Melissa Wiklund

Melissa Halvorson Wiklund (born 1962) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 50 in the southern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Bloomington and Richfield. Senator Wiklund's legislative priorities include education, health care, and job creation.

Melissa Wiklund
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 50th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byRedrawn district
Personal details
Born (1962-10-01) October 1, 1962
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Spouse(s)Craig
Children2
ResidenceBloomington, Minnesota
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota (B.E.E.)
Occupationlegislator

Early life, education, and career

Wiklund was raised in Bloomington, Minnesota and graduated from Kennedy High School. Prior to her service in the Senate, Sen. Wiklund served on the Bloomington School Board for three years. She was elected to the Bloomington School Board in 2009 and later became its chair.[1] On the School Board, Sen. Wiklund chaired the Legislative and Superintendent Evaluation Committees as well as participating on the Labor Management Committee.[2] She attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a B.E.E. and a degree in Interior Design in 1991.[1][3][4]

Personal life

Wiklund is married to her husband, Craig. They have two children (Nathan & Emily) and reside in Bloomington, Minnesota.[3]

Minnesota Senate

Wiklund was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012.[3] In the 2021 legislative session, Wiklund is serving on the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee and the Technology and Reform Policy Committee. Wiklund is also the Ranking Minority Member Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.[5]

Past Committees
  • 90th Legislative Session (2017-2018):[5] E-12 Finance, Health and Human Services Finance and Policy, Local Government.
  • 89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) (second half of Senate term):[5] Finance: E-12 Policy and Budget Division, Health, Human Services and Housing, State and Local Government.
  • 88th Legislative Session (2013-2014):[5] Education, Finance: E-12 Division, Health, Human Services and Housing.

Legislative Action

Sen. Wiklund Co-authored:

SF 472, The Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act (Introduced and first reading 01/24/2019).[6] This bill would establish an insulin assistance program; establishing the insulin assistance account in the special revenue fund; requiring drug manufacturers to pay an insulin product fee; providing for emergency refills; appropriating money.[7]

SF 820, Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act. This bill aims to address opportunity gaps and help the state's youngest residents, and it would provide additional funding for early childhood education and development, child care, prenatal care and home visiting.[8]

SF 1708, Spoken Language Health Care Interpreter Registry. This bill would create a registry of interpreters that pass a test in English on health care terms and interpreter ethics and standards to minimize errors and restore patient confidence. In addition to registered interpreters, the bill includes a tier called "certified interpreters." To get this designation on the registry, interpreters would need to have a certification in health care interpreting from an organization specified by the Department of Health.[9]

Awards:

Transportation Advocate Award (2014): In appreciation for her dedication towards the improvement of the I-494 corridor and the building of the 77th Street Underpass, Sen. Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) was presented with the I-494 Corridor Commission Transportation Advocate Award in 2014. The award is given by the I-494 Corridor Commission which includes members from Bloomington, Richfield, Edina, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka.[10]

The 2014 bonding bill included $24.4 million in grants for local road improvement; Sen. Wiklund lobbied to have the 77th Street Underpass included in receiving funding from these highly competitive grants. Building the Underpass provided an essential link between the cities of Richfield and Bloomington, which created better connections with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Metro Transit South Garage, and the Mall of America. This facilitated economic development and strengthened the regional transportation network.[10]

The 77th Street Underpass has been a needed project for more than 20 years, and this transportation grant provided a substantial amount of the necessary funding towards final completion of the project.[10]

Electoral History
2020 Minnesota State Senate, District 50 General Election, 2016[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
DFL Melissa Halvorson Wiklund Incumbent 30,516 66.62%
Republican Dean Wm Mumbleau 15,243 33.28%
Total Votes 45,808
2016 Minnesota State Senate, District 50 General Election, 2016[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
DFL Melissa Halvorson Wiklund Incumbent 24,921 59.73%
Republican Kirsten Johnson 16,805 40.27%
Total Votes 41,726
2012 Minnesota State Senate, District 50 General Election, 2012[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
DFL Melissa Halvorson Wiklund 25,300 61%
Republican Vern Wilcox 16,193 39%
Total Votes 41,493

References
  1. "Meet Melissa". Melissa Halvorson Wiklund for Minnesota Senate. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  2. https://www.senatedflcaucus.com/members/melissa-wiklund
  3. "Wiklund, Melissa Halvorson". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  4. "Melissa Halvorson-Wiklund, Candidate for Minnesota Senate District 50". Richfield Patch. September 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 29, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  5. https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.html?mem_id=1209>
  6. "SF 472 Status in the Senate for the 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020)". www.revisor.mn.gov. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
  7. "SF 472 as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020)". www.revisor.mn.gov. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
  8. "Division considers 'Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act' - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  9. "Proposed health care interpreter registry passes HHS committee - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  10. "Senator Melissa Wiklund given Transportation Advocate Award". Minnesota Senate DFL. 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  11. "Melissa Halvorson Wiklund". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
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