Category: SD46

Majority Leader Winkler introduces adult-use cannabis legislation, will continue conversation after crisis ends

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler introduced legislation today that would legalize the adult use of cannabis. The legislation is the result of months of public discussions on how to responsibly legalize and regulate cannabis.

“We made a commitment to introduce legislation this session, and we wanted to follow through on that commitment,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Our current priority is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, but after the town halls and discussions around this issue, we still wanted to put a strong bill forward. As we look to come out of this crisis as a better, stronger Minnesota, we need to continue working toward legalizing cannabis for responsible adult use.”

The bill includes the following:

    • Creates a regulatory structure focused on developing micro-businesses and a craft market
    • Provides for expungement of most cannabis convictions
    • Provides for a limited allowance of home grow
    • Requires testing and labeling of products
    • Restricts packaging based on dosage size
    • Provides funding for public health awareness, youth access prevention, and substance abuse addiction and treatment
    • Provides grants, loans, technical assistance, and training for small businesses
    • Uses best practices from other states to account for negative externalities

“Minnesotans have been loud and clear that our current cannabis laws are doing more harm than good,” added Majority Leader Winkler. “By creating a regulatory framework we can address the harms caused by cannabis and establish a more sensible set of laws to improve our health care and criminal justice systems and ensure better outcomes for communities.”

The text of the bill, HF 4632, can be found here.

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on budget projection

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Minnesota Management and Budget released an updated budget projection showing a projected $2.426 billion deficit in the current biennium. Minnesota currently has $350 million in the state’s cash flow account and $2.359 billion in the budget reserves. House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“While we expected the state’s financial picture to worsen, I am relieved that the size of the projected deficit was not larger,” said Speaker Hortman. “Thanks to prudent financial management of the state’s resources by the executive and legislative branches over the past decade, Minnesota has enough resources in the budget reserve and the cash flow accounts to weather the downturn. I’m pleased Minnesota has received $1.87 billion in federal aid, which allows us to take measures to provide economic security to Minnesotans to help them get through the COVID-19 downturn. Investments are needed to make Minnesotans secure in their housing, help small businesses, facilitate distance learning and telemedicine, and to ensure we have the workforce we need to provide care for the elderly and people with disabilities. The federal assistance allows us to make these needed investments, while our state’s savings will cover our expected dip in revenue.”

“Minnesota has the resources we need to address this crisis; we just need the will to act,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We must stay the course to reduce the impact of COVID-19, save lives, and help Minnesotans get through the storm. Minnesotans need investments in the things that will help them make it through this crisis and thrive after it, including quality health care, economic security, a good education, and safe and healthy communities.”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on local jobs and projects bill

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“It’s disappointing to see the minority leader threaten to block much-needed investments in local jobs and projects in our communities,” said Speaker Hortman. “Governor Walz and his Administration have served the people of Minnesota well during this crisis, and his thoughtfulness is why Minnesotans overwhelmingly approve of his actions. Ending the peacetime emergency declaration before the emergency has passed would be reckless.”

“Minnesota needs to build its way out of the COVID-19 crisis, not play games with Governor Walz’s needed emergency powers,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Minnesotans in every part of the state need a strong local projects and jobs bill, and DFLers in the House are committed to delivering it with no strings attached. Workers need jobs that are safe, and we intend to create as many of them as we can.”

 

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on COVID-19 vigil

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on last night’s vigil for workers who have become infected with COVID-19 while on the job. 

“Our first responders, health care, and essential workers are putting themselves on the front line of the battle against this pandemic every day,” said Speaker Hortman. “We owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude. The Minnesota House of Representatives will continue to do all we can to support these heroes.”

“All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to be healthy and safe. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, our first responders, nurses, and health care workers are the people making that happen,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “They are serving Minnesotans well at great personal risk to themselves and their families. They have our deepest appreciation, and we will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs safely.”

 

Sen. Ron Latz (SD36) Update: April 24, 2020

Capitol Update: Friday, April 24, PUA Payments Begin

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that the agency has begun making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to people who are self-employed, independent contractors, and other eligible recipients who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. PUA is a new program that was authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and signed into law on March 27, 2020.

In less than one month, DEED’s unemployment insurance team created the infrastructure to implement this brand new program, determine eligibility, prevent fraud and adapt to the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19. While it will take DEED some time to determine eligibility for everyone who applies for PUA, they are working closely with the Department of Revenue to expedite that process. Minnesota is proudly one of the first states in the nation to implement all three components of the federal CARES Act and provide critical financial assistance to hundreds of thousands of people who have been impacted by this pandemic.

Here’s what Minnesotans need to know about applying for PUA: Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD36) Update: April 24, 2020”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on allowing certain

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement that certain non-critical businesses can reopen:

“Minnesotans’ work ethic is unparalleled across the country — we are a hard-working and productive state. Minnesotans care about one another’s health and we share a commitment to taking action to lessen the risk posed by COVID-19,” said Speaker Hortman. “The steps Governor Walz outlined today for office, industrial, and manufacturing workplaces are a welcome signal that together we have made progress slowing the spread of this disease, and that we are learning the steps we must take to keep each other safe moving forward. I appreciate that Governor Walz and his team are continuing to follow the science and are putting Minnesotans’ health and safety first. Our foremost concern continues to be ensuring that we can protect our health care system from being overwhelmed, and that we can protect health care workers who are risking their lives to treat Minnesotans.”

“Minnesotans need as much economic security as we can provide during this public health crisis, and those least likely to have it are being hardest hit,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “House DFLers are working to ensure the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans now and into the future.”

 

Extended distance learning increases need to guarantee pay for frontline school employees,

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement that distance learning will be extended through the end of the school year:

“Minnesota’s schoolchildren miss their teachers and they miss their friends. This pandemic has changed so much for so many of us — including what it means to go to school and how we deliver an education,” said Speaker Hortman. “Governor Walz’s decision to continue distance learning until the end of the school year is the right call. This decision highlights the need for the Minnesota Legislature to pass legislation immediately to ensure all school employees continue to get paid through the end of the school year. Our teachers and hourly school employees have never been more important to our children and families. They deserve economic security and our support — especially during these difficult times.” Continue reading “Extended distance learning increases need to guarantee pay for frontline school employees,”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on COVID-19 testing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement of a statewide testing strategy in Minnesota:

“Expanding Minnesota’s ability to test for COVID-19 is a critical step in protecting our health and getting Minnesotans back to work,” said Speaker Hortman. “The expanded contact tracing is also important. It’s essential for Minnesota’s leaders to be guided by science and public health expertise in their decision-making. I’m pleased Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health, and Minnesota’s health care providers were able to move quickly to provide expanded testing for our state.”

“We are continuing to tackle this crisis because of the joint work of the Legislature, Governor Walz, his administration, the people of Minnesota, and the institutions of our state,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The Governor’s announcement today is another step in the right direction.”

The House Health and Human Services Finance Committee will hold a hearing on COVID-19 testing on Thursday at 12:45 pm.

 

Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 4556 today, a package of COVID-19-related legislation.

“The legislation we passed today will provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “There is clearly more work to do to safeguard the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans. We will continue working with Governor Walz and the Minnesota Senate to help Minnesotans during this public health crisis.”

“This is the fourth package of legislation we have passed in the last month to provide Minnesotans with resources and economic security during this difficult time,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We are continuing to adapt to serve the public as we were elected to do.”

The legislation includes the following: Continue reading “Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package”

Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee Holds Remote Hearing

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the House Ways and Means Committee held a remote hearing where members were given a presentation by MMB Commissioner Myron Frans and State Economist Dr. Laura Kalambokidis regarding the quarterly economic outlook, and an update on COVID-19 related federal funding.

“Minnesota is going through unprecedented economic times. It is critical that we work early and often to balance the budget before the end of the fiscal year,” said Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL – Crystal), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. “It is too early to say just how much COVID-19 will cost Minnesota, both in loss of revenue and increased spending to manage the virus. Regardless of the final budget forecast, House Ways and Means will fulfill its constitutional duty to balance the budget.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee Holds Remote Hearing”