Minnesota Legislature 8 , CD3 DFL

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: June 14, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Our regular session came to an end last month, however, our work for the year is far from over as we approach a special session set for next week. House and Senate leaders and Governor Walz have reached a budget agreement that we are using as guidelines in our conference committee negotiations. We have reached agreements on our Energy/Commerce, Taxes, Higher Ed, Agriculture, and Legacy Finance budgets. Some of the more contentious bills like E-12 Education and Public Safety still have a ways to go however. Details on the overall budget agreement and what the special session will look like can be found here.

Eviction Off-Ramp

It is critical that we prevent a massive housing crisis as we begin to return to normal. The House DFL proposed a common sense plan to give everyone the time they need to catch up on their rent and mortgage. Watch our press conference to learn more about our plan. It was announced today that we have reached a final agreement. Under the agreement, Governor Walz’s executive order on an eviction moratorium will be replaced by a stepped-down off-ramp that will conclude 105 days after enactment. Landlords will be required to send a notice to renters with outstanding rent 15 days prior to eviction. In addition, renters with an outstanding rental assistance claim cannot be evicted and will have that protection until June 1, 2022. If you are behind on housing payments, apply for aid here.

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 14, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Eviction Off-Ramp

Rep. Kelly Morrison Update: June 11, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a safe and reflective Memorial Day Weekend. I was so grateful for the opportunity to join the staff and board of Groveland Cemetery, Excelsior American Legion Post 259 and friends and neighbors to observe Memorial Day and Groveland’s 150th anniversary. It was a privilege to deliver remarks to such an esteemed group.

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: June 11, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

DFL Releases Eviction Off-Ramp

It is critical that we prevent a massive housing crisis as we begin to return to normal. The House DFL has a common sense plan to give everyone the time they need to catch up on their rent and mortgage. Watch our press conference to learn more about our plan. If you are behind on housing payments, apply for aid here.

8 Months After Election, MN GOP Refuses To Say It Wasn’t Stolen

GOP continues to give credence to conspiracy theory that led to assault on U.S. Capitol

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, in an interview with the Rochester Post Bulletin, Minnesota Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan refused to affirm the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Per the Post Bulletin:

Asked whether the election was “stolen” from Trump, Carnahan declined to say one way or the other, but said the “concerns that people have should not be overlooked.”
“If there’s ever any question or doubt, or people don’t feel that they have the full transparency on enough things, what is wrong with just looking into things and answering those things?” she said.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement in response:

“It is both disgraceful and dangerous that the Minnesota Republican Party is giving credence to a conspiracy theory that fueled an insurrection against the United States. Refusing to condemn the Big Lie will only serve to further radicalize a segment of the Republican base against American democracy.

“The reason the Republican base has questions about the election is because they have been lied to by cowardly politicians who care more about their careers than our democracy. If Republicans make questioning the legitimacy of free and fair elections a regular feature of American politics, it will lead to another attack on our government.

“Minnesota Republican leaders at all levels must denounce this inflammatory and radicalizing rhetoric from Jennifer Carnahan. This has to stop.”

DFL Legislators, Housing Advocates emphasize the need for an Eviction Moratorium Off-Ramp

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, DFL Legislators were joined by local officials and housing advocates to emphasize the dire need for a suitable off-ramp for the current eviction moratorium. As budget negotiations continue, DFL legislators are proposing an orderly transition away from the eviction moratorium that would prevent a wave of evictions while ensuring landlords are made whole for rent that is owed to them.

“Governor Walz’s eviction moratorium has saved lives by reducing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the most vulnerable Minnesotans from the threat of losing their homes, and we cannot afford to replace this pandemic with an untenable wave of evictions,” said Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee. “The DFL is standing with both renters and landlords to ensure they have the opportunity to take advantage of federal assistance, and it’s our responsibility to provide that pathway without putting their financial or physical health in jeopardy.”

Policy makers and advocates emphasized the need for a roadmap to transition off the current residential eviction moratorium which would ensure renters have enough time to access federal funding for rental assistance when the COVID-19 related peacetime emergency ends and provide clarity to the process. Renters and landlords can access rental assistance at renthelpmn.org.

Rep. Mariani Statement on Status of Public Safety Budget Negotiations

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee, issued the following statement regarding ongoing efforts to reach a Public Safety budget agreement:

“Minnesotans are counting on state legislators for both the policy solutions and the necessary funding to ensure all communities can live with true public safety while being treated with dignity and respect. To stop the senseless trauma that too many people, families, and neighborhoods continue to experience – especially communities of color – at this critical moment in our state’s history, Minnesotans deserve a fair and thoughtful approach to better policing. Contrary to recent Republican rhetoric, the House DFL Public Safety budget both better funds police work and better increases accountability than the Senate Republican proposals. Most significantly, it does so by including the voices of people of color who are the most impacted when police practices go wrong. Their views are vital to help us all to understand the need for the changes they are rightly demanding. As part of the legislative conference committee, I call on Senate Republicans to stop the non-helpful posturing and find an agreement with us that will meet the needs of our communities.”

Minnesota Senate GOP wants state control of some historic sites

Democrats and state officials say the nonprofit Minnesota Historical Society is best equipped to manage them.

Senate Republicans want to put government in charge of state-owned historical sites instead of the Minnesota Historical Society, a nonprofit that has overseen more than two dozen significant homes, forts and battlefields for the past 50 years.

The quiet push, tucked in a proposed budget bill to fund state government, would provide more transparency over how these sites are run, Republicans say. But the move blindsided state officials and comes after years of clashes between conservatives and the Historical Society over things ranging from signage at Fort Snelling to the toppling of the Christopher Columbus statue by activists last summer.

“A historical society should not be embroiled in a huge amount of controversy,” said Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, who proposed the change. “They should be keeping track of our history.” Continue reading.

Minnesota POCI Caucus Statement on National Immigrant Heritage Month

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – This month, President Joseph Biden proclaimed June 2021 as National Immigrant Heritage Month. In recognition of the contributions to Minnesota made by our immigrant communities, the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus released the following statement:

“So much of the diversity that makes Minnesota the state we love is thanks in large part to our immigrant communities. From all walks of life, from all over the globe, immigrants have been coming to Minnesota in search of a better life for our state’s entire history. Minnesota’s heritage is a heritage of immigrants. This month, as we celebrate and honor our immigrant heritage, we must also reflect and address the new and continued burdens faced by those starting a life in a different country.

“The past year has not impacted all Minnesotans equally, and our immigrant communities have not only been disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic and xenophobic attacks, but the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd has devastated some of the most influential immigrant-owned economic corridors in the state. As we honor our heritage, let us also commit to supporting our present immigrant communities, and building a prosperous future for the next generation of new Minnesotans.”

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: June 3, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope the beginning of summer is treating you well and that you’ve had a chance to enjoy some of the great activities our community has to offer. I was able to stop by a pie sale and concert at Plymouth at the Hilde this afternoon!

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