RE-ELECT JOHN
HOFFMAN
YOUR SENATOR
Thank you @ShannonLoehrke @MnSenateMedia for having me on discussing this past session and what to look for in the next. Even though we came along way, We still have more to do in the Human Services world https://youtu.be/VuHzWhprfKc?si=i_scP9jrURL7r9b2… via @YouTube
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we eagerly anticipate the 2024 Session, let's take a moment to reflect on the remarkable achievements of the 2023 session and envision the positive strides we can make moving forward. The State Capitol witnessed historic progress, breaking through years of partisan gridlock and delivering significant legislation that will positively impact the lives of all Minnesotans.
In 2023, our collective efforts transcended party lines, bringing about a multitude of accomplishments that spanned from supporting children, families, and seniors in both suburban and urban areas, to reaching communities from Mankato to the Iron Range. The sheer breadth of our achievements this past year is truly impressive, and I'll do my best to highlight some key moments in this newsletter.
At the outset of the session, my priorities were centered around constructing a robust budget that invests in crucial services such as education and healthcare, revitalizing our critical infrastructure, fostering economic development, and implementing measures to reduce costs and taxes for individuals and families. I'm proud to announce that we not only met these goals but exceeded expectations.
A hallmark of my approach is collaboration across the aisle. I firmly believe that the path to progress for our state involves considering input from all perspectives, regardless of which party holds the majority. This commitment to a collaborative, bipartisan environment earned recognition throughout the session, and it's a reputation I hold dear. Rest assured, I am dedicated to continuing this tradition in the upcoming year and in future sessions.
I express my gratitude for the privilege of representing you in St. Paul and eagerly anticipate staying connected with you throughout the year. Your input and insights are invaluable as we collectively reflect on the transformative impact of the previous session and chart a course for the future.
Together, let's build on the successes of 2023 and work towards a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
Warm regards, Senator John Hoffman
What has Senator Hoffman done for our area? Check out the video interview from a couple of years.
Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman talks about accomplishments that he and his constituents made during his first term in the state legislature. This video is featured in the September 2016 edition of Democratic Visions.
Minnesota State Senate
NEWS RELEASE
Senator John Hoffman
2235 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn| 651-296-4154
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 18, 2022
Marc Kimball 651-238-1330
Top Minnesota Business Group Names Sen. John Hoffman "Guardian of Small Business"
Award Recognizes Senator's "Tireless" Work on Behalf of Small Businesses Across Minnesota
Champlin, MN - A top Minnesota Business Group has named Senator John Hoffman's (DFL-Champlin) a "Guardian of Small Business" for his two years of "tireless" work on behalf of Minnesota's small businesses in the State Senate.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which represents 10,000 small businesses across the state, presented Sen. Hoffman the award because of his support for issues important to small business owners in Champlin, Dayton, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Rogers, and across Minnesota.
“Now more than ever, Main Street needs strong advocates in the Minnesota Legislature, and they have one in Senator John Hoffman,” said John Reynolds, NFIB Minnesota State Director. “John earned the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award by working tirelessly for small business over the last two years."
The group noted that Sen. Hoffman voted with Small businesses 88 percent of the time.
"Small businesses are the key economic engine that drives jobs and economic development in my district and across Minnesota," said Sen. Hoffman. "I've made a point of listening to the concerns of small business owners and bringing those concerns to the State Capitol to address them. I'll continue to make small businesses a top priority into the future."
NFIB Minnesota State Director John Reynolds, right, presents Senator John Hoffman with the Guardian of Small Business Award
Minnesota State Senate
NEWS RELEASE
Senator John Hoffman
2235 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn| 651-296-4154
Senator John Hoffman Pushes to Eliminate Taxes on Social Security for Seniors
St. Paul, MN - Senator John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) strongly backed legislation to eliminate state taxes on Social Security income, saying it will put more money in the pockets of the seniors he represents.
Senator Hoffman said the provision to eliminate Social Security taxes was part of a larger tax measure that passed the Senate last week. The measure will now be part of final negotiations over tax and budget policy as the state legislative session moves toward its finish by late May.
"The "greatest generation" - our retirees - have done so much for this country and for Minnesota over many decades," said Senator Hoffman. "Because of them, we now have great schools and a quality of life second to none. I am committed to their well-being in many ways, and my efforts on Social Security is part of that commitment."
In 2021, Sen. Hoffman and his DFL colleagues pushed to eliminate state Social Security taxes, but that effort was blocked by the majority in the Senate.
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Take a look at why John Hoffman, a proven leader who gets things done, would be the best pick to represent the cities of Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Dayton and Rogers in the new Senate District 34.
Check out a discussion of Priorities
Thank you League of Women Voters Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids area for hosting a pre session meet and greet with Representative Stephenson as we get ready to start our 2022 Legislative Session.
Over 94% of Senator Hoffman's bills are Bipartisan. You told him to get work done and he listened.
Set aside the bickering, finger pointing and brinksmanship. Together we can and together we will.
Senator Hoffman Votes to create Jobs in Minnesota.
Senator Hoffman delivers for the communities he represents and has authored and brought over $104 million dollars to his communities. Even Champlin, which had been unable to secure funding for projects in their city for decades have seen a fresh flow of cash/bonding support since Senator Hoffman has represented them:
$23 million for Hanson Blvd Coon Rapids.
$4 million for the Highway 169 and 101st Ave
$2 million for the Ramsey Boulevard Rail grade
$15 million for the Thurston Boulevard Interchange
$3 million dollars for the nearly 80-year-old Elm
Creek Dam at the Mill Pond project in Champlin
$8 million dollars for Highway 10
$1.244 million renovations Brooklyn Park Armory
$10 million Oliver H. Kelley Farm
$16 Million Anoka Ramsey Community College
$316,000 Coon Rapids Recycling Center Expansion
$1.5 million Anoka County CSAH 12/TH 65
Grade Separations
$1.5 million Anoka County East River Road/TH 610
$8.4 Anoka County US10/US169 Interchanges
$500,000 Anoka County Rice Creek Regional Trail
$5 million Three Rivers Park District Mississippi
Gateway Regional Park
$3.4 million Champlin Mississippi Point Park
$1.95 million North Hennepin Community College
$1.19 million Hennepin Technical College
Senator Hoffman’s Agenda For 2023
A Strong Economy, Safe Communities and a Healthy Minnesota
An Economy that Works for Minnesotans. I will press for an economic plan to accelerate our recovery and strengthen our state’s prosperity by:
✓ Enacting responsible tax cuts for families, seniors and small businesses that puts more money in their pockets while protecting the state’s economic stability
✓ Lowering the costs of goods and services to help Minnesotans’ keep more of their paychecks
✓ Supporting and creating job training and retention programs to create a skilled workforce that drives economic recovery and expansion
✓ Creating more affordable childcare and high-quality early education options that support working families, childcare providers and businesses
✓ Fueling Minnesota’s recovery from COVID-19 by protecting the health and safety of Minnesotans, recognizing the sacrifices of frontline workers, and keeping our economy open safely
A Safer Minnesota with Thriving Neighborhoods and Communities. Minnesotans want safe and thriving neighborhoods and communities where they can live, work and raise their family. I will work to make Minnesota communities safer by:
✓ Prioritizing crime prevention and reduction by ensuring law enforcement officers have the funding they need to serve communities and keep Minnesotans safe
✓ Enacting proven prevention strategies that disrupt criminal activity, stop violence and improve overall public safety, including support and early intervention for teenagers, families, neighborhoods and communities
✓ Increasing mental health supports and programing
A Focus on Health, Wellbeing and Quality of Life. Minnesota is known for its economic innovation and opportunity, some of the best healthcare in the world, strong public schools and a rich outdoor heritage. I will work to strengthen and protect the things that make Minnesota a great place to live.
✓ Access to affordable health care that’s there when we need it
✓ Top-notch teachers in every classroom and strong schools in every neighborhood, where parents are partners and every student has the resources they need to succeed in the classroom and in life
✓ Safe, stable and affordable housing for children, families and seniors throughout Minnesota
✓ Solutions to tackle climate change, protect Minnesota’s precious air, land and water, and drive business innovation
Senator Hoffman Priorities for 2022
Continued equity and accessibility for people with disabilities:
While many large strides were made this last session to help increase accessibility to the world for people with disabilities, we have disparities that still limit access to the world for many. These issues keep people in their homes, in group homes or worse care left fighting for the moments they can be apart of the world. This is not and will never be acceptable.
SF 1570 Connect 700 Reform There is one piece of legislation that I consider a priority and was not passed this year. Nearly two years ago my office began an investigation into discrimination in our state government agencies affecting people with disabilities, particularly those in the Connect 700 program. This program is intended to help employ people with disabilities. The American with Disabilities Act and other federal legislation over the years set how someone with disabilities should be treated in the workplace, but unfortunately, many at all levels of life interpret such protections narrowly and harmfully. The tears of the wronged and the constant trauma of treatment that has them fearing for their livelihood while their dignity is stolen from them is unacceptable. After dozens of interviews with victims, talented and knowledgeable individuals who have spent years and even decades trying to fix this and working with the Department of Labor at the federal level we now have SF 1570. This comprehensive set of policies will ensure protections, a firm interpretation of the ADA laid out through requirements, expectations, as well as training for a variety of employees in our state agencies. These policies are based off a taskforce report studying this issue intensely as well as a Wilder Foundation Report that revealed what our investigation had regarding the state of disability employment in our agencies.
It has been a long road, but a coalition has grown to push this legislation across the finish line. We have state and national partners that support this work so that there will be equity in our state employment for people with disabilities. This is an issue that has been going on for far too long, and I will not stop until it is addressed.
Environment and Clean Energy:
As science develops and our climate continues to change, it is important that we look at all energy options to reduce our impact on the environment yet provide what is necessary to provide and protect the necessities of life. Technology has made many wonderful advancements that it is important we continue to support.
Education:
While we have made better investments into our education system in Minnesota, there is always more work to be done. From increasing equity for all students, to ensuring teachers are being fairly compensated without needing to buy supplies on their own budget I will continue working with our teachers and students to ensure the highest quality education possible.
Pandemic Relief:
Since 2020 we have seen the physical, emotional and economic damages caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Lives have been taken, dreams shattered and many struggle to make ends meet. I am dedicated to protecting and supporting those affected while investing in opportunities for all to thrive within this challenging time and after.