Category: SD40

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: December 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope you and yours are staying healthy this holiday season. The way we gather with our loved ones might look quite a bit different this year, but as we continue to sacrifice for the wellbeing of our community, there is light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic.

Happy Holidays

The first vaccines are being administered in our state and new economic assistance is on its way. You can read about that and more in this latest legislative update. 

The First Round of COVID Vaccines

Before the vaccine’s arrival in our state, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Keeping speed, equity, and safety in mind – the plan was made in partnership with the federal government to ensure we’re making the most of the limited supply we’ll have for now. 

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: December 23, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 17, 2020


Dear Neighbors,

As we approach the peak of the holiday season I know that many folks are facing difficult financial decisions, especially with our tumultuous economy. That’s why the House DFL and I have been hard at work to provide what assistance we can to those who need it most.

House Passes New Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package

On Monday, we met for our 7th special session of the year to pass an assistance package that will help our most vulnerable neighbors, and local businesses stay afloat during this ongoing crisis. The DFL led the way in designing this package and had to fight hard for this aid, particularly the unemployment aid extension, as GOP Senators wanted to put corporations before the average worker. True to our bipartisan nature we managed to find a path that works for both sides of the aisle while also being a victory for our entire state.Here are a few of the key pieces of the Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package:

  1. Extend Unemployment Benefits: Provides up to 13 additional weeks in unemployment benefits for MN workers who have exhausted all federal and state benefits. There are an estimated 100,000 MN workers who could qualify for this extension, showing how needed this extension is.
  2. Business Assistance Grants: Provides $216.5 million from the General Fund in grants to restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and many other entities directly affected by the executive orders and the pandemic. It is estimated that these grants will be able to assist over 6,000 businesses that have been hurt by Covid-19.
  3. Certain Fees Waived for Hospitality Industry: This is another straight-forward practical action we can take to help ease the financial burden our local businesses are facing. While this is a smaller portion of the total relief, it should go a long way towards helping these vulnerable businesses.
Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 17, 2020”

Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus elect new leadership

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The current and incoming members of the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus have elected Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center) as chair and Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis) as vice chair.

With 16 POCI legislators scheduled to be sworn into office January 5, 2021, the incoming Legislature is the most diverse in history. POCI legislators are serving as chairs for seven of 30 House committees, another historic first.

“I’m honored to be chair of this caucus,” said Chair Vang. “Our state’s growing diversity has never seen itself reflected at the Minnesota Legislature and for the first time our growing caucus of 16 POCI legislators is at the representation we have never seen before. I’m excited to lead this caucus with Vice Chair, Representative Hodan Hassan, to further all our communities for the State of Minnesota.”

Continue reading “Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus elect new leadership”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 7, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Deadline for Housing Assistance is Tonight!

If you are struggling paying the rent, mortgage, homeowners association dues, homeowners insurance or utilities there is still over $30 million in available funds to help Minnesotans like you. There is still significant help for you if your income has been affected by Covid, but you must apply by midnight tonight, you can apply here. Please, if you know anyone in your life who has struggled during the pandemic, encourage them to apply. This funding could go a long way to helping lesson the impact of our ongoing housing crisis. Please apply today!

New Budget Forecast

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced the November Economic Forecast, projecting a $641 million surplus for the current budget cycle, while a deficit of $1.273 billion is projected for the 2022-2023 biennium beginning July 1. 

Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 7, 2020”

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: November 26, 2020

Dear Neighbors, 

I want to start by thanking you for allowing me to be your voice in the Minnesota House of Representatives for an additional two years. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m confident we can meet this moment if we work together. COVID-19 continues to surge across the state, and in response there are new resources and measures being implemented that you can read about below:

Balancing COVID Restrictions with Economic Relief

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the state have called for a new round of measures to help curb the spread of this virus. Similar to what we had experienced earlier this year, bars, restaurants, and gyms are now closed, and many events are paused – but with these measures there must also be a counter of economic relief to assist our community. My colleagues and I in the House DFL are working with Governor Walz to put forward a proposal of economic relief for Minnesota’s businesses and workers, which you can read more about here. 

We’re moving to address these measures, and hope to be in session to work on them as soon as next week.


COVIDaware MN


Wishing You A Healthy Thanksgiving

Today’s holiday will look different for many of us, but I hope you and yours are still able to find a way to connect with loved ones and reflect on what you’re thankful for this year. Once we get back from the break, things will be moving quickly in our efforts to respond to the COVID surge and provide economic relief. To stay up to date, you can subscribe to these legislative updates here, and be sure to share these with others who may be interested. 

If you have any questions about our upcoming work in the Minnesota House, or our goals for the future, please feel free to contact me at (651) 296-3751 or rep.michael.nelson@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Michael V. Nelson

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: November 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Updates Return

With the campaign season ending we can return to our regular email updates covering everything happening at the Legislature and around Minnesota. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful community for returning me to the Legislature. I plan to continue to serve you diligently over these next two years.

New Covid-19 Rules as Virus Reaches Record Levels

Unfortunately, Covid is spreading at record levels throughout the country, including here in Minnesota where we have reached our capacity to manage the virus. Governor Walz has announced a number of new actions designed to reign in the virus.

Today, Governor Walz announced the following restrictions:

Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: November 19, 2020”

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our state. Though Minnesota is not currently experiencing the spike in cases and deaths that we’re seeing in other states, difficult decisions still remain to ensure that stays the case. A decision on schools for the upcoming fall semester is expected soon, and this week saw the beginning of our second special session of 2020, with COVID-19 being a primary issue.

In addition to the pandemic and its economic impact on our state, our work in the Minnesota Legislature includes crafting consensus legislation on a jobs and local projects bill (otherwise known as a bonding bill), as well as public safety accountability measures. You can follow along for the latest on our work on the House Public Information website. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: July 16, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: July 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Special Session

On Monday, the House and Senate convened in a special session called by Governor Walz. The governor has extended the current peacetime emergency so he can continue to access the state’s toolbox to take quick, decisive action to protect Minnesotans through the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, the House voted to extend the governor’s emergency powers for another week. We can’t get complacent now after all of our sacrifice and hard work; we have seen that states that reduce precautions too quickly suffer from a major spike in cases.

This special session is an opportunity to finish important work for the people of Minnesota. After George Floyd’s killing, Minnesotans are still demanding improvements to public safety for everyone, in every community, so they can have confidence in law enforcement. We will continue to work to enact strong police accountability measures like the ones the House approved in the last special session. Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: July 16, 2020”

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: June 30, 2020

Neighbors,

Last week, Governor Walz announced a plan that delivers $841 million in federal dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Minnesota’s counties and cities in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our local governments have been at the forefront of helping our communities weather this storm, and under this plan Brooklyn Park would receive $6.1 million dollars.

Another new announcement from the governor’s office was yesterday’s milestone marking over 500,000 COVID-19 tests. Our community continues to do an amazing job of working together to responsibly take on this virus, and the spike in cases across the nation compounds the need for continued public safety guidelines. As restrictions loosen in our state and we spend more time in public, Minnesota’s testing capacity is the best it has ever been. If you are in need of a COVID-19 test, you can find the nearest testing location here. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: June 30, 2020”

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: June 19, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We are approaching the end of the first 2020 special session. I am hard at work alongside my colleagues to ensure that we pass critical legislation. While the Senate Republicans may wish to adjourn today, we in the House are committed to staying as long as it takes to pass the legislation our state needs.

House Passes CARES Act Funding for Our Local Governments
Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill to provide $841 million in federal CARES Act funding to Minnesota’s cities, counties, and towns, and make new investments in the people of Minnesota. It is now moving to the Senate to be approved. Cities would receive $350 million in aid, counties would receive $467 million, and towns would receive $24 million. The bill also includes critically needed investments in Minnesota and Minnesotans. These include the following: Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: June 19, 2020”