned from our Easter/Passover break and the pace is steady as we inch toward the May 21 adjournment date. Here is an update from the Capitol:

State Employee Contracts and Pensions

Before our break, the Legislature passed and Governor Dayton signed the public employee contracts. The contracts were negotiated in 2017 and it’s time they were ratified by the legislature.

The Senate has approved a pension bill, providing a $6 billion reduction in current and future costs by lowering state, school district, county, and city liabilities, but the bill languishes in the House. Approval of this pension bill is critical to our state and to the financial future of 500,000 dedicated former state employees. I will push for the pension bill to receive the same overwhelming support as it did in the Senate, where it passed 66-0. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 13, 2018”

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 23, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear neighbors,

House Republicans continue their attack on working families and their right to organize. A new proposal would stop public sector workers from voluntarily contributing to their union’s political advocacy work through their paychecks with voluntary deductions.

House Republicans have one goal: give more power to the super-rich and their corporate donors. This not-so-hidden attack on working families will only make it harder for working Minnesotans to join together for higher incomes and better benefits. DFLers value hard work, fair pay, and the right to organize. Workers joining together to organize allows them to fight for higher wages, safer working conditions, and a path to retire with dignity. This effort is the Republicans’ most recent attempt to put corporations and the wealthy ahead of working families. Continue reading “Rep. Michael V. Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 23, 2018”

Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 8, 2018

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to all of you that came to the town hall last month. It is always helpful hearing what is important to you before the legislative session starts. It’s been another busy week at the Capitol. Here are a few things items I wanted to you to see:

School Safety and Gun Violence
As with all the recent mass shootings, there’s a point where you reach road blocks and momentum toward change seems to end. After last week’s disappointment where Republicans stopped common sense gun safety proposals including background checks, it seemed like maybe we were reaching that point. Fortunately, we’ve seen the pressure for action mounting. Continue reading “Rep. Mike Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 8, 2018”

Rep. Mike Nelson Update: March 26, 2017

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbor,

In spite of a $1.65 billion surplus, the 2017 Minnesota legislature went into overtime. Governor Dayton called legislators into Special Session on Tuesday after reaching an agreement on the framework to complete the state budget. Unfortunately, the Republican majority took several days to cross the finish line.

When the regular legislative session ended at midnight Monday, 70% of the major budget bills were unresolved including education, health and human services, and state government finance. A proposed package of tax legislation also stalled, as did a bonding bill to address infrastructure needs statewide. Continue reading “Rep. Mike Nelson Update: March 26, 2017”

Rep. Mike V. Nelson Update: May 17, 2017

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

We are less than a week away from the legislative session adjournment deadline of May 22nd. While legislative leaders and Governor Dayton are engaged in budget talks it is hard to get everyone on the same page.

A week ago Republican legislative leaders decided to abandon budget negotiations with Governor Dayton and send him budget bills which are filled with provisions that give advantages to corporations and the very wealthy. They are forcing Minnesotans to endure deeps cuts at a time of surpluses in Minnesota. Thankfully, the Governor said he would veto the budget bills if they were included. True to his word the Governor finished vetoing all of the budget bills after legislative leaders wasted a week. Continue reading “Rep. Mike V. Nelson Update: May 17, 2017”

Rep. Mike V. Nelson Update: May 5, 2017

Rep. Michael V. Nelson (40A) – Legislative Update

Dear neighbors,

As we approach the session deadline of May 22, several budget bills remain unresolved. Despite a $1.65 billion budget surplus, Republican majorities in the House and Senate are making the wrong choices.

Governor Dayton has been actively engaged with Republicans, specifying parameters for his budget preferences and detailing items that are not acceptable. In a letter sent to the press on Tuesday, all correspondence between the governor’s staff and legislators was listed. House Democrats are working toward a compromise budget in the next two weeks, but we will not stand for policies that move the state backward and hurt Minnesotans. Continue reading “Rep. Mike V. Nelson Update: May 5, 2017”