Minnesota Legislature 19 , CD3 DFL

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 23, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

These last two weeks we have again been forced to confront our state’s issues around systemic racism and injustice for Black, Brown and Indigenous Minnesotans. I am grateful that Derek Chauvin was held accountable for his murderous actions, but just a week earlier we saw the tragic killing of Daunte Wright. We clearly have significant work to do so that Black lives are valued and all Minnesotans are safe in their communities. I encourage you to read the People of color and Indigenous Caucuses statements on the killing of Daunte Wright here, and on the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin here.

Budget Bills Passed

We are entering the final weeks of session so we are passing our comprehensive budget bills (also called omnibus bills) on each legislative topic. These will form the base of our negotiations as work to craft a budget that works for all Minnesotans. This means we are staying up late on the House floor debating the final amendments before we pass the bills. We have passed most of the omnibus bills for the session and only have a couple left. Here are some highlights:

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: April 23, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Happy Earth Day, and Ramadan Mubarak to those who celebrate! This week has been extremely eventful, and here at the legislature, we are committed to making sure speedy and effective policy is underway.

While Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict was a hopeful glimpse of accountability, we need to continue to push for public safety efforts that looks out for ALL Minnesotans. Our neighbors, our colleagues and our friends and families deserve safety, justice and freedom from fear.

Wednesday night, the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced a budget bill to increase accountability measures within law enforcement, expand survivor protections and increase community oversight over the safety of our state. This omnibus bill is a compilation of a number of bills, shown below, brought forth by legislators covering a broad range of public safety needs.

Senate DFL Week in Review: April 23, 2021

Guilty verdict for Chauvin
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.

Derek Chauvin found guilty on all charges

A jury in Hennepin County this week found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty on three charges in the murder of George Floyd: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin is currently imprisoned and awaiting sentencing, which is expected to happen in about eight weeks. Read more >>

Senate Passes Transportation Omnibus Bill with funding for North Metro Projects

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate passed the HF 1684, the transportation omnibus budget bill, by a vote of 40 to 26. The bill contains nearly $7 billion in funding for a range of transportation projects, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Department of Public Safety.

“The transportation bill passed today includes much needed funding for transportation projects throughout the north metro, including $12 million in funding for Highway 10, for Highway 65, and for the Ramsey Gateway Project,” said Senator John Hoffman. “These necessary upgrades will improve traffic flow, safety, and will create hundreds of jobs for our community. I’m proud to vote yes for this bipartisan package.”

Approximately $42.5 million in funding is included for these projects. This includes $7 million in grants to the city of Blaine for a local road intersection at 99th Avenue Northeast and marked Trunk Highway 65 and associated local road improvements.

Minnesota House approves Environment and Natural Resources budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its Environment and Natural Resources budget on a vote of 70-63. This legislation aims to protect and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources for current and future generations.

“Problem solving is not easy, but that is why Minnesotans elected us,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee. “Minnesotans are proud of our state’s many natural resources, and we want current and future generations to be able to enjoy the great outdoors. This is a problem-solving bill that addresses unprecedented threats to our environment and protects our air, water, land, and wildlife.”

Minnesota House approves changes to tax system to improve fairness, fund new investments in students, families, small businesses

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House Democrats approved new changes to state taxes to improve fairness and pay for important investments in students, families, and small businesses. The proposal expands the Working Family Tax Credit, establishes conformity on unemployment insurance and PPP loans (up to $350,000 per loan), and provides aid for small businesses that did not receive a PPP loan or did not make a profit in 2020.

“This tax bill is how Minnesota can make sure our neighbors and community members hit hardest by COVID-19 don’t get left behind,” said Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), chair of the House Taxes Committee. “It’s been an extremely tough year for working families, students, senior citizens, farmers, and small businesses. When the biggest corporations and the wealthiest are doing extremely well, Minnesotans expect the Legislature to level the playing field and fund important investments in people.”

To fund important investments in students, families, and small businesses, the House DFL tax bill creates a new 5th Tier income tax rate of 11.15% on income above $1 million (or $500,000 for single filers) and prevents multinational corporations from sheltering profits in offshore tax havens like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: April 22, 2021

Neighbors,

It has been a busy week for Minnesota, both in the national and global news, and in our efforts at the Minnesota Legislature. Not far from our community, we saw another tragic killing of a Black man by law enforcement when Daunte Wright was shot in Brooklyn Center, and earlier this week former officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty for the murder of George Floyd.

In finding former officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts, the jury has helped move us toward justice in this instance, but there is more left to do to ensure all Minnesotans have access to the dignity and safety they deserve.

As a community, we need to continue to call out racism in our systems, and as a legislator, I will continue to fight for public safety reforms and equity measures that protect and lift up everyone in our community, no matter what they look like or where they are from.

Minnesota House passes Agriculture budget bill

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its Agriculture budget bill to strengthen farming and food production in Minnesota. The legislation funds the operations of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Additionally, the bill makes new investments in high-speed broadband across the state.

“I’m grateful for our farmers in Minnesota and everyone else who works in agriculture. COVID-19 has been very difficult for the entire state, and this budget addresses many of the challenges farmers are facing,” said Rep. Mike Sundin (DFL – Esko), Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. “Agriculture represents a small part of the state budget, but plays an enormous role in our state’s economy and way of life. This legislation will help farmers have a stronger future, bolster our next generation of farmers and encourage new Minnesotans to explore opportunities in agriculture, tackle the growing threat of climate change, and ensure Minnesotans can all have healthy food to put on the table.”

With a vision to encourage more Minnesotans to explore farming, the legislation includes funding for an Emerging Farmer Office at the MDA, Farmland Access Teams, and Urban Youth Agriculture. The bill also requires the MDA to help farmers finance new cooperatives that process or market agricultural products or services.

Minnesota House Advances Public Safety, Judiciary and Civil Law Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, a day after the guilty verdict in the trial of the police officer charged with the killing of George Floyd, the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced a major finance bill containing Public Safety, Criminal Justice Reform, Judiciary and Civil Law legislation on a vote of 70-63. The legislation increases accountability for law enforcement while also increasing investments in public safety. Furthermore, it expands justice for survivors of sexual assault and helps to equip communities for keeping their neighborhoods safe. The bill also focuses on reducing racial bias, decriminalizes poverty, and ensuring that every Minnesotan faces equitable treatment under our justice system.

“It’s our responsibility to create the public safety structure, framework, and resources that respect everyone’s human dignity and rights. Despite yesterday’s verdict, we still have much work before us to achieve the meaningful change Minnesotans deserve,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee. “At its core, this bill is about building trust among all of us. By advancing greater police accountability, funding to make reforms possible, and centering equity and the voices of those who’ve experienced crimes, House DFLers are delivering guidance for a public safety system that reinforces strong and healthy community life for all Minnesotans.”

Minnesota House Advances Energy and Commerce Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives advanced the energy and commerce budget bill on a vote of 70-64.

The Climate and Energy portion of the budget puts Minnesota on a path to achieve 100 percent clean energy in the electricity sector by 2040. It improves energy efficiency goals, strengthens the renewable energy preference, and updates state emissions targets to align with the latest scientific projections. The bill delivers critical funding to help reach these ambitious goals, including nearly $20 million to install solar energy systems on school buildings, state-owned buildings, and in state parks; $10 million to create a nonprofit Innovative Finance Authority to leverage private investment in clean energy; and $5.5 million to expand a solar manufacturing plant in Mountain Iron, which would make it the second largest in the nation. These investments will accelerate the transition to clean energy while helping Minnesotans save money on their electricity bills.

“This bill is about ensuring Minnesota is leading the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Rep. Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis), chair of the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee. “Seizing our opportunity to make a rapid and equitable transition to clean energy will create good-paying jobs and affordable energy and address the threat of climate change. We do this while making sure all Minnesotans – especially those most impacted by climate change – can access these benefits.”

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