Dear Friends,
Sen. Paul Anderson’s Bill Honoring Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews Passes Senate
Legislation honoring fallen Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews unanimously passed the Minnesota Senate Floor on Thursday, April 19. The bill, which I chief-authored, renames U.S. Highway 12 within the city limits of Wayzata “Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highway”. Officer Mathews was struck and killed by an impaired and distracted driver while responding to a 911 call to clear debris from Highway 12 in Wayzata on September 8, 2017.
Although the pain of that day last September will never truly go away for the Wayzata community, dedicating Highway 12 within the city limits of Wayzata in Officer Mathew’s honor will be a fitting tribute to our Hometown Hero, a hero whose watch ended far too early.
Officer Mathews served in the Wayzata Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his wife, Shawn, and their 7-year old son, Wyatt.
The Minnesota Senate took a brief recess during their floor session to recognize Shawn Mathews and Michael J. Risvold, Chief of the Wayzata Police Department, who were present in the Senate gallery for the vote. Also, present in the gallery were Ken Willcox Mayor of Wayzata, Jeffery Dahl – City Manager of Wayzata, and Hennepin County Sheriff Deputy Matt Hagen – President of the Minnesota Fraternal Order of the Police. The members of the Senate gave them a standing ovation.
Officer Mathews was dedicated to serving and protecting the city he loved. We owe our law enforcement officers an eternal debt of gratitude for their work and sacrifice to serve and protect our communities. This dedication will allow us to recognize and honor Officer Bill Mathews for the generations to come.
You can watch the Senate floor proceedings and vote below.
Sen. Paul Anderson leads effort in support of Second Harvest Heartland legislation
On Tuesday, April 17, I was joined by celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, and Rob Zeaske, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland, in supporting my bipartisan legislation that would construct a new statewide Second Harvest Heartland charitable food distribution facility in Minnesota.
Zimmern testified on behalf of the bill during a hearing of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee. The legislation would invest in the construction of a Second Harvest Heartland foodbank warehouse and distribution center that would serve as a statewide “food bank hub” for food shelves across the state. Included in those food shelves are Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners of Plymouth, and ICA Food Shelf of Minnetonka.
“We all know the statistics. Hunger impacts one in ten Minnesotans. One in six Minnesota children do not have enough food to eat,” said Zimmern. “These are real people, who can’t reach their full potential because they lack something we all take for granted every single day. I want to thank Senator Paul Anderson and Representative Dario Anselmo [R-Edina] for their leadership on this critical state investment that will provide more healthy food for hungry Minnesotans in communities across the state.”
Second Harvest Heartland, in partnership with SuperValu and C.H. Robinson, conducted an analysis seeking to serve hungry Minnesotans and its network of partner food shelves and food banks more efficiently. The results of the analysis identified the northwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities as the best location for the new facility.
This statewide project is a tremendous opportunity to address hunger in Minnesota in a real and meaningful way. It impacts Minnesotans in-need in each of its 87 counties, including the cities I represent in Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Woodland. This investment will leverage the tremendous support of our communities and generous corporate partners to make a difference.
The bill would result in the creation of 100 new jobs in the region and generate 68 million more meals for hungry Minnesotans. Second Harvest generated over 81 million meals to Minnesotans last year and provides 75 percent of the food found on more than 1,000 food shelves, partner food banks, and other meal programs across the state. Second Harvest Heartland serves nearly 600,000 hungry Minnesotans.
You can watch the full legislative hearing below.
Bipartisan Group of Senators Honor Minnetonka Boys Hockey Team at State Capitol
I was glad to join Senator Dave Osmek [R-Mound] and Senator Steve Cwodzinski [DFL-Eden Prairie] in honoring the Minnetonka High School Boys Hockey team for winning the 2018 Class AA Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament. We jointly authored a Senate resolution congratulating the Minnetonka high schoolers on their successful season. The Senate briefly recessed to give the hockey team a standing ovation as the students looked on from the Senate gallery.
The Minnetonka Skippers Boys Hockey Team, and Head Coach Sean Goldsworthy, had an amazing season. Winning the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament for the first time in school history is truly a moment these young men will never forget.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee passes health care bill
Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee passed a supplemental budget bill focused on patient-friendly law changes and funding for critical health care initiatives like opioid abuse prevention and elder care protection.
This legislation looks to build on the success of last year’s priorities that stabilized the individual health insurance market in Minnesota. The goal is to put patients first: families deserve complete information when they go to the doctor or pharmacist, better treatment and research for the scourge of opioid addiction, and confidence their loved ones will receive only the best care at long-term care facilities.
The bill authorizes $2 million for the opioid prevention pilot program and project ECHO system at St. Gabriel’s in Little Falls so they can continue their groundbreaking work addressing opioid abuse, as well as $1 million for grants to community paramedic teams to help people break the cycle of addiction through opioid overdose follow-up programs.
The bill also includes key patient-first reforms that require health care providers to clearly post any hidden facility fees they charge, and lifts the pharmacy gag rule preventing pharmacists from telling customers when the cash price for a prescription is cheaper than the insured price. In addition, it gives pharmacies the freedom to synchronize prescription dates, so patients can avoid multiple trips to the pharmacy in a short period of time.
The legislation also includes a $3 million appropriation to help fund the Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act.
Other provisions in the bill include:
- A requirement that health insurance cover new 3D mammogram technology as preventative services for at-risk patients
- Authorization of a study to identify the prevalence of low-value health care services that provide little or no medical benefit to patients in order to weed out those services and reduce consumer costs
- The creation of a Health Policy Commission, which will bring together actuaries and experts in health care to produce unbiased, data-driven information on our health care marketplace and help us identify ways to lower costs
- Recapture of $14 million identified as unneeded by the Department of Human Services
- Appropriation for telemedicine treatment options for tuberculosis patients
Senator Anderson meets with constituents representing the MN Academy of Physician’s Assistants
Senator Anderson sits down with TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
On Wednesday, April 18, Sen. Anderson met with members of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce on their Day on the Hill to discuss issues they are facing as business owners, executives, and active members in their communities.
Members of the Robbinsdale Adult Basic Education (ABE) Program meet with Senator Anderson
Sen. Anderson met with a large group of Robbinsdale ABE students that are working towards their GED, learning English, and improving basic skills like literacy and math. He was able to listen to some of their stories of how their journey through the education system in Minnesota has changed their lives, and share some insight on what it’s like to serve in the legislature.
Senator Anderson’s Committee Updates:
E12 Finance
The E12 Finance committee heard SF 3928 (Nelson), which served as our committee omnibus bill for the 2018 session. The omnibus bill was discussed at length and had many positive improvements included, such as school safety provisions as well as funding for educational programs that help support children from lower income families to attain the resources every child deserves to be a successful student. Sen. Anderson’s bill regarding The Sanneh Foundation SF 2703 was included in the omnibus bill. The bill was passed and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for further consideration.
E12 Policy
The E12 Policy committee held informational hearings on SF 2938 (Abeler), which relates to school start times, as well as SF 3061 (Hall) which relates to the National motto being displayed in schools. Additionally, the Committee held a confirmation hearing for a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board applicant.
Higher Education
The Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee passed their omnibus bill, SF 3671, out of committee. This bill contains many needed improvements to the higher education system, including funding for my legislation increasing funding for the State Grant Program SF 3514 which helps students who financially qualify attend top tier schools as they pursue their education. The omnibus bill also included additional money for the Workforce Development Scholarships legislation that I authored last session. The Higher Education Committee also held confirmation hearings for appointments to the State Board of Trustees for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Taxes
The Tax Committee heard five bills (SF 2661– Housley, SF 3707– Utke, SF 3924– Eichorn, SF 3377– Simonson, and SF 3409-Senjem) as well as SF 3982 which relates to tax provisions modifications. We continued to strive towards a plan to conform to the national tax standards that were passed this year in Washington D.C. and ensure that Minnesotans will not be at a disadvantage for next tax season. Additionally, we heard testimony from the Governor’s tax plan. We are already one of the highest tax states in the country, and we must continue to work towards a better plan that does not put Minnesotans at risk.
Jobs and Economic Growth
The Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee passed SF 3945 which served as our omnibus bill. The bill was passed and referred to Finance committee for final approval before it makes it to the floor. Included in the omnibus bill is legislation I authored helping address the incredible demand in Youth Skills Training Program that I authored last session, and also a bill a grant to the City of Minnetonka to support NatureWorks.
Minnesota Senate Building, Office 2103
My office is located in the Minnesota Senate Building, Office 2103.
One of the great responsibilities serving as your state senator is assisting constituents with issues with state agencies, questions on legislation, and planning visits to the State Capitol.
Please contact my office at (651) 296-9261 anytime if I can be helpful.
Minnesota Senate Committee Assignments, 2017-2018 Biennium, Ninetieth Legislature
It is an honor to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee. In addition, I am also serving as a member of the following Committees: E-12 Finance, E-12 Policy, Higher Education Finance and Policy, and Taxes.
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