Category: SD49

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 15, 2019

Weekly Review Video

Weekly Review
Weekly Review 2

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

The legislature is at the halfway point of the 2019 session, with the first committee deadline closing out the week. The first deadline requires policy bills to have had their first hearing in the committee of origin unless the companion bill in the House has been heard. Finance, tax, and capital investment bills do not have to meet this deadline.

Committees were busy working into the end of the week to ensure that bills meet the deadline in order to continue through the legislative process this session. In the upcoming weeks, the House and Senate will work to come to a consensus on a number of issues through the conference committee process, so that Governor Walz can sign legislation into law. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 15, 2019”

Why I introduced the recreational cannabis legalization bill


Earlier this session, I introduced SF 619, a bipartisan bill that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults at least 21 years old.

This legislation will further decriminalize and regulate cannabis use in Minnesota. The bill will primarily focus on the regulatory framework to provide for responsible oversight of recreational use of cannabis.

In 2013, when medical cannabis became law, policymakers and members of the public participated in a month-long conversation about the merits of legalization of medical cannabis. While emotions ran high, a bipartisan consensus created a carefully regulated system with safeguards to prevent abuse. As more states legalize cannabis for recreational use, most recently our Midwest neighbor Michigan, Minnesota has thus far been reluctant to engage in the kind of serious conversations that happened five years ago, until now. SF 619 is receiving its first hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, and I welcome a respectful debate to address the public’s concerns and the challenges to implementation.

View the complete March 13 commentary by Sen. Melissa Franzen (SD49) on The Sun-Current website here.

Minnesota Senate rejects legalizing recreational marijuana

GOP senators shut down legalization debate

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate voted down a measure Monday to legalize marijuana for recreational use, abruptly ending debate on the subject — for now.

State Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, who gave the bill a hearing as chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, said after the 6-3 vote that testimony from law enforcement, health experts and former Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger persuaded him that legalization is a bad idea.

Republicans also killed a last-ditch effort to create a task force to further study the issue, evidence that Senate Republicans were eager to dispense with the issue for the year.

View the complete March 12 article by J. Patrick Coolican on The Star Tribune website here.

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: March 11, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a great weekend! A lot of legislation is moving through the committee process as the House is working to narrow the focus with our first deadline for bills on Friday.

A big congrats to the Edina Girls and Boys Hockey teams for their state championship victories over the month! Your hard work and dedication are tremendous accomplishments of which you should be proud.

Here’s a recap of what’s been going on at the Capitol: Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: March 11, 2019”

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 8, 2019

Volume 5, Issue 9          March 8, 2019

Weekly Review Video

Video
Play Button

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

The ninth week of the 2019 session wraps up this week, with the legislature having only passed two bills so far. MNLARS funding and a small bonding bill for clean-up of a toxic closed landfill in Andover and technical fixes to construction bonds for Highway 14 and Highway 23 were both passed and signed into law by Governor Walz.

Committee highlights from this week include a number of bills addressing mental health issues in rural Minnesota, provisional ballots, an estate tax repeal, and a bill to cut social security taxes. Reinsurance was heard in Finance Committee, a bill to reimburse deputy registrars had a committee hearing, and a bill to punish those who drive too slow in the left lane was also debated. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 8, 2019”

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 4, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We’re in our ninth week of the legislative session. Read below for an update from St. Paul.

State Budget Forecast

The February Budget Forecast was released last week, showing Minnesota has a balance of $1.052 billion, $492 million less than what was projected in November. While our economy is still doing relatively well, we need to exercise caution, especially with federal uncertainty. Our budget ought to be focused on helping Minnesotans address our economic challenges: out of control health care costs, high tuition, insecure retirements, child care expenses, and more. I’ll be keeping these in mind as we work to craft our budget in the House. Please feel free to share your priorities and ideas with me to help shape this process.

Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Finance and Policy Division approved legislation to take on the epidemic of senseless gun violence during a public hearing Wednesday night and Tuesday afternoon. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 4, 2019”

Rep. Healther Edelson (HD49A) Update: March 1, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

As we’re wrapping up our eighth week at the Capitol, a lot has happened. Here’s an update from St. Paul:

Gun Safety Legislation

The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Finance and Policy Division approved legislation to address the epidemic of senseless gun violence during a public hearing Wednesday night and Tuesday afternoon.

HF 8 would require criminal background checks to be performed prior to all gun sales. Minnesota’s background check system currently has loopholes allowing dangerous individuals to obtain guns via online dealers or through private sales. Evidence shows expanded background checks will save lives, and states which have taken this approach have experienced lower homicide rates, lower firearm suicide rates, and less firearm trafficking. Continue reading “Rep. Healther Edelson (HD49A) Update: March 1, 2019”

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 1, 2019

Volume 5, Issue 8                     March 1, 2019

Video
Play Button

A clip from Monday’s press conference

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

The week started with our annual event, STEM Advocacy Day. The day was kicked off with a press conference to announce the introduction of three STEM bills detailed below with a bipartisan group of co-authors, representatives from Seagate, Ed Graff, the superintendent of Minneapolis schools, and students from around the state involved in robotics programs. A few robots made a special appearance, as well! The students then met with their elected officials and had the chance to demonstrate their work in the rotunda. Thank you to everyone who attended!

The big news this week was the release of the February budget forecast which sets the terms of debate for the two-year budget. The forecast projects how much money the state is likely to have for the upcoming biennium. Minnesota Management and Budget estimates a $1 billion budgetary balance which is $492 million less than the November 2018 forecast. It’s important to be cautious when the state’s budget balance decreases and diligent in working to balance any new investments with additional revenue. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 1, 2019”

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: February 22, 2019

Volume 5, Issue 7     —     February 22, 2019

Weekly Review Video

Video
Play Button

 

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

Week seven of the 2019 session was busy with the news of Gov. Walz releasing his budget blueprint for the next two-year biennium. He focused his budget on the shared priorities of all Minnesotans: providing a high-quality education for all kids regardless of their race or zip code, providing access to quality health care at a price people can afford, making sure every community thrives across Minnesota, investing in the state’s crumbling infrastructure which is putting Minnesotans’ public safety at risk, and providing tax relief for all Minnesotans. I will delve into the provision contained within the Governor’s proposed budget and welcome your thoughts as well. More information can be found here. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: February 22, 2019”