Tag: Rep. Howard

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: November 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,  

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Over the past few weeks, Minnesota has seen some of its worst days yet in the COVID-19 pandemic, and though the promising news of effective vaccines gives us hope, it’s likely that darker days lie ahead.

Much of Minnesota’s success in combating this virus is depended on what additional resources we’ll be able to receive from the federal government, and to that end I drafted a letter along with my DFL colleagues in the Minnesota House calling on President Trump and Senate Majority Leader McConnell to return to the work of delivering sorely-needed economic relief. We need every level of government to work together to fight this pandemic and help Minnesotans and our small businesses weather these economic storms. You can read that letter here.  

New COVID-19 Measures

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced new measures in Minnesota’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, or rather, we returned to some of the familiar restrictions from last spring. Starting Friday at 11:59 p.m., bars and restaurants will only be open through take-out options, gyms and entertainment venues will close, and we’ll be putting a pause on youth sports.  

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: November 19, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This Monday, we started the second legislative special session of the year, meeting again to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the virus and its economic impact are the chief reasons for Governor Walz calling the legislature back, we’re also using this time to continue advocating for common sense police accountability measures and a jobs and local projects (or “bonding”) bill. You may recall during the previous special session, the Republican-led Senate chose to end the session before we reached an agreement. I am hoping that cooler heads can prevail and we can reach consensus on these vitally important issues in the coming days.

The work continues, with the current plan being that we’ll return to the House floor on Monday, July 20th, to pass legislation. Here’s an update on the latest from St. Paul: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 16, 2020”

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

Dear Neighbors,

Almost three years to the day, Alec Smith lost his life because he couldn’t afford his insulin. Now, the lifesaving law that bears his name has gone into effect, after a courageous fight from his parents Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt, and many others.

Alec Smith

On the eve of Alec’s Law being implemented in Minnesota, we learned that Big Pharma is suing the state of Minnesota to stop it. This was an action that blindsided lawakers across the political spectrum, especially after numerous chances to give public testimony, and countless hours of negotiations. With this lawsuit, they attempt to take insulin away from people who cannot afford a drug they need to survive. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: July 2, 2020”

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

Dear Neighbors,

Last week the legislature met in special session. In the House we worked quickly to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as policing accountability reform in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

The House passed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020, informed by the shared experiences and expertise of groups that are too often left out of the conversation here at the State Capitol. With the spotlight on Minnesota, these were measures that would have made our state a leader in true, equitable justice. The main components were:

  • Reclaiming Community Oversight
    • Putting power into the hands of the people and neighborhoods that police officers are sworn to serve and protect.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: June 23, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: June 3, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

George Floyd should be alive today. Our communities are in pain and they deserve justice.

As I am sure you know by now, Derek Chauvin, the officer captured on video with his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck, has been fired from his position, arrested and charged with murder. Today, the three other officers complicit in the murder were charged as well.

These charges are a necessary step toward justice, but it must only be the beginning. Yesterday, I stood behind DFL members of the POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) Caucus to announce additional measures for police and criminal justice reform, as well as our intention to make these issues a priority during a likely special session this month. You can watch the press conference, or read an overview of our proposals. These include more than a dozen measures designed to rebuild community trust while dismantling the structural racism that contributed to the murder of George Floyd: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: June 3, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Late Sunday night, the 2020 Legislative Session adjourned. Though this usually marks the end of our work for the year, multiple factors, largest of which being the COVID-19 pandemic, make a special session in June highly likely.

Session Adjourned

The world changed in the middle of this session and so the legislature changed as well, working quickly to respond to the global pandemic and support Governor Walz in our work to save lives and keep our state safe. And despite a global pandemic, we passed Alec’s Law, first-in-the-nation legislation that compels Big Pharma to make insulin affordable when someone needs it most. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 19, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard Update: May 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We are in the final days of what has become an unconventional legislative session, with the Minnesota House set to adjourn on Monday, May 18. While Monday marks the end of the normal legislative session, it’s likely we will meet in a special session to further address issues brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is the latest:

#StaySafeMN

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced that the current stay at home order will expire as planned on Monday, May 18th. The order will be replaced with a new one allowing for more businesses to reopen as they meet public health parameters. Minnesotans will be able to gather in groups of 10 people or less with social distancing and retail stores and main street businesses can open, provided they have a safety plan. Restaurants, bars, salons, gyms and larger events will remain closed until at least June 1st. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard Update: May 14, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 1, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, Governor Walz extended Minnesota’s Stay Home Order until May 18 while “turning the dial” to open more businesses that are able to do so safely. This includes extending the closures of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation, but it also provides guidelines allowing retail businesses to operate in a limited capacity with curbside pick-up and delivery. You can watch yesterday’s COVID-19 briefing here.

Extended Order

This is the right call. By prioritizing the safety of Minnesotans while taking strategic steps forward, we can more quickly get Minnesota back to work and healthy.

Of course, this in no way lessens the sacrifices so many Minnesotans are making: our front-line workers putting themselves at-risk to care for us, small business owners who are struggling to stay afloat, students who miss their friends and their teachers. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: May 1, 2020”

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your loved ones continue to stay healthy and safe during these challenging times. The information and resources that are available continue to change, sometimes on a daily basis, and a great source of accurate and up to date information is the state’s COVID-19 website, which you can find here.

In our work at the Minnesota House, we continue to craft legislation that puts Minnesotans first, while also finding ways businesses and state agencies can operate as efficiently as possible in our temporary new normal. One recent legislative success I’d like to highlight, though not directly COVID related, is the passing of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.

Alec Smith Insulin Act Graphics - House Passage Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: April 22, 2020”

House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Senate Republicans held a virtual press conference on a housing proposal that includes some housing assistance paired with language that would weaken Governor Walz’s Executive Order on prohibiting evictions during the peacetime emergency. Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Housing leaders released the following statements:

“I support a bill that prioritizes the needed $100 million in housing assistance,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Republicans in the Senate are seeking to speed up and expand the number of cases where evictions are allowed, and the Minnesota House DFL opposes those proposed policy changes.”

“The priority of Governor Walz and the Minnesota House is to ensure Minnesotans can stay safe at home and afford to keep the roof over their heads. That is why we support moving forward quickly to pass $100 million in housing assistance for Minnesota homeowners, renters, and landlords,” said Rep. Alice Hausman. “Housing advocates and landlords alike agree that funding at this level is necessary and there is no reason we shouldn’t proceed.” Continue reading “House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance”