Tag: Zack Stephenson

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 29, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you and your family well.

As July approaches, several new laws go into effect on the first of the month, including the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act and the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. You can read more about the other new laws that will begin on July 1 by clicking on the link above.

Governor Walz Releases Federal CARES Funding

Last week, Governor Walz announced a plan to deliver $841 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to Minnesota’s cities, counties, and towns. Under the formula, our community of Coon Rapids will receive approximately $4.8 million and our Champlin community will get approximately $1.8 million. Once the Legislative Advisory Commission approves the plan, funds will be distributed on a rolling basis beginning this week. Local cities and governments have been working tirelessly to keep all of our families safe since the onset of COVID-19, and these funds will go a long way to help provide the necessary and basic services our residents need and deserve. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 29, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Very early Saturday morning, the Minnesota Senate adjourned the special session. The Senate left the Capitol despite the fact that virtually all of the major work Minnesotans expect us to accomplish remains undone. The job and local projects or “bonding” bill, criminal justice and public safety reform, COVID-19 funding– all of these issues and more remain unresolved. I am angry and frustrated. We were only in special session for one week. Quite simply, that is not a sufficient amount of time to devote to such important subjects. The fact that the Senate threw up their hands and walked away from the table in this critical moment is just inexcusable.

I think we should return to session as soon as possible and stay in session until the job is done. I have expressed my views to Governor Walz and House leadership, and I stand ready to continue this important work.

This is a crucial time in our state, and Minnesotans are calling on us to do the hard work to enact meaningful measures that protect public health and our economy during COVID and beyond, in addition to long overdue criminal justice reforms – like those from the POCI Caucus that we advanced in the House – right now. Minnesotans expect and deserve results from the leaders that they elected. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 22, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Last week on Friday, the Legislature convened for a special session. I’m pleased to report the first order of business was passing my bipartisan bill to deliver robust emergency aid for Minnesota’s smallest businesses struggling to stay afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill includes $60 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and $2.5 million from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Emergency Loan Program. The focus of these funds will be on Minnesota’s smallest businesses, many of which are not as well-connected with private banks, and that had to operate at 50 percent capacity or less.

Under my bill, small businesses with 50 or fewer employees can receive grants up to $10,000 each. $18 million of the funds are reserved for the smallest of the small: businesses with 6 employees or less. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 16, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 11, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, Governor Walz called legislators to reconvene at the Capitol for a special session this Friday, June 12 at noon.

COVID-19 has upended everybody’s lives and my key focus for the special session will be delivering solutions that provide robust economic relief for our communities and businesses. It’s imperative we keep working to help those who are struggling to make their next rent or mortgage payment, students who depend on broadband access to connect to their schools and teachers, the smallest businesses that have been denied any financial assistance, and PCAs who continue to provide care to the most vulnerable during this pandemic. I am very hopeful that my bill to provide assistance to small businesses will pass very early in the session.

A jobs and local projects or “bonding” bill will also be important to help our economy recover and create sorely needed jobs. I’ll continue advocating for our community’s priorities to be included in a final bill, like a lane addition to Highway 10, rebuilding Mississippi Point Park, making critical repairs to Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and more. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 11, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 5, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Walz today announced Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues beginning Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Under Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan:

  • Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
  • Indoor social gatherings can take place with ten people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
  • Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums, may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: June 5, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update; May 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature adjourned on Sunday at midnight. While we found a fair amount of bipartisan consensus on various pieces of legislation amid extraordinary circumstances of the COVID global pandemic, there is more work to be done.

I’d like to invite you to join me for a virtual town hall meeting, this Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. for an end-of-session update, and to ask questions. We’ll be using the platform Zoom, so you’re welcome to join us online or by phoning in. Here’s the information: Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update; May 19, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Tonight, Governor Walz will address Minnesotans live at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the state’s next steps to address COVID-19. Tune in to the live stream on the governor’s YouTube Live page here.

Here’s more news from the State Capitol:

Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2020 Passes House

My legislation, which contains a variety of provisions related to energy savings and moving toward cleaner energy sources, passed in the House Monday on a 79-55 vote. More specifically, the bill would help move us toward innovative clean technologies in energy production, and establish criteria for utilities’ load management and efficient switching between fuel sources. This bill will save consumers money, create jobs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.  It is a win-win-win!  I was glad to see this measure move forward. You can read more about the bill from the nonpartisan office of House Public Information here. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 13, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 9, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I am pleased to report the House passed my COVID-19 economic security legislation. My bill includes measures for emergency housing assistance for homeowners, renters, and landlords, an overdue wage increase for personal care assistants, funding to expand broadband access, and my legislation to help our smallest mom and pop businesses. You can watch my remarks on the bill here.

This relief package helps get to the heart of what Minnesotans expect and deserve during a global pandemic: a roof over our heads; economic security for those who take care of the most vulnerable in our society; basic internet access; and support for our smallest businesses who haven’t been able to tap into federal relief funds. The funding for this package would come from the state’s $1.87 billion share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, if available.

House Economic Agenda Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 9, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We learned yesterday that Minnesota faces a $2.4 billion deficit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased to report, however, that the responsible budgeting decisions we made last year have left the state with $2.3 billion in our state’s rainy-day fund. The prudent decisions we made before will allow us to manage this deficit without disastrous cuts or tax increases.

In addition, the federal stimulus package from several weeks ago (the CARES Act) provided the state with nearly $2 billion in aid. There have been discussions in Washington, D.C. about additional aid to state and local governments. These federal funds will allow the state to offer new aid to members of our community that are suffering during the pandemic, which includes my bill to provide forgivable loans to small businesses.

But the good news today doesn’t guarantee good news tomorrow. If the pandemic worsens, or if a “second wave” materializes in the fall, our state’s budget could fall further into deficit. We will need to continue to be cautious and responsible as we think about how to manage the state’s finances. Read more here. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: May 6, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36B) Update: May 1, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This week, Governor Walz announced an extension of the Stay at Home Order, asking Minnesotans to limit their movements outside of their home, until May 18. As a part of this executive action, small retailers will be able to conduct business safely via curbside pickup starting Monday.

Additionally, the governor has recommended that Minnesotans should wear a mask whenever leaving the house. You might have heard that several businesses are starting to implement a mask policy for customers, including Costco.

Extended Order Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36B) Update: May 1, 2020”