Category: SD49

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: April 13, 2018

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

We are back from the legislative break. This past week we had two floor sessions that were mainly procedural. The two committees that I serve on, Taxes and Transportation, heard some bills this week.

In the Taxes Committee, we are still waiting to hear what the supplemental tax bill conformity will look like. Governor Dayton is expected to release the bill language by today. We will take up those provisions and testimony in committee next week. I look forward to delving into the details of the bill and working with my colleagues to find a thorough solution for Minnesotan taxpayers. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: April 13, 2018”

Rep. Paul Rosenthal (HD49B) Update: April 12, 2018

Rep. Paul Rosenthal (49B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

There are fewer than six weeks to go for the Legislature to finish remaining work before adjournment on May 21. This week, Governor Dayton sent a letter to House and Senate leaders requesting specific bipartisan bills be sent to his desk by the end of the month, related to topics supported on a broad bipartisan basis. These are protecting the elderly and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect, ensuring the safety of our schoolchildren and educators, addressing the opioid crisis, and stabilizing the pensions of Minnesota workers.

I hope both House and Senate majorities will consider this timeline, so there is sufficient time to craft, vet and compromise on taxes and a bonding bill, in addition to passing a supplemental state budget. You can read the Governor’s full letter here. Continue reading “Rep. Paul Rosenthal (HD49B) Update: April 12, 2018”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 29, 2018

Week of March 26th – 29th

Successful town hall sets the stage for an uplifting week.

Representative Laurie Pryor and I hosted a town hall forum on Saturday, and we both are extremely grateful to everyone who attended. With the meeting being scheduling as the same time as the March for Our Lives, we were thrilled by the sizable turnout. Whichever event you chose to attend, know that we both deeply appreciate your sense of civic duty and political efficacy. Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 29, 2018”

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 29, 2018

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

Today marks the end of the first phase of the legislative session with the second deadline. We start our Easter/Passover/Spring break this week and will come back on April 9th to finish the 6 remaining weeks of session. We have tackled the state contracts and pension bills on the floor and discussed the constitutional amendment regarding dedicated revenue to transportation in committee. I was happy to co-author a bill (S.F. 3503) to provide a sales tax construction exemption for to the City of Minnetonka for a new police and fire public safety facility serving the district. This week I also had hearings on two bills, my Uniform Athlete Agents bill (S.F. 2399) in the Commerce Committee and a technical change to Sophia’s Law to ensure the intent of the law is clear before this boating season (S.F. 3380) in the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee. Lastly, I was part of a press conference on gun safety reform and I am hopeful that with your help we find the courage to have a bi-partisan debate on this most important issue affecting us all. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 29, 2018”

Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 29, 2018

CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 29, 2018


Sen. Ron Latz made a statement on the floor last week about the importance of enacting net neutrality protections for Minnesotan consumers and small businesses. 

Gun Violence Prevention

On February 22, 2017, I introduced my criminal background check and gun violence protection order bills to the Minnesota Senate. Now, over one year later, Senate Republicans have yet to schedule a public hearing for either bill, despite the overwhelmingly strong bipartisan statewide calling to do so. Senate Republican leadership continues to assert there are simply too many other issues that need legislative attention. It is true that there are many important and pressing matters that require our attention, but gun violence prevention must be among the highest of priorities. It is simple, now weeks after the Parkland deaths, months after the Las Vegas massacre, years after young children died at Sandy Hook, decades after teenagers perished at Columbine, that we must come together and enact change.  Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 29, 2018”

Where does Anselmo stand on Academic Balance Bill?

To the editor:

While I appreciate Andrew Wig’s “Bill seeks to curtail teachers’ personal expression” article, Edina residents deserve to know where all of their elected officials stand on Sen. Carla Nelson’s (R-Rochester) controversial “Academic Balance” bill.

Wig’s coverage noted that Sen. Melissa Franzen (D-Edina) has already issued a press release against the legislation, (it would mandate schools to “silence open dialog in the classroom” while prohibiting “the introduction of controversial matters.” Continue reading “Where does Anselmo stand on Academic Balance Bill?”

Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 23, 2018

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

We have reached our first deadline this week! Bills need to have gone through the committee process in one body, House or Senate, in order to become viable to meet the 2nd deadline next week in the remaining body. This week I had a hearing on my bipartisan tax bill to provide disaster relief to those impacted by the disasters of Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria. More details are found below.

Finally, the Senate passed a bill to attempt to resolve the MNLARS issue. As a member of the Transportation Committee, I was not supportive of this measure because I believe it falls short in either providing the tools necessary to adequately manage the progress or finding a long term solution to the ongoing system failures. I welcome your thoughts on this particularly troublesome launch. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: March 23, 2018”

Rep. Paul Rosenthal (HD49B) Update: March 24, 2018

Rep. Paul Rosenthal (49B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

Spring is officially here and the pace continues to pick up as we work through bill deadlines.

Here’s an update from the Capitol:

Governor’s State of the State and Budget

On Wednesday night last week, Governor Dayton gave his final State of the State address. The speech was a reminder that when we prioritize fiscal stability and security in our state, we can invest in the values that make Minnesota a great place to live. Inheriting a $6.2 billion deficit and coming out ahead with a modest surplus is a tremendous accomplishment; our high national ratings on economic growth, high school graduation rates, and places to work, raise a family and retire should be recognized as a result of the hard work we have invested in our state. Continue reading “Rep. Paul Rosenthal (HD49B) Update: March 24, 2018”