Category: Minnesota Legislature

Public Safety Committee to Review Legislation Reducing Use of Cash Bail

SAINT PAUL, MN – On Thursday, February 14, Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL – Minneapolis) will present legislation in the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform committee to reduce the use of financial conditions – typically bail – in misdemeanor offenses. Under the bill, defendants charged with certain misdemeanors would be released without financial conditions unless the court determined there was a substantial likelihood that the defendant would flee or endanger public safety.

What: First hearing on H.F. 741

When: Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 12:45 p.m.

Where: Capitol 120

Who:  Chief Author Rep. Mohamud Noor

Bail for misdemeanors in Minnesota can vary from $78 – $12,000. Defendants who cannot pay the amount often use bail bonds or remain in jail before trial. Minnesota allows bail bonds to charge up to 10 percent of the bail amount.

The financial condition exemption would not apply if the defendant had impaired driving convictions within the prior 10 years, or had a history of committing violent crimes such as domestic abuse, domestic violence, or stalking.

Sen. Bobby Joe Champion authored companion legislation in the Senate.

Rep. Morrison & Sen. Rosen to Announce Bipartisan ‘Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act’

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, Representative Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven) and Senator Julie Rosen (R- Vernon Center) will be joined by advocates from the health care industry, various labor representatives, business community, and supporters for a press conference to announce the “Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act,” which aims to create more transparency of prescription drug pricing, and increased accountability for the prices charged and price increases.

WHAT: Press conference to announce “Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act”

WHO: Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven) and Senator Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center), Nikki Foster of the MS Society, Claire Henn of the AARP, Dr. Charlie Fazio, Chief Medical Officer at HealthPartners, labor and business officials

WHERE: Room B971, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, 55155

WHEN: Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:00 p.m.

Rep. Huot’s proposal to increase standard deduction receives a public hearing

SAINT PAUL – Representative John Huot (DFL- Rosemount) is championing legislation to increase the standard deduction Minnesotans can claim on their taxes. His bill, HF 886 received a public hearing in the House Tax Committee today.

“Electing the standard deduction is a simpler and faster way for Minnesotans to file their taxes,” said Rep. Huot. “Additionally, increasing the standard deduction through this bill will deliver a bigger tax benefit for working Minnesota families.”

Minnesota is currently not in conformity with federal changes to the standard deduction in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, so the state standard deduction is tied to old federal law. Rep. Huot’s bill would increase the standard deduction by $2,000 for joint filers and would save a married couple earning median income on average $141. About two-thirds of Minnesotans claim the standard deduction. Continue reading “Rep. Huot’s proposal to increase standard deduction receives a public hearing”

Sen. Latz & Rep. Stephenson Renew Efforts to Protect Net Neutrality for Minnesotans

SAINT PAUL, MN – On Wednesday afternoon, Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) and legislators held a press conference to announce their commitment to protecting Minnesota consumers in response to the 2017 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reversal of net neutrality. Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.

“This is a significant consumer protection issue in Minnesota,” remarked Rep Stephenson. “Given the amazing power of the internet, and how it has come to impact literally every corner of our lives, every Minnesotan deserves access to a free and fair internet.”

By incorporating these consumer protections, internet companies would be prohibited from charging businesses, individual consumers, and educational institutions for the convenience of faster speed support for their websites, and would ensure that websites with less traffic or the financial ability to pay for faster speed support are protected. Continue reading “Sen. Latz & Rep. Stephenson Renew Efforts to Protect Net Neutrality for Minnesotans”

House Transportation Committee to review transportation impacts on climate change in Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, February 14 at 12:45 p.m., the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee will discuss new data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency identifying transportation as the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The committee will hear testimony regarding electrification of the state’s transportation systems.

Developing electric infrastructure of cars, buses, and other ways in which the state can reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions will be up for discussion.

WHAT: House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee hearing on transportation and climate

WHO: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, state agencies, businesses and environmental advocates discussing transportation, climate, and electrification of state transportation systems.

WHERE: Room 10, Minnesota State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, 55155

WHEN: Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:45-2:15 p.m.

With Minnesota facing probation crisis, legislators, experts, local officials call for community-centered reforms

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Citing the Minnesota criminal justice system’s costly reliance on probation and community supervision, a bipartisan group of Minnesota House members gathered Tuesday to launch a series of community-centered public safety reforms. The lawmakers were joined by local elected officials and public safety experts to outline improvements to deliver more effective outcomes for everyone involved, including crime victims, those who work in the criminal justice system, and community members, as well as for offenders to move forward in a positive direction.

Monday, the Justice Action Network released findings of a survey showing significant statewide public support for probation reforms like those being heard in the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division, chaired by Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul).

“We are working to move Minnesota toward a community-centered public safety approach, where the whole community engages in problem solving when crimes are committed or people’s behaviors are misunderstood. As legislators we are committed to thoughtfully examine our approach to many aspects of our criminal justice system, including probation,” Rep. Mariani said. “Overuse of lengthy probation terms often sets offenders up for failure and is a massive cost driver in our corrections system. Legislators from both parties, are innovatively looking for ways to increase safety and remove racial inequities, by involving all members – in addition to law enforcement – to re-envision the way we think about criminal justice that builds up human capacity for healthy and safer communities.” Continue reading “With Minnesota facing probation crisis, legislators, experts, local officials call for community-centered reforms”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Line 3 process

Saint Paul, Minnesota — Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statement on the continuation of the appeals process on the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline:

“This is a process that belongs in the executive and judicial branches of government, not in the legislature. Political interference and Republican finger-pointing will only make it more challenging to come to a final decision. We expect that this process will result in a fully-vetted and sound outcome.

“While the Line 3 project is under review, House DFLers will push to create quality jobs by investing in infrastructure, transportation, higher wages, and better benefits for Minnesotans.”

Rep. Huot’s proposal to increase standard deduction scheduled for Feb. 13 public hearing

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Wednesday morning, Representative John Huot (DFL-Rosemount) is receiving a public hearing on his bill to increase the income tax standard deduction for Minnesota families.

WHAT: House Tax Committee Hearing on HF 886

WHO: Rep. John Huot (DFL-Rosemount)

WHERE: Room 5, Minnesota State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, 55155

WHEN: Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 8:00 a.m.

Minnesota Senate Week in Review: Week Five, February 7, 2019

WEEK FIVE: February 7, 2019

Committee work in full swing at the Senate, committee deadlines released

It’s been a busy week at the Capitol with committees in full swing hearing bills including hands-free legislation, electronic monitoring in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, higher education capital investment needs, and requiring a personal finance course to graduate from high school.

There were also a number of press conferences held this week, kicking off with the 100% clean energy press conference, a discussion on wage theft, the announcement of a new United Black Legislative Caucus, and a press conference on tax filing. MN Second Chance also held a press conference and the Joint Religious Legislative Council (JRLC) held their Day on the Hill. Continue reading “Minnesota Senate Week in Review: Week Five, February 7, 2019”