Category: Minnesota Legislature

House DFLers set to approve gun violence prevention legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Finance and Policy Division tonight is hearing two bills to address the epidemic of senseless gun violence. HF 8 and HF 9 will help ensure Minnesotans who may be dangerous or otherwise ineligible from owning or possessing a firearm aren’t able to do so.

HF 8 would require criminal background checks to be performed prior to all gun sales. HF 9 would provide for “Red Flag laws,” temporarily restricting an individual’s access to firearms if a court determines they may be a threat to themselves or others.

“In our committee, we’ve taken a community-centered approach to public safety that engages the full community to solve problems, including that of gun violence,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), committee chair. “Communities need tools they can use to intervene responsibly with those who have a history of criminal problems, or who are exhibiting worrisome behavior.” Continue reading “House DFLers set to approve gun violence prevention legislation”

House and Senate DFL to Respond to February Economic Forecast

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Thursday, DFL Legislative Leaders will respond to MMB’s February Economic Forecast immediately following Governor Walz at approximately 12:15 PM.

Who: Speaker Hortman, House Majority Leader Winkler, Senate Minority Leader Bakk, Sen. Cohen, Sen. Dziedzic, and Sen. Rest

What: Press response on February Economic Forecast

When: Approximately 12:15 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Where: Minnesota Department of Revenue Skjegstad Room (2000), 600 Robert St N, St Paul, MN 55101

 

House DFLers Announce “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day” on March 1

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – House Education Policy Chair Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) today is announcing a new event taking place at the Capitol this Friday, March 1 called “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day.” The event is a House DFL Majority initiative inspired by students, parents, and public education advocates.

What, When, Where, Who

In conjunction with “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day,” the Education Policy Committee will meet in Room 5 of the State Office Building Friday, March 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to advance a conversation with our fellow Minnesotans about this important priority. During this public hearing, students, parents, educators, administrators, advocates, and House DFLers will share their hopes, dreams, and challenges as it relates to health and safety in our schools. Members of the press and members of the public are invited to attend and participate.

“In the Minnesota House, we are committed to ensuring that students, educators, employees, administrators, and members of the public are healthy and safe while in school to the fullest extent possible,” said Rep. Youakim. “This is a priority for the House DFL Majority and should be for all elected officials, regardless of political party.” Continue reading “House DFLers Announce “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day” on March 1”

House Commerce Committee Approves New Tools to Address Predatory Payday Lending

Public Testimony Shines Spotlight on Significant Harm Caused by Triple-Digit Interest Loans

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the House Commerce Committee approved bipartisan legislation to address a harmful cycle of debt caused by predatory payday lending. Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) presented HF 1501, which would cap the interest rate and annual fee on payday loans at 36%. Minnesota Attorney General Ellison testified in support of the legislation.

“HF 1501 is a common sense solution to predatory lending in our state,” said Rep. Davnie. “Hardworking Minnesotans deserve and need access to safe and responsible resources, not a system designed to take them in and milk their bank accounts over the long term, leaving them worse off and without funds to cover basic living expenses. It’s high time Minnesota joins those states that put reasonable limits on the rates of loans for struggling consumers.”

At a public hearing, a former payday borrower, advocates, and experts described the financial destruction caused by loans carrying 200% to 300% annual interest rates with unaffordable terms that create a cycle of debt. Sixteen states plus the District of Columbia cap annual interest on payday loans at 36% or lower to disrupt this cycle of debt. Congress passed a similar 36% cap on loans to active-duty military at the urging of the Department of Defense, after the DoD documented financial harm from payday loans so significant that it impacted military readiness. Continue reading “House Commerce Committee Approves New Tools to Address Predatory Payday Lending”

Private prison ban is heard in Legislature

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Legislation authored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and state Senator Ron Latz (DFL – St. Louis Park) that would ban private prisons in Minnesota was heard the House Corrections Division this morning. HF 1237 was held over for inclusion in a future Corrections bill. SF 1678 is the Senate companion.

“Criminal justice is a core responsibility of government,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Minnesotans deserve strong public safety and private prison companies fail to deliver. House DFLers are working to make sure Minnesotans’ rights are protected ahead of corporate profits.”

If enacted, the bill would prohibit the Department of Corrections and county sheriffs from housing inmates in facilities that are not owned and operated by the state, a local unit of government, or a group of local units of government. Continue reading “Private prison ban is heard in Legislature”

Latest Episode of Call of the Senate Now Available

Today at 9:00 am the Senate DFL podcast, “Call of the Senate” will release its fourth episode featuring Senator Nick Frentz:

Politics run in the family for Senator Nick Frentz, whose mom worked in the California State Senate for 13 years. Though born on an Army base in Japan, Frentz and his family has roots dating back 150 years to the Mankato area. His commitment to community-building shows through h his years of coaching youth sports, but also through his legislative priorities of addressing Minnesota’s affordable housing crisis and advocacy for Highway 14.

You can find the podcast here:

SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/callofthesenate
Senate DFL website:  https://senate.mn/callofthesenate
Buzzsprout:  http://callofthesenate.buzzsprout.com

The podcast will soon be available on iTunes, Spotify, Alexa and Google Play. We’ll provide that information as soon as we receive it.

House DFLers Announce Feb. 26 Public Hearing to Address Predatory Payday Lending

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA —  On Tuesday, February 26, the House Commerce Committee will discuss bipartisan legislation to regulate predatory payday lending. Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) will present HF 1501, which would cap the interest rate and annual fee on payday loans at 36%. According to payday lending statistics in Minnesota from the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, fees charged equate to annual interest percentage rates ranging from 391%-1,170%. Sixteen states, including South Dakota, and the District of Columbia already have payday loan regulation in law. Chair Laurie Halverson (DFL-Eagan) is also a sponsor of the bill. Minnesota Attorney General Ellison is supportive.

What: A public hearing on HF 1501 in the House Commerce Committee

When: February 26, 2:30 PM

Where: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155

Who: House Commerce Committee members, advocates, financial institutions

Please note that committee may run later than 4:00 PM and/or recess and reconvene in the evening depending upon bill testimony and discussion.

Majority Leader Winkler and Senator Latz to discuss legislation banning private prisons

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Majority Leader Ryan Winker and state Senator Ron Latz (DFL – St. Louis Park) will hold a press conference at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, February 26 to discuss their legislation to ban private prisons in Minnesota. HF 1237 will be heard in the House Corrections Division at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning.

Who: Majority Leader Winkler, Sen. Ron Latz, AFSCME Council 5 Associate Director Tim Henderson, correctional officers

What: Press conference on legislation banning private prisons

When: 12:30 PM, Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Where: Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971; 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

Gov. Tim Walz: My budget reflects the morals of Minnesotans

Credit: Greg Nash

Voters prioritized education, health care and community prosperity. So does my proposal.

Over the past two years, I have had the privilege to visit with Minnesotans in their communities. From Grand Portage to Luverne, Minnesotans have welcomed me into their schools, their VFWs, their coffee shops, and their homes.

As I traveled mile after mile and enjoyed countless conversations across the state, it became clear to me that there are three priorities the people of Minnesota share: education, health care and community prosperity.

The budget I unveiled last week will make significant strides in achieving these priorities. I have often said that a budget is not only a fiscal document — it’s a moral document. This budget reflects the morals of the people of Minnesota. This is the budget Minnesotans voted for by historic margins.

View the complete February 22 commentary by Gov. Tim Walz on The Star Tribune website here.