Greetings Neighbors!

Week four is officially in the books for the 2020 Session. Days are becoming more busy with bill hearings, floor sessions and committee hearings. I had another great week full of constituent visits and am so grateful for all of those who have come to say hi!

Last week:

• In my Finance committee last week we heard SF3813, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health planning and preparation appropriation. This bill is now headed to the floor for Senate vote. I want to thank Senator Relph for his hard work on this bill and my entire committee for their thoughtful questions and conversations over this issue. SF3813 is on its way to the Senate Floor for final voting. During the two day Finance hearing on SF3813, we heard from the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Department of Revenue, and the Minnesota Hospitals Association. Click below to watch the hearings.
  March 4, 2020 Hearing
  March 5, 2020 Hearing Part 1, Part 2
• On Thursday my bill, SF3202, Residential program license holder destroying personal information upon closure requirement, was heard in the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy. This bill came about when I was made aware of a news story done by KSTP News. When Elmore Academy closed, all of the confidential information on students was put into boxes and stored in a storage locker and the locker was then sold under auction. My bill will protect confidential information when businesses like Elmore Academy close. If you’d like to learn more about this issue, you can watch KSTP’s video here and you can watch my bill hearing here at the 26:00 mark.
• The Minnesota Senate passed its first bill of the 2020 legislative session: a $30 million appropriation for the state’s Disaster Assistance Contingency Account. The bill allows the state to provide fast assistance to help local communities recover from spring flooding, severe thunderstorms or windstorms, tornadoes, or other natural disasters, without the need for a special legislative session.

  Since 2014, the Disaster Assistance Contingency Account has been used 40 times to help local communities following natural disasters. Worse-than-expected flooding in the spring of 2019 left the account with a $3 million deficiency. This disaster relief bill wipes out that deficiency and replenishes the account in preparation for possible future disasters.

  The Senate unanimously passed the bill and sent it to the House of Representatives where it awaits action. To read the bill, click here.

• On Tuesday evening the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement met. I am the co-chair of this commission with Representative Mary Murphy. I am extremely proud to be apart of this commission and the bipartisan efforts by all.
• Also last week Medica, a non-profit health insurer, selected Janesville State Bank to deposit $250,000 of its reserves. The money will be used by the bank to support local farmers and residential construction in Janesville. Medica has selected more than 80 banks throughout the state of Minnesota in which to deposit a portion of its reserves. Banks were selected for the deposits based on the local economic needs of the communities they serve. Medica selected more than 80 banks throughout the state of Minnesota in which to deposit a portion of its reserves. Banks were selected for the deposits based on the local economic needs of the communities they serve. Congratulations Janesville!

FFA Day on the Hill

On Monday evening, Legislators attended the 2020 FFA Agricultural Policy Experience Legislative Reception. Their participation gives FFA members a unique chance to interact with legislators and experience government firsthand and is always a highlight of the FFA conference for the students.
Tuesday, March 2 was FFA Day at the Minnesota Capitol. FFA students from all over the state came to visit with their legislators. FFA was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928. Its mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. Pictured above is the Fairmont FFA Chapter. FFA holds a special place in my heart, and I am glad that these students are able to be a part of such a unique organization!

Last Weeks Visitors:

Andy and Fred with Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association

Chelsea PACER Center day at the Capitol

Dave, Luke, Jeremy, and Jeff – Jackson County Off Road Trails

Kenna with Jackson Casey’s General Store

Mike Lehmann and Mark Morreim with Minnesota Land Improvement Contractors

Minnesota Medical Association with Dr. Farrow, Dr. Lundquist, Dr.  Bernacle,
Dr. Smentek, and Dr. Davito

Rachel and Jamie with Minnesota School Social Work Association

Relph with Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus Day on the Hill

Ron, Brian, and Andy, with Minnesota Bankers Association Day at the Capitol

Sarah – Minnesota Hemp Day on the Hill

Sarah and Special Ed Directors with Southern Plains Education Cooperative

Come Visit!

If you ever find yourself in St. Paul at the Capitol, please drop by and say hello! If you know a date you will be in town, please call or email my Legislative Assistant, Ruth, and she will get you on the calendar! I am looking forward to seeing so many of you this session for your “day on the hill” events!

Watch the Minnesota Senate

On the Public Broadcast Minnesota Channel: The Senate and House will be programming the Minnesota Channel daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.   The coverage consists of live and recorded floor sessions, select committee hearings and press conferences, interview programs, and informational videos. Click here for local stations (scroll to the bottom of the page) and broadcast schedule.

On the Video Streaming Website: Click here see the upcoming scheduled events, select the events for viewing when underway, and view archived video of floor sessions and committee hearings.

On the continuous Senate Web stream: Click here to access the Senate video stream anytime to see what is scheduled or occurring on the Senate video stream.

Click here to view featured videos, including occasional featured live streams.

Click here for broadcast and webcast schedules, links to capitol report podcasts, and channel locations.