Tag: Rep. Koegel

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

We are in the middle of a special legislative session to finish up the state budget which began at 12:01 a.m. Monday night. Work was supposed to be finished by 7 a.m. yesterday, but some major legislation took a long time to be drafted. In fact, the proposed Health and Human Services bill was only finished this afternoon. This special session follows the Monday midnight deadline by when the regular legislative session was constitutionally required to end.

While we’re considering budget bills to fund important investments in our schools, health care, transportation and other values we all have a responsibility to take care of, some troubling measures are moving forward as well. Some of these are quite detrimental to working families. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: May 25, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Monday at midnight is the deadline for the Legislature to adjourn for the year, and a great deal of work remains before us. Other than funding for state agriculture programs, legislative leaders in the House and Senate majorities and Gov. Mark Dayton have yet to agree on a two-year state budget.

In an effort to end the impasse, Wednesday night Gov. Dayton put forth what could have been the linchpin to bring the session to conclusion: an offer to meet the legislative leaders half way. After including critical funding for our courts system and needed investments in cybersecurity protection, the Governor proposed that the surplus would be split right in half. The Governor would target his half toward values such as education, health care, and public safety, while GOP legislative leaders would be able to target their half toward tax cuts and road funding, their top two priorities. For Gov. Dayton, this represents a significant compromise, moving more than $1.5 billion away from his initial budget proposal. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: May 19, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well, and you are able to take advantage of this wonderful weather with your friends and family. Here at the State Capitol, the pace is picking up as we head toward adjournment on May 22, and I wanted to give you an update.

Negotiations on an agreement for a two-year state budget between Gov. Dayton and the House and Senate majorities appeared to be on track earlier this week. In a spirit of compromise, the Governor had issued a series of proposals trying to move more toward the middle. Unfortunately, rather than returning a compromise offer of their own, the legislative majority chose to move ahead with votes on their own, very partisan budget bills. It is extremely disappointing that rather than doing the hard work to find common ground, they chose to walk away from the table. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: May 11, 2017”

 

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors:

At this late stage of the legislative session, we should be nearing a state budget compromise between Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Dayton and wrapping up work in a productive manner, on time, and in a way that benefits Minnesotans. Unfortunately, the Republicans – who are in the majority of the House and Senate – have stuck to a set of priorities that put the wants of the richest Minnesotans ahead of the needs of our communities. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: May 3, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

I want to thank everyone who took time out of their weekend to join Sen. Newton and me at our Coffee and Conversation this past Sunday. It was great to hear what’s on the minds of constituents and answer questions about what’s happening at the Legislature.

At the Capitol, Conference Committees are deliberating differences between House and Senate versions of the major budget bills including education, health and human services, public safety and others. Once these agreements are made, Governor Dayton, who released his own proposed budget earlier this session, will be able to weigh in. If you would like to learn which members are serving on the conference committees and follow their progress, click here. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: April 27, 2017”

Rep. Erin Koegel (37A) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

After a weeklong recess to observe the Easter and Passover holidays, we are back in St. Paul for the final five weeks of the legislative session. House/Senate conference committees have been appointed to consider the differences between each chamber’s versions of the major budget bills. Hopefully, the negotiations surrounding these decisions can be open to the public with a great deal of citizen input, and when finished, the end results will improve opportunities for all Minnesotans. There is much work in front of us to increase access to quality education, fix our transportation system, and attract good paying jobs to our region.

As we move forward with this work, Sen. Jerry Newton and I want to give community members an opportunity to share their viewpoints and ask any questions about what’s happening at the Capitol. You’re invited to attend a Coffee and Conversation meeting this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Sticks and Stones Restaurant located at the Fogerty Arena in Blaine. Everyone is welcome, and I hope you can attend. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel Update: April 18, 2017”