Category: SD46

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Legislative Auditor report on Child Care Assistance

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on today’s report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP):

“The Child Care Assistance Program is critically important for Minnesota families struggling with the high costs of child care,” said Speaker Hortman. “We have to make sure assistance is going to those who truly need it. We will be working with the Walz Administration and advocates to ensure the integrity of this program.”

“Any misuse of public funds is serious and must be addressed, but using unsubstantiated allegations as an excuse for Islamophobic attacks on an entire community is reprehensible,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We will continue to support the families that rely on this vital program, and improve the affordability and accessibility of child care.”

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”

Sen. Ron Latz Update: March 1, 2019

CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 1, 2019


Senator Ron Latz testified in support of a bill this past week.

Net Neutrality: As many of you may know, I am once again pursuing a net neutrality bill in the Senate. Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) is carrying the measure through the other legislative body. By prohibiting internet service providers from blocking or slowing internet traffic based on its content, Minnesotans would not be charged more based on the content they wish to access. If net neutrality regulations aren’t put in place, small businesses would not be able to fairly compete with larger companies. Providers could slow down access to websites to the benefit of large corporations that can afford to pay the high costs, leaving upstart businesses reeling to pay high costs for the particular kind of content they would need to access in order to be successful. The bill is currently moving its way through the House, but may face obstacles to receive a hearing in the Senate. Nonetheless, I remain committed in pushing forward this crucial consumer protection initiative. Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz Update: March 1, 2019”

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”

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

Statement from Majority Leader Winkler on committee hearings on gun violence prevention

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Tonight, the Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division announced that it would be holding its committee hearing on gun violence prevention legislation at the State Capitol. House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statement:

“We wanted to hold a committee hearing on gun violence prevention in a school to offer students and parents an easier opportunity to offer their thoughts on an issue that has caused so much fear and stress for families. Instead of welcoming that discussion, the gun lobby directed their activists to badger local school district officials, including asking for gun carry requests because schools are gun-free zones. The gun lobby knows that the public isn’t on their side, so they have to resort to these tactics.

“Despite the loud voices of a few extremists, Minnesotans have been clear that they want us to address gun violence. House DFLers will pass gun violence prevention legislation this session.”

Majority Leader Winkler and Coalition Kick Off 2019 Push for Driver’s Licenses for All

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and a statewide, multi-organization coalition kicked off their 2019 legislative efforts for driver’s licenses for all, regardless of immigration status.

“Immigrants came here for the promise of freedom and opportunity, and they contribute to the culture, economy, and community of our state,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “All Minnesotans deserve to be able to work, live and take care of their families. Ensuring everyone has access to driver’s licenses will improve public safety for everyone, grow the state economy, and treat our immigrant communities with dignity and respect. This is the year for us to get this done.”

“Denying immigrants the right to a driver’s license means we’re denying people living in our communities access to jobs and opportunity, endangering public safety, and criminalizing families’ efforts to participate in civic life,” added state Representative Aisha Gomez (DFL – Minneapolis). “That’s destructive for families, for businesses, and for Minnesota. It’s time to make our roads safer, and to reject a politics that would divide people living side by side as neighbors.” Continue reading “Majority Leader Winkler and Coalition Kick Off 2019 Push for Driver’s Licenses for All”

Majority Leader Winkler and Coalition to Kick Off 2019 Campaign for Driver’s Licenses for All

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — At 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 21st, Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler will join a broad coalition and representatives from the business community and law enforcement to kick off the 2019 legislative push for driver’s licenses for all. The statewide, multi-organization coalition and bipartisan group of legislators are committed to passing a state law this session allowing all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status, to obtain driver’s licenses.

Speakers will include Minnesotans from across the state who are directly impacted by the current laws, business and law enforcement leaders who support the change, human rights groups and legislators.

Who:

  • Majority Leader Winkler
  • Rep. Aisha Gomez
  • Rep. Rod Hamilton
  • multi-organization coalition members
  • religious leaders
  • representatives from the business community, law enforcement, and
  • other legislators

What: Press conference to kick off 2019 legislative push for drivers license for all

When: 11:00 AM, Thursday February 21st, 2019

Where: Minnesota State Capitol, first floor stairs leading to the Minnesota Supreme Court

Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: February 14, 2019

 

Responding to Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Comments

As many of you may know, Rep. Ilhan Omar recently tweeted anti-Semitic tropes. Please read my statement below and click the number of links to the media coverage if you’d like to know more.

Unfortunately, Rep. Ilhan Omar has once again made clearly anti-Semitic public statements. While I was prepared to give her an opportunity to assuage my doubts, instead she has reinforced them. She cannot constantly make statements that suggest she was “ignorant” of the anti-Semitic implications of what she says or publishes, as she has been educated by myself and others on numerous occasions. I condemn her recent tweets in the strongest terms and call upon her to refrain from making future such comments. In the long term, maybe Rep. Omar should take the time to educate herself on the history of world anti-Semitism and its horrifying consequences rather than promoting. Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: February 14, 2019”

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”