Category: State Issues

DFL Party Statement on the Ousting of Representative Cheney

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement following Representative Liz Cheney’s ousting from Republican Party leadership: 

“Donald Trump’s lies and conspiracy theories about the 2020 elections led to the storming of the United States Capitol in a violent attempt to overthrow American democracy. Congressional Republicans just removed Representative Liz Cheney from party leadership for acknowledging that basic fact, fighting back against those lies, and voting to hold the perpetrator accountable.

“Representatives Hagedorn, Emmer, Fischbach, and Stauber should have joined Cheney in working to stop the Big Lie from becoming part of Republican dogma. Instead, they meekly sat back and allowed Cheney to take the fall for standing up for truth, for the rule of law, and for our democracy. This act of political cowardice on the part of Minnesota’s Republican Congressional delegation should not be forgiven and it must not be forgotten.

“It is abundantly clear that the Republican Party is now the party of Donald Trump, the Big Lie, and the January insurrection, and every single Republican who allowed that to happen should be deeply ashamed of the miserable and morally bankrupt state of their party.”

Phillips Endorses Historic Action to Legalize Adult Recreational Cannabis Use in Letter to Minnesota Legislature

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Minnesota would become the 17th state to make cannabis legal

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) endorsed the legalization of adult recreational cannabis in Minnesota for the first time. In a letter delivered to legislative leaders in Minnesota this morning, Phillips touted his support for House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler’s bill, H.F. 600, and called on the Minnesota House and Senate to pass the legislation this session. 

Despite bipartisan, majority citizen support for legalization, Minnesota has some of the strictest cannabis policies in the nation. H.F. 600 would allow adults to grow and consume cannabis in a responsible fashion while ensuring that law enforcement has the tools necessary to meet new challenges. Further, the legislation would expunge non-violent cannabis offenses from Minnesotans’ criminal records and invest revenues from cannabis taxation into the communities that were disproportionately impacted by the failed War on Drugs.

“Laws prohibiting recreational marijuana use defy both common sense and the will of the people,” said Rep. Phillips. “As elected officials, it is our collective responsibility to listen to our constituents, especially when there is such broad agreement on the need to act.  I urge the Minnesota House and Senate to respect the freedom and liberty of those they serve and pass H.F. 600, joining those states – both Red and Blue – who have already recognized the sensibility of legalizing, regulating, and taxing cannabis.”

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Keith Ellison reshaping Minnesota Attorney General’s Office with eye on criminal justice

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His focus on criminal justice, police and hate crimes draws national attention. 

Derek Chauvin’s murder conviction represented for many a rare moment of justice in the nation’s long history of police brutality. It also underscored the dramatic transformation of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office under Keith Ellison.

Long focused on consumer protection, the office is rapidly becoming a major player in criminal justice in the state — a shift that is attracting national attention.

“We definitely want to be there to direct more criminal prosecutions, and we need more people so we can meet more needs,” said Ellison, who is asking the Legislature for 11 new prosecutors to rebuild its criminal division this year. Continue reading.

Man Films Himself Stealing Vial of COVID Vaccine to ‘Test,’ Says it’s ‘Poisoning People’

A Minnesota man posted a video of himself that appeared to show him stealing a vial of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in order to “test it at a lab.”

The man, who has been identified by his social media accounts as Thomas Humphrey, filmed himself at what appeared to be the beginning of a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a CVS pharmacy on Thursday.

He can be heard saying, “I just want to read it. I just—you know, I’m taking the vaccine, I just want to read it,” he then reached across a counter and grabbed a white box.” Continue reading.

‘The Legislature has proved … they’re not capable of getting the job done’: How redistricting is likely to happen in Minnesota

A Q&A with Peter Wattson, a redistricting expert and lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state, about the state’s history of redistricting — and what he expects to happen between now and next February, when state law requires Minnesota to have a new political map.

Last week’s release of state-by-state population numbers by the U.S. Census was the official, if belated, kickoff of redistricting season. While Minnesota was able to hold onto all eight of its current seats in Congress, the state won’t be able to begin rebalancing the populations of those districts — or state legislative districts — until late summer, when more detailed data is released.

These delays will make it more difficult for the state Legislature to redraw its political maps by a February 2022 deadline, even if the court, and not the Legislature, has long been the decider in Minnesota. A lawsuit filed in February began the state down that path, arguing that current lines are unconstitutional because of their unequal populations and asking the court to begin the process of drawing new ones.

Peter Wattson is the lead plaintiff in that suit. No stranger to redistricting law and politics, Wattson was a state Senate staff member assigned to the redistricting process and served as counsel in 2011 to then-Gov. Mark Dayton during his redistricting battles. Now retired, Wattson remains involved in redistricting law. MinnPost talked to Wattson about the current lawsuit, the state’s history of redistricting and what he expects to happen between now and next February, when state law requires Minnesota to have a new political map. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: May 7, 2021

Governor Walz Announces Timeline to End COVID-19 Restrictions

Capacity restrictions to end on May 28, masking requirement to end by July 1

Safely Ending COVID-19 Restrictions


On Thursday, Governor Walz announced a three-step timeline to end nearly all COVID-19 restrictions by May 28, and end the statewide masking requirement once 70% of Minnesotans age 16 years and older get their vaccine, or by July 1. The announcement comes as more than 2.6 million Minnesotans have gotten their shot and the state is on track to vaccinate 70 percent of Minnesotans by the end of June.

Since mid-April, COVID-19 cases have declined. Hospitals are seeing fewer admissions and vaccination progress has relentlessly pushed forward. Vaccines held COVID-19 variants at bay and avoided having them overwhelm our state. Minnesotans can visit VaccineConnector.mn.gov to make a vaccine appointment at a Community Vaccination Program site, or use the Find Vaccine Locations map to locate a provider near them.

2 Million Minnesotans Have Received Complete Vaccine Series

2 Million Minnesotans Fully Vaccinated


This week, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced that 2 million Minnesotans have completed the vaccination process. While it took the state 15 weeks to complete the first million vaccine series, it took just five weeks to complete the second million vaccine series.

“Minnesotans have done an extraordinary job doing their part to end this pandemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am grateful for everyone who has gotten us to this milestone today — from the providers distributing vaccines, to the Minnesotans rolling up their sleeves, to the organizers on the ground making sure no community is left behind, to the friends and neighbors helping their loved ones get these life-saving shots. This has been a true team effort and I know we can get to the finish line together.”

State Launches Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccinations at State Vaccine Sites

Starting today, walk-in availability makes it easy, convenient for Minnesotans to roll up their sleeves

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On Friday, Governor Walz announced that eligible Minnesotans can walk in for a COVID-19 vaccination without an appointment at the state’s Community Vaccination Program locations effective today, Friday, May 7. As Minnesotans under 18 must receive consent from a parent or guardian, the state encourages parents, guardians, and families to walk in and get vaccinated together. 

Walk-ins for Minnesotans 16+ are now accepted at state community vaccination sites in Bloomington (Mall of America), Saint Paul (Roy Wilkins Auditorium), Lino Lakes and Oakdale. Walk-ins for Minnesotans 18+ are now accepted at Mankato, Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud.

Governor Walz Calls on Senate to Pass Summer Learning Package in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget

Gov. Walz Bumps Elbows with School Children


On Tuesday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan called on the Minnesota Senate to quickly pass the summer learning package in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget to ensure schools have the support they need to help students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Passed by the Minnesota House in March, the $150 million plan addresses opportunity gaps and expands summer learning opportunities.

Helping students recover and catch up on learning has been one of the Governor’s budget priorities from the beginning of the legislative session. In January, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget – his budget proposal for the next biennium. As Minnesota continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Walz’s budget supports working families, ensures students catch up on learning, and helps small businesses stay afloat while driving economic recovery.

Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Honors the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives

Lt. Gov. Flanagan spoke at the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Event


On Wednesday, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives , Lieutenant Governor Flanagan joined State Legislators and community leadership to push for a new Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Office dedicated to preventing and ending the targeting of Indigenous women and children.  

“A powerful way we can both honor those we’ve lost and protect our Native women and girls into the future, is to create and fully fund the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Office in the Department of Public Safety,” said  Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I believe we can work together with Minnesota Legislature to get this done.”

MN In the News

Minnesota’s COVID restrictions to end May 28, mask mandate July 1

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Though vaccine uptake is slowing, Walz said that amount of progress requires only another 473,000 eligible people 16 or older to get their first shots. 

An indoor mask-wearing mandate will end no later than July 1 and COVID-19 restrictions on business and social gatherings will end May 28 under a plan that Gov. Tim Walz hailed Thursday as a path to a “great summer” for Minnesota.

The rollback of COVID-19 restrictions will start at noon Friday with an elimination of capacity caps for outdoor entertainment venues such as Target Field, an expansion of caps for indoor venues, and an end to early bar and restaurant closing times. All caps will be eliminated May 28 ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

The mandate requiring masks in indoor public spaces could be lifted before July 1 if the state can increase the rate of Minnesotans who have received COVID-19 vaccine from 59% to 70%. Though vaccine uptake is slowing, Walz said that amount of progress requires only another 473,000 eligible people 16 or older to get their first shots. Continue reading.

Senate DFL Week in Review: May 7, 2021

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Voter Identification Bill 
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.

#1

Senate Republicans support voter suppression through passage of Voter ID bill

A controversial bill passed the Senate floor this week on a party-line vote to impose onerous voter ID requirements on our future elections. Photo ID requirements—in conjunction with provisional ballots and voter registration purges—have been used by Republicans across the country to disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for citizens to cast a ballot. Read more >>

#2

House moving forward on police reform legislation, unclear if Senate Republicans will follow

The conference committee tasked with deliberating the 2021 Judiciary Omnibus Bill began its work this week, walking through the Senate and House versions of the bill and the similarities and differences. There is more than 200-page difference between the two bills, with the House having a higher budget target and allowing policy provisions to be included in the bill. Read more >>

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House DFLers continue to push for robust police accountability reforms in Public Safety budget

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, House DFLers on the Public Safety/Judiciary budget conference committee renewed their efforts to enact a strong package of police accountability reforms. During this afternoon’s meeting, the DFL members advocated for measures including enhanced citizen oversight, strengthening the police misconduct database, a prohibition on many unnecessary traffic stops, and more. Katie Wright, the mother of Daunte Wright, Brandon Williams, George Floyd’s nephew, and other family members who’ve lost loved ones testified before the committee in support of the legislation.

“As the days of the legislative session tick down, today House DFLers are standing alongside the families of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and the other Minnesotans whose lives were taken away too soon. We must deliver broad, systemic changes to ensure our communities can receive justice,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), House Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Committee Chair. “There is a need to act now. The status quo only continues to result in Black Minnesotans dying at the hands of law enforcement and that is unacceptable. Our state is at a critical moment, and it’s time for Senate Republicans – who have not so much as held a hearing on this – to act and join us in creating a public safety structure that values human life and dignity.” 

To work toward a final agreement on the legislation, House DFLers put forth an offer to the Republican-controlled Senate containing the following proposals, along with their original bill numbers and chief authors:

  • Allowing local governments to establish civilian councils for oversight of law enforcement (HF 640, Gomez)
  • Changes to the use of no-knock warrants (HF 1762, Hollins)
  • Requirement for law enforcement to provide Duty to Intercede reports to the POST Board Police (HF 464, Lucero)
  • Enhancement of the police misconduct database to get bad officers off the streets earlier (HF 1374, Frazier)
  • Creation of a model policy for law enforcement response to public assemblies (HF 445, Mariani)
  • Eliminating certain statutes of limitations for peace officers (HF 717, Vang)
  • Ban on peace officers’ affiliation with white supremacist groups (HF 593, Frazier)
  • Matthew’s Law, requiring the POST Board to develop a comprehensive model policy addressing the use of confidential informants (HF 237, Quam)
  • Travis’s Law, requiring 911 operators to refer calls involving a mental health crisis to mental health crisis teams when appropriate (HF 1686, Hanson, J.)
  • Requirement to preserve body camera footage in deadly force incidents, and to make it available to family members within 48 hours and to the public within 90 days (HF 1103, Thompson)
  • Sign and release warrants (HF 2593, Long)
  • Limitation on certain traffic stops (HF 1374, Frazier)

“The Republican Senate continues to refuse any progress on policy issues to reform our public safety system. They have refused to hold hearings all session, refused to acknowledge the pain and suffering many Minnesotans have gone through this year alone, and are now refusing to engage during these conference committees,” said Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL – New Hope). “The community is here, at the table, exhausted, and asking to have their voices heard at the state legislature. The Senate Republicans’ failure to act is a clear message that ‘all lives’ don’t matter, especially not Black ones.”

In addition to members of George Floyd and Daunte Wright’s families, members of law enforcement, the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, the ACLU of Minnesota, and representatives from other organizations provided testimony.

Video of the hearing is available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel. More information about the conference committee – including comparisons of each chamber’s version of the legislation – is available on the committee webpage.

Minnesota House passes bill to prevent unnecessary interactions with law enforcement

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation authored by Rep. Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis) and Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL – Brooklyn Center) that would prevent dangerous interactions between Minnesotans and police officers. The bill, which was introduced in response to the killing of Daunte Wright, aims to reduce encounters where police arrest people who have missed court appearances for certain low-level offenses.

“Reducing the number of occasions where police take people into custody will make Minnesotans safer,” said Rep. Long. “Our goal is to lower the temperature in police interactions whenever possible. Providing a court date to someone who never got the notice is a simple step but could have a big impact in promoting safety for both officers and the public.”

“This is a common sense change we can make to policing to ensure that individuals who interact with police officers can get home safely,” said Rep. Vang. “These are the kinds of changes we must make so that officers can focus more on emergency situations and Minnesotans of color can feel safe in their communities. Our goal is to prevent another traumatic event while allowing our justice system to function appropriately.”

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