I hope you’re having a great week! There’s a lot happening at the Capitol these days – here’s a quick recap on the big developments.
Health care
Minnesotans have come forward to share powerful stories about the high – and rising – cost of Insulin and other pharmaceutical drugs. We need to hold big pharma accountable for prescription drug price-gouging. Last year 26-year-old Alec Smith died because he was forced to ration his monthly supply of insulin. After getting off his parents’ health insurance, he could no longer pay the $1,300. Minnesotans simply should not die because they can’t afford health care. The House DFL has a comprehensive plan to address the cost of insulin. It includes:
The Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act (HF 485) allows Minnesotans who are unable to afford their insulin to get their prescription filled in emergencies. It also authorizes pharmacies to fill a temporary supply of insulin for patients whose prescription is out-of-date. Reimbursements for pharmacies would be paid through a fee on Big Pharma insulin manufacturers. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: March 12, 2019”
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.
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”
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.
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.
Rep. Nelson and Secretary of State Simon testifying in Ways and Means
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.
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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 (
Dear Neighbors,