Tag: House District 40A

Neighbors,

I want to start by again thanking our community for adhering to the “Stay at Home” order. The numbers tell us that our efforts are working, but the science also shows the need for us to continue our efforts. Last week, Governor Walz extended the order until May 4, a decision that’s in line with the recommendations of public health officials and effective measures that we’ve seen around the world.

For any questions you might have about the “Stay at Home” order, you can find a list of FAQs here, including when you can and should leave your home, and what services remain open. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 13, 2020”

Neighbors,

I hope you’re staying healthy and staying home. I know the “Stay at Home” order is a challenge, but I want to thank the vast majority of our community that is doing a remarkable job in doing their part. We’re buying time for our health care professionals to properly prepare for and respond to COVID-19, and in the end we’re saving lives.

Today, Governor Walz gave a transparent and data-driven update of where we currently are in Minnesota. There’s plenty of good news, but he also didn’t pull any punches of what’s at stake. It’s a very honest presentation of what Minnesota needs, and you can watch it here.

Governor Walz also launched a newly created website focused solely on consolidating the information and resources available to Minnesotans on COVID-19. The most recent data, best practices, FAQs, and more can be found at https://mn.gov/covid19/. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 3, 2020”

Neighbors,

It’s been a busy week at the State Capitol with committee hearings, advocate meetings, and our first floor votes of the legislative session. The Minnesota House put some urgency behind our initial bills as they were either already extensively vetted last year, or dealt with time-sensitive issues.

Passing the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

Last week, I highlighted the importance of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act as it passed through my committee, one of seven it passed through in seven days, and I’m extremely proud to have helped pass it off the House floor this week. With 1 in 4 Type 1 Diabetics rationing their insulin because they can no longer afford it, it’s important that we get this bill to the governor’s desk as soon as possible.

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 28, 2020”

Neighbors,

The 2020 legislative session is underway, and things are moving quickly for what is typically the shorter session of the biennium. As last year’s session focused on crafting a state budget, this year’s work will center on infrastructure and community projects, new policy issues, and revisiting unfinished work from 2019. As chair of the House State Government and Finance Division, I’ve already had some important bills come through committee.

Here’s an update on some of our recent work.

Affordable Insulin

Earlier this week, my committee heard testimony on the fast-tracked Alec Smith Affordable Insulin Act, which has already been heard in several other committees since session began. The reason for the urgency on this bill is because it provides a solution Minnesotans desperately need now, as diabetics in our state have already died from attempting to ration their expensive medication. Last year, the Minnesota House passed a version of this bill, but in the final hours of negotiations the Minnesota Senate rejected it. A special session seemed possible during the interim, but an agreement was never reached. Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: February 21, 2020”