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Michael Howard (American politician)

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Michael Howard
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 51A district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
Preceded byLinda Slocum
Personal details
Born (1983-02-17) February 17, 1983 (age 41)
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
SpouseSarah
Children2
ResidenceRichfield, Minnesota
EducationAugsburg College (B.A.)
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website

Michael 'Mike' Howard (born February 17, 1983) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Howard represents District 51A in the south-central Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Richfield and parts of Minneapolis in Hennepin County.[1][2]

Early life, education, and career

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Howard was raised in Becker, Minnesota. He attended Augsburg College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. During college, he was an intern for U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone's 2002 campaign.[1][3]

After graduating, Howard worked as a personal care assistant for children with autism. He worked on Mike Freeman's 2006 campaign for Hennepin County Attorney and was a legislative clerk in the Minnesota Senate. He worked as a communications specialist for the Minnesota House DFL Caucus from 2007 to 2011. After a brief period as a public affairs manager at the Minnesota Department of Education, Howard returned to the House Caucus to work as public affairs director.[1][4] He was promoted to communications director in 2012 and worked in that position until 2016.[1][3][5][6] In 2018, Howard was hired as the Host Committee spokesman for Super Bowl LII, held in Minneapolis.[7]

Howard served on the Richfield city council from 2014 until 2018, while also working at the Minnesota House.[1][8][9] On the city council, he supported a measure giving city employees paid parental leave and worked to increase affordable housing.[10][11] When Richfield mayor Debbie Goettel stepped down to join the Hennepin County Board in 2016, Howard was named interim mayor until a special election was held.[12][13] As interim mayor, he called for body cameras to be used by city police.[14]

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Howard was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018 and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran after six-term DFL incumbent Linda Slocum announced she would not seek reelection. Howard had previously announced his intention to run for mayor of Richfield, but said he would run for the House seat vacated by Slocum, who endorsed him for the seat.[1][15]

Howard chairs the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, and sits on the Rules and Legislative Administration, Taxes, and Ways and Means Committees. From 2021 to 2022 he served as vice chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee and as an assistant majority leader.[1]

Housing

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As chair of the Housing Committee, Howard has said that housing should "be one of our top priorities" and unveiled a $3 billion package aimed at ending child homelessness, decreasing racial housing disparities, and increasing housing supply.[16][17] He has supported major increases in housing investments and increasing pre-eviction notice requirements, eviction expungement, and laws protecting against discrimination towards those in Section 8 housing.[18][19][20] Howard proposed an increase in the Twin Cities metropolitan area sales tax that would be used by counties and cities to build affordable housing and fund the state rental assistance program.[21][22]

Howard has supported creating a state-based rent subsidy program for low-income Minnesotans, saying roughly 550,000 Minnesotans spend too much of their income on rent.[23][24] He authored the "Bring It Home, MN" rent subsidy legislation that would increase investments in rent subsidies for low-income tenants.[25] He has supported funding for temporary shelters and legislation ending cities power to impose development moratoriums on affordable housing projects.[26][27]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Howard supported calls for a moratorium on evictions and money for relief for renters and rental owners, and pressed for greater tenant protections when ending the eviction pause.[28][29][30][31] He worked on a bipartisan agreement to provide a statutory off-ramp for the eviction moratorium.[32][33] He authored legislation to put $50 million in the emergency rental assistance program to respond to an increase in evictions following the pandemic.[34] In 2020, he criticized state senator Justin Eichorn for comments comparing homelessness to restrictions on camping during the pandemic.[35]

Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

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Before he was sworn in to the House, Howard announced he would introduce legislation to make insulin more affordable.[36] He wrote a bill increasing fees on pharmaceutical companies to create an assistance program to help people get emergency supplies of insulin.[37][38] The proposal failed to advance due to opposition from House and Senate Republicans, and Howard said he was never given a "substantive reason" for the lack of action.[39] He was part of a working group with Senate Republicans and Governor Tim Walz's office and attempted to reach a compromise on eligibility, access, and drug manufacturers' role in funding the program.[40][41][42]

In 2020, the House passed Howard's legislation to increase fees on drugmakers to pay for an emergency insulin program.[43][44] He again worked with Senate Republicans on a compromise between the two bills, eventually agreeing to a proposal imposing fines on companies that failed to cooperate with the program.[45][46] The bill was named the "Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act" after a diabetic who died in 2017 after rationing his insulin, passed the House on a vote of 111-22, and was signed by Walz.[47][48] Howard criticized PhRMA for suing to stop the program, and a Minnesota judge dismissed the lawsuit.[49][50][51] He sponsored bipartisan legislation to regulate pharmacy benefit managers ability to set prices for certain prescription drugs.[52][53]

Other political positions

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Howard co-wrote an op-ed opposing the full repeal of the tax on social security income in Minnesota, and supported increasing taxes on wealthy Minnesotans to fund education and housing.[54][55] He supported the city of Bloomington's ordinance banning the use of conversion therapy in the city.[56] Howard sponsored legislation to ban for-profit immigration detention centers in Minnesota.[57]

Howard opposed bailing out private entities like the Mall of America, which is in his district, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[58] He called for COVID vaccination programs to prioritize health care workers, the elderly, and the chronically ill, and opposed Republican leaders calling for legislators to receive early vaccinations.[59]

Howard has supported legislation to relax local zoning rules in smaller cities to permit duplexes and larger cities to permit duplexes, cottage clusters, townhouses, and small apartment buildings.[60]

Election history

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2018 Minnesota State House - District 50A[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Michael Howard 12,359 68.24
Republican Kirsten Johnson 5,730 31.64
Write-in 22 0.12
Total votes 18,111 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 50A[62]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Michael Howard (incumbent) 14,626 68.53
Republican Tim Johnson 6,692 31.35
Write-in 25 0.12
Total votes 21,343 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 51A[63]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Michael Howard (incumbent) 12,524 74.16
Republican Ryan Wiskerchen 4,339 25.69
Write-in 25 0.15
Total votes 16,888 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

Personal life

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Howard and his wife, Sarah, have two children. He lives in Richfield, Minnesota.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Howard, Michael "Mike" - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  2. ^ "Rep. Michael Howard (51A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  3. ^ a b Wig, Andrew (January 8, 2015). "New Richfield council member to be sworn in, become father on same day". Sun Current. Adams Publishing Group. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Kimball, Joe (2011-10-14). "Michael Howard is new House DFL public affairs director". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  5. ^ Bonelli, Cam (May 10, 2018). "Richfield City Councilmember Howard to run for House District 50A seat". Sun Current. Adams Publishing Group. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  6. ^ Kimball, Joe (2012-12-06). "House DFL leaders announce staff appointments". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  7. ^ Roper, Eric (February 3, 2018). "Cost of hosting Super Bowl remains unclear, but NFL demands a lot". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  8. ^ Bonelli, Cam (October 11, 2018). "Voters guide questions House Representative District 50A". Sun Current. Adams Publishing Group. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  9. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (August 29, 2015). "Keeping clear of conflicts presents an age-old challenge". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  10. ^ Tribune, John Reinan Star. "Richfield adopts paid parental leave for city employees". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  11. ^ Otárola, Miguel; Dupuy, Beatrice (April 28, 2017). "A scare becomes a lesson: Richfield looks at ways to protect affordable housing". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  12. ^ Otárola, Miguel (December 17, 2016). "West metro briefs: Bayview Event Center up for sale as part of redevelopment planned for Lake Minnetonka area". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  13. ^ Otárola, Miguel (January 5, 2017). "In Richfield, a restructured council to tackle some major development". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  14. ^ Otárola, Miguel (March 3, 2017). "West metro news briefs: Richfield interim Mayor Mike Howard calls for police body cameras". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  15. ^ Otárola, Miguel (May 12, 2018). "Richfield, Bloomington representative retiring to focus on health". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  16. ^ Callaghan, Peter (2022-11-28). "Leaders at the Capitol say Minnesota has chance to 'go really big' on housing". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  17. ^ Griffith, Michelle (March 1, 2023). "DFL lawmakers announce $3 billion package to address Minnesota's housing crisis". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  18. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (January 11, 2023). "Rent assistance vouchers for 220,000 Minnesota households proposed at Capitol". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  19. ^ Port, Lindsey; Howard, Mike (February 28, 2023). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Minnesota needs a housing plan as big as its crisis". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  20. ^ Nesterak, Max (2021-08-04). "They came to swing hammers. We came to talk housing policy". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  21. ^ Callaghan, Peter (2023-03-29). "Metro sales tax for affordable housing? No, say cities and Minnesota chamber". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  22. ^ Nesterak, Max (2023-03-27). "Democrats propose quarter-cent sales tax to fund new rental assistance program". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  23. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (February 4, 2020). "Minnesota lawmakers pitch $1 billion rent subsidy program". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  24. ^ Nesterak, Max (2020-02-05). "271,000 Minnesota households pay more than 30% of their income in rent". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  25. ^ Blons, Lee (January 31, 2021). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Editorial counterpoint: Rent subsidies are a proven solution for affordability". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  26. ^ Prather, Shannon (January 23, 2022). "Ramsey County: State must step in to prevent resurgence of homeless encampments". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  27. ^ Phelan, John (March 18, 2022). "OPINION EXCHANGE | High housing costs are not the problem, but a symptom". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  28. ^ Buchta, Jim (April 3, 2020). "Housing Q and A: Sorting out help for renters, homeowners upended by coronavirus downturn". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  29. ^ Howard, Michael (December 10, 2020). "OPINION EXCHANGE | State COVID relief must restore housing help". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  30. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (June 9, 2021). "Clock ticking as legislators clash over how to end eviction pause". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  31. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (February 13, 2022). "State leaders consider boost in housing aid as federal dollars dry up". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  32. ^ Bakst, Brian (June 15, 2021). "Landlord group sues over Minnesota eviction restrictions". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  33. ^ Bakst, Brian; Pugmire, Tim (June 24, 2021). "State budget getting closer, but more work needed". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  34. ^ Callaghan, Peter (2023-03-13). "Minnesota lawmakers look to quickly add $50M in emergency rental assistance". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  35. ^ Van Oot, Torey (May 6, 2020). "Minnesota senator compares homelessness to leisure camping in tweet calling for open campgrounds". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  36. ^ Howatt, Glenn (December 12, 2018). "Soaring insulin prices cause Minnesota lawmakers to draft remedies". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  37. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (March 26, 2019). "Patients, Minnesota legislators push for lower drug prices, more transparency". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  38. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie. "Minnesota lawmakers work to reach insulin deal". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  39. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (May 30, 2019). "Minnesota lawmakers, advocates say work on emergency insulin program is not over". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  40. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (October 21, 2019). "Minnesota legislators' new insulin work group aims to reach compromise in next month or two". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  41. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie. "Minnesota lawmakers pitch dueling insulin plans". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  42. ^ Montemayor, Stephen (November 18, 2019). "Gov. Tim Walz calls for public hearings on dueling insulin plans". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  43. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (February 26, 2020). "Minnesota House passes emergency insulin bill, but the hard work is just beginning". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  44. ^ Pugmire, Tim (February 26, 2020). "Minnesota House passes insulin, primary privacy bills". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  45. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (March 12, 2020). "Signs of a compromise on insulin aid as Senate passes bill". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  46. ^ Van Oot, Torey (April 7, 2020). "'We've got a deal': Minnesota lawmakers work out affordable insulin program". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  47. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie; Montemayor, Stephen (April 14, 2020). "Minnesota Legislature passes emergency insulin bill after 'long and arduous road'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  48. ^ Callaghan, Peter (2019-01-23). "How the death of Alec Smith pushed Minnesota lawmakers to address the rising cost of insulin". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  49. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (July 1, 2020). "Pharmaceutical industry group sues to stop Minnesota's new insulin-aid program". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  50. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (December 15, 2021). "Pharmaceutical group appeals to undo new insulin safety net program". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  51. ^ Callaghan, Peter (2021-03-17). "State wins legal challenge to Minnesota's insulin affordability program". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  52. ^ Benson, Michelle; Howard, Michael (April 5, 2021). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Bipartisan plan can cut prescription drugs costs". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  53. ^ Snowbeck, Christopher (December 15, 2022). "Through reverse auctions, Minnesota pushes for PBM savings and price transparency". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  54. ^ Pinto, Dave; Agbaje, Esther; Elkins, Steve; Howard, Michael (March 20, 2023). "Why tax-free Social Security doesn't make sense". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  55. ^ Bakst, Brian (May 4, 2022). "Table is set for end-of-session debate over tax cuts". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  56. ^ Hyatt, Kim (March 3, 2021). "Bloomington may ban conversion therapy for minors, vulnerable adults". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  57. ^ Feshir, Riham (August 23, 2019). "Minnesota lawmakers announce plan to ban for-profit immigration detention". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  58. ^ Roper, Eric; Van Oot, Torey; Kumar, Kavita (May 15, 2020). "Senate leader, governor consider aid plan for Mall of America". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  59. ^ Jackson, Zoë (December 5, 2020). "Minnesota GOP legislative leaders want lawmakers and staffers to receive early vaccinations". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  60. ^ Tribune, Josie Albertson-Grove Star. "Bill looks to supersede residential zoning rules across the state". Star Tribune.
  61. ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 50A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  62. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 50A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  63. ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 51A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
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