Tag: Rep. Stephenson

Dear Neighbors,

Amid discord and divide in Washington D.C., Minnesota stands out as a national leader. As one of the only divided state legislatures in the country (Alaska being the other), the DFL-led House and Republican-led Senate found compromise and delivered on a two-year state budget. Balancing the budget in a bipartisan way wasn’t the only thing we got done- Republicans and Democrats together fought to keep Minnesotans safe, protect workers from stolen wages, and to address the opioid crisis that is devastating families across the state. Many of these new laws went into effect on July 1. A few other significant pieces of legislation I authored and co-authored for our state and community also went into effect.

Locally for our community, I garnered bipartisan support in the House and Senate to take the first steps towards building a new bridge across the Mississippi River between Ramsey and Dayton. Everyone in the northwest suburbs knows that a new river crossing is needed, but no progress has been made on this issue for almost 20 years. Even with competing regional projects among our split state legislature, I fought for its funding in the final transportation budget bill and was successful. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin the highway corridor and bridge improvement planning study for the new river crossing soon.

One new law that that I authored took effect earlier this month and will help victims of sexual assault by getting rid of the “marital rape exception.” This antiquated decree was used to shield perpetrators from prosecution in certain instances if they were married to the victim. Jenny Teeson is one of the brave Minnesotans who shared her experience with me of being drugged, raped, and videotaped by her former husband. When she sought justice, the legal system said her case could not proceed because of the old law. Every Minnesotan deserves justice when they are the survivor of a crime, and I am proud to have carried the bipartisan bill to move this law out of the 19^th century and recognize rape is a crime regardless of marital status. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: August 1, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

We’re in the final week of the legislative session, with a constitutional deadline to adjourn by Monday night at midnight. The House and Senate along with Governor Walz are working to come to an overall agreement on the state budget and conference committees for each area of the budget are continuing to work through aligning their bills. Here are a few updates from the week:

Reigning in Prescription Drug Costs

On Wednesday, a conference committee focused on improving the oversight of pharmacy benefit managers finished its work on a bill that takes bold action to reduce soaring prescription drug costs. The legislation would crack down on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), which act as a “middle man” between drug manufacturers and pharmacies. Drug manufacturers give PBMs rebates to encourage the PBM to place their product on the formulary, with no guarantee that the rebate will be passed on to consumers. Higher rebates are an incentive for PBMs not to consider less expensive drugs, and they encourage companies to raise list prices. All of this raises the price of prescription drugs for Minnesotans.

The bill was passed by the Senate and the House on a bipartisan vote, and is headed to the Governor’s desk. Once enacted into law, the bill will improve transparency and accountability, and require PBMs to look out for the financial interests of their customers by seeking out deals that provide the lowest price. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 17, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

There are just two weeks remaining in the legislative session. The Minnesota House has wrapped up our work assembling our proposals for each area of the state budget. Now, joint House/Senate conference committees are charged with determining differences in each chamber’s version of the budget and ultimately, reaching a compromise.

Big Differences on Education

The House education budget includes investments to support our students inside and outside the classroom. We know when the experts in the schools – teachers, counselors, nurses, social workers and support staff – have sufficient resources our children and families will succeed. This budget ensures that students, families and communities across the state have access to resources such as mental health, housing and the community services needed to be successful in school. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 10, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

With less than three weeks until adjournment, the House has held up its end of the bargain with the Senate and Governor to complete the components of our state budget.

Here’s an update from St. Paul:

Marital Rape Exemption

On Thursday Governor Tim Walz signed into law my bill to repeal Minnesota’s ‘Martial Rape Exception.’  It was a good day for justice, as we repealed an antiquated and abominable law. The law goes into effect July 1 of this year. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson Update: May 3, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and a happy holiday. The Legislature returned on Tuesday from our Spring Easter/Passover recess, and the House has approved several bills to balance our state budget and improve the lives of Minnesotans. Here’s an update from St. Paul:

Energy and Jobs Budget

The House approved the Jobs and Economic Development bill on Wednesday, which contained a number of bills that I’ve authored this year. Here are my three favorites:

• Creating a student loan advocate in the Department of Commerce to police the worst abuses in the student loan industry
• Net neutrality in Minnesota
• My Clean Energy First bill

I’ve talked about Clean Energy First before, but it is a practical and pragmatic plan to fight climate change in Minnesota. Clean Energy First is a simple proposition, if we’re going to build new energy resources, they should be carbon-free if at all possible. But that simple proposition has a big impact. That is because Minnesota’s fossil fuel power plants are mostly old and nearing the end of their useful lives. According to public filings with the PUC, power plants accounting for 95% of Minnesota’s utility-sector carbon emissions will retire and need to be replaced in the next 20 years. So Clean Energy First, by ensuring that new power construction is clean, ensures an orderly and affordable transition to a 100% clean energy future. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 29, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature is on its spring recess this week in observance of Easter and Passover. Business at the Capitol resumes on Tuesday, April 23, at which point the Minnesota House of Representatives will begin voting on the major components of the state’s budget.

I’m back in the community, listening to constituents and neighbors, and spending quality time with my family.

As the legislature takes on consequential issues affecting all of us, I want to hear about what’s important to you and your family. Please let me know by visiting the website below and filling out my survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019mn36a

Stay in Touch
Please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime with questions, comments, or additional feedback. My phone number at the Capitol is 651-296-5513 or you can reach me via email at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn.

I value your input. It’s an honor to represent Champlin and Coon Rapids at the Capitol!

Sincerely,

Zack Stephenson
State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

I hope your week has been good, and that this update finds you well. Major budget bills are coming together and our focus will soon shift from committee to longer floor sessions. Here’s an update from the Capitol:

New Tax Bill Announced

The Chair of the House Taxes Committee rolled out the House Tax bill on Monday and at first glance, I am very pleased. I have been working with the Chair all session for property tax relief and cuts to the tax on social security benefits (including at a Town Hall in Champlin). This bill contains both, and much more. In fact, two-thirds of tax filers in Minnesota receive a tax cut under this bill. Even better, these tax cuts are paid for not by gimmicks or cuts to essential services, but by holding large corporations accountable for the profits they stash in overseas tax havens. I’m tired of companies sending money to Bermuda to avoid paying taxes. I’d much rather ensure that retirees can stay in their homes by holding the line on property taxes. While many negotiations will still occur before a bill is approved, I am hopeful that measures such as these will be approved. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 11, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

This week at the Capitol there were many important bill introductions and announcements. Read more below:

Governor’s State of the State Address

On Wednesday, April 3 Governor Tim Walz delivered his first-ever State of the State Address. Speaking on the floor of the Minnesota House Chamber, Gov. Walz played the role of storyteller and shared the hopes, dreams, and challenges of our neighbors and communities across Minnesota. He told specific personal stories of Minnesotans that he knows and has recently met, including small business owners, working families, veterans, and more.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 7, 2019”