Erik Simonson

Apr 23, 2014

The Capitol Note: Senate passes cell-phone tracking regulations

The Senate passed a measure on Tuesday that would enhance the regulation of cell-phone tracking devices currently used by at least two law enforcement organizations in the state. The Senate version, however, was amended at the last minute to weaken the legal standard allowing only limited access to citizens' location information, according to privacy advocates

Mar 26, 2014

Local-option RCV bill quashed in Senate

Sen. Katie Sieben, who heads the Senate Subcommittee on Elections, will not hear a bill that would let cities adopt ranked choice voting.

Dec 19, 2013

The Capitol Note: New MNsure head apologizes, promises improvements

MNsure board chair Brian Beutner told reporters that he was sad to see Todd-Malmlov leave.

Jul 9, 2013

House select committee mulls ways to snuff out synthetic drugs

State lawmakers have been active in recent legislative sessions banning synthetic marijuana and other so-called designer drugs. But as soon as the Legislature adds new chemical compounds to the statutes governing controlled substances, the drug makers cook up a new molecular recipe to skirt the law.

May 30, 2013

Lawmakers aim to tackle synthetic drug use in Minnesota

DFL House Speaker Paul Thissen this week created a temporary committee on controlled substances and synthetic drugs that will hold hearings over the interim on drug abuse issues. Rep. Erik Simonson, DFL-Duluth, will chair the committee, which has to present a report to the speaker by the time session starts in February next year.

Nov 20, 2012

Meet the freshmen: House DFL (part 1)

As he talked about meeting with thousands of potential voters on the campaign trail, Jason Metsa found himself using a certain word, and paused to acknowledge what it meant. “Those people are now my constituents,” he said.

Oct 11, 2012

Duluth News Tribune endorses write-in candidate Jay Fosle in HD 7B race

Continuing a streak of endorsing more conservative candidates, the Duluth News Tribune on Thursday endorsed independent write-in candidate and Duluth City Councilor Jay Fosle for the House District 7B race over the endorsed GOP and DFL candidates.

Sep 25, 2012

Simonson will replace Gauthier on the ballot in House District 7B

The Supreme Court of Minnesota issued an order today removing the name of Kerry Gauthier from the House District 7B ballot, to be replaced by that of Erik Simonson.

Sep 14, 2012

DFLers petition MN SupCo to get Gauthier off the ballot

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin, teaming up with the House DFL caucus and Erik Simonson's campaign, said Friday that they are petitioning the Minnesota Supreme Court to challenge the St. Louis County Auditor's move to deny a withdrawal affidavit from Kerry Gauthier and a certificate of nomination for Simonson.

Sep 10, 2012

Erik Simonson wins backing of Duluth DFLers in the wake of Gauthier sex scandal

Duluth assistant fire chief and union leader Erik Simonson won the backing of area Democrats over the weekend as the party attempts to execute what would likely be the first successful write-in campaign for the Legislature in Minnesota history.

Sep 7, 2012

Simonson could see challenge for DFL endorsement in HD 7B

DFL union leader Erik Simonson seemed to have all the right support lined up for his bid for the House District 7B seat early this week, but he might face competition for the DFL Party backing this weekend after his estranged daughter claimed he abandoned her in a Duluth News Tribune story.

Sep 4, 2012

Erik Simonson has inside track for DFL endorsement in House District 7B

DFLers plan to endorse a new candidate in Duluth’s House District 7B on Saturday in the wake of a sex scandal that led incumbent DFL Rep. Kerry Gauthier to suspend his bid for reelection.