Category: Minnesota Legislature

Majority Leader Winkler, Sen. Housley introduce legislation to rededicate Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) and state Senator Karin Housley (R – St. Marys Point) have introduced legislation that would rededicate the Minnesota portion of Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park.

“We are honoring Walter Mondale’s lifelong devotion to public service and his foresight in preserving the St. Croix Scenic Riverway as a national treasure,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Vice President Mondale has left us a legacy of rugged and pristine beauty which we will enjoy for generations to come, and so it is fitting that we recognize him in this way.” 

“Interstate Park is the first such interstate park in the nation. For decades, Minnesotans have marveled at its storied history and natural beauty,” Senator Housley said. “It’s only fitting that we renew the spirit of bipartisanship that led to the park’s creation by naming the Minnesota portion of Interstate Park after its original champion, Walter Mondale.” Continue reading “Majority Leader Winkler, Sen. Housley introduce legislation to rededicate Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on MNLARS, Andover Landfill funding

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House passed MNLARS deficiency funding and general obligation bonding for the projects previously funded through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, including the cleanup of the Andover landfill. Due to their funding source, those projects have been held up in litigation.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“Today, the House passed funding so we can continue to improve the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System – to reduce wait times and increase efficiency for Minnesotans. We also solved a problem created by the previous Legislature when they unnecessarily borrowed against the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Further, moving quickly to fund the Andover landfill cleanup is critically important to residents of the north metro area,” said Speaker Hortman. “This is an example of how divided government can work if we’re willing to work together, find solutions, and compromise.”

“House DFLers believe in honest budgeting and solving problems facing Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We hope this is just the first step as we face much more challenging issues this session.”

Reps. Long & Stephenson Applaud Governor’s Clean Energy Plan for Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced their One Minnesota Path to Clean Energy – a set of major energy policy proposals that will lead Minnesota to 100 percent clean energy in the state’s electricity sector by 2050. The policies build on the success that Minnesota has already achieved in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of clean energy resources to power the state while ensuring reliable, affordable electricity.

Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) is the chief author of HF 700, which prompts Minnesota to move towards 100 percent clean energy and complete the transition by 2050. The bill has already had an informational hearing in the House. Rep. Long released the following statement:

“I was proud to stand with Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan as they announced their plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and am honored to carry the bill in the House,” said Rep. Long. “It’s time for Minnesota to take the lead on addressing climate change. Thank you to Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan for charting a bold course for our state on clean energy.” Continue reading “Reps. Long & Stephenson Applaud Governor’s Clean Energy Plan for Minnesota”

DFL lawmakers to roll out “Responsible on Cannabis” series of legislative proposals

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday at noon, Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division, and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, will be joined for a news conference by authors of legislation to change Minnesota’s cannabis policies. The legislators will preview bills scheduled for public hearings later in the afternoon as part of a “Responsible on Cannabis Day” event.

WHAT: “Responsible on Cannabis” press conference
WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 11:30 AM
WHERE: Press Conference Room B971, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55155
WHO:

  • Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair, House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division
  • Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair, House Health and Human Services Policy Committee
  • Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL – Minneapolis)
  • Rep. Jack Considine (DFL – Mankato)
  • Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL – Brooklyn Center)

House to Hold Hearing on Legislation to Address Skyrocketing Cost of Insulin

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Tomorrow, March 5, the House Commerce Committee will hear several bills to address the skyrocketing cost of insulin, including the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act. The hearing will take place in conjunction with Insulin for All Day at the Minnesota State Capitol, where Minnesotans will share their stories and struggles with access to affordable insulin. Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt will speak at the rally and testify before the House Commerce committee, sharing the story of their son Alec, who lost his life when we was forced to ration his insulin because he could not afford it.

“In Minnesota, no one should lose their life because they cannot afford the insulin they need to survive,” said Rep. Michael Howard. “I am grateful for the advocacy of Minnesotans across the state who are standing up to Big Pharma and urging leaders at all levels of government to take action. It is time that we listen and move forward with these important bills to make insulin more accessible and affordable for all.” Continue reading “House to Hold Hearing on Legislation to Address Skyrocketing Cost of Insulin”

Minnesota House passes expanded background check and red flag laws

This past Wednesday, in a night full of poignant testimony in the House Public Safety Committee, the Minnesota House took one further step in joining 20 other states (plus D.C.) in passing expanded background checks that would cover all gun sales. Rep. Dave Pinto, a prosecutor in his day job, took the lead on shepherding HF 8 through committee. HF 8 takes the long overdue step in closing major loopholes in Minnesota’s current background check system that allows dangerous individuals the opportunity to obtain guns by way of online or private sales. It’s not just common sense legislation that’s the morally right thing to pass, because it’s worked in other states where it’s been implemented in reducing firearm suicide and homicide rates, it’s also extremely popular among Minnesotans. How popular? 89 percent support in a 2018 poll, popular.

After the expanded background checks passed the Public Safety committee on Wednesday night, the committee then took up the other major prong in a long overdue update to MN gun laws. Namely, having Minnesota join 14 other states (plus D.C.) in having a mechanism to allow “Extreme Risk Protection Orders,” more commonly known as red flag laws. Rep. Ruth Richardson took the lead in shepherding HF 9 through committee Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.

Red flag laws are a necessary component of state’s having adequate gun safety protections. They allow court petitions to temporarily remove weapons when individuals show signs of being imminently dangerous and are invaluable in prevention of mass shooting tragedies, suicides, and homicides. The same poll mentioned above shows 87 percent support among Minnesotans.

Representatives Pinto and Richardson further discuss the passage of these necessary gun law expansions on this afternoon’s episode of the Minnesota Values Podcast produced in-house (pun intended) by the Minnesota House DFL Caucus, Episode 3.

Senate DFL Week in Review: February 28, 2019

WEEK EIGHT: February 28, 2019

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February budget forecast is released

The big news this week was the release of the February budget forecast which sets the terms of debate for the two-year budget. The forecast projects how much money the state is likely to have for the upcoming biennium. Minnesota Management and Budget estimates a $1 billion budgetary balance which is $492 million less than the November 2018 forecast. It’s important to be cautious when the state’s budget balance decreases and diligent in working to balance any new investments with additional revenue.

In other notable action, after numerous delays and vigorous debate on the Senate floor, only $1.5 million of the $6.6 million in Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds passed the Minnesota Senate. Minnesota was the only state in the nation that did not pass full federal funding to strengthen election security. Full funding for HAVA passed in the House on February 21, on a bipartisan vote of 105-23. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: February 28, 2019”

House DFL Leadership Statement on the February Economic Forecast

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Minnesota Management and Budget released the February Economic Forecast, showing a projected balance of $1.052 billion for the upcoming biennium, $492 million less than the November forecast. Slowed economic growth continues to be projected for the future. While the forecast does show a balance, it includes inflation on the revenue side, and excludes it on the spending side in several key areas. Estimated inflation is slightly greater than the projected budget balance.

“This budget forecast signals significant challenges for the future,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We have to be cautious going forward. A workforce shortage is constraining our economic growth, making it even more important that we focus on things that help Minnesotans enter and stay in the workforce — like job training, education, child care assistance, paid family leave, and earned safe and sick time. It is also a time to roll out the welcome mat for people who choose to move to Minnesota and expand our workforce.”

“The economic forecast warrants caution, but the shrinking balance is thanks in part to Republican tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy in recent years,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We can’t make progress for Minnesotans’ health care, schools, roads, bridges, transit, or other priorities by cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy. House DFLers are committed to delivering results to improve the lives of Minnesotans, and we will continue advancing our agenda to do so.”